Matthias F. Cowley

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Matthias Foss Cowley (1858–1940) (commonly known as Matthias F. Cowley) born in Salt Lake City, Utah, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1897 until 1905. He remained an apostle, though not a member of the Quorum of the 12, until his death in 1940. He was the father of later apostle Matthew Cowley by Abbie Hyde.

1 Calling to the Twelve
2 After the Quorum
3 Published works
4 External resources

[edit] Calling to the Twelve

Matthias Cowley was called in 1897 to replace Moses Thatcher who was removed from the quorum at the April 1896 General Conference. He was ordained October 7, 1897.

He left the quorum on October 28, 1905 because he disagreed with the church's official position on the manifesto prohibiting plural marriage. While he thought it should apply only to the United States, the church decided it applied world-wide. Earlier in April of the same year, Elder John Whittaker Taylor had resigned over a similar issue. Elder Marriner W. Merrill died in early February of the next year, leaving three vacancies in the quorum. In the April General Conference of 1906, three new apostles were called to replace them: George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, and David O. McKay.

[edit] After the Quorum

Elder Cowley's priesthood was suspended on May 11, 1911. This is a disciplinary procedure used for offenses that do not warrant excommunication. However, his priesthood was restored 25 years later on April 3, 1936.

On June 16, 1940, he died in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Grave marker of Matthias F. Cowley.

[edit] Published works

Cowley, Matthias F. (1902). The blood of the prophets: Biographical sketches. Ben E. Rich. ISBN B0008AAV74.
--- (1904). Cowley's talks on doctrine. Ben E. Rich. ISBN B0008BBDPM.
--- (1963). Cowley & Whitney on doctrine. Bookcraft. ISBN B0007HSATO.
--- (2003 [1902]). Prophets and Patriarchs of the Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-Day Saints. New Library Press.Net (B.E. Rich). ISBN 0-7950-4680-4 [B00085Y2FG].
--- (2003 [1964]). Wilford Woodruff, Fourth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter: Day Saints, History of His Life and Labors, as Recorded in His Daily Journals. New Library Press.Net (Bookcraft Pubs). ISBN 0-7950-4593-X [0884941140].