Rulon S. Wells
Born: 7 July 1854
Called to Presidency of Seventy: 5 April 1893
Died: 7 May 1941
Called to Presidency of Seventy: 5 April 1893
Died: 7 May 1941
Conference TalksOct 1893
Apr 1899 Oct 1901 - Church built on rock of revelation— Source of divine testimony Apr 1902 - Every gift and endowment brings responsibility — The use and abuse of wealth Apr 1902 - Every gift and endowment brings responsibility Apr 1903 - The Bible and Book of Mormon—Both true — Latter fresh from pen of Prophet Oct 1903 Apr 1904 Apr 1904 Oct 1904 Apr 1905 Apr 1905 Oct 1905 Apr 1906 Apr 1906 Oct 1906 Apr 1907 Apr 1907 Oct 1907 Apr 1908 Apr 1909 Oct 1909 Apr 1910 Oct 1910 Apr 1911 Oct 1912 Apr 1913 Apr 1914 Oct 1914 Apr 1915 Oct 1917 Apr 1918 Image source: Instructor, September 1939
Image source: Instructor, June 1941
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Image source: Juvenile Instructor, August 1901
Image source: Young Women's Journal, October 1904
Image source: Improvement Era, June 1941
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Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Juvenile Instructor, 15 August 1901, Lives of Our Leaders - Presidency of the Seventy: Rulon S. Wells
Instructor, September 1939, President Rulon S. Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, Rulon S. Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, Rulon S. Wells
Instructor, June 1941, Rulon S. Wells and the Sunday School
Relief Society Magazine, July 1941, Rulon S. Wells
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Juvenile Instructor, 15 August 1901, Lives of Our Leaders - Presidency of the Seventy: Rulon S. Wells
Instructor, September 1939, President Rulon S. Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, Rulon S. Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, Rulon S. Wells
Instructor, June 1941, Rulon S. Wells and the Sunday School
Relief Society Magazine, July 1941, Rulon S. Wells
Jenson, Andrew. "Wells, Rulon Seymour." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 212-214.
WELLS, Rulon Seymour, one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies since 1S93, was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, inside the stone wall just east of the "Deseret News" corner. He is the son of Pres. Daniel H. Wells and Louisa Free. In 1861 that part of Pres. Wells' family of which Rulon was a member moved across the street south, to the Wells home (formerly occupied by Apostle Ezra T. Benson), where Rulon lived until his marriage in 1883. He was baptized by his father when about eight years of age, and confirmed by Elder John V. Long. Brother Rulon attended the various common schools of his boyhood. He also attended the Morgan & Macauley night school for penmanship, and finally the Deseret University, then under the direction of Elder David O. Calder as a commercial college. He was a student at that institution when Dr. John R. Park came and inaugurated the change by which the Commercial College was transformed into a collegiate institution. Dr. Park was ably assisted by Professor Bellerive, Dr. Benedict, Professor Monch and later by Dr. Maeser. Under the tuition of these educators he took a scientific and classical course, such as was at that time being offered. He was ordained an Elder by Elder W. J. Smith Aug. 15, 1868, and he left school April 1, 1871, to accept of his first employment with a party of engineers who, with Jesse W. Fox, Sen., as chief engineer, started from Salt Lake City to locate and survey the route of the Utah Southern Railroad, now a part of the Oregon Short Line system. In the winter of 1873-4, Brother Wells was chosen by the Utah legislature as engrossing clerk. In 1874 he was employed by Elder John R. Winder in the assessor and collector's office for Salt Lake City. In 1875 he was employed at the saw mills "E" and "P," Big Cottonwood canyon, belonging to his father, in the capacity of book-keeper. It was while in this employment in October, 1875, that he received the call for his first mission. The following incident as related by himself is of interest: I was measuring lumber as it came from the mill and was being stacked near by, when I was seized with a peculiar feeling over which I had no control, and which impelled me to descend from the pile of lumber and go to the office, a little board shanty which served the purpose of office, store and bed-room combined. It was situated about 300 or 400 feet from where I was working. After entering the door and locking it, I knelt down and prayed to the Lord 'to send me where He wanted me to go.' This was the whole burden of my prayer which lasted only about one minute. The whole proceeding was to me a very strange one, for I did not understand the meaning of it, and it was so unusual and out of the ordinary. On this very day, and probably at the same moment, my name was being called in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, where the conference was then being held, for a mission. The first intimation I had of this call was when my mother, then fifty-one years old. rode on horseback, in company with Archibald Livingstone, who was superintendent of the mills, on the following day to mill F and apprised me of this fact." Oct. 22, 1875, Brother Wells was ordained a Seventy, and set apart for his mission to Europe by Pres. Brigham Young, assisted by Pres. Daniel H. Wells. On arriving in Liverpool Brother Rulon was assigned to the Swiss and German Mission, whither he journeyed in company with Elder Martin Lenzi. In 1876 he assisted Elder Theodore Brandley in holding a public meeting in the city of Berlin, which was attended by dignitaries of the German empire, there being present members of the Reichstag and the royal police and several representatives of the state church. Returning home again in company with Elder Lenzi, with a company of emigrating Saints, Elders Lenzi and Wells having charge of the Swiss and German branch of the company, they held meeting on board the steamer "Wisconsin," and arrived in New York, July 7, 1877, where Elder Wells was met by his mother and his sister, and after visiting with his father's relatives in the State of New York, he continued his journey home, where he arrived July 23, 1877. He was afterward active as a home missionary for a number of years. Brother Wells was in the employ of Z. C. M. I. from 1877 until 1880, and for a few months kept books for Mr. John Brooks who was running the Chicago Smelter at Rush Lake, Tooele county. In 1881, he accepted a position from Hon. John W. Young, having charge of his books and clerks in Arizona on the line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Company, where Brother Young had a contract for building one hundred miles of road. besides getting out ties and timber. Brother Wells returned home in December, 1882. Jan. 18, 1883, he married Miss Josephine E. Beatie, daughter of Hampton S. and Marion T. Beatie, by whom he has had seven children, two sons and five daughters. During this year he built his present home in the Eighteenth Ward and moved in on Jan. 9, 1884; here he has resided ever since. He at once identified himself with the Ward, and served in the several capacities of teacher in the Sunday School, Ward teacher, president of the Mutual Improvement Association and second assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. On returning from Arizona he was again employed by Z. C M. I. until March, 1886, when he accepted the secretaryship of the Co-operative Wagon & Machine Company, then known as Grant, Odell & Company. He served as secretary and treasurer, also as director of this institution until 1896, excepting for about a year, 1891-2, during which time he had charge of the office work of Heber J. Grant & Company. He was secretary of Zion's Benefit Building Society, and was elected secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Utah; this latter position he also held until 1896. April 5, 1893, he was chosen to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventies caused by the death of Pres. Jacob Gates, and was ordained on the same day to that position by Pres. George Q. Cannon, assisted by Pres. Wilford Woodruff and several of the Apostles. May 8, 1896, he was called on a mission to Europe, having been unanimously chosen by the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles to succeed Apostle Anthon H. Lund in the presidency of the European Mission. He departed for this mission in company with Elder Joseph "W. McMurrin, June 29, 1896. During this mission he visited the various conferences of Great Britain five or six times, and those of the continental missions three or four times, mostly in company with Elder Joseph W. McMurrin, his colaborer in the presidency of the mission. He returned home on Christmas eve, 1898, having been met in New York by his wife and eldest daughter, and accompanied by Pres. McMurrin. Soon after he took up the insurance business, and on Dec. 1, 1899, was installed as manager at Salt Lake Guy of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Since returning from Europe he has visited many of the Stakes of Zion at the quarterly conferences, and labored with his associates among the Seventies. He is also one of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. In November, 1900, he was elected to the lower house of the fourth legislature of the State of Utah, and served the term from Jan. 14th to March 14th, 1901.—(See also Juvenile Instructor, Vol. 34, p. 481.)
