Primary Organization

Welcome to the research guide for the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This guide is designed to assist you in finding and accessing resources about the Primary’s history, leadership, materials, and programs. In addition to this research guide, The Story of Primary: Stories from the Founding of the Primary Organization and the Church History Topic “Primary,” found on the Church History website, are principal resources.

The Church History Library holds many resources for the Primary organization. You can use the Church History Catalog to search for names of Primary presidents, counselors, board members, or family members. You can also search for wards, stakes, and missions. Searching the terms “Primary,” “Primary Association,” “children,” “manual,” “songbook,” and other terms associated with the Primary organization will provide many results. Use the search tools on the left-hand side of the catalog to refine your search, such as by date range, location, or language. This guide is not a comprehensive list of available sources but provides key records or a sampling of available records.

This guide identifies resources to be accessed online and on-site. Online resources are digitized content that you can access from your computer by clicking on the title. You may need to sign in to the catalog to view the online resource. At the Church History Library, archivists, librarians, historians, and technicians digitize thousands of images every month. If a collection is not currently available digitally, it could be soon. You can request digitization through the Ask Us inquiry form. Some collections are digitized but, because of copyright law, require that you be logged in to view the digital images; some will also require permission to download.

On-site resources can be viewed at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can identify the item or collection information in the online catalog and request to see the source when you visit the library.

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As the women, men, and youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became more involved in their various organizations, a concern for the children of the Church grew. Aurelia Spencer Rogers of the Farmington (Utah) Ward not only recognized that need but acted upon it. Like many other Church programs, Primary grew out of a ward effort. In 1878, Bishop John W. Hess organized the Primary in the Farmington Ward. 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 Rogers was called as the ward Primary president and later as the Davis Stake Primary president. As a comfort to many Primary teachers of today, she reported that the first meeting “was not quite a success.”²

Eliza R. Snow, Relief Society General President, presided over the many ward and stake Primary presidencies. In 1880, Louie B. Felt was called to be Primary General President; however, Sister Snow continued to act as presiding officer. This organizational structure may seem unusual to modern researchers; however, they should remember this was a new program being operated by the wards and stakes. It took time to create a homogenous program. Additionally, unlike today, Sister Felt had several other callings besides being the Primary General President, including as ward Primary president, Sunday School teacher, and member of the 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.

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 took over the religious education of children.

Additionally, the Children’s Friend (1902–1970), the predecessor of the current Friend magazine (1971–present), was not created for children but rather for Primary teachers; it featured lesson ideas and plans as well as spiritual messages. The Primary General Presidency and general board hoped to find ways to guide and support Primary leaders and teachers who lived outside of major Church population centers. Gradually, more pages written specifically for children were included in the Children’s Friend, and its target audience changed from Primary teachers and leaders to the children themselves. The Primary General Presidency and general board moved the messages to leaders and teachers from the Children’s Friend magazine to newsletters such as the Primary Script (1956–1973) and Primary Dispatch (1973–1980). Lessons were included in lesson manuals and lesson manual supplements.

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, curriculum, and activities.

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Local Unit Records

Campina Grande Branch Primary Association minutes and records, 1974, LR 1345 18

Primary Association minutes for the Campina Grande Branch, Brazil North Mission.

Central Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1911–1938, LR 1566 18

Primary Association minutes for the Central Ward, Bannock (Idaho) Stake.

Dargaville Branch Primary Association minutes and records, 1961–1967, LR 2147 18

Primary Association minutes for the Dargaville Branch, New Zealand North Stake.

Fa‘aala 1st Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1958–1968, LR 2742 18

Primary Association minutes for the Fa‘aala 1st Ward, Savaii Samoa West Stake.

Farmington Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1878–1949, LR 2816 18

Primary Association minutes for the Farmington Ward, Davis (Utah) Stake, including the first records of Aurelia Spencer Rogers and Bishop John W. Hess.

Homestead Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1928–1973, LR 7710 18

Primary Association minutes for the Homestead Ward, Sacramento (California) Stake.

La Porte Branch Primary Association minutes and records, 1971–1973, LR 4572 18

Primary Association minutes for the La Porte Branch, Chicago (Illinois) South Stake.

Omagh Branch Primary Association minutes and records, 1964–1973, LR 6502 18

Primary Association minutes for the Omagh Branch, Ireland Mission.

