The son of LDS Church apostle Marriner W. Merrill , Merrill was among the first Latter - day Saints from Utah to travel to the eastern United States to seek higher education .
Merrill was born in Richmond , Utah Territory .
The son of LDS Church apostle Marriner W. Merrill , Merrill was among the first Latter - day Saints from Utah Territory to travel to the eastern United States to seek higher education .
Merrill was born in Richmond , Utah Territory .