Junius F. Wells
Born: 1 June 1854
Called as General Superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association: 1876
Released: 1880
Died: 15 April 1930
Called as General Superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association: 1876
Released: 1880
Died: 15 April 1930
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, October 1914, Letter from Junius F. Wells
Improvement Era, July 1919, Mission Leaders - New Editor of the Millennial Star
Young Woman's Journal, June 1925, Personal Reminiscences by Junius F. Wells
Instructor, July 1930, Junius F. Wells: A Personal Tribute
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, October 1914, Letter from Junius F. Wells
Improvement Era, July 1919, Mission Leaders - New Editor of the Millennial Star
Young Woman's Journal, June 1925, Personal Reminiscences by Junius F. Wells
Instructor, July 1930, Junius F. Wells: A Personal Tribute
Jenson, Andrew. "Wells, Junius Free." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 714.
WELLS, Janius Free, the first organizer of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the Church, was born June 1, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, son of Daniel H. Wells and Hannah Free. He attended school in the Union Academy under Dr. Henry I. Doremus and afterwards in the Fifteenth Ward and old Seventies' Hall under Professors Bartlett, Tripp and O. H. Riggs. He completed his education at the Deseret University, of which he was a student under David O. Calder, the Misses Cook and Dr. John R. Park. He was baptized when about eight years old and ordained an Elder when quite a youth. In 1872-74 he filled a mission to Great Britain, laboring in the London and Nottingham conferences. He also visited the Scandinavian and the Swiss and German missions, and made a tour of other parts of the continent of Europe, going as far east as Vienna and south to Naples. Later, he visited Europe twice (in 188.5 and in 1891). He was ordained a Seventy in October, 1875, and called to go on a mission to the United States. On this mission he labored in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, and in the summer of 1876 in New England, and among his father's kindred in the State of New York. In the first week of June, IST.S, he was called, by Pres. Brigham Young, to organize the societies of the young men, and he effected the first organization of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, as now constituted, in the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, on Thursday evening, June 10, 1875. He has labored ever since in the cause of these associations, devoting almost the whole of his time to that work for a period of .seventeen years. In October, 1879, he established "The Contributor," a monthly magazine published in the interest of the improvement associations, of which he was the editor and publisher for thirteen years.
WELLS, Janius Free, the first organizer of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the Church, was born June 1, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, son of Daniel H. Wells and Hannah Free. He attended school in the Union Academy under Dr. Henry I. Doremus and afterwards in the Fifteenth Ward and old Seventies' Hall under Professors Bartlett, Tripp and O. H. Riggs. He completed his education at the Deseret University, of which he was a student under David O. Calder, the Misses Cook and Dr. John R. Park. He was baptized when about eight years old and ordained an Elder when quite a youth. In 1872-74 he filled a mission to Great Britain, laboring in the London and Nottingham conferences. He also visited the Scandinavian and the Swiss and German missions, and made a tour of other parts of the continent of Europe, going as far east as Vienna and south to Naples. Later, he visited Europe twice (in 188.5 and in 1891). He was ordained a Seventy in October, 1875, and called to go on a mission to the United States. On this mission he labored in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, and in the summer of 1876 in New England, and among his father's kindred in the State of New York. In the first week of June, IST.S, he was called, by Pres. Brigham Young, to organize the societies of the young men, and he effected the first organization of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, as now constituted, in the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, on Thursday evening, June 10, 1875. He has labored ever since in the cause of these associations, devoting almost the whole of his time to that work for a period of .seventeen years. In October, 1879, he established "The Contributor," a monthly magazine published in the interest of the improvement associations, of which he was the editor and publisher for thirteen years.
Jenson, Andrew. "Wells, Junius Free." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 249.
WELLS, Junius Free, the first organizer of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the Church, was born June 1, 1854, in Salt Lake City, a son of Daniel H. Wells and Hannah Free. He was baptized when about eight years old and ordained an Elder when quite a youth. In 1872-1874 he filled a mission to Great Britain and also visited the Scandinavian and the Swiss and German missions and made a tour of other parts of the continent of Europe. He later filled other missions in the United States and in Europe. In the first week of June, 1875, he was called by Pres. Brigham Young to organize the societies of the young men, and he effected the first organization of the Y. M. M. I. A., as now constituted, in the 13th Ward, Salt Lake City on June 10, 1875, with Grant Woolley as president, B. Morris Young as first counselor and Heber J. Grant as second counselor. Soon afterwards. Elder Wells having gone on a mission to the Eastern States, B. Morris Young was called by his father to visit all the settlements of the Saints and organize the young men into Mutual Improvement Associations. In October, 1879, Elder Wells established "The Contributor," a monthly magazine published in the interest of the Improvement Associations, of which he was editor and publisher for thirteen years. The "Contributor" later became the "Era," the present organ of the M. I. A. In 1921, Elder Wells was sustained as an Assistant Church Historian. He died in Salt Lake City, April 15, 1930. (See also Bio. Ency. Vol. 1, p. 744.)