WELLS, Rulon Seymour, one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies since 1S93, was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, inside the stone wall just east of the "Deseret News" corner. He is the son of Pres. Daniel H. Wells and Louisa Free. In 1861 that part of Pres. Wells' family of which Rulon was a member moved across the street south, to the Wells home (formerly occupied by Apostle Ezra T. Benson), where Rulon lived until his marriage in 1883. He was baptized by his father when about eight years of age, and confirmed by Elder John V. Long. Brother Rulon attended the various common schools of his boyhood. He also attended the Morgan & Macauley night school for penmanship, and finally the Deseret University, then under the direction of Elder David O. Calder as a commercial college. He was a student at that institution when Dr. John R. Park came and inaugurated the change by which the Commercial College was transformed into a collegiate institution. Dr. Park was ably assisted by Professor Bellerive, Dr. Benedict, Professor Monch and later by Dr. Maeser. Under the tuition of these educators he took a scientific and classical course, such as was at that time being offered. He was ordained an Elder by Elder W. J. Smith Aug. 15, 1868, and he left school April 1, 1871, to accept of his first employment with a party of engineers who, with Jesse W. Fox, Sen., as chief engineer, started from Salt Lake City to locate and survey the route of the Utah Southern Railroad, now a part of the Oregon Short Line system. In the winter of 1873-4, Brother Wells was chosen by the Utah legislature as engrossing clerk. In 1874 he was employed by Elder John R. Winder in the assessor and collector's office for Salt Lake City. In 1875 he was employed at the saw mills "E" and "P," Big Cottonwood canyon, belonging to his father, in the capacity of book-keeper. It was while in this employment in October, 1875, that he received the call for his first mission. The following incident as related by himself is of interest: I was measuring lumber as it came from the mill and was being stacked near by, when I was seized with a peculiar feeling over which I had no control, and which impelled me to descend from the pile of lumber and go to the office, a little board shanty which served the purpose of office, store and bed-room combined. It was situated about 300 or 400 feet from where I was working. After entering the door and locking it, I knelt down and prayed to the Lord 'to send me where He wanted me to go.' This was the whole burden of my prayer which lasted only about one minute. The whole proceeding was to me a very strange one, for I did not understand the meaning of it, and it was so unusual and out of the ordinary. On this very day, and probably at the same moment, my name was being called in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, where the conference was then being held, for a mission. The first intimation I had of this call was when my mother, then fifty-one years old. rode on horseback, in company with Archibald Livingstone, who was superintendent of the mills, on the following day to mill F and apprised me of this fact." Oct. 22, 1875, Brother Wells was ordained a Seventy, and set apart for his mission to Europe by Pres. Brigham Young, assisted by Pres. Daniel H. Wells. On arriving in Liverpool Brother Rulon was assigned to the Swiss and German Mission, whither he journeyed in company with Elder Martin Lenzi. In 1876 he assisted Elder Theodore Brandley in holding a public meeting in the city of Berlin, which was attended by dignitaries of the German empire, there being present members of the Reichstag and the royal police and several representatives of the state church. Returning home again in company with Elder Lenzi, with a company of emigrating Saints, Elders Lenzi and Wells having charge of the Swiss and German branch of the company, they held meeting on board the steamer "Wisconsin," and arrived in New York, July 7, 1877, where Elder Wells was met by his mother and his sister, and after visiting with his father's relatives in the State of New York, he continued his journey home, where he arrived July 23, 1877. He was afterward active as a home missionary for a number of years. Brother Wells was in the employ of Z. C. M. I. from 1877 until 1880, and for a few months kept books for Mr. John Brooks who was running the Chicago Smelter at Rush Lake, Tooele county. In 1881, he accepted a position from Hon. John W. Young, having charge of his books and clerks in Arizona on the line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Company, where Brother Young had a contract for building one hundred miles of road. besides getting out ties and timber. Brother Wells returned home in December, 1882. Jan. 18, 1883, he married Miss Josephine E. Beatie, daughter of Hampton S. and Marion T. Beatie, by whom he has had seven children, two sons and five daughters. During this year he built his present home in the Eighteenth Ward and moved in on Jan. 9, 1884; here he has resided ever since. He at once identified himself with the Ward, and served in the several capacities of teacher in the Sunday School, Ward teacher, president of the Mutual Improvement Association and second assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. On returning from Arizona he was again employed by Z. C M. I. until March, 1886, when he accepted the secretaryship of the Co-operative Wagon & Machine Company, then known as Grant, Odell & Company. He served as secretary and treasurer, also as director of this institution until 1896, excepting for about a year, 1891-2, during which time he had charge of the office work of Heber J. Grant & Company. He was secretary of Zion's Benefit Building Society, and was elected secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Utah; this latter position he also held until 1896. April 5, 1893, he was chosen to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventies caused by the death of Pres. Jacob Gates, and was ordained on the same day to that position by Pres. George Q. Cannon, assisted by Pres. Wilford Woodruff and several of the Apostles. May 8, 1896, he was called on a mission to Europe, having been unanimously chosen by the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles to succeed Apostle Anthon H. Lund in the presidency of the European Mission. He departed for this mission in company with Elder Joseph "W. McMurrin, June 29, 1896. During this mission he visited the various conferences of Great Britain five or six times, and those of the continental missions three or four times, mostly in company with Elder Joseph W. McMurrin, his colaborer in the presidency of the mission. He returned home on Christmas eve, 1898, having been met in New York by his wife and eldest daughter, and accompanied by Pres. McMurrin. Soon after he took up the insurance business, and on Dec. 1, 1899, was installed as manager at Salt Lake Guy of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Since returning from Europe he has visited many of the Stakes of Zion at the quarterly conferences, and labored with his associates among the Seventies. He is also one of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. In November, 1900, he was elected to the lower house of the fourth legislature of the State of Utah, and served the term from Jan. 14th to March 14th, 1901.—(See also Juvenile Instructor, Vol. 34, p. 481.)