Saint George 2nd Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1880–1905, LR 7750 18

Primary Association minutes for the Saint George 2nd Ward, Saint George (Utah) Stake.

Salslavalu Primary minutes, 1952, LR 7852 38

Mission Primary minutes for Salslavalu in the Samoan Mission. Written in Samoan.

Sao Carlos Branch Primary Association minutes and records, 1961–1966, LR 8122 18

Primary Association minutes for the Sao Carlos Branch, Brazilian Mission.

Spanish American Branch Primary Association minutes and records, 1971–1972, LR 8588 18

Primary Association minutes for the Spanish American Branch, Utah Stake.

Twenty-seventh Ward Primary minutes and records, 1902–1904, LR 2398 27

Primary Association minutes for the Twenty-Seventh Ward, Ensign Stake (Salt Lake City, Utah).

Washakie Ward minutes, 1883–1910, LR 9928 22

Ward minutes for the Washakie Ward, Box Elder (Utah) Stake. Includes Primary Association attendance rolls for 1883–1884 and minutes for 1883–1885.

Manuscripts

Aurelia Spencer Rogers journal, 1881 January–1900 June, MS 4951

Journal for Aurelia Spencer Rogers, Primary president, Farmington Ward, Davis Stake. It includes records of the beginnings of Primary and her role in the Farmington Ward and, later, the Davis Stake.

Clara M. Cannon papers, circa 1882–1921, MS 4749

Papers of Clara M. Cannon, counselor in the Primary General Presidency under Louie B. Felt. Includes a diary, correspondence, and newspaper clippings.

Heber J. Grant letter of appreciation to Louie B. Felt, circa 1925, MS 5255

Letter of appreciation from President Heber J. Grant to Louie B. Felt, General President of the Primary Association.

Jane H. Blood diaries, 1862–1898, MS 8842

Diaries of Jane H. Blood, who served as Primary president in Kaysville, Utah, for 12 years.

Lillie T. Freeze papers, 1886–1928, MS 316

Papers of Lillie T. Freeze, counselor in the Primary General Presidency under Louie B. Felt. Includes writings, correspondence, and ephemera.

Reward of merit for Aurelia S. Rogers, 1879, MS 7556

Reward of merit for punctual attendance presented to Aurelia Spencer Rogers, Farmington Ward, Davis Stake.

Sarah Louisa B. Felt reminiscence, undated, MS 354

Reminiscence of Louie B. Felt being called as General President of the Primary Association.

Oral Histories

Christie A. Enodien interview: Ibadan, Nigeria, 2019 September 30, OH 15078

Includes Sister Enodien’s service as a stake Primary president. This collection is available as a limited-access collection; you must request digital access to view it.

Garegin G. and Armanush Galdunts interview: Yerevan, Armenia, 2018 August 25, OH 12970

Includes Sister Galdunts’s experiences serving in Primary. This collection is available as a limited-access collection; you must request digital access to view it.

Nicolasa Hernández Ríos interview: Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia, 2016 February 21, OH 9860

Includes Sister Ríos’s service in Primary. Interview is in Spanish. This collection is available as a limited-access collection; you must request digital access to view it.

Photographs

Aurelia S. Rogers and Primary children, circa late 1800s, PH 2473

A collage of colorized portraits of Aurelia Spencer Rogers and unidentified children.

Aurelia Spencer Rogers portrait collection, circa 1890–1910, PH 3746

Portraits of Aurelia Spencer Rogers.

George Edward Anderson photograph collection, circa 1880–1929; Utah; Benjamin, Utah, 1922 October 18, 1916 August 31, PH 726

Photograph of the Benjamin Ward, Nebo (Utah) Stake, Primary children and teachers.

Davis Stake primary leaders, circa 1912, PH 2560

Photograph of the Davis Stake (Utah) Primary leaders, including Primary General President Louie B. Felt.

Elba Ward Primary, 1903, PH 5431

Photograph of the Elba Ward, Cassia (Idaho) Stake, Primary children and teachers.

Portrait of Farmington Ward’s first Primary presidency (1878), circa 1890, PH 1700 4395

Portrait of Aurelia Spencer Rogers, Mary Catherine Millard, and Lucy Augusta Rice Clark, Farmington (Utah) Ward Primary presidency.

Primary Association float, 1915, PH 209

Primary Association float during the Pioneer Day Parade, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1915.