WELLS, Junius Free, the first organizer of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the Church, was born June 1, 1854, in Salt Lake City, a son of Daniel H. Wells and Hannah Free. He was baptized when about eight years old and ordained an Elder when quite a youth. In 1872-1874 he filled a mission to Great Britain and also visited the Scandinavian and the Swiss and German missions and made a tour of other parts of the continent of Europe. He later filled other missions in the United States and in Europe. In the first week of June, 1875, he was called by Pres. Brigham Young to organize the societies of the young men, and he effected the first organization of the Y. M. M. I. A., as now constituted, in the 13th Ward, Salt Lake City on June 10, 1875, with Grant Woolley as president, B. Morris Young as first counselor and Heber J. Grant as second counselor. Soon afterwards. Elder Wells having gone on a mission to the Eastern States, B. Morris Young was called by his father to visit all the settlements of the Saints and organize the young men into Mutual Improvement Associations. In October, 1879, Elder Wells established "The Contributor," a monthly magazine published in the interest of the Improvement Associations, of which he was editor and publisher for thirteen years. The "Contributor" later became the "Era," the present organ of the M. I. A. In 1921, Elder Wells was sustained as an Assistant Church Historian. He died in Salt Lake City, April 15, 1930. (See also Bio. Ency. Vol. 1, p. 744.)
"Letter from Junius F. Wells." Young Woman's Journal. October 1914. pg. 597.
Letter from Junius F. Wells.
First Editor of the “Contributor,” and Organizer, under Pres. Brigham Young, of the First Y. M. M. I. A.
Boston, 26th of August, 1914.
To the Young Woman s Journal:
Twenty-five years! How Time goes galloping. It seems hardly possible that a quarter of a century has flown by, with all the attendant experiences, changes, blessings and development that have so munificently marked the progress of the Y. L. M. I. A. since the Journal began to represent it.
In adding my congratulations to the many that shall come to you I desire to pay a tribute of enduring love and respect to the memory of the founder of your Association— Aunt Eliza R. Snow. She was a very wonderful woman. You can search the history of the world and find few that compared at all with her in executive ability, in literary talent, in saintliness of life.
She not only maintained and amplified, well nigh unto its present splendid effectiveness, the Relief Society of which she was the original secretary; but she brought out the organization of the Young Ladies’ Association and also the Primary Associations, and she had a hand in bringing into existence the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations. That is to say, she talked to President Brigham Young about the desirability of the young men being organized, as the young ladies already were, though I believe she elicited from him no comment at the time. She disclaimed, when telling me about it, any direct responsibility for the organization. She said, however, she was delighted when the call came to me to organize thq young men, and she was a devoted friend and counselor to all those laboring in their interest from the first until she died. I wish to publish this fact, and have presumed upon your invitation to employ this opportunity to do so.
The Young Ladies’ Association is the pride and admiration of every right feeling person in the Church. It is at least the peer of any similar association in the world. I know of none that can be compared with it. I think if I say the Journal worthily represents it, with fine ability, loyalty, leadership, perhaps I shall have said enough. I, however, wish without insidious distinction just to name a few of the workers who have labored valiantly for the Association and the Journal and whom I have personally admired for their splendid devotion and brilliant achievements.
Sisters Elmina S. Taylor and the two Sisters Freeze, personified graciousness in woman; and it is not always the accompaniment of talent.
Susa Young Gates, Ann Cannon, the Campbell Sisters (otherwise the indefatigables), Martha H. Tingey, Maria Y. Dougall, Ruth May Fox, Mae Nystrom, Kate Thomas, Miss Frost, Miss Connelly, Augusta Grant, and Zina Card.
What should you have done without these? All of them I have known and loved to labor with; and scarcely less the other members, past and present, of the General Board. All dear women of the highest type of character, unselfish, faithful, zealous, real leaders, counselors and friends of the young. Truly you are and have been highly favored in the official representation of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations.
May the Lord bless you all forever. May your magazine maintain its name and high character. These become capital invested, and like all things that grow old respectably, will yield increasing authority and influence as the years roll onward.
Yours faithfully,
Junius F. Wells.
Letter from Junius F. Wells.
First Editor of the “Contributor,” and Organizer, under Pres. Brigham Young, of the First Y. M. M. I. A.
Boston, 26th of August, 1914.
To the Young Woman s Journal:
Twenty-five years! How Time goes galloping. It seems hardly possible that a quarter of a century has flown by, with all the attendant experiences, changes, blessings and development that have so munificently marked the progress of the Y. L. M. I. A. since the Journal began to represent it.
In adding my congratulations to the many that shall come to you I desire to pay a tribute of enduring love and respect to the memory of the founder of your Association— Aunt Eliza R. Snow. She was a very wonderful woman. You can search the history of the world and find few that compared at all with her in executive ability, in literary talent, in saintliness of life.
She not only maintained and amplified, well nigh unto its present splendid effectiveness, the Relief Society of which she was the original secretary; but she brought out the organization of the Young Ladies’ Association and also the Primary Associations, and she had a hand in bringing into existence the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations. That is to say, she talked to President Brigham Young about the desirability of the young men being organized, as the young ladies already were, though I believe she elicited from him no comment at the time. She disclaimed, when telling me about it, any direct responsibility for the organization. She said, however, she was delighted when the call came to me to organize thq young men, and she was a devoted friend and counselor to all those laboring in their interest from the first until she died. I wish to publish this fact, and have presumed upon your invitation to employ this opportunity to do so.