Jenson, Andrew. "Wells, Rulon S." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 249, 320.
WELLS, Rulon S., a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. from 1899 to 1929. (See Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 212.)
WELLS, Rulon S., president of the British Mission from 1896 to 1898. (See Bio. Ency., Vol. 1, p. 212.)
WELLS, Rulon S., a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. from 1899 to 1929. (See Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 212.)
WELLS, Rulon S., president of the British Mission from 1896 to 1898. (See Bio. Ency., Vol. 1, p. 212.)
"Lives of Our Leaders - Presidency of the Seventy: Rulon S. Wells." Juvenile Instructor. 15 August 1901. pg. 480-483.
LIVES OF OUR LEADERS.—THE FIRST COUNCIL OF THE SEVENTY.
PRESIDENT RULON S. WELLS.
PRESIDENT RULON SEYMOUR WELLS was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, inside the stone wall just east of the Deseret News corner. He was the son of President Daniel H. and Sister Louisa P. Wells.
In 1861 Brother Rulon moved with the family across the street south, to the Wells home (formerly occupied by Apostle Ezra T. Benson), where he lived until his marriage in 1883. He was baptized when about eight years of age by his father, and confirmed by Elder John V. Long.
Brother Rulon attended the various common schools of his boyhood, which, as . he recollects, came in the following order:
Sister Moore's in the old Deseret Museum Building.
Dr. Doremus, at the Union Academy.
Dr. Standard, 13th Ward Meeting House. (This school only for a few days, as it was brought to a sudden close by the death of the Doctor who fell dead on his way to school only a few days after the opening.)
Bartlett Tripp, in I5th Ward Granary.
O. H. Riggs, in 14th Ward Meeting House, and later in the Seventies' Hall on State Street, and still later in the old Union Academy.
Also the Morgan & Macauley night school for Penmanship, and finally The Deseret University, then under the direction of Elder David 0. Calder, as a commercial college.
He was here when Dr. John R. Park came and inaugurated the change by which the Commercial College was transformed into a collegiate institution. Dr. Park was ably assisted by Professor Bellerive, Dr. Benedict, Professor Moench, and later by Dr. Maeser. Under the tuition of these educators he took a scientific and classical course, such as was at that time being offered. On the loth of August, 1868, he was ordained an Eider by Elder W. J. Smith. On April 1, 1871, he left school to accept of his first employment with a party of engineers who, with Jesse W. Fox, Sen., as chief engineer, started from Salt Lake City to locate and survey the route of the Utah Southern Railroad, now a part of the Oregon Short Line system.
In the winter of 1873-4, Brother Wells was chosen by the Utah Legislature as engrossing clerk.
In 1874 he was employed by Elder John R. Winder in the assessor's and collector's office for Salt Lake City.
In 1875 he was employed at the saw mills “E” and “F,” Big Cottonwood canyon, belonging to his father, in the capacity of book-keeper. It was while in this employment in October, 1875, that he received the call for his first mission.
The following incident as related by himself is of interest.
“I was measuring lumber as it came from the mill and was being stacked near by, when I was seized with a peculiar feeling over which I had no control, and which impelled me to descend from the pile of lumber and go to the office, a little board shanty which served the purpose of office, store and bedroom combined. It was situated about 300 or 400 feet from where I was working. After entering the door and locking it I knelt down and prayed to the Lord <to send me where He wanted me to go.) This was the whole burden of my prayer which lasted only about one minute. «The whole proceeding was to me a very strange one, for I did not understand the meaning of it, and it was so unusual and out of the ordinary.
“On this very day, and probably at the same moment, my name was being called in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City where the conference was then being held, for a mission. The first intimation I had of this call was when my mother, then fifty-one years old rode on horseback, in company with Archibald Livingstone who was superintendent of the mills, on the following day to mill F and apprised me of this fact.”
On October 22, 1875, Brother Wells was ordained a Seventy, and set apart for his mission to Europe by President Brigham Young, assisted by President Daniel H. Wells. On arriving in Liverpool Brother Rulon was assigned to the Swiss and German mission whither he journeyed in company with Elder Martin Lenzi. In 1876 he assisted Elder Theodore Brandley in holding a public meeting in the city of Berlin, which was attended by dignitaries of the German empire, there being present members of the reichstag and the royal police and several representatives of the state church.
Returning home again in company with Elder Lenzi, with a company of emigrating saints. Elder Lenzi and Wells having charge of the Swiss and German branch of the company, they held meeting on board the steamer Wisconsin, and arrived in New York July 7, 1877, where Elder Wells was met by his mother and his sister, and after visiting with his father's relatives in the State of New York, he continued his journey home, where he arrived July 23, 1877. He was afterward active as a home missionary for a number of years.
Brother Wells was In the employ of Z. C. M. I. from 1877 until 1880, and for a few months kept books for Mr. John Brooks who was running the Chicago Smelter at Rush Lake, Tooele County.
In 1881, he accepted a position from Hon, John W. Young, having charge of his books and clerks in Arizona on the line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Company, where Brother Young had a contract for building 100 miles of road, besides getting out ties and timber.