Primary Association gathering, 1914 June, PH 2271

Photograph of a large gathering of Primary children, teachers, and Primary General President Louie B. Felt, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Primary Association lantern slides, circa 1920s, PH 6252

Lantern slides of Aurelia Spencer Rogers, Farmington Ward meetinghouse, a dance festival, and unidentified children. You may need to sign in to your Church Account to view images under copyright.

Primary Association photographs, circa 1950–1973, PH 1799

Photographs from the Children’s Friend campaign, Primary Children’s Hospital, and Primary conferences. Must sign in and request digital access to view these photographs.

Wells Ward photographs, circa 1920; Primary children, 1920 March 28, PH 9842

Photograph of unidentified Primary children and teachers. It is part of the Wells Ward, Grant (Utah) Stake photograph collection.

Seventeenth Ward Primary, circa 1888–1895, PH 4666

Photograph of Primary children and leaders of the Seventeenth Ward, Salt Lake City (Utah) Stake. Included in the photograph is the Seventeenth Ward Primary president Julia Cruse Howe.

Audio Materials

Children’s Friend of the Air, 1947–1948, AV 2947

Radio program that included dramatizations from stories in the Children’s Friend. It was produced by KDSH Radio of Boise, Idaho, and KDYL of Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to copyright restrictions, researchers must sign in to listen to it.

Children’s Friend of the Air, 1948–1952, AV 595

Radio program that included dramatizations from stories in the Children’s Friend. It was produced by KDSH Radio of Boise, Idaho, and KDYL of Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to copyright restrictions, researchers will need to sign in to listen to it.

Published Materials

Manuals and Workbooks

A Child’s Life of Our Savior by Wm. A. Morton, M231.29 M889c 1900

A beginner’s reader for children in Primary and Sunday School. Published by George Q. Cannon and Sons, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bluebird Diary, M257.56 B658 1949 stu

Workbook for 10-year-old girls in 1949.

Deseret Sunday School Reader: First Book for Our Little Friends, M257.36 S9578f 1879b

A reader created for younger Sunday School children. Published by the Deseret Sunday School Union, 1879.

Home Builder Lessons for Bluebirds: Girls Ten Years Old, M257.56 B658 1955

Manual for 10-year-old girls in 1955.

Home Builder Lessons for Larks, M257.56 L324 1948

Manual for nine-year-old girls in 1948.

Home Builder Lessons for Seagulls, M257.56 S438 1949

Manual for 11-year-old girls in 1949.

Listen My Children: Primary Summer Program 1976, M257.5 S955 1976

The 1976 Primary Summer Program was to be presented throughout the United States as part of the bicentennial celebration.

Primary In-Service Guide, M257.56 P952i 1986

Manual prepared by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help guide Primary workers in learning how to teach children.

Primary Visual Aids Cutouts: People / Set 1, 351540

Cutouts used by Primary workers to help teach Primary lessons, published in 1989.

Primary Visual Aids Cutouts: People / Set 2, 2348256

Cutouts used by Primary workers to help teach Primary lessons, published in 1989.

Recitations for the Primary Associations in Poetry, Dialogues and Prose; book no. 1; by E. R. Snow Smith, M288.1 S674r bk. 1 1882

Prior to the Primary organization teaching religious lessons, they taught poetry, prose, and recitations. This was one of the first books used by the Primary organization. It was written by Eliza R. Snow.

The Primary Helper, M287.2 M891p

Prior to the Primary organization teaching religious lessons, they taught poetry, prose, and recitations. This book was published by George Q. Cannon and Sons, 1899.

Periodicals

Improvement Era

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, M205.1 I34 v. 1–73 1897–1970

Magazine for the youth, parents, and teachers of the Mutual Improvement Association (M.I.A.); however, there are also articles about the Primary Association and leaders.

Juvenile Instructor, M205.1 I59 v. 1–64 1866–1929

Magazine for the Sunday School organization. For many years, the religious instruction of Primary-aged children occurred in Sunday School. There are many articles written for Primary children.

Millennial Star, M205.5 M646 v. 1–132 1840–1970

The November 27, 1930, issue was dedicated to Primary (specifically for the Primary organizations within the mission field).

The Children’s Friend, M205.1 C536 v. 1–69 1902–1970

Magazine produced by the Primary Association. Originally designed for Primary leaders and teachers, but gradually became a magazine for children.