The Young Ladies’ Association is the pride and admiration of every right feeling person in the Church. It is at least the peer of any similar association in the world. I know of none that can be compared with it. I think if I say the Journal worthily represents it, with fine ability, loyalty, leadership, perhaps I shall have said enough. I, however, wish without insidious distinction just to name a few of the workers who have labored valiantly for the Association and the Journal and whom I have personally admired for their splendid devotion and brilliant achievements.
Sisters Elmina S. Taylor and the two Sisters Freeze, personified graciousness in woman; and it is not always the accompaniment of talent.
Susa Young Gates, Ann Cannon, the Campbell Sisters (otherwise the indefatigables), Martha H. Tingey, Maria Y. Dougall, Ruth May Fox, Mae Nystrom, Kate Thomas, Miss Frost, Miss Connelly, Augusta Grant, and Zina Card.
What should you have done without these? All of them I have known and loved to labor with; and scarcely less the other members, past and present, of the General Board. All dear women of the highest type of character, unselfish, faithful, zealous, real leaders, counselors and friends of the young. Truly you are and have been highly favored in the official representation of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations.
May the Lord bless you all forever. May your magazine maintain its name and high character. These become capital invested, and like all things that grow old respectably, will yield increasing authority and influence as the years roll onward.
Yours faithfully,
Junius F. Wells.
Anderson, Edward H. "Mission Leaders - New Editor of the Millennial Star." Improvement Era. July 1919. pg. 797-798.
Mission Leaders
By Edward H. Anderson
New Editor of the Millennial Star
Elder Junius F. Wells, founder, under President Brigham Young, of the Y. M. M. I. A., and a son of the late General Daniel H. Wells, a stalwart pioneer and Church leader, left Salt Lake City on March 14 for Liverpool, England, where he has been called by the First Presidency to edit the Millennial Star, the oldest magazine in the Church, now in its 81st year, and to assist Elder George Albert Smith who is appointed to preside over the European mission to fill the vacancy caused by the return of Elder George F. Richards, also of the Council of the Twelve. As a writer and speaker, Brother Wells is an able expounder of the gospel and he is widely known for his initiative and new ideas on things for his enthusiasm, and his faith. He was the founder and editor of he Contributor, the magazine that preceded the Improvement Era as the official organ of the Mutual Improvement Associations. Many articles have appeared in these magazines from his pen. He supervised me erection of the Joseph Smith monument at South Royalton, Vermont, and also the Hyrum Smith memorial monument in the Salt Lake City cemetery. These are only two among the many noteworthy enterprises with which he h s been actively associated. The European mission and particularly the millennial Star are fortunate in securing his services, and we are certain that Elder Wells will make good in the new position to which he has been called by the authorities of the Church. He succeeds Elder J. M. Sjodahl who for a little over four years and a half has ably acted as associate editor of the Star and whose farewell appeared in the Star for April 17, 1919.
Before his departure, the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of which, as stated, he is the founder, presented him with a fine watch suitably engraved. The inscription reads: Presented to Junius F. Wells, 1875-1919, by the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A.: on the back of the case appears the monogram M. I. A., surrounded by bunch of sage and sego-lily and the motto which Elder Wells selected from the Doctrine and Covenants for the association forty-three years ago: "The Glory of God is Intelligence." Elder Brigham H. Roberts, of the Y. M. M. I. A. superintendency, made the presentation speech, which was responded to by Elder Wells in his happiest mood. Elder Wells has been a constant worker and thinker for the Y. M. M. I. A. ever since its organization.
Mission Leaders
By Edward H. Anderson
New Editor of the Millennial Star
Elder Junius F. Wells, founder, under President Brigham Young, of the Y. M. M. I. A., and a son of the late General Daniel H. Wells, a stalwart pioneer and Church leader, left Salt Lake City on March 14 for Liverpool, England, where he has been called by the First Presidency to edit the Millennial Star, the oldest magazine in the Church, now in its 81st year, and to assist Elder George Albert Smith who is appointed to preside over the European mission to fill the vacancy caused by the return of Elder George F. Richards, also of the Council of the Twelve. As a writer and speaker, Brother Wells is an able expounder of the gospel and he is widely known for his initiative and new ideas on things for his enthusiasm, and his faith. He was the founder and editor of he Contributor, the magazine that preceded the Improvement Era as the official organ of the Mutual Improvement Associations. Many articles have appeared in these magazines from his pen. He supervised me erection of the Joseph Smith monument at South Royalton, Vermont, and also the Hyrum Smith memorial monument in the Salt Lake City cemetery. These are only two among the many noteworthy enterprises with which he h s been actively associated. The European mission and particularly the millennial Star are fortunate in securing his services, and we are certain that Elder Wells will make good in the new position to which he has been called by the authorities of the Church. He succeeds Elder J. M. Sjodahl who for a little over four years and a half has ably acted as associate editor of the Star and whose farewell appeared in the Star for April 17, 1919.
