Marriner W. Merrill

Marriner Wood Merrill (1835–1906) (commonly known as Marriner W. Merrill) born in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, was a pioneering settler of Cache Valley and a temple president and apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Merrill joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1852 and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah the following year. In 1860, he was among the first to move to Richmond, Utah where he would eventually operate a large farm and start a grist mill. He also worked as a contractor in the construction of the Utah and Northern Railway. He was a member of the territorial legislature for two terms.

Merrill became the president of the Logan Utah Temple in 1884 and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 7, 1889. He served in both offices in the Church for the rest of his life.

On February 6, 1906, Elder Merrill died in his home at Logan, Utah. Before his death, Elders John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley had resigned in disagreement over the prohibition of plural marriage. The three vacancies were filled in the April General Conference following his death by George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, and David O. McKay.

He is buried in Richmond, Utah.