Woman’s Exponent

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, M205.1 W872 v. 1–41 1872–1914

Newspaper written by women for women of the Relief Society. There are many updates on Primaries throughout the Church contained within the pages. There are also memorials for many of the Primary leaders.

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Church Records

Primary Association press history scrapbooks, 1949–1964, CR 16 70

Scrapbooks prepared by Primary general board historians Beatrice S. Winsor and Sybil W. Hansen.

Primary Association file, circa 1928–1942, CR 16 142

Contains information about the 1928 Primary parade, funeral of May Anderson, and donations to the Primary Children’s Hospital.

Local Records

Eleventh Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1878–1973, LR 2569 18

Primary Association minutes for the Eleventh Ward, University West Stake, Salt Lake City, Utah, including information about Primary first being divided into grades and, later, groups.

Virden Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1916–1973, LR 9819 18

Primary Association minutes for the Virden Ward, Mount Graham Stake, Arizona.

Pusan Korea West District Primary Association minutes and records, LR 8551 18

Primary Association minutes for the Pusan Korea West District, Korea Pusan Mission.

Unity Ward Primary Association minutes and records, 1915–1967, LR 9524 18

Primary Association minutes for the Unity Ward, Cassia Stake, Idaho.

Photographs

Fiftieth anniversary slide presentation, 1947, PH 6247

Lantern slideshow celebrating the Primary Association’s anniversary during the 1947 June conference.

Primary Association photographs, circa 1950–1973, PH 1799

Photographs from the Children’s Friend campaign, Primary Children’s Hospital, and Primary conferences.

Primary centennial photographs, 1978, PH 6480

Photographs from the Primary organization’s centennial celebration in 1978.

Published Materials

Manuals and Workbooks

A handbook for the officers and teachers in the Primary Association (religion class) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, M257.52 P952h 1930

Lessons for home builders and trail builders: summer quarter, M257.56 L641f (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Primary Dispatch, M205.1 P956 1973–1980

Newsletter prepared by the Primary General Presidency and general board for Primary leaders and teachers.

Primary Script, M205.1 P952 v. 4–17 1956–1973

Newsletter prepared by the Primary General Presidency and general board for Primary leaders and teachers.

Teacher training lessons; by Teacher Training Committee, M257.56 P952i 1949

Primary in-service manual prepared by the Primary general board for Primary leaders and teachers.

The boys log : trail building: Guide year, M257.56 G946 (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Workbook for eleven-year-old boys.

Trail builder lesson book for Blazers, M257.56 B645 (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Lesson manual for nine-year-old boys.

Trail builder lessons for Trekkers, M257.56 T787 (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Lesson manual for 10-year-old boys.

Trail builders, third year: boys of the Primary Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints : Guides, eleven year old boys, M257.56 G946 (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Lesson manual for 11-year-old boys.

Trail builders: the boys of the Primary Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, M257.56 B645 (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Lesson manual for the Trail Builder classes (nine- to eleven-year-old boys).

Trail builder log: Trekker year, M257.56 T787 (This catalog call number refers to multiple years; the link leads to a single year to illustrate what a record looks like, but users can search for other years using the same call number.)

Workbook for 10-year-old boys.

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This guide is not a comprehensive list of available sources but provides key records (or a sampling of available records).

Gospel Topic: Primary

Church History Topic: Primary

A History of the Primary Organization A Church History Department online exhibit

Primary Makes Me Happy: A Celebration of 125 Years of Primary 1878–2003 A Church History Museum online exhibit

Friend

Magazine of the Primary organization, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Issues from 1971 to present are available online.

“Junior Council: Primary TV Show Now Nine Years Old,” Church News, May 11, 1957

Marianne Holman Prescott, “Primary Celebrates 140 Years This Month,” Church News, Aug. 24, 2018

Researchers can also use search engines to find valuable resources outside of the Church History Department. Some of these resources are included below. These sources are not Church sponsored, and the Church does not endorse the content.

LDS-BSA Centennial Book Committee, Century of Honor: 100 Years of Scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: LDS-BSA Relationships, 2013).

Conrad A. Harward, “A History of the Growth and Development of the Primary Association of the LDS Church from 1878 to 1928” (masters thesis, Brigham Young University, 1976).

Carol Cornwall Madsen and Susan Staker Oman. Sisters and Little Saints: One Hundred Years of Primary (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 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

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Ardis E. Parshall, “A Bundle of Bandlos,” Keepapitchinin

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, Aug. 31, 2008.