Before his departure, the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of which, as stated, he is the founder, presented him with a fine watch suitably engraved. The inscription reads: Presented to Junius F. Wells, 1875-1919, by the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A.: on the back of the case appears the monogram M. I. A., surrounded by bunch of sage and sego-lily and the motto which Elder Wells selected from the Doctrine and Covenants for the association forty-three years ago: "The Glory of God is Intelligence." Elder Brigham H. Roberts, of the Y. M. M. I. A. superintendency, made the presentation speech, which was responded to by Elder Wells in his happiest mood. Elder Wells has been a constant worker and thinker for the Y. M. M. I. A. ever since its organization.
Wells, Junius F. "Personal Reminiscences." Young Woman's Journal. June 1925. pg. 340-343.
Personal Reminiscences
By Junius F. Wells.
IN responding to your request for a personally reminiscent article in the M. I. A. Jubilee number of the Young Woman’s Journal, I comply more readily because it affords me the opportunity to pay tribute to certain people who have been and forever should be held in high esteem by the M. I. A.; and whose memory I cherish and am always delighted to honor.
First among these is Aunt Eliza R. Snow, the first Secretary and for so many years the President of the Relief Society. I cannot remember any time when I did not know Aunt Eliza. She was a frequent and welcome visitor at my mother’s home, especially in times of sickness and sorrow; and I think I came under her special notice from about the time when I was nine years old. It was then that I had a singular dream, I think perhaps it should be called a prophetic dream; for in it there were shown to me some things which later on in life were particularly verified. I dreamt that two of my mother’s sons, younger than I. should die; and I dreamt that I should go upon a mission to England when I was eighteen years old. When the first of my little brothers died this dream, which I had told to my mother, was repeated to Aunt Eliza and she declared to my mother’s sister, that it was a prophetic dream and would come to pass. It was only one week from the time the first child died until the other passed away—both seized with malignant diphtheria; and it was in November, 1872 that Aunt Eliza, who was then in London with President George A. Smith’s Palestine party, asked me, while there, if I remembered my dream. Of course I did, and sure enough I was on a mission to Great Britain.
I arrived in Liverpool, upon my first mission, before I was eighteen and stood up, for the first time before an audience to speak extemporaneously at the branch meeting, on the Sunday afternoon after my arrival there. I recall very vividly that the president of the branch, who was a most friendly but garrulous presiding officer, introduced me as the son of President Daniel H. Wells, Counselor to President Brigham Young, who had come out into the world to preach the gospel, to stir up the saints by way of remembrance of their duties and to teach them things past and present and to come, etc.—that it took him about ten minutes to introduce me and it took me about a minute and a quarter to say all I had to tell. I was humiliated by this experience and, in walking away from the meeting with Elder George Reynolds, who at that time was editing the Millennial Star, I could hardly refrain from crying, and I said to him that I hoped my brothers would be better prepared than I was when they should be sent on missions.
About the only counsel and instruction that my father gave me when I started on my mission was expressed in these words: “Get the spirit of your mission, don’t know- loo much, but believe all you can. The Lord will help you and take care of you.” I did not then know what the phrase meant; “Get the spirit of your mission,” but I was soon appointed to labor in the London Conference and had not been there very long, until the spirit of my mission came upon me, and I presently came to understand, as my father did long before, that in it there was the best of council, sure guidance, and right instruction, to qualify me for whatever service should be required of me.
It was in January, 1874, at the close of the London conference, that I became intimate with Elder Milton H. Hardy, who had come up from Leeds to attend the conference. There were a number of elders from other parts of the mission present—more than the Conference house could accommodate with lodgings and it therefore happened after the evening meeting that Elder Hardy and I decided to take a walk before seeking lodgings elsewhere. We went out to the West End, as far as Kensington Gardens, strolled into and through Hyde Park, clear up to the Marble Arch and leisurely back to the City, where we rested on the steps of the Royal Exchange facing the Bank of England. As we sat there the day dawned. We had walked and talked all night. We then turned our footsteps towards headquarters, going by the Pentonville Road Penny Baths, where we stopped for a plunge and swim in the cold water. We arrived al the conference house, 20 Bishop’s Grove, Ball’s Pond Road, Islington, in time for breakfast. The conversational themes of this all night vigil I do not particularly recall. Undoubtedly they related to the work of the Lord, in which we were both engaged and among them its significance and appeal to young people.
I was released that year and returned home July 18, 1874. Among friends who appeared most pleased to see me was Aunt Eliza. We had many conversations, recalling our enjoyments together in London, where I had acted as escort in taking her and Brother George A. Smith and others to see the sights. Aunt Eliza and I had spent one day visiting the saints. She wished to see them in their homes, without previous notice, just as the elders were used to calling upon them, the poorest of them, living about Limehouse and the Isle of Dogs, and the most fortunate, living in upper Hackney and Clerkenwell.
