This biographical sketch is adapted from the LDS
Biographical Encyclopedia and other sources.
Rufus Kay Hardy, one of the first Seven Presidents of
Seventy, was born May 28, 1878, in Salt Lake City, the son of Rufus H.
Hardy and Annie Kay.
From his childhood he was trained to take an active
part in Church affairs and was baptized, June 1, 1886, by John Cottam.
Continuing his labors in the Church, he was ordained successively to the
offices of Deacon, Teacher and Priest, and was ordained an Elder May 3,
1897, by Elder Joseph Barnes.
He was ordained a Seventy July 2, 1897, by Apostle
John
Henry Smith and set apart for a mission to New Zealand. Arriving in
Auckland, N. Z., August 9, 1897, he was assigned to labor in the Tauranga
District and was later transferred to the Waikato District. He returned
from this mission Jan. 1, 1901.
On May 3, 1906, he was set apart as one of the presidents
of the 8th Quorum of Seventy by J. Golden Kimball.
On April 2, 1903, he married Adelaide Underwood Eldredge,
daughter of Joshua Eldredge and Lizzie Winder, and early in 1907 was called
to preside over the New Zealand Mission. To this position he was set apart
Feb. 18, 1907 by Pres. Joseph F. Smith; his
wife, who accompanied him, was set apart on the same occasion by Pres.
John
R. Winder. Bro. and Sister Hardy returned from this mission in July,
1909.
After returning to the United States Elder Hardy
continued to reside in Salt Lake City, actively engaged in Church work
and in a civil capacity holding the position of supervisor of the Inter
mountain District for the Western States Life Insurance Company, being
associated with this company for a period of twenty-two years.
In 1933, Elder Hardy was a second time called to
preside over the New Zealand Mission, being set apart for this position
June 20, 1933, by Pres. A. W. Ivins. His wife
did not accompany him this time.
At a conference held in Salt Lake City, Oct. 6, 1934,
Elder Hardy was sustained as one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventy
and on that account was released from his labors in the New Zealand Mission
and, arriving home Dec. 5, 1934, was set apart to his position in the First
Council of Seventy, Feb. 7, 1935, by President Heber
J. Grant.
His wife, Sister Adelaide Eldredge Hardy, formerly
a member of the Salt Lake Stake Board of Y. L. M. I. A., was set apart
as a member of the General Board of Primary Associations. One daughter
was born to Bro. and Sister Hardy, namely Kay, who married Alan B. Blood.
Sister Kay Hardy Blood, President Hardy's only child passed away April
3, 2000. Since her obituary lists no surviving posterity, it is believed
that Elder Hardy has no living descendants.
President Hardy had a good physique and a pleasing
personality. His stand on what he believes to be right was unswerving,
but in personal matters he was always willing to sacrifice his own desires
for the benefit of others.
President Hardy served in the First Council of the
Seventy until his death on March 7, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah
