Emory Christer

Ariel S. Ballif Emory Christer

Publisher Marketing: Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. 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 bachelors 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.