May Anderson
Encyclopedia
May Anderson was the second general president of the children's Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) between 1925 and 1939. Anderson also served as the first counselor to general Primary president Louie B. Felt
from 1905 to 1925.
, England, the third of Scott Anderson and Mary Bruce's 12 children. She emigrated to Utah Territory
with her family after the family had been baptized
by missionaries
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the journey to Utah, Anderson met Louie B. Felt
, who would become a lifelong friend and co-worker in the Primary Association
of the church.
, the general president of the Primary Association
, asked Anderson to become a member of the general board of the organization. For the next forty-nine years, Anderson would work in some capacity in the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the general board's secretary for fifteen years (1890–1905), Felt's first counselor in the general presidency for twenty years (1905–1925), and general president of the organization for fourteen years (1925–1939). Anderson was also the first editor-in-chief of The Children's Friend, the church's official magazine for children.
During her tenure in the presidency of the Primary, Anderson initiated the Primary Children's Hospital
in Salt Lake City, which is today part of Intermountain Healthcare
. Anderson also helped establish kindergarten
s in Utah
. Anderson's successor to the Primary general presidency was May Green Hinckley
.
Anderson did not marry and died at Salt Lake City of arteriosclerosis
. She was buried at Salt Lake City.
. When Felt was suffering an illness in 1889, Felt's husband Joseph requested May to stay there to care for her while he was away on a business trip. During the period that Anderson was the editor-in-chief of The Children's Friend, it published an anonymous account of the friendship that existed between Felt and Anderson; the article referred to the couple as the "David and Jonathan
of the Primary" organization.
Several LDS scholars have disagreed with this theory calling it a distortion of LDS history and a misrepresention of facts. Two researchers have stated: "No evidence exists to lead us to believe that their relationship was anything but that of true and chaste Christian friendship and sisterly love."
Louie B. Felt
Sarah Louise Bouton Felt was the first general president of the children's Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1880 and 1925.-Early life:...
from 1905 to 1925.
Early life
Anderson was born in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England, the third of Scott Anderson and Mary Bruce's 12 children. She emigrated to Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
with her family after the family had been baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
by missionaries
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the journey to Utah, Anderson met Louie B. Felt
Louie B. Felt
Sarah Louise Bouton Felt was the first general president of the children's Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1880 and 1925.-Early life:...
, who would become a lifelong friend and co-worker in the Primary Association
Primary Association
The Primary is a children's organization and an official auxiliary within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
of the church.
Involvement with the Primary Association
On October 5, 1890, Louie B. FeltLouie B. Felt
Sarah Louise Bouton Felt was the first general president of the children's Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1880 and 1925.-Early life:...
, the general president of the Primary Association
Primary Association
The Primary is a children's organization and an official auxiliary within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, asked Anderson to become a member of the general board of the organization. For the next forty-nine years, Anderson would work in some capacity in the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the general board's secretary for fifteen years (1890–1905), Felt's first counselor in the general presidency for twenty years (1905–1925), and general president of the organization for fourteen years (1925–1939). Anderson was also the first editor-in-chief of The Children's Friend, the church's official magazine for children.
During her tenure in the presidency of the Primary, Anderson initiated the Primary Children's Hospital
Primary Children's Medical Center
Primary Children's Medical Center is a 252-bed children's hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is owned by Intermountain Healthcare and operates in affiliation with the University of Utah...
in Salt Lake City, which is today part of Intermountain Healthcare
Intermountain Healthcare
Intermountain Health Care, Inc., DBA as Intermountain Healthcare, and formerly known as Intermountain Health Care , is a non-profit healthcare system and is the largest healthcare provider in the Intermountain West. Intermountain Healthcare provides hospital and other medical services in Utah and...
. Anderson also helped establish kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
s in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. Anderson's successor to the Primary general presidency was May Green Hinckley
May Green Hinckley
May Green Hinckley was the third general president of the Primary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1940 until her death. She was the stepmother of Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth president of the LDS Church.May Green was born in Brampton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.In...
.
Anderson did not marry and died at Salt Lake City of arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
. She was buried at Salt Lake City.
Relationship with Louie Felt
Anderson had a life-long friendship with fellow church leader Louie B. FeltLouie B. Felt
Sarah Louise Bouton Felt was the first general president of the children's Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1880 and 1925.-Early life:...
. When Felt was suffering an illness in 1889, Felt's husband Joseph requested May to stay there to care for her while he was away on a business trip. During the period that Anderson was the editor-in-chief of The Children's Friend, it published an anonymous account of the friendship that existed between Felt and Anderson; the article referred to the couple as the "David and Jonathan
David and Jonathan
David and Jonathan were heroic figures of the Kingdom of Israel, whose covenant was recorded favourably in the books of Samuel. Jonathan was the son of Saul, king of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem and Jonathan's presumed rival for the crown...
of the Primary" organization.
Several LDS scholars have disagreed with this theory calling it a distortion of LDS history and a misrepresention of facts. Two researchers have stated: "No evidence exists to lead us to believe that their relationship was anything but that of true and chaste Christian friendship and sisterly love."
External links
- Sara Jordan, Lesbian Mormon History, March 1997.