Ardis E. Parshall, “Bandlos (old post, new illustrations),” Keepapitchinin

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, Jan. 21, 2011.

Ardis E. Parshall, “‘Junior Council’: The Church Steps before the Television Camera,” Keepapitchinin

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, Oct. 28, 2008.

Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt, The Children’s Friends: Primary Presidents and Their Lives of Service (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996).

Naomi M. Shumway, “Primary,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism

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, last modified May 27, 2011.

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Providing definitive dates for firsts can be challenging. It is important to note that many of the activities associated with the Primary (or other children’s programs) initially began in the wards and stakes and then were adopted by the general organization.

This time line is not comprehensive but provides a basic understanding of how the Primary organization started and evolved to meet the changing needs of a global Church.

1878 – First local Primary meeting held in the Farmington (Utah) Rock Chapel with Aurelia Spencer Rogers

1880 – Primary organized at the general Church level, with Louie B. Felt called as Primary General President

1890 – Free Public School Act passed in Utah³

1895 – Primary begins dividing into grades, first with the Salt Lake City Eleventh Ward⁴

1902 – Children’s Friend first published⁵

1905 –The Primary Song Book published⁶

1908 – Grades implemented in Primary organization (grades 1–5)

1913 – Twelve- to 13-year-old boys begin attending Young Men Mutual Improvement Association (Y.M.M.I.A), with the option of staying in Primary⁷

1915 – Term “grade” replaced with “group”

1919 –The Art of Teaching teacher training course introduced⁸

1921 –Primary Children’s Hospital opened in Salt Lake City

1922 –Seagull program introduced for girls ages 12–13

1922 – Fundraising program “Birthday Pennies for the LDS Children’s Convalescent Hospital” (Primary Children’s Hospital) introduced⁹

1925 – Trail Building program introduced for boys ages 10–11

1928 – Children’s Jubilee held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Primary¹⁰

1929 – “Religion” classes discontinued; Primary takes over spiritual education for children

1930 – First Primary handbook printed¹¹

1930 – Primary joins in the June conferences held by the Mutual Improvement Association (M.I.A.)

1934 – Twelve- to 13-year-old girls begin attending Young Women Mutual Improvement Association (Y.W.M.I.A.)

1936 – The Guide Patrol, a youth group designed to prepare boys to receive the priesthood, is introduced

1939 – Ward and stake funds begin financing local Primary organizations

1940 – Primary seal, colors, and themes introduced

1941 – First nursery class (children under four years of age)

1941 – Mural of the first Primary placed in the Farmington Ward chapel

1946 – Children’s Friend of the Air first broadcasted over radio¹²

1946 – Children collected 122,794 articles, including children’s clothing and toys, to Saints in Europe

1947 – Primary children donate 33,000 nickels to help fund This Is the Place Monument¹³

1948 – Junior Council television show first aired¹⁴

1949 – First Primary teachers’ manual published¹⁵

1949 – Primary children donate dimes to the “Buy a Brick” campaign to raise money for the new Primary Children’s Hospital; the children donate more than $20,000¹⁶

1950 – Eleven-year-old Primary boys become involved in the Boys Scouts of America

1951 – The Children Sing introduced¹⁷

1952 – Arnold Friberg Book of Mormon paintings commissioned, the first appearing in the Children’s Friend in 1953 and the last in 1960¹⁸

1952 – Opening of new Primary Children’s Hospital; children help with donating pennies, purchasing bricks, and saving money to purchase President Heber J. Grant’s silver dollar paperweights¹⁹

1952 – Cub Scouting assigned to Primary

1955 – Reverence project introduced; it is replaced by a reverence standard in 1958

1956 – Primary Script newsletter introduced (continuing through 1973)²⁰

1956 – The name “Younger groups” is changed to “Junior groups” (3- to 6-year-olds)

1957 – New song “I Am a Child of God” introduced

1960 – Three Steps to Good Teaching, a resource for Primary teachers, introduced

1961 – The name “Junior groups” is changed to “Skylets” (3- to 6-year-olds)

1966 – The How Book, a resource for Primary teachers, introduced

1966 – Dividing of singing time for large Primaries

1970 – Introduction of new correlated program for Primary children

1970 – Sing with Me published²¹

1970 – CTR ring introduced²²

1971 – Priesthood Preview program introduced²³

1971 – Friend magazine replaces the Children’s Friend

1973 – Primary Script becomes the Primary Dispatch (through 1980)²⁴

1975 – Last general Primary conference held

1976 – Primary children in the United States hold bicentennial celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