Brother Wells returned home in December, 1882. On January 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Josephine E. Beatie, daughter of H. S. and Marion T. Beatie, by whom he has had seven children, two sons and five daughters. During this year he built his present home in the 18th Ward and moved in on January 9, 1884; here he has resided ever since. He at once identified himself with the ward, and served in the several capacities of teacher in the Sunday School, ward teacher, president of the Mutual Improvement Association and second assistant superintendent of the Sunday School.
On returning from Arizona he was again employed by Z. C. M. I. until March, 1886, when he accepted the secretaryship of the Co-operative Wagon & Machine Company, then known as Grant, Odell & Company. He served as secretary and treasurer, also as director of this institution until 1896, excepting for about a year 1891-2,. during which time he had charge of the office work of Heber J. Grant & Company. He was secretary of Zion's Benefit Building Society, and was elected secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Utah, this latter position he also held until 1896.
On April 5, 1893, he was chosen to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventy caused by the death of President Jacob Gates, and was ordained on the same day to that position by President George Q. Cannon, assisted by President W. Woodruff, President L. Snow and several of the Apostles.
On May 8, 1896, he was called on a mission to Europe, having been unanimously chosen by the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles to succeed Apostle Anthon H. Lund in the presidency of the European mission. He departed for this mission in company with Elder Joseph W. McMurrin on June 29, 1896. During this mission he visited the various conferences of Great Britain five or six times, and those of the continental missions three or four times, mostly in company with President Joseph W. McMurrin, his co-laborer in the presidency of the mission. He returned home on Christmas eve, 1898, having been met in New York by his wife and eldest daughter, and accompanied by President McMurrin.
Soon after he took up the insurance business, and on December 1, 1899, was installed as manager at Salt Lake City of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.
Since returning from Europe he has visited many of the Stakes of Zion at the quarterly conferences, and labored with his associates among the Seventies. He is also one of the General board of the Y. M. M. I. A. In November, 1900, he was elected to the lower house of the fourth Legislature of the State of Utah, and served the term from January 14 to March 14, 1901.
LIVES OF OUR LEADERS.—THE FIRST COUNCIL OF THE SEVENTY.
PRESIDENT RULON S. WELLS.
PRESIDENT RULON SEYMOUR WELLS was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, inside the stone wall just east of the Deseret News corner. He was the son of President Daniel H. and Sister Louisa P. Wells.
In 1861 Brother Rulon moved with the family across the street south, to the Wells home (formerly occupied by Apostle Ezra T. Benson), where he lived until his marriage in 1883. He was baptized when about eight years of age by his father, and confirmed by Elder John V. Long.
Brother Rulon attended the various common schools of his boyhood, which, as . he recollects, came in the following order:
Sister Moore's in the old Deseret Museum Building.
Dr. Doremus, at the Union Academy.
Dr. Standard, 13th Ward Meeting House. (This school only for a few days, as it was brought to a sudden close by the death of the Doctor who fell dead on his way to school only a few days after the opening.)
Bartlett Tripp, in I5th Ward Granary.
O. H. Riggs, in 14th Ward Meeting House, and later in the Seventies' Hall on State Street, and still later in the old Union Academy.
Also the Morgan & Macauley night school for Penmanship, and finally The Deseret University, then under the direction of Elder David 0. Calder, as a commercial college.
He was here when Dr. John R. Park came and inaugurated the change by which the Commercial College was transformed into a collegiate institution. Dr. Park was ably assisted by Professor Bellerive, Dr. Benedict, Professor Moench, and later by Dr. Maeser. Under the tuition of these educators he took a scientific and classical course, such as was at that time being offered. On the loth of August, 1868, he was ordained an Eider by Elder W. J. Smith. On April 1, 1871, he left school to accept of his first employment with a party of engineers who, with Jesse W. Fox, Sen., as chief engineer, started from Salt Lake City to locate and survey the route of the Utah Southern Railroad, now a part of the Oregon Short Line system.
In the winter of 1873-4, Brother Wells was chosen by the Utah Legislature as engrossing clerk.
In 1874 he was employed by Elder John R. Winder in the assessor's and collector's office for Salt Lake City.
In 1875 he was employed at the saw mills “E” and “F,” Big Cottonwood canyon, belonging to his father, in the capacity of book-keeper. It was while in this employment in October, 1875, that he received the call for his first mission.
The following incident as related by himself is of interest.
“I was measuring lumber as it came from the mill and was being stacked near by, when I was seized with a peculiar feeling over which I had no control, and which impelled me to descend from the pile of lumber and go to the office, a little board shanty which served the purpose of office, store and bedroom combined. It was situated about 300 or 400 feet from where I was working. After entering the door and locking it I knelt down and prayed to the Lord <to send me where He wanted me to go.) This was the whole burden of my prayer which lasted only about one minute. «The whole proceeding was to me a very strange one, for I did not understand the meaning of it, and it was so unusual and out of the ordinary.
“On this very day, and probably at the same moment, my name was being called in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City where the conference was then being held, for a mission. The first intimation I had of this call was when my mother, then fifty-one years old rode on horseback, in company with Archibald Livingstone who was superintendent of the mills, on the following day to mill F and apprised me of this fact.”
On October 22, 1875, Brother Wells was ordained a Seventy, and set apart for his mission to Europe by President Brigham Young, assisted by President Daniel H. Wells. On arriving in Liverpool Brother Rulon was assigned to the Swiss and German mission whither he journeyed in company with Elder Martin Lenzi. In 1876 he assisted Elder Theodore Brandley in holding a public meeting in the city of Berlin, which was attended by dignitaries of the German empire, there being present members of the reichstag and the royal police and several representatives of the state church.
Returning home again in company with Elder Lenzi, with a company of emigrating saints. Elder Lenzi and Wells having charge of the Swiss and German branch of the company, they held meeting on board the steamer Wisconsin, and arrived in New York July 7, 1877, where Elder Wells was met by his mother and his sister, and after visiting with his father's relatives in the State of New York, he continued his journey home, where he arrived July 23, 1877. He was afterward active as a home missionary for a number of years.
Brother Wells was In the employ of Z. C. M. I. from 1877 until 1880, and for a few months kept books for Mr. John Brooks who was running the Chicago Smelter at Rush Lake, Tooele County.
