- Junius F. Wells
Born in Salt Lake City,
Utah Territory , Wells was the son of LDS Church leaderDaniel H. Wells and his fourth wife, Hannah Corrilla Free.Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association leadership
In 1875, church president
Brigham Young organized the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. In 1876, Young selected Wells to lead the organization. In 1880, John Taylor released Wells from his duties and revised the leadership of the YMMIA, appointingWilford Woodruff as the general superintendent. After Wells's release, the church's organization for young men would be led bygeneral authorities of the church until 1935."The Contributor" and other works
Wells was also the founding editor and publisher of "
The Contributor ", an independent publication that sought to represent the YMMIA and the church's equivalent organization for young women. Wells continued in these roles until 1892, when the magazine was purchased by the Cannon family andAbraham H. Cannon became the editor and publisher. "The Contributor" ceased publication in 1896.Wells was also the author of eleven biographies, including those of
John C. Frémont ,Thomas L. Kane ,Charles C. Rich ,James A. Garfield , andOrson Pratt . [ [http://mormonlit.lib.byu.edu/lit_author.php?a_id=2324 Mormon Literature Database: Junius Free Wells] .] He also authored numerous articles and short stories, the majority of which appeared in "The Contributor".Mormon historical monuments
In 1884, Wells visited the birthplace of church founder
Joseph Smith, Jr. inSharon, Vermont and conceived a plan to build a monument to theMormon prophet. [Susa Young Gates , "Memorial Monument Dedication", "Improvement Era ", Feb. 1906.] Under the direction ofJoseph F. Smith , Wells oversaw the construction of theJoseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in 1905. The monument was dedicated by SmithDecember 23 ,1905 , the one hundreth anniversary of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s birth. [ [http://www.mormonhistoricsitesregistry.org/USA/vermont/southRoyalton/jsMonument/history.htm Mormon Historic Sites Registry: Joseph Smith, Jr. Monument] .] Wells also was the chief organizer in having a monument erected by the church to theThree Witnesses inRichmond, Missouri in 1911. [Junius F. Wells, "The Oliver Cowdery Monument at Richmond, Missouri," "Improvement Era ", Vol. 15, No. 3, Jan. 1912.]In 2005, the
Mormon Historic Sites Foundation created the Junius F. Wells Award, to be awarded to individuals who promote the purposes of the Foundation. In May 2005, the inaugural award was given to LDS Church PresidentGordon B. Hinckley . [ [http://www.mormonhistoricsitesfoundation.org/projects/juniusfWells2005.htm Junius F. Wells Award] .] In 2006, the award was given toKarl Ricks Anderson andRichard Lloyd Anderson and in 2007 the award was given toM. Russell Ballard . [R. Scott Lloyd, "Elder Ballard given history award: Loss of Church's pioneer legacy would be 'irreplacable,' he says", "Church News",2007-10-20 . p. 7.]Death
Wells died in the
Hotel Utah inSalt Lake City, Utah at age 75.ee also
*
Milton H. Hardy
*Rodney C. Badger Notes
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