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. Cowley attended Latter-day Saints University in Salt Lake City. He was called as a missionary during his sophomore year in 1914. Missionary service and career In 1914, the 17-year old Cowley was called to serve as a missionary. His original assignment was to serve in Hawaii, like his older brothers. However, his assignment was changed, and he went to New Zealand instead. There, he developed an unusual talent with the Māori language and a love of people. He revised the Māori translation of the Book of Mormon, which was then published in 1917. He also translated the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price into Māori, with the assistance of Wiremu Duncan and Stuart Meha. The translated version of these scriptural texts was published in 1919. His mission was extended to five years to complete these tasks. He 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. After returning from his mission, Cowley attended the University of Utah for 2 years. After graduating he went to George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C. Cowley stayed in Washington D.C for 4 years, where he worked as an assistant to United States Senator Reed Smoot. 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