After making my “return missionary” address to an audience in the Tabernacle, according to the custom of those days, I received frequent invitations to speak at the city ward meetings and in certain other out of town places. Among these I find recorded a mention of the first address that I ever made before a Mutual Improvement Association. It is in a letter I wrote to Brother Joseph F. Smith, then President of the European mission, dated December 20, 1874. The following is the extract:
“I went to Ogden a few weeks ago to attend the young folks meeting, given under the auspices of the Young Ladies* Society. A fair attendance in the Old Seventies Hall greeted me and I had a very interesting visit. The societies in Ogden, for mutual improvement, of both sexes, have been very successful from the start, so far as their meetings are concerned and the spirit infused into the members of each.”— (Millennial Star, January 19, 1875.)
The Ogden Y. L. M. I. A. had been organized by Aunt Eliza several years prior to this, with Sister Jane Richards in charge. The young men's association was organized early in 1873 by President F. D. Richards, who presided over it several years Upon Sister Snow’s permission the two associations were holding regular joint sessions, which became very popular. Many lecturers of ability were invited to speak before their large congregations. I regarded it as a compliment to do so.
I have never doubted that information of my speaking at public meetings, as above stated, came to President Young’s notice; and perhaps led to his selecting me to take the lead in organizing the Y. M. M. I. A. I sometimes wondered if Aunt Eliza had not proposed it. Several years later, I asked her if she had done so. She replied that at one time, while speaking about the Young Ladies’ Association, she said to President Young she thought it would be a good thing if the young men were also organized. “But,” she said, “he did not appear to be interested and 1 dropped the subject.” She quite emphatically disclaimed credit for having proposed the organization near the time it was commenced, or of naming me as a suitable person to undertake it. She was, however, complimentary enough to say that she approved of my appointment and 1 can truly say she was always very friendly to the Y. M. M. I. A. and to me, until she died in December, 1887. I recall that she talked with me about changing the name of the Young Ladies’ Society, about the time when its present title was adopted at a meeting in the First Ward, Salt Lake, September 26, 1877. She also conferred for an hour or more with me, at Wellsville 1878, about organizing the Primary Association. She said she was afraid that I would not favor it. On the contrary, I was most favorable to it, and she and Sister Rogers, who was present at the interview, expressed their pleasure that I was one with them.
Many words of encouragement and acts of kindness were extended to me by Sister Snow. Among the last, she gave me her gold locket, which contained a lock of hair from the head of the Prophet Joseph. She told me that she had cut it off herself and she let me take it, so that the painting I was having made by the artist Dan Weggeland should reproduce its color. Upon receiving this precious relic, I told her I would return it when we were through with it. She replied peculiarly, saying; “You take care of it.” I did not have the opportunity of returning it to her before she died, but I gave it to her brother Lorenzo Snow, when he became President of the Church. It is, I am told, not now to be found which I often regret, as I believe it would have met her expectation had I kept it.
I commenced the organization of the Y. M. M. I. A. in June, 1875, at the close of my last year at school. I had been a student, under Dr. John R. Park, at the University of Deseret, taking the short, popular science course in that institution. It was not many months after organizing the first association in the Thirteenth Ward and a few others in the city and in St. George, Brigham City and other places in the Territory, when I was called to go upon my second preaching mission, to the Stales of the Mississippi valley and tr New York State and New* England. Before going November 1st, 1875, I had resumed close friendship with Brother M. H. Hardy, who returned from his foreign mission August 15th and became interested in the M. I. A. work. He attended several ward organization meetings with me, and was called, in connection with Elder John Henry Smith and B. Morris Young, to take up and continue the work I had begun, by letter of appointment from the First Presidency, dated November 6, 1875. His own “History of the General Organization,” from this period onward, was published in the first and second volumes of The Contributor, extracts of which are appearing in the current volume of the Improvement Era.
I do not know that these random reminiscences will be of great interest to you readers—am fearful that they may not be—nevertheless it is a pleasure, in connection with my preparation for and the beginning of the mission given me by President Brigham Young fifty years ago, to have mentioned the names of those I loved in life. They have all passed away now, but I shall honor and revere their memory while I survive. Is it not rather singular that I should have met and begun this significant association with Aunt Eliza R. Snow, President Joseph F. Smith, Elder Milton H. Hardy, Elder George Reynolds and Dr. John R. Park, while in England on my first mission? They all contributed notably to whatever measure of success ever attended my ministry among the young men and young women of Zion.
Personal Reminiscences
By Junius F. Wells.
IN responding to your request for a personally reminiscent article in the M. I. A. Jubilee number of the Young Woman’s Journal, I comply more readily because it affords me the opportunity to pay tribute to certain people who have been and forever should be held in high esteem by the M. I. A.; and whose memory I cherish and am always delighted to honor.
