Elder Robert E. Wells

Elder Robert E. Wells, Emeritus General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He spent 2-1/2 years in the US Navy and graduated from BYU in Acctg/Econ.  He served an LDS mission to Argentina and Chile.  

 

Professionaly, he spent 19 years in International Banking in Latin America for Citi Group, opening banks in several countries.  He was a Mission President in the Mexico North Mission (Monterrey, 1968-1971). Following this service, he was asked to leave his professional banking career and work for the Church as Director of Central Purchasing (1971-1976). 

 

Elder Wells has served in the Church as a Regional/Mission Representative in Latin America (1972-1976),  called to the First Quorum of Seventy (Oct. 1976-Oct 1997), and has served as the Temple President for the Santiago Chile Temple (1998-2001). 

He retired to St George, Utah in May of 2002 and continues to reside there now with his wife, Helen Walser of El Paso, Texas.  They have seven children, one of whom, Sharlene, was Miss America in 1985. They also have 27 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

 

Elder Wells continues to serve on three charitable boards and two commercial boards. He has authored four book and enjoys traveling, some golfing and speaking to various groups.

Recently (October 20, 2007) he was awarded the Father Lehi Award from the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum.  "Elder Wells, a Book of Mormon scholar in his own right, has spent much of his long career in business and as a General Authority of the Church, working among and serving the people of Latin America.  In recognition of a lifetime of service to the descendants of Lehi, beginning with his first mission to Argentina, The Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum is pleased to present the 2007 Father Lehi Award to Elder Robert E. Wells.  In addition, the Mother Sariah Award will be presented to his wife, Sister Helen W. Wells.  Both will be introduced by their daughter, former Miss America, Sharlene Wells Hawkes.  The presentation will occur at the completion of the 5th Annual Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum Conference."  -  Salt Lake City, UT, Kirk Magleby 2007-10-06 www.bmaf.org