--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 24 number: 8 published: 1921-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "President Emmeline B. Wells," *Improvement Era* 24, no. 8 (June 1921): 718–721.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2408unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2408unse start_page: 718 end_page: 721 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1921-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2408unse publication_year: 1921 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1921, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # President Emmeline B. Wells "AUNT EM" AS MOTHER OF MULTITUDES The picture, never before published, was taken when she was 84 years old, and slunvs her as the grandmother and the great-grandmother of twin boys. Seated at her right is her daughter, Annie Wells Cannon, who is the mother of the boys, Abram and David, standing respectively at the extreme right and left of the group. Seated at "Aunt Em*s" left is Mrs. Louise B. Andrew, her granddaughter (and eldest daughter of Mrs. Cannon), who is the mother of the smaller boys, Richard and Denton. President Emmeline B. Wells By Susa Young Gates Among the gallant soldiers of the Cross who have fought the good fight and laid down their weapons to receive a victor's crown of glory, the name of Emmeline B. Wells, who died in Salt Lake City, April 25, 1921, stood high on the honor roll of this Church. Emmeline B. Wells, fifth general president of the Woman's Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mother, pioneer, editor and author, was one of the most remarkable women among the many that have arisen in the Church. She was of staunch New England parentage, and was born leap-year's day 1828, in the little village of Petersham, Worcester county, Massachusetts. Her fragile little body had a marvelous physical endurance. Her parents were David Woodward and Diadama Hare. PRESIDENT EMMELINE B. WELLS 719 The dominant characteristic of Mrs. Wells' life was her supreme will. That she turned the current of that forceful will into the peaceful channels of the gospel of Jesus Christ made for righteousness and the upbuilding of many good causes. Perhaps the greatest contribution which she rendered to her sex, to her family, and to her religion, was her invincible loyalty to the priesthood and to its requirements. She might differ in methods or be widely separated from her associates in matters of procedure, for her ambitions were high, her purposes lofty; but in and through them all ran the thread of truth to her testimony which preserved her, and which made of her a light set upon a hill. Always of a literary turn of mind, she became a primary school teacher when only fifteen years of age. It was during this early period of her life that she made a timid call upon the poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who lived not very far from her home. The poet received her kindly and accepted her childlike meed of praise with his courtly simplicity and genial understanding. No doubt this circumstance left an indelible impression and focused the literary ambition which colored so much of her after life. In her later years she was entertained at his home a whole day by himself and sister. Another circumstance that left a fixed impression on her mind, was when she heard Daniel Webster speak at New Salem, where her mother had taken the eager little student. She joined the Church on March 1, 1842, and her mother contrived to have her placed under the guardianship of some people who were going to Nauvoo, in 1843. The young convert was deeply affected with her first sight of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and always referred to the testimony she received when she shook hands with him. His personality stamped upon her soul a burning and never-to-be-forgotten testimony of his marvelous mission and leadership. Sister Wells was married to Bishop Newell K. Whitney, and became the close friend and associate of his first wife, Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who was known lovingly always as "Mother Whitney." Through association with this wonderful pioneer family, she became intimately acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and treasured in her heart to her dying day many of the truths and sayings which she heard, and which were repeated to her by these closest and dearest friends of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She taught a Sunday school in Nauvoo before the martyrdom, and she shared in all the trials and drivings of the people, coming to the valley in 1848, and camping on the site now occupied by the Latter-day Saint University. She had two daughters 720 IMPROVEMENT ERA born to Bishop Whitney, Isabel, now Mrs. Sears, and Melvina, now, Mrs. W. W. Wood, both still living. After the death of Bishop Whitney, in 1850, Sister Emmeline was married to President Daniel H. Wells, by whom she had three daughters, Emmeline or "Emmy" as she was affectionately known, "Annie," now Mrs. John Q. Cannon, and Louie. Mrs. Wells was always public spirited; she took an active interest in the work done by Dr. Willard Richards and his wife, Susanna Richards, when they organized a Council of Health in the old fort. In 1849, the girl wife attended the classes with her baby in her arms. When the Relief Society was organized in the Social Hall by Lydia Knight, she was a member of that Society, although no records were kept of this pioneer activity. She was treasurer in the thirteenth ward Relief Society, in the early '70's, and after the Woman's Exponent was founded, by Lula Green Richards, in 1872, Mrs. Wells wrote occasionally for its columns. In 1875, she became associate editor of the paper, and when Mrs. Richards resigned, because of increased family cares, in June, 1877, Mrs. Wells became the editor of that paper which she continued to edit and publish for nearly forty years, until 1914. She wrote many charming verses which have been published in two volumes. Her most beautiful hymn, "Our mountain home so dear," is as familiar in the mission field as it is here at home, for it voices a sentiment dear to the heart of every Latter-day Saint. Mrs. Wells traveled widely, received many honors for the past fifty years, and was very prominent in the work of her society and sex. She was general secretary of the Relief Society during the administration of Zina D. H. Young, and Bathsheba W. Smith; was active in suffrage work, and prominently associated with Sarah M. Kimball in the pioneer suffrage activities, also secretary of the Deseret Hospital board, and labored with Sister M. I. Home in the establishment of the cooperative stores. But the work which identifies her closest with the history of the Society and of this Church is the grain-saving movement which was given to her as a special mission by President Brigham Young, in 1876. She traveled up and down the territory advocating the movement, wrote inspiring editorials, called conferences, and in every way promoted that really wonderful activity among the women. This mission was never forgotten by her, nor neglected, though the need and wisdom of it was often questioned. It is known that car loads of flour have been sent by the Relief Society to China and to other suffering countries, and to the earthquake victims in San Francisco. The Relief Society turned over one hundred thousand bushels to the Government during the late war. Even now, the organization has PRESIDENT EMMELINE B. WELLS 721 107,000 bushels in storage. Sister Wells could be likened to Joseph who was sold into Egypt in this unique activity. When, at the ripe age of more than ninety-three years, she sweetly departed this life to a better, she had lived to see the usefulness of her mission, the fulfilment of the purpose for which, for more than forty years, she had devoted her efforts. She had not only had a seedtime, but lived to see the joyful harvest. Mrs. Wells was honored with the friendship of many of the pioneer suffrage women of Europe and America. Her office was visited during the long years by thousands of the great and intelligent women who passed through this state; but best of all her friendships were those which were formed with those sturdy leaders among women: Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. H. Young, Elizabeth Ann Whitney, Vilate Kimball, Bathsheba W. Smith, M. Isabella Home, Phoebe Woodruff, Sarah M. Kimball, Elmina S. Taylor, Hannah T. King, Margaret T. Smoot, and others of early pioneer days. The honors of the world are fleeting, but the loyal friendships formed among Saints continue throughout the endless ages. It was in all respects a remarkable funeral service which was held for President Emmeline B. Wells in the great Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on the afternoon of April 29, 1921. Many were the eulogies pronounced, numerous and costly the floral offerings. The house was filled with thousands of Relief Society workers who came from the surrounding wards and cities to pay their last tribute to their dear departed President. But to one gifted with the spirit of truth there came a thought: "How little will this faithful and untiring soldier of the Cross care now for this earthly, passing show! How grateful will she be to open her arms to receive the welcome pressure of her friends who will greet her on the other side, where she will associate with the Saints of ancient and modern times, as one worthy, through much sacrifice and struggle, to be counted by our Master as one of his jewels. Few women have lived so wisely and so well, few have died so ripe in years and so universally beloved." Sister Wells leaves behind her a noble posterity. Her daughter Annie, now on the General Board of the Relief Society, is qualified in every way to carry on the great work of her mother.