In 1881, he accepted a position from Hon, John W. Young, having charge of his books and clerks in Arizona on the line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Company, where Brother Young had a contract for building 100 miles of road, besides getting out ties and timber.
Brother Wells returned home in December, 1882. On January 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Josephine E. Beatie, daughter of H. S. and Marion T. Beatie, by whom he has had seven children, two sons and five daughters. During this year he built his present home in the 18th Ward and moved in on January 9, 1884; here he has resided ever since. He at once identified himself with the ward, and served in the several capacities of teacher in the Sunday School, ward teacher, president of the Mutual Improvement Association and second assistant superintendent of the Sunday School.
On returning from Arizona he was again employed by Z. C. M. I. until March, 1886, when he accepted the secretaryship of the Co-operative Wagon & Machine Company, then known as Grant, Odell & Company. He served as secretary and treasurer, also as director of this institution until 1896, excepting for about a year 1891-2,. during which time he had charge of the office work of Heber J. Grant & Company. He was secretary of Zion's Benefit Building Society, and was elected secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Utah, this latter position he also held until 1896.
On April 5, 1893, he was chosen to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventy caused by the death of President Jacob Gates, and was ordained on the same day to that position by President George Q. Cannon, assisted by President W. Woodruff, President L. Snow and several of the Apostles.
On May 8, 1896, he was called on a mission to Europe, having been unanimously chosen by the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles to succeed Apostle Anthon H. Lund in the presidency of the European mission. He departed for this mission in company with Elder Joseph W. McMurrin on June 29, 1896. During this mission he visited the various conferences of Great Britain five or six times, and those of the continental missions three or four times, mostly in company with President Joseph W. McMurrin, his co-laborer in the presidency of the mission. He returned home on Christmas eve, 1898, having been met in New York by his wife and eldest daughter, and accompanied by President McMurrin.
Soon after he took up the insurance business, and on December 1, 1899, was installed as manager at Salt Lake City of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.
Since returning from Europe he has visited many of the Stakes of Zion at the quarterly conferences, and labored with his associates among the Seventies. He is also one of the General board of the Y. M. M. I. A. In November, 1900, he was elected to the lower house of the fourth Legislature of the State of Utah, and served the term from January 14 to March 14, 1901.
"President Rulon S. Wells." Instructor. September 1939. pg. 375.
PRESIDENT RULON S. WELLS (This Months Cover Picture) One would not think, by looking at President Wells, that he is in his eighty-sixth year. Although his hair is white, there is little of it that he has not had from the first; he can see well; and his voice is as resonant as it was fifty years ago. This is significant. It means that, despite an extremely active life, he maintains his vitality. His body and his mind have always been vigorous. They have borne up under stress and strain. The youngest thing about him is his spirit. It strikes out as in his younger years. A strong, even powerful, testimony has sustained that spirit. He bears it now as he did in his youth. No one who has ever heard him do so, will ever forget the experience of listening to his earnest, positive, convincing "I know." |
Evans, Richard L. "Rulon S. Wells." Improvement Era. June 1941. pg. 330-331, 379-381.
RULON S. WELLS “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." 1 john 3:14. By RICHARD L. EVANS of the First Council of the Seventy We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. These and other passages in like spirit from the third chapter of 1st John, President Rulon S. Wells and President David O. McKay quoted to each other in the hospital a few nights before Brother Wells' passing. With his flowing white hair against the whiteness of his pillows, Brother Wells firmly held the hands of those who were there to bless him, and said: "I love my brethren. I hate to let you go." That was the spirit that motivated the life of Rulon S. Wells, Senior President of the First Council of Seventy, who passed from the presence of those brethren he loved, a few minutes past midnight on Wednesday, May 7. That joyfully awaiting him in the kingdom of our Father were hosts of those who had gone before and whom he also loved, is a certainty that he knew as well as he knew any of the facts of this life. He was admitted to the hospital with an intestinal obstruction "for observation" the evening of April 25, and first reports indicated that his illness was "not serious." He did not improve, however, and an operation performed a few hours before his death did not produce the hoped-for results. Death came quietly to this beloved servant of God as he was nearing completion of his eighty-seventh year. He was, prior to his death, the oldest of the General Authorities of the Church, and was active in all the affairs of the Council of which he was Senior President until the very day he was taken to the hospital. Only the day before his going to the hospital he had vigorously participated in the discussions of the regular Thursday Temple meeting of the First Council of the Seventy and had there, perhaps more forcefully than usual, given instructions and expressed himself concerning the meaning of the calling of the Seventy. If buoyancy of spirit, keenness of mind, and freshness of outlook are to> be given their full weight, Rulon S. Wells never grew to be an old man. It is true that he lived nearly eighty-seven years, but what is eighty-seven years to one who has a deep understanding of life and a broad vision of eternity! To him and to those who knew him eighty-seven years meant only that his legs didn't carry him quite so fast nor so surely as once they did, that his mortal eyes didn't see quite so clearly, that his ears didn't hear quite so sharply—but nothing else slowed down. He was thinking ahead. No worthy humor was lost on him. He had a ready selection of pertinent stories of his own. The issues of the day were still clearly outlined in his mind, and the fire of his defenses was quickly felt and heard when any man misstated or misinterpreted any principle of the Gospel or any fact of truth in his presence. The broad lines of the Gospel marked the boundaries of his life, and its principles were etched upon his mind. He was a deep and careful student of Priesthood. Its meaning, the relationships of its offices and callings, was a consideration close to his heart. On this subject he spoke often, in public and in private, with a depth of understanding and with a breadth of knowledge, and the scripture supporting his views, verbatim, chapter and verse, was at his command, from memory, for use on all occasions of need. Perhaps more than anything else his soundness of doctrine was emphasized by all of the speakers at his funeral services in the Assembly Hall on May 9—President Rufus K. Hardy, President Rudger Clawson, President David O. McKay, and a statement by President Grant read by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., all touching upon his clear understanding of the fundamentals of the Gospel. In this connection, President Grant wrote: I cannot remember ever hearing him speak in public that he did not feed me the bread of life. I do not remember his making a speech that did not please me. I have no recollection of listening to him preach when he said anything that was not fundamentally sound. His preaching of the Gospel was