Ariel S. Ballif

Ariel Smith Ballif, Sr. (December 9, 1901 – May 11, 1995) was a professor of sociology at Brigham Young University (BYU), mayor of Provo, Utah and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Ballif was born in Logan, Utah to John Lyman Ballif and his wife, the former Emma Smith.  In 1925 Ballif married Artemesia "Arta" Romney, who was a daughter of George S. Romney and a sister of Marion G. Romney.  They had five children, including Ariel S. Ballif Jr., Jae R. Ballif and Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, who also became professors in Utah.

Ballif earned his bachelor's degree from BYU and then an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.  From 1927-1930 Ballif served with his wife as a missionary in New Zealand, serving as principal of the Maori Agricultural College for most of that time.

Ballif joined the faculty of BYU in 1938 and served as chairman of the sociology department for a number of years.

Ballif served as a bishop, a Stake President and a Stake Patriarch.  He also served as president of the New Zealand Mission from 1955-1958, thus being mission president at the time the New Zealand Temple was built.

Ballif was elected to the Provo City Council in 1958, and from 1960-1961 he was mayor of Provo.

Notes

Sources
listing of New Zealand Mission Presidents
Political Graveyard listing
Time Magazine article
BYH alumni listing

Category:1901 births
Category:1995 deaths
Category:American Mormon missionaries in New Zealand
Category:American sociologists
Category:Brigham Young University alumni
Category:Brigham Young University faculty
Category:Mayors of Provo, Utah
Category:Mission presidents (LDS Church)
Category:Patriarchs (LDS Church)
Category:Politicians from Logan, Utah
Category:University of Southern California alumni
Category:American leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Category:Latter Day Saints from Utah