Ariel Smith Ballif, Sr. (December 9, 1901 – May 11, 1995)^[1] was a professor 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. He was a sociologist. For a time he was the chairman of BYU's sociology department.

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.

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