Aurelia Rogers, Founder of Primary | An Interview with Emily Cushing

Emily Cushing was raised in South Jordan, Utah, and met her husband
in their middle school math class. Her love of learning led her to
become a teacher. She earned a master's degree in Teaching and
Learning at Brigham Young University and has taught—among other
places—in Tonga, England, and Myrtle Beach. She currently teaches
in the Education Department at Utah Valley University. She has
served as a Relief Society president, Primary president, and stake
Primary president, and currently teaches the Emotional Resilience
course to a remarkable group of teens. Emily enjoys reading,
running, traveling, living in foreign places, and above all,
spending time with her family. Links She Did: Ordinary Women,
Extraordinary Faith Life Sketches; Of Orson Spencer and Others, and
History of Primary Work There is already a discussion started about
this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the
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Library Highlights 01:30 Who is Aurelia Rogers? She is the founder
of the Primary. 03:45 Emily talks about her new book, She Did:
Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Faith. 05:50 The Primary organization
didn’t come from the revelation of a prophet or apostle but the
grassroots effort of Aurelia Spencer Rogers. In 1778 the Primary
began but it was in 1880 the Primary was officially organized.
Within 10 years Primary was a part of all the settlements. 18:20
Aurelia’s background and family. 14:40 How did Aurelia’s idea even
begin to gain momentum? 15:10 Initially Aurelia got the idea to
start the Primary because of a bunch of rowdy boys and they needed
to be taught manners but Aurelia also wanted to include girls too.
She got permission to start it in her town of Farmington, Utah.
17:30 How Primary was in the beginning. It was a weekday activity
and not part of the Sunday block. Aurelia really struggled in the
beginning, feeling overwhelmed with everything she was starting.
Eventually she felt peace. 21:30 The Primary presidency was formed
in 1880 and Aurelia was a part of it. 25:10 Emily shares pieces of
Aurelia’s autobiography and some of the trials and struggles that
she had. 27:10 Additional resources for those that would like to
learn more about Aurelia. She has an autobiography. It’s a primary
source and shows what Utah was like at the time, and contains so
much history. 30:30 Did Aurelia understand the role she played in
starting and developing the Primary? Aurelia understood that she
had a bigger mission. 33:30 A message for all the Primary teachers.
37:20 Emily has a background with child development and teaching
children. She advises teachers and Primary leaders to connect on a
personal level with each child. Really get to know them and let
them know you love them. 41:00 Emily’s book is about 23 women,
Aurelia being one of them. She shares the process of how they chose
the women for the book. 42:40 Emily highlights another women from
her book, Carmen O'Donnell. She was from Guatemala. She voiced a
need and a whole policy changed because of her. It’s because of her
the the three hour Sunday block was formed and also the gospel
essentials class. 44:20 There are many leaders that are positive
deviants. They deviated off the traditional path but not in a bad
way. They see a need and try to create change. 44:50 Martha Ann is
another woman in the book. She was African American and lived
during the time of slavery. She was a leader within her own family.
46:50 Emily shares her final thoughts on leadership and creating
positive change. Jump in and help the one that you see needs it.
52:00 Emily shares how researching these women and sharing their
stories has changed her. The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the
top independent Latter-day Saint podcasts as part of nonprofit
Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better
prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes
for free at LeadingSaints.org.