J. Marinus Jensen

Jens (James) Marinus Jensen is the lyricist of “Men Are That They Might Have Joy,” which was included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jensen was born on July 11, 1868, in Provo, Utah. He was an author, editor, and composer. He was a reporter for the Provo Inquirer. He was a professor of English and journalism at Brigham Young University. He attended the University of Utah and graduated from Brigham Young Academy with a bachelor’s degree in pedagogy. He was the first principal of Maeser Elementary School and served at Franklin Elementary. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.

He married Eliza Emeline Strong in the Manti Temple, and although they never had any children, they were foster parents to Essie R. Keeler.

He died on March 16, 1946, in Provo, Utah. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.