First among these is Aunt Eliza R. Snow, the first Secretary and for so many years the President of the Relief Society. I cannot remember any time when I did not know Aunt Eliza. She was a frequent and welcome visitor at my mother’s home, especially in times of sickness and sorrow; and I think I came under her special notice from about the time when I was nine years old. It was then that I had a singular dream, I think perhaps it should be called a prophetic dream; for in it there were shown to me some things which later on in life were particularly verified. I dreamt that two of my mother’s sons, younger than I. should die; and I dreamt that I should go upon a mission to England when I was eighteen years old. When the first of my little brothers died this dream, which I had told to my mother, was repeated to Aunt Eliza and she declared to my mother’s sister, that it was a prophetic dream and would come to pass. It was only one week from the time the first child died until the other passed away—both seized with malignant diphtheria; and it was in November, 1872 that Aunt Eliza, who was then in London with President George A. Smith’s Palestine party, asked me, while there, if I remembered my dream. Of course I did, and sure enough I was on a mission to Great Britain.
I arrived in Liverpool, upon my first mission, before I was eighteen and stood up, for the first time before an audience to speak extemporaneously at the branch meeting, on the Sunday afternoon after my arrival there. I recall very vividly that the president of the branch, who was a most friendly but garrulous presiding officer, introduced me as the son of President Daniel H. Wells, Counselor to President Brigham Young, who had come out into the world to preach the gospel, to stir up the saints by way of remembrance of their duties and to teach them things past and present and to come, etc.—that it took him about ten minutes to introduce me and it took me about a minute and a quarter to say all I had to tell. I was humiliated by this experience and, in walking away from the meeting with Elder George Reynolds, who at that time was editing the Millennial Star, I could hardly refrain from crying, and I said to him that I hoped my brothers would be better prepared than I was when they should be sent on missions.
About the only counsel and instruction that my father gave me when I started on my mission was expressed in these words: “Get the spirit of your mission, don’t know- loo much, but believe all you can. The Lord will help you and take care of you.” I did not then know what the phrase meant; “Get the spirit of your mission,” but I was soon appointed to labor in the London Conference and had not been there very long, until the spirit of my mission came upon me, and I presently came to understand, as my father did long before, that in it there was the best of council, sure guidance, and right instruction, to qualify me for whatever service should be required of me.
It was in January, 1874, at the close of the London conference, that I became intimate with Elder Milton H. Hardy, who had come up from Leeds to attend the conference. There were a number of elders from other parts of the mission present—more than the Conference house could accommodate with lodgings and it therefore happened after the evening meeting that Elder Hardy and I decided to take a walk before seeking lodgings elsewhere. We went out to the West End, as far as Kensington Gardens, strolled into and through Hyde Park, clear up to the Marble Arch and leisurely back to the City, where we rested on the steps of the Royal Exchange facing the Bank of England. As we sat there the day dawned. We had walked and talked all night. We then turned our footsteps towards headquarters, going by the Pentonville Road Penny Baths, where we stopped for a plunge and swim in the cold water. We arrived al the conference house, 20 Bishop’s Grove, Ball’s Pond Road, Islington, in time for breakfast. The conversational themes of this all night vigil I do not particularly recall. Undoubtedly they related to the work of the Lord, in which we were both engaged and among them its significance and appeal to young people.
I was released that year and returned home July 18, 1874. Among friends who appeared most pleased to see me was Aunt Eliza. We had many conversations, recalling our enjoyments together in London, where I had acted as escort in taking her and Brother George A. Smith and others to see the sights. Aunt Eliza and I had spent one day visiting the saints. She wished to see them in their homes, without previous notice, just as the elders were used to calling upon them, the poorest of them, living about Limehouse and the Isle of Dogs, and the most fortunate, living in upper Hackney and Clerkenwell.
After making my “return missionary” address to an audience in the Tabernacle, according to the custom of those days, I received frequent invitations to speak at the city ward meetings and in certain other out of town places. Among these I find recorded a mention of the first address that I ever made before a Mutual Improvement Association. It is in a letter I wrote to Brother Joseph F. Smith, then President of the European mission, dated December 20, 1874. The following is the extract:
“I went to Ogden a few weeks ago to attend the young folks meeting, given under the auspices of the Young Ladies* Society. A fair attendance in the Old Seventies Hall greeted me and I had a very interesting visit. The societies in Ogden, for mutual improvement, of both sexes, have been very successful from the start, so far as their meetings are concerned and the spirit infused into the members of each.”— (Millennial Star, January 19, 1875.)
The Ogden Y. L. M. I. A. had been organized by Aunt Eliza several years prior to this, with Sister Jane Richards in charge. The young men's association was organized early in 1873 by President F. D. Richards, who presided over it several years Upon Sister Snow’s permission the two associations were holding regular joint sessions, which became very popular. Many lecturers of ability were invited to speak before their large congregations. I regarded it as a compliment to do so.
I have never doubted that information of my speaking at public meetings, as above stated, came to President Young’s notice; and perhaps led to his selecting me to take the lead in organizing the Y. M. M. I. A. I sometimes wondered if Aunt Eliza had not proposed it. Several years later, I asked her if she had done so. She replied that at one time, while speaking about the Young Ladies’ Association, she said to President Young she thought it would be a good thing if the young men were also organized. “But,” she said, “he did not appear to be interested and 1 dropped the subject.” She quite emphatically disclaimed credit for having proposed the organization near the time it was commenced, or of naming me as a suitable person to undertake it. She was, however, complimentary enough to say that she approved of my appointment and 1 can truly say she was always very friendly to the Y. M. M. I. A. and to me, until she died in December, 1887. I recall that she talked with me about changing the name of the Young Ladies’ Society, about the time when its present title was adopted at a meeting in the First Ward, Salt Lake, September 26, 1877. She also conferred for an hour or more with me, at Wellsville 1878, about organizing the Primary Association. She said she was afraid that I would not favor it. On the contrary, I was most favorable to it, and she and Sister Rogers, who was present at the interview, expressed their pleasure that I was one with them.
