The young ladies mutual program made several changes at this point and for a while there were no counselors to the president. On 5 Aug 1973, LeAnn Aldous was sustained President and then on 8 Aug 1976, Kay Howe was made president of the organization. Mean while, November 15, 1880, the Primary Association was organized by the bishopric under direction of Jane L. Ricahards, member of the old Weber Stake Primary Board. The following were sustained as it officers: Ann Holley, president; Phoebe Singleton, first counselor; Mary Ann Casey, second counsel-on; Sarah E. Stevens, secretary; Amanda J. Knight, treasurer. Since that time the following ladies have been sustained as President of the Primary Association: 26 Aug 1891 Amanda J. Holley 12 May 1895 Elizabeth McBride Hunter --- Christine Stevens Dorney 1922 Puah Smout 1922-1929 Mae Rose Rich 31 Dec 1930 Hazel Hudman Cobabe 18 Sep 1938 Marzula Robinson Smout 14 Sep 1941 Artie Iona Fowers 26 May 1946 June Heslop Cobabe 18 Feb 1948 Lorraine Jones 30 May 1948 Merle Eliason Fall of 1949 - Bernice Slater Cazier Oct 1949 Jean Spencer 25 Nov 1951 Barbara R. Meyerhoffer 18 Jan 1953 Erma Wardle 5 Feb 1959 Elna C. Lucas 28 Aug 1966 June S. Meyerhoffer 15 Jul 1969 Deloris B. Tippetts 22 Aug 1971 Bernice Garner 14 Jul 1974 Diane Spatig 6 Jun 1976 Sharon Holley 1978 Deborah Brown Considering disadvantages under which our Pioneers labored, growth of the Church during early years after colonization of Slaterville began was phenominal. However, some changes that unexpectedly came later were not conducive to the best interests of the Church and people. Fortunately, in the early years a unity existed among the people that defied influences that threatened to deter progress of colonization or interfere with their God-given right to exercise religious convictions. They vehemently resented, as leading Church officials had many times, even Government interference in their legitimate religious and economic pursuits. After our ward was organized, an attitude of hatred for the Church was manifested by some former members whose ulterior motives were obviously aimed at creating a condition under which the Church would be placed at a disadvantage to function properly. The new, and in fact, the first bishopric of our ward, sustained 28 May 1877 was John A. Allred as bishop, and on 30 May 1877, John Knight Sr., and Steven W. Perry Sr., were sustained as counselors. These men were plagued some yeans with this harassing condition which, it is understood, commenced in the late seventies. It was not, as some contended, an outgrowth of conflicting political views of members of the two prevailing political parties which, it is true, did cause a rift in the ranks of our people; but real cause was grounded much deeper. In the absence of bitterness and revengful feelings that were manifested by some trivial political differences could have soon been reconciled. The dominant parties, Peoples' Party and Liberal were both striving for supremecy in the field of politics. The Peoples' Party, more liberal in up -90- holding cherished traditions, rights to perpetuate established customs and procedures in conducting religious and public activities, received wholehearted support of the Church and majority of its members. The Liberal Party, supported by non-Mormons and some inderrerent individuals who claimed membership in the Church, untrue to the implication of its name, was dedicated to limiting or even abolishing some established practices and customs that had long been the essence of community life. The story of that unhappy situation is not new to older members of our ward, but because of its significance in reflecting effects evil influences had on orderly religious development, it can bear repeating. About the only elective officers at that time were members to serve on local school Boards of Trustees which, in the various communities, generally consisted of three. It appears that in earlier years, much to the dismay of Church members, the majority of our local Board members elected were generally liberal Party candidates who, holding balance of power by virtue of voting strength, formulated policies under which the school operated and rendered decisions relative to use of the school building for gatherings other than for school purposes. Regardsless of strenous opposition of the third Board member and pleadings of Church officials, the ward was restricted from full to part-time use of the building for religious gatherings. Reasons set forth by those responsible to justify such a ridiculous attitude, was that everybody in the settlement contributed to erection of the building, and therefore, non-Mormons as well as Mormons were entitled to use it half the time which, it is understood, they spent for other purposes rather than in worshipping capacities. Under such an arrangement, ward officials had to provide other means to accommodate Church gatherings. The predicament in which they were unhappily placed was relieved through the graciousness of Sylvester Perry. A devout Latter-day Saint in volunteering use of his premises for Church gatherings. Sunday School and Sacrament meeting were held every other Sunday under trees near the old gentleman's dwelling which, inevent of storm, was opened to worshippers. It is not definitely known just how long this handicap to normal functioning of the Church was imposed, but it is known that after the settlement which constituted one school district for thirty-two years, was divided and a new school building was erected in each of the resulting districts, the old building that had served to usefulness for school purposes was offered for sale. As prospects were not encouraging for erection of a new church building in the near future, our ward purchased the old building and continued to use it as a Church and center for community gatherings. The cost of the building and lot was $410, which was considered a good investment as it secured the ward against any further disruption during the following twenty years or until the brick chapel was erected in 1914. Regardless of anxieties, disappointments, and heartaches suffered by the Saints in the early days, and adverse conditions, and influences that hindered forward movement of the Church in these Valleys, observance of anniversaries of established Church organizations has become a traditional custom at all levels extending from ward to the head of the Church. One such event took place in -91-