Adele C. Howells

Adele Morris Cannon Howells (January 11, 1886 – April 14, 1951) was the fourth Primary general president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1943 until her death of rheumatic heart disease. She contributed to The Children's Friend magazine, as well as the fundraising for the Children's Primary Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Early life Adele Morris Cannon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to George Mousley Cannon and Marian Adelaide Morris.

Career After graduation, Howells began teaching English and physical education in Oakley, Idaho. She stayed for a year, and then returned to Salt Lake City to teach physical education at LDS Business College. She also taught at the Deseret Gym and was employed at the Salt Lake City recreation department. During this time, Howells also wrote articles for the Deseret News; her column was titled "News from New York." David sold the film company in 1921, and the couple moved to Los Angeles.

When Hinckley unexpectedly died in 1943, Howells was chosen by Grant, who was the church's president, as Hinckley's successor. Howells served for nine years, She was succeeded by LaVern W. Parmley, who had served as her first counselor.

The official seal of the Primary, created by Howells and adopted in 1940.

While serving as president, Howells attended a number of child education conferences. The first painting appeared in The Children's Friend in January 1953. Twelve more paintings were featured in the magazine during the next 8 years. In 1953, these paintings received the best magazine insert award from the National Offset-Lithography Competition. These Book of Mormon paintings have been used throughout church curriculum.

Howells was devoted to helping children develop artistic skills while learning about spiritual topics. In 1951, she was involved with the publishing of a The Children Sing, a songbook for Primary children. As Primary president, Howells served as the president of the board of trustees of the Primary Children's Hospital. She helped raise money for the construction of a new hospital through her "buy a brick" campaign. Contributors could donate a dime that would go to the purchase a brick of the hospital. They raised over $20,000. This amount of money bought 203,303 bricks and mortar for the new building. In 1949, ground was broken for the hospital. It was finished 9 months after Howells's death.

Other contributions Howells established scholarship funds at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah teacher training schools. She was known for giving to needy families. Howells became a member of the Salt Lake City Hall of Fame in 1948.