Where can I find information about the history of the Primary?
Answer
The Primary organization has a unique—and, to be honest, somewhat complicated—history, so it’s natural that we receive a lot of questions about it. The Church History Catalog contains many materials detailing the Primary’s origins and subsequent history, and we have included a list of resources below. However, since we receive so many questions about the Primary’s history, we also wanted to share information about how the Primary got started.
Like some other Church programs, Primary grew out of a local effort. Primary originated with Aurelia Spencer Rogers, who spoke with Eliza R. Snow about her belief that the children of the Church needed more structure in their lives. In response, Sister Snow asked Sister Rogers if she would be willing to spearhead an effort to help the children if her bishop gave approval. Accordingly, in 1878, Bishop John W. Hess, bishop of the Farmington Ward, agreed with Sister Rogers and organized the Farmington Ward Primary. He stated, “I hope parents will feel the importance of this movement—if any thing in this life should engage the attention of parents it should be the care of their children.”[1] Sister Aurelia Spencer Rogers was called as the ward Primary president and later as the Davis Stake Primary president. She reported that the first meeting “was not quite a success”[2]—a sentiment that may come as a comfort to many Primary teachers of today.
Other wards and stakes soon followed suit. As they did, Eliza R. Snow, General Relief Society President, presided over the many newly appearing ward and stake Primary presidencies. In 1880, Louie B. Felt was called to be General Primary President; however, Sister Snow continued to act as presiding officer. This organizational structure may seem unusual to modern researchers, but we should remember that this was a new initiative operated primarily by individual wards and stakes, and it took time to create a homogenous program. Additionally, unlike today, Sister Felt had several other callings besides being the General Primary President. She was also a ward Primary president, Sunday School teacher, and member of her ward and stake Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (YLMIA).
After Sister Snow passed away in 1887, Sister Felt and her longtime friend and counselor May Anderson worked together with the wards, stakes, and Primary board to develop a program that would be used throughout the Church. These early beginnings of trial, error, and education culminated in the Primary organization receiving approval from the First Presidency to publish its own magazine, the Children’s Friend (1902–1970), the predecessor of the current Friend magazine (1971–present).
The Primary organization continues to develop and grow to meet the needs of today’s children. In 2019 and 2020, many changes were made to Primary, including the ages of advancement,[3] curriculum, and activity program.
You can find more information on the history of Primary in the following sources:
- Primary Organization Research Guide
- Gospel Topic: Primary
- Church History Topic: Primary
- Carol Cornwall Madsen and Susan Staker Oman, Sisters and Little Saints: One Hundred Years of Primary (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1979).
- Susan Staker Oman, “Nurturing LDS Primaries: Louie Felt and May Anderson, 1880–1940,” Utah Historical Quarterly, vol. 49, no. 3 (Summer 1981), 262–75.
When reviewing early Primary documents, you will notice that religious education was not the focus. Primary was originally designed to teach manners, early childhood education, and activities. Religion classes and junior Sunday School were responsible for the religious education of children. It was not until 1929 that Primary became responsible for the religious education of children.
- Farmington Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1878–1949 , Volume 1, 1878–1888, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
- In Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 1, 1878, 53, Church History Library, Salt Lake City; see also Minerva E. Richards, Woman’s Exponent, Nov. 1, 1878, 82, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
- See Camille West, “ Age Changes for Youth Progression and Ordination Announced ,” Church News, Dec. 14, 2018, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.