1978 – 100th anniversary of Primary celebrated by Primaries around the world²⁵

1979 – Birthday Pennies program discontinued²⁶

1980 – New consolidated ward meeting schedule and new Primary curriculum; sharing time, as part of the new consolidated schedule, introduced

1980 – Achievement Days begin as a quarterly activity for girls

1981 – Sharing time ideas included in the Friend

1982 – Gospel in Action award introduced²⁷

1984 – Teaching the Scripture Readers introduced

1988 – Themes for sacrament programs published in the Friend magazine

1989 – Children’s Songbook published

1993 – New song “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” introduced

1994 – Special First Presidency broadcast “Focus on Children” aired; “Teach the Child” video introduced during the broadcast

1995 – New structured curriculum introduced²⁸

1995 – Eight- and nine-year-old children included in Gospel in Action and Achievement Days²⁹

1995 – “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” issued

2002 – Special video presentation for Primary by President Gordon B. Hinckley³⁰

2003 – Faith in God program introduced, replaces Gospel in Action and Achievement Days³¹

2003 – 125th anniversary of Primary commemorated by a special satellite broadcast³²

2004 – 75th anniversary of Cub Scouts

2009 – Gospel Art Book published

2018 – Change in age advancement³³

2019 – New Children and Youth program introduced³⁴

2019 – New song “I Will Walk with Jesus” introduced³⁵

2019 – Discontinued partnership with Boy Scouts of America

2019 – Any baptized member of the Church can serve as a witness of living person baptisms

2020 – With the new two-hour block schedule, singing time replaces sharing time

2020 – As part of the new Children and Youth program, Achievement Days and Faith in God programs are replaced with Primary Activities³⁶

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Identifying Primary themes prior to 1988 can be difficult. A June 20, 1992, issue of the Church News published the Primary theme in an “Official Policies and Announcements” section quoting the Primary Handbook of instructions. The theme was “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (3 Nephi 22:13), and the purposes of Primary are to help children:

1. Feel Heavenly Father’s love for them.
2. Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
4. Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants.

A good source for information about the history of Primary is Sisters and Little Saints: One Hundred Years of Primary, by Carol Cornwall Madsen and Susan Staker Oman. In this source are the different mottos for each age-group. On pages 109–10, the authors state: “The theme that Sister [May] Hinckley and her board selected for their first June conference in 1940 became the theme of the Primary Association, and appeared as such in the Children’s Friend in August of that year. Taken from the Doctrine and Covenants, it aptly expressed the purpose of the Primary as it had come to be defined by that time: ‘And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord’ (D&C 68:28).”³⁷

Between 1956 and 1980, themes can occasionally be found in the Primary Script and Primary Dispatch. However, they are not consistently provided as “themes.”

Beginning in 2019, the Children and Youth program began using the Come, Follow Me manuals that created unified teaching throughout the Church and all ages.³⁸ The Primary and youth organizations have created a Come, Follow Me website aimed at children, youth, parents, and teachers. The Primary theme is “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (Isaiah 54:13; 3 Nephi 22:13).³⁹

Researchers can use the library catalog and the Church website to identify themes from 1988 through 2009:

1988 “I Will Read the Book of Mormon”

1989 “I Am a Pioneer”

1990 “I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”

1991 “I Can Gain a Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”

1992 “I Can Feel and Show Reverence for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ”

1993 “I Love to See the Temple”

1994 “The Gospel of Jesus Christ Can Bring Me Peace”

1995 “We Believe the Articles of Faith”

1996 “As I Have Loved You, Love One Another”

1997 “I Can Choose the Right”

1998 “The Scriptures Are True”

1999 “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”

2000 “I Will Make and Keep My Baptismal Covenant”

2001 “Follow the Prophet”

2002 “The Temple: I’m Going There Someday”

2003 “I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”

2004 “My Family Can Be Forever”

2005 “I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me”

2006 “I Will Trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ: Their Promises Are Sure”

2007 “I’ll Follow Him in Faith”

2008 “I Am a Child of God”

2009 “Eternal Family”

From 2010 through 2018, the annual Primary themes can be found on the Church website:

2010 “I Know My Savior Lives”

2011 “I Know the Scriptures Are True”

2012 “Choose the Right”

2013 “I Am a Child of God”

2014 “Families Are Forever”

2015 “I Know My Savior Lives”

2016 “I Know the Scriptures Are True”

2017 “Choose the Right”

2018 “I Am a Child of God”

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Colors:

Red Bravery, courage, fearlessness

Yellow Service

Blue Truth, purity, clean life

Awards:

1878 – Rewards of Merit for meetings attended, times punctual, recitations, and songs.⁴⁰

1922 – Seagull Pin, silver, earned by memorizing the Charm and Motto.

