M. Russell Ballard

Melvin Russell Ballard, Jr. (born October 8, 1928) is an American businessman and a religious leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1985. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Ballard is accepted by the church membership as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Currently, he is the sixth most senior apostle among the ranks of the Church.

Church service

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a young man Ballard served as a missionary in England. He met his wife while they were studying at the University of Utah. In 1974, Ballard was called to be the president of the Canada Toronto Mission of the church. Following the death of apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Ballard was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 6, 1985, and ordained an apostle of the LDS Church on October 10, 1985.

Ballard is the grandson of apostles Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum M. Smith and is a descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother of church founder Joseph Smith, Jr.

Business activities

Professionally, Ballard became involved in several enterprises, including automotive, real estate, and investment businesses. He was the top-selling salesman for his father’s Nash car dealership when he left it in the early 1950s to pursue other business interests. In 1956, Ballard returned and took over the Ballard Motor Company from his father. During this period he also served in the United States Army Reserve, resigning his commission as a first lieutenant in 1957.

During the late 1950s, Ballard was recruited by the Ford Motor Company to become the first Edsel car dealer for Salt Lake City. After praying for guidance, he had the "clear impression" not to sign the franchise. He did anyway and incurred a huge loss, "without doubt the darkest period" of his business career.^[1]

One highlight of his business career was his presidency of the Valley Music Hall in Bountiful, Utah, which offered high-quality family entertainment. There Ballard worked with Art Linkletter, Danny Thomas, Bob Cummings, and other Hollywood celebrities who were advisers to the enterprise. Although the music hall failed financially, he ensured that investors recovered the money invested.

Family

Ballard married Barbara Bowen in 1951. The Ballards are the parents of seven children. One of their daughters is married to Peter Huntsman, who is the brother of Jon Huntsman, Jr., governor of Utah, and the son of LDS Church area seventy and billionaire philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman.

Published works

• Ballard, M. Russell (2002). As Women of God. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 2002. 
• --- (2002). Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (Classic Talk series). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ISBN B0006S3QSY. 
• --- (1997). Counseling with Our Councils: Learning to Minister Together in the Church and in the Family. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 1-57345-209-2. 
• --- (1998). The law of sacrifice and What came from Kirtland. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 1-57345-403-6. 
• --- (1993). Our Search for Happiness: An Invitation to Understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 0-87579-917-5. 
• --- (2001). Staying the Course: Ten Keys to Gospel Commitment. Deseret Book Company. ISBN ?. 
• --- (1993). Suicide: Some Things We Know and Some We Don't. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 0-87579-766-0. 
• --- (2001). When Thou Art Converted: Continuing the Search for Happiness. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 1-57345-813-9. 

See also

• Church Educational System
• Council on the Disposition of the Tithes

References

• LDS Church biography
• Lubeck, Kathleen (Mar. 1986). Elder M. Russell Ballard: True to the Faith. Ensign. pp. 6. 

External links

• Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: M. Russell Ballard