President M. Russell Ballard was born on Oct. 8, 1928, to Melvin R. and Geraldine Smith Ballard, and set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Jan. 14, 2018.
He met Barbara Bowen at a Hello Day dance at the University of Utah three days after he returned home from his mission to the British Isles. They were married Aug. 28, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple and are the parents of five daughters and two sons. Sister Ballard died in 2018.
Prior to his full-time Church service, President Ballard was engaged in various business endeavors, including automotive, real estate and investments. He was called to preside over the Canada Toronto Mission in 1974 and sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1976.
In honor of his birthday today, here are nine of his quotes from the last year.
1. Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon
“Because we have Joseph Smith, the Prophet of this last dispensation of time, we have the Book of Mormon. What a marvelous, wonderful gift the Book of Mormon is to the membership of the Church.”
— “The Prophet Joseph Smith,” October 2023 general conference
2. The right path
“If you’re unsure of the next step in your path, act ‘as if’ you were the person you would like to be. As you do that, you will grow into that kind of person. Ultimately your very actions, your attitude, will lead you toward being the kind of person you want to be.”
— Social media post, Aug, 23, 2023
3. Joseph and Hyrum Smith
“All who know of the great and eternal principles for which Joseph and Hyrum gave their lives surely must stand with reverence at their courageous faith and are inspired by the testimony of truth they sealed with their precious blood.”
— Seminar for New Mission Leaders, June 22, 2023
4. Young Single Adults
Bishoprics, stake presidencies and mission presidents have “a great responsibility to serve with and guide young single adult members. Young single adults are blessed when they have opportunities to gather and draw strength from each other in gospel-centered settings.”
— “Blessing Young Single Adults” letter, May 1, 2023
5. Family relationships
“Nurturing these important relationships is a choice. A choice to be part of a family requires commitment, love, patience, communication and forgiveness.”
— “Remember What Matters Most,” April 2023 general conference
6. A solidified personal testimony
“I think in the process of sharing the gospel message here in this market place [as a missionary in Great Britain] is where my own personal testimony started to become solidified in my heart and in my mind.”
— Church News video, March 15, 2023
7. Think of Gethsemane
“If you are having a tough day, let your mind go to Gethsemane; think what Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior, was willing to do for you.”
— Ministry in Washington D.C. and New York City, March 10-12, 2023
8. Invite others to pray
“Real conversion, decision-making and commitment, it has been my experience, comes at that moment. They don’t necessarily have to get down on their knees, but they do need to sincerely pray and ask God our Father in Heaven if this message is true. ... If you do all the praying, they are not going to have the same experience as they would in praying themselves. It’s a big difference.”
— Remarks to missionaries in Gilbert, Arizona, Nov. 19, 2022
9. He lives
“I can witness that He lives and that the power of the Holy Ghost is sent to reveal what you do and what you say in those moments when you are asked to do something way beyond your own personal capacity.”
— Church News podcast, Nov. 1, 2022
