I’ve wanted to do an apostle study for quite a while now, and when President M. Russell Ballard passed away last autumn, I thought it would be a good opportunity. I came up with my plan but I really didn’t do much with it until this last summer. I read his biography, Anxiously Engaged by Susan Easton Black and Joseph Walker and then read each of his General Conference messages from the time when he became an apostle forward (more on that later).
This was a really sweet experience for me. I have read biographies of leaders of our Church before but it was amazing to read about his life and then read what he taught and having both of those things working together. President Ballard was not one I typically gravitated to, but I have loved learning from him and about him. I feel inspired and grateful for how the Lord can shape us if we let Him.
I have learned so much from him the last several months and I wanted to share a bit of what I’ve learned and wrap up my study for myself. I have decided to do it over five posts. The first (this one!) will be an overview and things I learned from his biography that particularly impacted me. The second will be what I have learned from his General Conference messages.
And the final three, will be similar to what I do for my General Conference study. There were three themes that President Ballard spoke about more than any other: family, missionary work, and faith. So I am picking my favorite talk for each of those themes and sharing some thoughts.
Anxiously Engaged
This was such a fitting title for President Ballard’s biography. He was a hardworking man who was always engaged in work. He was known as being “energetic, bold, forthright, fearless, transparent, and honest“. He was described as having perspective and the ability to see a board view of situations. And he had the courage to speak out vigorously on matters of importance to him.
This might seem strange, but I looked up his and Barbara’s headstone after reading something from one of his messages, and their headstone is very unique. On the back, each had something they wanted others to remember – or you could probably say, things that were important to them.
Barbara’s said to remember:
- What matters most is what lasts longest
- It is good to laugh
- Listen with love
- Teach by example
- Be kind and gentle
- Be quick to forgive
President Ballard’s said to remember:
- Think straight
- Keep it simple
- Preach My Gospel
- Seek the one
- Counsel together
- Stay in the boat and hold on
- Love and just serve
These are the things that were important to them. I think it is a beautiful memory for their family and all who see it.
I loved what is written at the beginning of President Ballard’s biography. He said: “As I look back on my life, I see an assortment of experiences, individuals, institutions, situations, and circumstances that have had significant influence upon me. My life has been filled with highs and lows, ups and downs, good things and bad – just like every other life.
“I have experienced things that have given me the greatest joy I could possibly imagine, and I have also experienced things that have taken me to the very depths of sorrow. There are times in my life at which I look back and laugh, and times that the mere memory of it moves me to tears.
“You can say the same thing about your life and so can everyone I know.”
This showed so much humility to me. And is true. But then he went on to say: “I’m not so very different from others – as I see it, I’m pretty common and ordinary. But in ninety-two plus years, this common, ordinary man has had some rather remarkable experiences through which I have learned extremely valuable and worthwhile lessons that have shaped me as a special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. If I can share these experiences in such a way that readers can understand what I’ve learned and see the hand of the Lord in my life, maybe it will help them to understand the lessons of their own lives and to see how God has been there for them as well.
“This is my story, offered in the sincere hope that the reader will find in these words a connection that will bind us as celestial siblings, God’s children sent to earth to have a lifetime of experiences that will mold us and give us direction as we work together to find our way back to our heavenly home.”
This was such a beautiful introduction. And I do feel especially connected with President Ballard after reading about his life.
President Ballard grew up with a rich ancestry of church service. I think most of us know he was a descendent of Hyrum Smith, Joseph F. Smith, two apostle grandfathers, and other leaders. But he did not grow up in a very religious home. Going to church, studying the scriptures, and other things of that nature were not part of his story.
But over time, President Ballard came to know that the gospel was what was most important. He served a mission in England, married his wife, Barbara, and began a family. He was a successful businessman and was not afraid of hard work. He worked in the automobile industry, as well as the real estate and investment industries.
Then he was called to serve as the President of the Canada Toronto Mission. This was followed by assignments to serve in the Quorum of the Seventy in 1976 and the the Presidency of the Seventy in 1980. He was later called to serve as an Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve on October 10, 1985.
There he would consecrate the rest of his life to serving the Lord and people all around the world.
Here are some parts from his biography that really touched my heart.
In 1976, a solemn assembly for all the priesthood leaders in eastern Canada was held. Afterwards, President Ballard drove the First Presidency as well as other leaders back to their hotel room. He was then invited to join them in prayer. President Ballard shared that he felt the Spirit in a way he had never felt before. He said, “When a prophet talks to God, close friends are speaking.”
