M. RUSSELL BALLARD

The Life Of

BIOGRAPHICAL

INFORMATION

Elder Ballard was born „Melvin

Russell Ballard, Jr. in October

8, 1928.

Born and Raised in Salt Lake

City, Utah.

He is now 84 years old.

EDUCATION & OCCUPATION

Elder Ballard studied at the University of Utah. While in college, his fraternity brothers called him “the

bishop.” They knew that, whatever the situation, he would be true to his standards and uphold his faith.

Professionally, Elder Ballard became involved in several enterprises, including automotive, real estate, and

investment businesses. He was the top-selling salesman for his father‟s car dealership when he left it in the early

1950s to pursue other business interests. In 1956 he returned and took over the Ballard Motor Company from his

father. In the late 1950s, he won the right to be the Edsel car dealer for Salt Lake City. His dealership became the

most successful in the country. During this period he also served in the United States Army Reserve, resigning his

commission as a first lieutenant in 1957.

FAMILY LIFE

Elder Ballard Married Barbara Bowen, in

the Salt Lake Temple in 1951. They have

been married 62 years and are still happily

Married.

Elder and Sister Ballard have Seven

children, five daughters and two sons.

“I knew from the beginning that I wanted to marry her,” he says.

CALLINGS AND CHURCH

POSITIONS

Elder Ballard was ordained a member of the 12 Apostles in 1985 and

thus is close to 30 years in the calling.

Elder Ballard has served the Church in many ways throughout his

tenure; he has been a bishop twice, he was called as the President of the

Toronto Canada Mission in 1974, two years later he was called as a

member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. In Feburary of 1980 he was

called to the Presidency of the Seventy and served there for 5½ years

until he was called as a member of the Twelve.

MISSIONARY TO MISSION

PRESIDENT

In 1949, as a 21-year-old missionary, he was called as first

counselor in the presidency of the British Mission.

In 1974, he was called as president of the Canada Toronto

Mission, where he was serving when called to the First Quorum of

the Seventy in April of 1976.

LE SSONS LE AR NE D FROM HIS

E X AMPLE & SPE CIFIC

T E ACHINGS

In the late 1950s, he won the right to be the Edsel car dealer for Salt Lake City. His

dealership became the most successful in the country. But in the end the Edsel failed and

the motor company, and dealers around the country, lost hundreds of millions of dollars.

“It was a devastating experience,” he said. “The first part of my business career it seemed

like everything worked. I was a little intolerant, I think, of those who were having trouble

in business. But then I had trouble, and that helped me gain an empathy and

understanding for people who struggle similarly. “To me, failure is only when you quit

trying,” he said. “If you keep working at a task and try to do what‟s right and honest,

ultimately it works out.”

In his talk titled, “Be Anxiously Engaged” Elder Ballard counsels us

to strive for daily acts of service. This struck me personally as I have

witnessed the impact that daily service can have on out lives. When we

are anxiously engaged it is easier to hold fast to the rod and remain

worthy of Heavenly Fathers Love.

In his talk “That the Lost May Be Found” Elder Ballard talks about

those who have lost their way and how we can get back on track by

prioritizing, doing things in the right order, husbands and wives, being

equal partners in their marriage, and using the family resources of the

Church. These four things are to be used as our spiritual GPS to guide us

back to our loving Heavenly Father.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

Elder Ballard enjoys mechanics and automotive, he even used to

be a top car sales man for his fathers dealership.

Elder Ballard also enjoys writing and reading, he has written 8

books.

“I have strong convictions that those who are really anchored

in their faith in the Restoration and the mission of the Prophet

Joseph, and in the revelations that have come to the Church

through him, which confirm and declare that Jesus Christ is the

Son of God and that the gospel is upon the earth, will be able to

handle whatever life passes to them.”

- M. Russell Ballard

GROUP & WORK CITED:

Suzi Hathaway

Ben Leapai

Chaz Frazier

Chris Hunt

Kyle Taylor

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