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M. Russell Ballard

Elder M. Russell Ballard was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October 1985. Prior to that, he served in the first Quorum of the Seventy and in the presidency of that quorum. A successful businessman, he has engaged in various enterprises, including automotive, real estate, and investments. He has also served as a bishop twice and as president of the Canada Toronto Mission. Elder Ballard and his wife, Barbara Bowen Ballard, are the parents of seven children and grandparents of forty-three.

December 12, 2022 07:00 AM MST
Would you let your elementary school–age children pick your next family car? President M. Russell Ballard shares a delightful story about the importance of family councils.
5 Min Read
December 29, 2018 03:10 PM MST
Editor's note: This article originally ran on LDS Living in December of 2018. We share it again out of love and respect for President Ballard.
4 Min Read
August 11, 2018 04:00 PM MDT
Some years ago there was a rather serious tragedy in our ward. A great woman, the wife of our former bishop and a woman beloved and respected in our ward family, contracted cancer of the worst kind. This was a vivacious, effervescent woman who lifted and inspired everyone she met. As the disease became worse, I gave her blessings. Other General Authorities gave her blessings. One of the blessings I gave was in the presence of her seventeen-year-old son. Another blessing was given to her when her son was eighteen. Our Heavenly Father, though, had something else in mind for her, and she was taken home to Him.
8 Min Read
April 16, 2018 03:08 PM MDT
When faith and faithfulness are added to priesthood authority, marvelous things can happen in the lives of men, women, and families. We learn in the scriptures that after the Lord "called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease" (Matthew 10:1; see also Mark 3:14; Mark 6:7; and Luke 9:1). . . .
3 Min Read
April 12, 2018 08:57 AM MDT
The following stories were excerpted from Our Search for Happiness and When Thou Art Converted.
6 Min Read
February 08, 2018 06:31 PM MST
Even though he died when I was just 10 years old, Melvin J. Ballard has been a major influence in my life. For as long as I can remember I have heard my family talk about his love for the Lord and his unwavering devotion to the Church. He spent his entire life building on the "sure foundation" of which Helaman spoke, and I'm not aware of any "shafts in the whirlwind" that were able to penetrate his faith and testimony. In fact, my personal quest for knowledge of the Savior was motivated to a great degree by Grandfather Ballard's account of one of his most sacred experiences.
3 Min Read
October 30, 2017 09:16 AM MDT
The following was excerpted from Elder M. Russell Ballard's book Yesterday, Today, and Forever.
3 Min Read
August 26, 2017 04:42 PM MDT
Recently, the Church announced that in 2018 "Teaching of the Prophets" manuals will no longer be used in Relief Society or priesthood meetings. Instead, ward leaders will be able to choose general conference talks and gospel topics to prepare lessons tailored to their ward's needs. Among these changes, the Church also announced that once a month a council will be held during Relief Society and priesthood meeting, a change designed to help bring wards closer together and make members more aware of each person's needs.
7 Min Read