The women leaders of the Church said they felt that including girls and women of such a wide age range helped to foster a sense of unity and sisterhood. “We build each other when we’re together,” said Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president. “There’s an energy, a feeling of love; it’s a connection to each other.”
In reference to the decision to invite younger girls to the meeting, Sister Burton said, “We knew that the 8-year-old girls were supposed to be there. There was no question about that.” She explained how the leaders felt that since the girls are old enough to be baptized, they’re old enough to participate in the meeting.