always of great interest to me. I consider that he was one of the greatest doctrinal preachers in the Church, and he was one of the most beloved men, and so was his father, of any of the leading officials of the Church that I have known. They were both great students. On Priesthood and other subjects he spoke as a good book reads. There was no small talk and no make-shift word. The language at his command was adequate to the subject being considered, and it flowed with cultured measure and clear meaning. When an issue arose, Rulon S. Wells never asked who opposed it, or who favored it. He asked only concerning its merits, concerning its Tightness, and then threw the force of his personality, the weight of his thought, and the flow of his words for or against it, regardless of the number of his opponents, or the possibility of personal losses. Kindliness and consideration of others were dominant elements of his nature—as of all true gentlemen. But his disposition toward kindliness did not deter him from "reproving sharply betimes." The man in error has often felt the sincerity of his indignation and the sharpness of his correction—but it was always a sharpness tempered by such unfeigned love that there was a benediction attendant even with reproof, and a scolding from him was an uplifting experience, so just was his nature, so complete was his forgiveness, and so unbegrudging was his love. WHILE his long life saw much variety of activity in business, in affairs of state and public interest, and in richness of family experience, essentially his career was characterized by the calling of missionary service, having first served as a young man in the Swiss and German mission from 1875 to 1877; later, as a member of the First Council of the Seventy, he presided over the European Mission from 1896 to 1 898, succeeding President Anthon H. Lund in that capacity, under call and appointment from the Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. In 1926 by like appointment he accompanied Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder Rey L. Pratt of the First Council of the Seventy to South America to open up that field for missionary labor. He also< served as a member of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. from January, 1900, to March, 1929. Brother Wells was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, inside the stonewall where the Hotel Utah now stands, the son of President Daniel H. Wells of the First Presidency and Louisa Free. His father was a direct descendant of the fourth governor of Connecticut, and his maternal grandfather was one of General George Washington's soldiers. He was baptized by his father when about eight years of age. He attended the various common schools of his boyhood, and finally the Deseret University, then under the direction of Elder David O. Calder as a commercial college. He was a student at that institution when Dr. John R. Park came and inaugurated the change by which the Commercial College was transformed into' a collegiate institution. He took such scientific and classical courses as the time offered. At the age of fourteen he was ordained an Elder. In his seventeenth year he left school to take up his first employment with a party of engineers who, with Jesse W. Fox, Sen., as chief engineer, started from Salt Lake City to locate and survey the route of the old Utah Southern Railroad. In October, 1875, while he was employed as a bookkeeper at a sawmill in Big Cottonwood Canyon belonging to his father, he received the call for his first mission, concerning which he has related the following incident: I was measuring lumber as it came from the mill, when I was seized with a peculiar feeling over which I had no control, and which impelled me to descend from the pile of lumber and go to the office, a little board shanty which served the purpose of office, store, and bedroom combined. It was situated about 300 or 400 feet from where I was working. After entering the door and locking it, I knelt down and prayed to the Lord "to send me where He wanted me to go." This was the whole burden of my prayer which lasted only about one minute. The whole proceeding was to me a very strange one, for I did not understand the meaning of it, and it was so unusual and out of the ordinary. On this very day, and probably at die same moment, my name was being called in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, where the conference was then being held, for a mission. The first intimation I had of this call was when my mother, then fifty-one years old, rode on horseback, in company with Archibald Livingstone, who was superintendent of the mills, on the following day to the mill and apprised me of this fact. Accordingly, on October 22, 1875, at the age of twenty-one, Brother Wells was ordained a Seventy, and set apart for his mission to Europe by President Brigham Young, assisted by President Daniel H. Wells. On arriving in Liverpool he was assigned to the Swiss and German Mission, where, in 1876, he assisted Elder Theodore Brandley in holding a public meeting in the city of Berlin, which was attended by officials of the German empire, there being present members of the Reichstag, the royal police, and several representatives of the state church. Returning home with a company of emigrating Swiss and German Saints, he arrived in Salt Lake City, July 23, 1877. He was afterward active as a home missionary for a number of years. Brother Wells was in the employ of Z. C. M. I. from 1877 until 1880, and for a few months kept books for Mr. John Brooks, who was running the Chicago Smelter at Rush Lake, Tooele County. In 1881, he accepted a position with Hon. John W. Young, having charge of his books and clerks in Arizona on the line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway Company, where Brother Young had a contract for building one hundred miles of road, besides getting out ties and timber. He returned home in December, 1882, and January 18, 1883, married Miss Josephine E. Beattie, daughter of Hampton S. and Marion T. Beattie. During this year he built his home in the Eighteenth Ward where he resided until his death. In that ward he served as teacher in the Sunday School, ward teacher, president of the Mutual Improvement Association, and second assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. On returning from Arizona he was again employed by Z. C. M. I. until March, 1 886, when he accepted the secretaryship of the Cooperative Wagon and Machine Company, then known as Grant, Odell & Company. He served as secretary and treasurer, also as director of this institution until 1896, excepting for about a year, 1891-2, during which time he had charge of the office work of Heber J. Grant & Company. He had also served as secretary of Zion's Benefit Building Society, and was elected secretary of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Utah, which position he held until 1896. April 5, 1893, Rulon S. Wells was chosen to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventy caused by the death of President Jacob Gates, and was ordained on the same day to that position by President George Q. Cannon, assisted by President Wilford Woodruff and several of the Apostles. May 8, 1896, he was called on his second mission to Europe, this time to succeed President Anthon H. Lund as President of the European Mission. During this mission he visited the districts of the Church in Great Britain and the continental missions several times, chiefly in company with Elder Joseph W. McMurrin, his co-laborer in the presidency of the mission. He returned home December, 1898. Soon after his return from Europe he took up the insurance business, and on December 1, 1899, was installed as manager at Salt Lake City of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, which position he held for several years. Brother Wells often quoted from memory extensive passages of poetry and scripture in both German and English. For many years he was associated with Dr. Widtsoe on the foreign