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Show BY GERRY AVANT Church News staff writer r X celebrations are in order for the new century that is dawning for the Primary, an organization that was begun for children in a small Utah community on Aug. 25, 1878. The 1977-7- 8 Primary year will focus upon many events and personalities that have brought the organization to its nearly membership since Aurelia Rogers began the first meeting in a chapel in Farmington, Utah, nearly 100 years ago. On the organizations 99th anniversary, the Primary general presidency and board members met in the historic rock chapel, which is now part of the Farmington 1st and 2nd wards. Jill Mulvay of the Church Historical Department addressed the leaders, relatmg pertinent events that surrounded the organization and growth of the Primary. There was a very beautiful spirit surrounding our meeting in that chapel, said Primary Gen. Pres. Naomi M. Shumway as she talked with the Church News about the Primarys upcoming centennial year. She briefly recounted how the Primary was begun when Aurelia Spencer Rogers, a humble woman filled with love, sensed the peed for the children to have an organization wherein they could be taught everything good, and how to behave. Sister Rogers took her idea of a childrens organization to Eliza R. Snow, who was in Farmington for a conference of the Young Ladies organization. Sister Snow spoke with President John Taylor and within a short time Sister Rogers was called to preside over the children in Farmington. She was set apart in this position in a public meeting on Aug. 11, 1878, by Bishop John W. Hess. Her counselors were Louisa Haight and Helen M. Miller. Rhoda H. Richards was called to serve as the secretary. The first meeting was held two weeks later on Aug. 25. In her book, Life Sketches, Sister Rogers wrote, As I stood and looked into the faces of those children, I knew that this was the right thing and with the help of the Lord one would succeed. half-milli- rock-walle- O d Continued on page it 11 In Aurelia Rogers . . . Primary founder. 10 Primary Gen. Pres. Naomi M. Shumway, center, and counselors Colleen B. Lemmon, Dorthea C. Murdock will preside over anniversary events. I'-- , iJffi CTSsf Kr v 4 i iV .v f'W- I - J I J hn a w .fu h N I u A If kik V is throi During the past 99 years the Primary has spread are, from left, Cecelia Espinoza, Latin America; LuAn Timothy Kee, American Indian; Connie Asper, Scand |