Photo of a banner flown across the Salt Lake Valley. The plane tow was sponsored by Mormons for ERA and the banner reads, “ERA: The Pearl of Great Price.”

(Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives, Collection P0144, Box 1, Folder 18.)

MERA used public protests to provide an opposing view to the position of the LDS Church, gain access to leaders, and garner favorable media attention. They coordinated regular demonstrations outside LDS temples, churches, and the biannual LDS General Conference. As part of their protest demonstrations, they organized several plane tows which flew across the Salt Lake Valley. One of the banners references an additional work of LDS scripture and reads, “ERA the Pearl of Great Price.” Another banner acknowledges LDS theology that believes in a Mother in Heaven and reads, “Mother in Heaven Loves Mormons for ERA.”