language committee of the Church, assisting with the supervision and publication of the foreign language newspapers of the Church. His own published works include many discourses, some verse, a series of weekly radio addresses delivered over KSL from the Tabernacle from August 14, 1938, to November 13, 1938. At his death also he left an unfinished and unpublished manuscript on Priesthood. President Wells was honored by representatives of the Seventy of the entire Church on the forty-eighth anniversary of his call to the First Council of the Seventy at the recent general Conference, at a meeting held in Barratt Hall, Saturday afternoon, April 5, 1941, on which occasion he instructed the brethren in their duties and recited some verse concerning his own life which he wrote for his family on the occasion of his eighty-fourth birthday. As a Public Servant In the winter of 1873-4, Brother Wells was chosen by the Utah legislature as engrossing clerk. In 1874, he was employed by Elder John R. Winder in the assessor and collector's office for Salt Lake City. In 1900, he was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, receiving the largest number of votes of any Salt Lake county candidate, notwithstanding the fact that the Republicans, with one exception, were swept into office by substantial majorities. Following his brief career in the legislature, he served four years as Salt Lake City councilman, from 1904 to 1908. In recognition of his ability in insurance work, Brother Wells was appointed state insurance commissioner by Governor Simon Bamberger and held that post from 1917 to 1921. His Family Josephine Beattie Wells, wife of Rulon S. Wells, and mother of his seven children, died in 1923. Four daughters and two sons survive: Mrs. D. D. Moffat, Mrs. Fred W. McEntire, Seymour Wells, Sidney B. Wells, Miss Helen Wells, and Miss Dorothy Wells, all of Salt Lake City. Also surviving are three sisters, Miss Frances Wells, Mrs. Clara Hedges, and Mrs. Annie Wells Cannon; six brothers, Melvin D., Louis R., Stephen F., Gershon B., and Charles H. Wells, all of Salt Lake City, and Major General Bryant H. Wells of Honolulu, T. H. There are eight grandchildren. The devotion of his sons and daughters during his last illness, with their constant attendance, was a tribute to him and to them. Despite his age Brother Wells was not given to illness. Some minor chronic annoyances incident to age were his, but he filled his appointments and kept his hours at the office, and carried his share of the burden. On the week-end on which he was taken to the hospital he was scheduled to speak at a stake leadership banquet. And wherever he went his glowing youthful complexion and abundant white hair belied his years. To those who were intimate with him it would not seem fitting to say that death overtook Rulon S. Wells. It would be more accurate to record that he finished his work, and answered the call to move on to those quarters where the righteous and the faithful are pursuing the business of another life. |
PRESIDENT RULON S. WELLS
A BOYHOOD PICTURE OF RULON S. WELLS AND JUNIUS WELLS.
RULON S. WELLS AND JOSEPHINE BEATTIE WELLS AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THEIR MARRIAGE.
RULON S. WELLS (CENTER) AND TWO OF HIS ASSOCIATES, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN
IN SWITZERLAND WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN MISSION. |
"Rulon S. Wells." Improvement Era. June 1941. pg. 352.
Rulon S. Wells
Rulon S. Wells, Senior President of the First Council of the Seventy, was a kingly man. His physical presence was impressive. It was good to look at him. In his later years his well-proportioned body with its crown of whitened hair, made him a notable figure. Strangers turned to look at him.
A similar impressiveness accompanied his official and social contacts. There was a kindly deliberation and dignity in his speech, and absence of frivolity, though his remarks were often permeated with a sense of humor. He spoke as one who offered unquestioned truth. The listeners were led to solid ground.
His majesty rose to its greatest heights in the firm simplicity of his faith. He taught the first principles and ordinances of the Church and seemed to say: "Learn these and practice them; then all will be well with you." There was a sublime certainty in his acceptance of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the divine mission of Joseph Smith. His faith was so well anchored that doubt had fled.
Above all, he had gained the power of self-surrender to the Latter-day cause of the Lord. Of a vigorous, determined race, he was strong in his convictions and desires. But, when the word of divine authority came, he could be as clay in the hands of the Potter.
He could be used by the Lord, He was a devoted leader among the Seventy of the Church of God. He understood their high commission, and toiled in their behalf. He dreamed of the day when every Seventy would magnify his special calling and eagerly teach the Gospel to the world. The Seventy throughout the Church should cherish his teachings.
His life spanned the past and the present sojourn of the Church in the Great West. It was therefore good to hear him speak of the days of his pioneer boyhood and the battle of the people with the desert. And he bore tribute to the nobility of the founders of the Church and the continued divine leadership of their successors.
President Wells was an uncommon man. He did his work well—in Germany, in other countries of Europe, South America, and the stakes of Zion, His was a lovable personality, a loyal soul, a powerful teacher of the Gospel. All who labored with him, loved him. Such a life might well be emulated by all.—J. A. W.
Rulon S. Wells
Rulon S. Wells, Senior President of the First Council of the Seventy, was a kingly man. His physical presence was impressive. It was good to look at him. In his later years his well-proportioned body with its crown of whitened hair, made him a notable figure. Strangers turned to look at him.
A similar impressiveness accompanied his official and social contacts. There was a kindly deliberation and dignity in his speech, and absence of frivolity, though his remarks were often permeated with a sense of humor. He spoke as one who offered unquestioned truth. The listeners were led to solid ground.
His majesty rose to its greatest heights in the firm simplicity of his faith. He taught the first principles and ordinances of the Church and seemed to say: "Learn these and practice them; then all will be well with you." There was a sublime certainty in his acceptance of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the divine mission of Joseph Smith. His faith was so well anchored that doubt had fled.
Above all, he had gained the power of self-surrender to the Latter-day cause of the Lord. Of a vigorous, determined race, he was strong in his convictions and desires. But, when the word of divine authority came, he could be as clay in the hands of the Potter.
He could be used by the Lord, He was a devoted leader among the Seventy of the Church of God. He understood their high commission, and toiled in their behalf. He dreamed of the day when every Seventy would magnify his special calling and eagerly teach the Gospel to the world. The Seventy throughout the Church should cherish his teachings.
His life spanned the past and the present sojourn of the Church in the Great West. It was therefore good to hear him speak of the days of his pioneer boyhood and the battle of the people with the desert. And he bore tribute to the nobility of the founders of the Church and the continued divine leadership of their successors.
President Wells was an uncommon man. He did his work well—in Germany, in other countries of Europe, South America, and the stakes of Zion, His was a lovable personality, a loyal soul, a powerful teacher of the Gospel. All who labored with him, loved him. Such a life might well be emulated by all.—J. A. W.
"Rulon S. Wells and the Sunday School." Instructor. June 1941. pg. 287.