1929 – Nanko for the Mi-kan-wees, a sash with beads sewn on.

1948 – Zion’s Girls and Zion’s Boys (Zeegees and Zeebees) badge.⁴¹

1953 – Top-Pilot medal—a beacon light in a round center section with bronze wings found on either side of the center.⁴²

1970 – CTR ring, in conjunction with the new Primary curriculum.

1970 – Merrie Miss and Blazer Articles of Faith banners—girls and boys would earn emblems for memorizing the Articles of Faith.⁴³

1970 – Merrie Miss circlet—girls would complete six “code experiences” and earn plastic inserts to put in a bracelet.⁴⁴

1982 – Gospel in Action award—boys could earn a lapel pin and girls a necklace. The emblem included an image of a Book of Mormon with the angel Moroni on the front and an open set of scriptures.⁴⁵

2020 – New logo was introduced. It includes a temple symbol with the words “Strive to Be.” Additionally, when children turn eight years old, they will receive a picture of the temple and a CTR ring.⁴⁶

Bandlo

Between 1929 and 1970, 9- to 11-year-old Primary children received a bandlo, a pointed piece of neckwear made of felt. It was used to display emblems and awards that showed the progress of each girl and boy in their respective class. Each child would use the same bandlo for their three years in a Primary program. The color of the felt and the emblems changed throughout 1929 to 1970.

The boys participated in Trail Builder activities, earning the following titles:

• Blazers (age 9)
• Trekkers (age 10)
• Guide Patrol (age 11)

The girls participated in Home Builder (later Lihoma) activities, earning the following titles:⁴⁷

• Larks (age 9), later Gaynotes
• Bluebirds (age 10), later Firelights
• Seagulls (age 11), later Merrihands

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Activity Songs and Verse: Supplement to the Primary Songbook Sing with Me, M285.25 A188 1977

Supplement to the Primary songbook Sing with Me.

A Collection of Hymns and Songs for Little Saints, M285.25 C697 1900

Early collection of songs and hymns for Primary children. Published by George Q. Cannon and Sons.

Face to Face Music

Music from the November 17, 2019, Face to Face event, including the new song “I Will Walk with Jesus.”

Hymns and Songs: Selected from Various Authors, for the Primary Associations of the Children of Zion, by Eliza R. Snow, M285.25 H99 1880

Early collection of songs and hymns for Primary children. Compiled by Eliza R. Snow.

Little Stories in Song, M285.23 L778 1940

Hymnbook used by Sunday School classes, including Junior Sunday School. Published by Deseret Book for the Deseret Sunday School Union Board.

Music for Children

Songs included in the Friend magazine.

SDH Børnenes Egen Sangbog, M285.25 L364DAN 1950

Children’s Own Songbook, a Danish songbook for Primary children.

Sing-Along Videos

Music videos produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that children can sing along with.

Sing with Me: Songs for Children, M285.25 S617 [various years]

Songs and hymns to be used in Primary.

Syng Dig Glad, M285.25 S617yDAN 1953

Sing Yourself Happy, a Danish songbook for Primary children.

The Children Sing: Designed for Children Everywhere, but Primarily Prepared for Use of Children of the Junior Sunday School and Primary Organizations, M285.25 C536 1951

Hymns and songs to be used in Primary and Junior Sunday School.

Children’s Songbook

Hymns and songs to be used in Primary.

The Primary Song Book, M285.25 P952s 1905

Early collection of songs and hymns to be used in Primary.

The School and Primary Songster, M285.81 S832sc 1889a

Early collection of songs and hymns to be used in Primary. Created by Evan Stephens.

Tune Book for the Primary Associations of the Children of Zion, M285.25 T926 1880

Early collection of songs and hymns to be used in Primary. Created by Eliza R. Snow.

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