Many words of encouragement and acts of kindness were extended to me by Sister Snow. Among the last, she gave me her gold locket, which contained a lock of hair from the head of the Prophet Joseph. She told me that she had cut it off herself and she let me take it, so that the painting I was having made by the artist Dan Weggeland should reproduce its color. Upon receiving this precious relic, I told her I would return it when we were through with it. She replied peculiarly, saying; “You take care of it.” I did not have the opportunity of returning it to her before she died, but I gave it to her brother Lorenzo Snow, when he became President of the Church. It is, I am told, not now to be found which I often regret, as I believe it would have met her expectation had I kept it.
I commenced the organization of the Y. M. M. I. A. in June, 1875, at the close of my last year at school. I had been a student, under Dr. John R. Park, at the University of Deseret, taking the short, popular science course in that institution. It was not many months after organizing the first association in the Thirteenth Ward and a few others in the city and in St. George, Brigham City and other places in the Territory, when I was called to go upon my second preaching mission, to the Stales of the Mississippi valley and tr New York State and New* England. Before going November 1st, 1875, I had resumed close friendship with Brother M. H. Hardy, who returned from his foreign mission August 15th and became interested in the M. I. A. work. He attended several ward organization meetings with me, and was called, in connection with Elder John Henry Smith and B. Morris Young, to take up and continue the work I had begun, by letter of appointment from the First Presidency, dated November 6, 1875. His own “History of the General Organization,” from this period onward, was published in the first and second volumes of The Contributor, extracts of which are appearing in the current volume of the Improvement Era.
I do not know that these random reminiscences will be of great interest to you readers—am fearful that they may not be—nevertheless it is a pleasure, in connection with my preparation for and the beginning of the mission given me by President Brigham Young fifty years ago, to have mentioned the names of those I loved in life. They have all passed away now, but I shall honor and revere their memory while I survive. Is it not rather singular that I should have met and begun this significant association with Aunt Eliza R. Snow, President Joseph F. Smith, Elder Milton H. Hardy, Elder George Reynolds and Dr. John R. Park, while in England on my first mission? They all contributed notably to whatever measure of success ever attended my ministry among the young men and young women of Zion.
Pyper, George D. "Junius F. Wells: A Personal Tribute." Improvement Era. July 1930. pg. 411-412.
Junius F. Wells: a Personal Tribute
By Geo. D. Pyper
“Very sad about your old friend, isn’t it?” said an acquaintance, as I passed the Hotel Utah.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Why, Junius F. Wells passed away this morning.”
To say that I was shocked would be putting it mildly. I could hardly believe him, for I had talked with Junius only a few hours before. He was a member of the L. D. S. Pageant Committee, of which I was chairman, and came to my room in the Church Office building the evening before. He said he had made promises of some pageant tickets to some hotel friends and feared he could not get around to secure them as he was not well. I told him I was very busy but would try and get some for him. As he turned to go he said “George, I’m a very sick man,” but as he was walking around I thought it was only a temporary illness. I was successful in getting the tickets he desired and left them at the hotel office at seven o’clock that evening. I don’t know whether or not he attended the pageant that evening but he must have gone to the office for the tickets as some of them were found in his room.
I could not help but ponder over the many prominent men, close friends of mine who had passed away very suddenly. Horace G. Whitney was taken in a moment. Osborne J. P. Widtsoe fell in the midst of his friends. Conway Ashton, a member of the General Board, had his life snuffed out in a flash. Spencer Clawson passed away suddenly in a doctor’s chair; Doctor Ephraim Gowans, a former member of our board went quickly; Charles B. Felt was taken ill while on a Sunday School trip with me and in a day or two was gone. And so it has been with others. How uncertain are the days of man!
As numerous sketches of the life of Junius F. Wells have been published in our newspapers and magazines it is not intended to duplicate them in The Instructor, but to express a word of appreciation of the outstanding characteristics of the man as I came in personal contact with him. I’ve known him ever since I can remember, especially since the Wellses moved into their fine home on First South street. I lived just around the corner. I recall the time of the organization of the Y. M. M. I. A. and the beginning of
The Contributor and heard him speak of the high ideals he had in his mind for both. The Contributor furnished a splendid medium for developing the literary abilities of many of our best men and women writers.