RULON S. WELLS AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
When President Wells, with Elders Ballard and Rey L. Pratt, was in South America organizing a mission of the Church there, he, with them, showed how the Sunday School may be used as an entering wedge in missionary work.
They were in a place where certain persons had no scruples about breaking up meetings held by those who came from the United States. Indeed, the very place where the Elders held their first meeting had iron shutters, which were to prevent missiles from reaching the worshipers.
But the Elders found it hard going otherwise. No one wanted to hear them preach. It was then that they hit upon the device of organizing a Sunday School. The children might not prove so unmoving as their parents.
At first only a few of the more daring youngsters came. They were not preached to, however, but only taught how to sing Sunday School songs. These were translated into Spanish by Elder Pratt, who spoke and wrote that language like a native, and the music to them was taught to the children by Elder Ballard, who knew the art of singing and had a fetching voice and who also played the organ.
Every session of the class (for it was only a singing class at first) saw new additions. Then something happened.
The parents of these children presently began to make their appearance. On being questioned, they explained that they had come to see where their children were learning so many beautiful songs in their own language. And, (as the old saw has it slightly altered), those who came to satisfy their curiosity remained to worship. They, too, were taught the hymns and songs which their children had constantly on their lips. And more and more parents, and more and more children, kept coming, till the Elders were forced to organize both a Sunday School and branch of the Church.
Elder Wells took a leading part here.
In the end, so Elder Wells told the writer of this, a large and flourishing branch of the Church was created in this place. Adults and children were baptized in considerable numbers. Among these were natives, Germans, and English. And Elder Wells added this, rather amusing, statement: that, after their baptism, he confirmed the converts in German, Elder Ballard in English, and Elder Pratt in Spanish.
Get the children, and you get their parents!
RULON S. WELLS AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
When President Wells, with Elders Ballard and Rey L. Pratt, was in South America organizing a mission of the Church there, he, with them, showed how the Sunday School may be used as an entering wedge in missionary work.
They were in a place where certain persons had no scruples about breaking up meetings held by those who came from the United States. Indeed, the very place where the Elders held their first meeting had iron shutters, which were to prevent missiles from reaching the worshipers.
But the Elders found it hard going otherwise. No one wanted to hear them preach. It was then that they hit upon the device of organizing a Sunday School. The children might not prove so unmoving as their parents.
At first only a few of the more daring youngsters came. They were not preached to, however, but only taught how to sing Sunday School songs. These were translated into Spanish by Elder Pratt, who spoke and wrote that language like a native, and the music to them was taught to the children by Elder Ballard, who knew the art of singing and had a fetching voice and who also played the organ.
Every session of the class (for it was only a singing class at first) saw new additions. Then something happened.
The parents of these children presently began to make their appearance. On being questioned, they explained that they had come to see where their children were learning so many beautiful songs in their own language. And, (as the old saw has it slightly altered), those who came to satisfy their curiosity remained to worship. They, too, were taught the hymns and songs which their children had constantly on their lips. And more and more parents, and more and more children, kept coming, till the Elders were forced to organize both a Sunday School and branch of the Church.
Elder Wells took a leading part here.
In the end, so Elder Wells told the writer of this, a large and flourishing branch of the Church was created in this place. Adults and children were baptized in considerable numbers. Among these were natives, Germans, and English. And Elder Wells added this, rather amusing, statement: that, after their baptism, he confirmed the converts in German, Elder Ballard in English, and Elder Pratt in Spanish.
Get the children, and you get their parents!
"Rulon S. Wells." Relief Society Magazine. July 1941. pg. 473.
Rulon S. Wells
THE death of Rulon S. Wells, Wednesday, May 7, removed from the leadership of the Church a valiant worker. For forty- eight years a member of the First Council of Seventy, and at the time of his death its senior president, Brother Wells' life has been characterized by devoted missionary service. From 1875 to 1877 he fulfilled his first mission for the Church in the Swiss and German Mission. Since that time he has presided over the European Mission, has assisted in opening up South America as a field for missionary labor, and has given years of service as a home missionary. In addition to his labors as a missionary, he has served the Church in ward capacities and as a member of the General Board of Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association. For many years he was associated with Dr. John A. Widtsoe on the foreign-language committee of the Church, assisting with the supervision and publication of the foreign-language newspapers of the Church.
Brother Wells was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of President Daniel H. Wells of the First Presidency, and Louisa Free. Shortly after returning from the Swiss and German Mission, he married Josephine E. Beattie, daughter of Hampton S. and Marion T. Beattie, January 18, 1883. Sister Wells preceded Brother Wells in death eighteen years. Her death occurred in 1923. Seven children were born to Brother and Sister Wells. Four daughters and two sons survive them.
The keen intellect and spiritual vigor of Rulon S. Wells have enabled him to live a life conspicuous for its service to both his Church and state. He will be remembered and loved by the membership of the Church for the clarity and conviction with which he has taught the principles of the Gospel. We mourn the passing of such a leader, but praise our Heavenly Father for his life.
Rulon S. Wells
THE death of Rulon S. Wells, Wednesday, May 7, removed from the leadership of the Church a valiant worker. For forty- eight years a member of the First Council of Seventy, and at the time of his death its senior president, Brother Wells' life has been characterized by devoted missionary service. From 1875 to 1877 he fulfilled his first mission for the Church in the Swiss and German Mission. Since that time he has presided over the European Mission, has assisted in opening up South America as a field for missionary labor, and has given years of service as a home missionary. In addition to his labors as a missionary, he has served the Church in ward capacities and as a member of the General Board of Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association. For many years he was associated with Dr. John A. Widtsoe on the foreign-language committee of the Church, assisting with the supervision and publication of the foreign-language newspapers of the Church.
Brother Wells was born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of President Daniel H. Wells of the First Presidency, and Louisa Free. Shortly after returning from the Swiss and German Mission, he married Josephine E. Beattie, daughter of Hampton S. and Marion T. Beattie, January 18, 1883. Sister Wells preceded Brother Wells in death eighteen years. Her death occurred in 1923. Seven children were born to Brother and Sister Wells. Four daughters and two sons survive them.
The keen intellect and spiritual vigor of Rulon S. Wells have enabled him to live a life conspicuous for its service to both his Church and state. He will be remembered and loved by the membership of the Church for the clarity and conviction with which he has taught the principles of the Gospel. We mourn the passing of such a leader, but praise our Heavenly Father for his life.