25 Facts About Matthew Cowley

Matthew Cowley was an American missionary in New Zealand and then served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1945 until his death.

Matthew Cowley was the half-brother of FBI agent Samuel P Cowley.

Matthew Cowley was born August 2,1897, in Preston, Idaho.

Matthew Cowley spent his childhood going to school and working on farms in the summer.

Matthew Cowley had a good sense of humor and enjoyed joking around.

When Matthew Cowley was eight years old, his father resigned from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Matthew Cowley was called as a missionary during his sophomore year in 1914.

In 1914, the 17-year-old Matthew Cowley became an LDS Church missionary.

Matthew Cowley revised the Maori translation of the Book of Mormon, which was then published in 1917.

Matthew Cowley translated the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price into Maori, with the assistance of Wiremu Duncan and Stuart Meha.

Matthew Cowley's mission was extended to five years to complete these tasks.

Matthew Cowley returned from his mission to Salt Lake City in 1919; however, he continued to write letters to the Maori people throughout his life, and would later return to New Zealand.

Matthew Cowley married Elva Eleanor Taylor in the Salt Lake Temple on July 13,1922.

Matthew Cowley gave up his practice for a brief time from 1926 to 1928, when he served as Assistant County Attorney.

In 1938, Matthew Cowley was called to serve as president of the church's New Zealand Mission.

Matthew Cowley directed the affairs of the missionaries in New Zealand and oversaw church proceedings in the area.

The mission included around 60 missionaries and 9,000 church members at the time, and Matthew Cowley was able to visit with many of the people he had met on his first mission.

Matthew Cowley was affectionately called tumuaki, meaning president, by the Maori members of the church.

Matthew Cowley was known by both members and non-members alike for his dedication to the Maori people.

Matthew Cowley was ordained an apostle on October 11,1945, by new church president George Albert Smith.

In December 1946, Matthew Cowley was assigned as president of the church's Pacific Missions, a newly created position in which he oversaw several missions, including the Hawaiian, Central Pacific, Samoan, Tongan, Tahitian, Australian and New Zealand missions.

Matthew Cowley encouraged members of the church to openly welcome sinners rather than ostracize them.

Matthew Cowley was known for being an eloquent speaker and writer.

Matthew Cowley died unexpectedly in Los Angeles, California on December 13,1953, while visiting to attend services for the newly built Los Angeles Temple.

Matthew Cowley was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.