Matthew Cowley

Matthew Cowley (August 2, 1897 – December 13, 1953) 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 (LDS Church) from 1945 until his death.

Early life Cowley was the son of Matthias F. Cowley and Abbie Hyde. He was also the half-brother of FBI agent Samuel P. Cowley. He was born August 2, 1897, in Preston, Idaho. That same year, Cowley's father was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Matthew spent his childhood going to school and working on farms in the summer. He had a good sense of humor and enjoyed joking around. When Matthew was eight years old, his father resigned from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He married Elva Eleanor Taylor in the Salt Lake Temple on July 13, 1922. After their wedding, they returned together to Washington, D.C. They had one daughter, Jewell.

While in Washington, D.C., Cowley was appointed Sunday School Superintendent in the local congregation, but was forced to resign due to his rigorous studies. Upon graduation, he returned to Salt Lake City, where he gained admission to the Utah State Bar Association in 1925. Afterwards, Cowley started his own law practice in Salt Lake City. He gave up his practice for a brief time from 1926 to 1928, when he served as Assistant County Attorney.

In 1938, Cowley was called to serve as president of the church's New Zealand Mission. He 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 Cowley was able to visit with many of the people he had met on his first mission. As World War II began, the church called the missionaries serving overseas back home to the United States, but Cowley and his family remained in New Zealand throughout the war. He was affectionately called tumuaki, meaning president, by the Māori members of the church. During his service, he adopted a Māori baby boy, Duncan Nopera Meha Cowley (Toni). Cowley was known by both members and non-members alike for his dedication to the Māori people. He returned home in 1945.

Apostle Cowley was released as mission president in September 1945. In the church's general conference the following month, he was called to serve as an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling the vacancy caused by the death of church president Heber J. Grant. Cowley was ordained an apostle on October 11, 1945, by new church president George Albert Smith.

As an apostle, Cowley visited various church missions throughout the world, spoke in many conferences, and helped direct other church affairs. A few months later, in March 1946, he suffered a heart attack. Although he recovered enough to resume his church assignments, he was never as "robust in health" as before. In December 1946, 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.

Cowley was known for being compassionate. He encouraged members of the church to openly welcome sinners rather than ostracize them. Cowley was also known for being an eloquent speaker and writer. A number of his sermons were compiled into Matthew Cowley Speaks, which was published after his death.

Death

Cowley died unexpectedly in Los Angeles, California on December 13, 1953, while visiting to attend services for the newly built Los Angeles Temple. He was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. George Q. Morris was called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Published works

Biography