Aurelia Spencer Rogers facts for kids

Aurelia Read Spencer Rogers (born October 4, 1834 – died August 19, 1922) started the Primary organization. This is a special group for children in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aurelia was also a strong supporter of women's rights and worked to help women get the right to vote.

Aurelia's Early Life

Aurelia Read Spencer was born in Deep River, Connecticut. She was the oldest of six children. Her parents were Orson Spencer and Catherine Cannon Curtis.

When Aurelia was 12 years old, her mother passed away in Iowa. A few months later, her father was asked by Brigham Young to lead the church's efforts in Europe.

Aurelia and her older sister helped their four younger siblings move to the Salt Lake Valley in 1848. This was part of the journey made by many early members of the church, known as Mormon pioneers. Her father returned from Europe and joined the family in Salt Lake City in 1849.

Marriage and Family

On March 27, 1851, Aurelia married Thomas Rogers in Salt Lake City. The Rogers family moved to Farmington, Utah, where Aurelia raised their seven children.

Starting the Primary Organization

In 1878, Aurelia Rogers noticed that many children in her community had a lot of free time without adult supervision. She felt that some of the boys were becoming a bit wild and mischievous.

While she was praying for guidance, Aurelia said she heard a voice. It told her that the church had groups for all ages, but not for children.

Aurelia met with John Taylor, who was the President of the Church at that time. She received permission to start a church group just for children.

With help from Eliza R. Snow, who led the church's women's group (the Relief Society), Aurelia started the first Primary Association. This happened in her local Farmington area on August 11, 1878.

Two weeks later, on August 25, the first Primary meeting was held. There were 115 children there! That day, boys were taught not to steal fruit from orchards. Girls were taught not to hang on wagons. The children also learned about faith, good manners, and obedience.

Eliza R. Snow helped the church spread Primary to other areas. By 1880, Primary became an official organization for children throughout the entire church. From 1893 until she passed away, Aurelia Rogers served on the main board of the Primary organization.

Working for Women's Rights

Aurelia Rogers was also a strong supporter of women's rights. She worked to help women gain the right to vote, which is called suffrage.

In 1895, she was a representative at a big meeting for women's voting rights in Georgia. That same year, she also attended a meeting in Washington, D.C., with Susan B. Anthony, a very famous leader in the women's rights movement.

Death

Aurelia Rogers passed away in Farmington, Utah, when she was 87 years old.

See Also

• Primary (LDS Church)
• Eliza R. Snow
• John Taylor (1808-1887)