He gained employment as a clerk in the office of the LDS Church's presiding bishop.

In 1918, Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley asked Wells to become his second counselor.

When Nibley was replaced by Sylvester Q. Cannon, Wells stayed on as the second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the church.

Wells served as a general authority until the end of Cannon's tenure in 1938.

Wells died in Salt Lake City, Utah of pyelonephritis, or pus buildup in the kidneys.