Junius had a splendid taste in selecting high class material, and the old volumes of The Contributor contain many choice articles on Church history, and numerous stories of pioneer life which, except for the avenue furnished by his magazine, would probably never have been published. He was interested in the early eisteddfods and considerable of The Contributor's money (his money) went for prizes. I had the honor of assisting in one of these contests, when I became manager of the magazine. Our relations while associated together were always pleasant. He sent me from New York during this period, a set of The Contributor beautifully bound by Putnam’s Sons Company; also a set of Putnam’s Knickerbocker series. These still adorn my library. He was extremely generous—too generous sometimes for his own good. He often said he saw no good use for money except to spend it—a maxim that was probably against his financial success.
The outstanding characteristic of Junius F. Wells, to my mind, was that of loyalty to the leaders of the Church. He surely inherited this quality from his father, for the leaders of the Church had no greater friend than Daniel H. Wells. In Nauvoo days, even before he was a member of the Church, Daniel was a true friend of the prophet and later became the close associate of President Young. Junius was a loyal follower of his father and always upheld the actions of his file leaders. He never for one moment hesitated in his fealty. This loyalty he also showed to his father’s family. He loved his progenitors.
Among the many gifts possessed by this talented man none was more brilliant than that of marking the birthplaces and burial places of the modern prophets. Some beautiful monuments bear evidence of his good taste and judgment in this respect. At the time of his passing he was engaged in collecting photos and pictures of men and places connected with Latter-day work. These will always be a monument to his ability. His knowledge of Church history, of men, dates, etc., was remarkable. A good writer, of easy style, he might easily have become noted had he devoted himself to that profession. Affable, kind, of unusually good address, and a brilliant entertainer, he will be missed by the many who knew him best.
Junius F. Wells: a Personal Tribute
By Geo. D. Pyper
“Very sad about your old friend, isn’t it?” said an acquaintance, as I passed the Hotel Utah.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Why, Junius F. Wells passed away this morning.”
To say that I was shocked would be putting it mildly. I could hardly believe him, for I had talked with Junius only a few hours before. He was a member of the L. D. S. Pageant Committee, of which I was chairman, and came to my room in the Church Office building the evening before. He said he had made promises of some pageant tickets to some hotel friends and feared he could not get around to secure them as he was not well. I told him I was very busy but would try and get some for him. As he turned to go he said “George, I’m a very sick man,” but as he was walking around I thought it was only a temporary illness. I was successful in getting the tickets he desired and left them at the hotel office at seven o’clock that evening. I don’t know whether or not he attended the pageant that evening but he must have gone to the office for the tickets as some of them were found in his room.
I could not help but ponder over the many prominent men, close friends of mine who had passed away very suddenly. Horace G. Whitney was taken in a moment. Osborne J. P. Widtsoe fell in the midst of his friends. Conway Ashton, a member of the General Board, had his life snuffed out in a flash. Spencer Clawson passed away suddenly in a doctor’s chair; Doctor Ephraim Gowans, a former member of our board went quickly; Charles B. Felt was taken ill while on a Sunday School trip with me and in a day or two was gone. And so it has been with others. How uncertain are the days of man!
As numerous sketches of the life of Junius F. Wells have been published in our newspapers and magazines it is not intended to duplicate them in The Instructor, but to express a word of appreciation of the outstanding characteristics of the man as I came in personal contact with him. I’ve known him ever since I can remember, especially since the Wellses moved into their fine home on First South street. I lived just around the corner. I recall the time of the organization of the Y. M. M. I. A. and the beginning of
The Contributor and heard him speak of the high ideals he had in his mind for both. The Contributor furnished a splendid medium for developing the literary abilities of many of our best men and women writers.
Junius had a splendid taste in selecting high class material, and the old volumes of The Contributor contain many choice articles on Church history, and numerous stories of pioneer life which, except for the avenue furnished by his magazine, would probably never have been published. He was interested in the early eisteddfods and considerable of The Contributor's money (his money) went for prizes. I had the honor of assisting in one of these contests, when I became manager of the magazine. Our relations while associated together were always pleasant. He sent me from New York during this period, a set of The Contributor beautifully bound by Putnam’s Sons Company; also a set of Putnam’s Knickerbocker series. These still adorn my library. He was extremely generous—too generous sometimes for his own good. He often said he saw no good use for money except to spend it—a maxim that was probably against his financial success.
The outstanding characteristic of Junius F. Wells, to my mind, was that of loyalty to the leaders of the Church. He surely inherited this quality from his father, for the leaders of the Church had no greater friend than Daniel H. Wells. In Nauvoo days, even before he was a member of the Church, Daniel was a true friend of the prophet and later became the close associate of President Young. Junius was a loyal follower of his father and always upheld the actions of his file leaders. He never for one moment hesitated in his fealty. This loyalty he also showed to his father’s family. He loved his progenitors.
Among the many gifts possessed by this talented man none was more brilliant than that of marking the birthplaces and burial places of the modern prophets. Some beautiful monuments bear evidence of his good taste and judgment in this respect. At the time of his passing he was engaged in collecting photos and pictures of men and places connected with Latter-day work. These will always be a monument to his ability. His knowledge of Church history, of men, dates, etc., was remarkable. A good writer, of easy style, he might easily have become noted had he devoted himself to that profession. Affable, kind, of unusually good address, and a brilliant entertainer, he will be missed by the many who knew him best.