In 1985, the membership of the Church was invited to have a special fast for the starving people in Ethiopia. Millions of dollars were donated to help. President Ballard was called upon to travel to Ethiopia to find the best way to use the funds. At the close of one of the meetings, President Ballard offered a prayer and blessing on the country and “commanded the elements to gather together to bring rain upon the land“. This was done on a clear and sunny morning. Later that day a clap of thunder was heard and the rain began to pour. It had been over a year since they had received any rain. Miracles still happen.
When asked if it was hard to write to give a conference talk he said, “It’s not really hard to give a conference talk. But it is very hard to say something worthwhile, to say something meaningful, something that will change a life.”
A powerful experience for President Ballard was when he was in the United Kingdom and had a conversation with a stake Relief Society President who was busy preparing refreshments for a meeting. He asked her how she was feeling in her calling. She shared that she felt like the “hired help at the council table. I’m there to serve, but not to contribute…I’m given assignments, and I do what I’m told. But I never feel that I am asked to counsel. And I am wondering: Is that the way it’s supposed to work?” This conversaition led President Ballard to talk with other leaders and his daughters, and to counsel with his wife, Barbara. He concluded that the role of women in the Church needed to be appreciated more. President Ballard was a great advocate for woman.
In 1995, President Ballard had a severe health challenge when it was concluded that he needed bypass surgery to correct five arterial blockages. As he was being wheeled away to surgery, he repeatedly told his children to “Love the Lord, love each other, go to church, and pay your tithing.” His daughter recalled, “We all looked at each other and started to laugh. Even in his “loopiness” things were black and white, no gray areas for Dad. Either you are doing what the Lord wants you to do and you are happy or you are not and bringing sadness into your soul.” President Nelson immediately came to the hospital after learning about the needed surgery and asked if he could observe the operation that he knew would be complex. He stayed at the elbow of the surgeon the entire time.
In 2018, President Ballard was sustained as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Two days after, he received this letter from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that I love: “You have all my love and support – lock, stock and barrel. We are your brothers and we are committed to your success and your leadership. This will be an exciting time in the Quorum of the Twelve with your unique ability to get things done, the straight-thinking you inherited from your grandfather, and the uncompromised testimony you have of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the work of the Restoration. All of that promises an exhilarating era ahead, and it is an era I am thrilled to watch unfold standing at your side. I await your counsel and look forward to every moment ahead.” What an amazing brotherhood to be a part of.
In 2018, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Ulisses Soares were called to join the Twelve. President Ballard affectionately called them “my boys” because they were the first Apostles he was privileged to train. When Elder Gong came to his office seeking advice for his new calling, President Ballard said, “Well, the Lord called you. You can do this. Stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about the things you will have to do and the Lord will bless you with the stretngth and capacity that you need.”
When sharing about the weekly meetings of the Quoum of the Twelve he said, “The council system of leadership is what I’ve done all my life – a team effort. Leaders have to be good listeners. The council system is working…we talk with each other, we counsel with each other, and consequently we make good decisions.” Elder Holland went on to say, “I can bear personal witness of President Ballard’s skill and courtesy in leading that strong body of men. He is very organized. He is very decisive. He is always knowledgeable about the issue at hand…He is very capable in all the traditional skills of leadership. But above and beyond that, he is wonderfully courteous…and is a great listener. That is one of the lessons I have learned from him as much as any other…He wants to make sure that everyone in our circle is heard and that no one is excluded intentionally or unintentionally.”
President Ballard left an amazing impact on his fellow Quorum members. Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, “President Ballard will certainly be remembered as one who knows to counsel in councils in an inspired and inspiring way. President Ballard can be credited with almost singlehandedly reestablishing the use of councils in Church governement at every level.” Elder Dale G. Renlund said, “The need to spread the gospel seems to just eat at him.” Elder Holland said, “He lives, thinks, and breathes missionary work all the time…If we were all as missionary minded as Russell Ballard, we would be adding millions to the Church each year, not just hundreds of thousands.” And possibly my favorite, was said by Elder David A. Bednar, “There are four words that characterize President Ballard to me. He is wise. He does not rush to a conclusion. His wisdom is knowing that the Lord is at the helm and he is willing to wait upon Him. President Ballard is steady – unflappable. He often says, “Just relax. This will work out.” He is practical, not in the pedestrian sense. He knows how to take the complex and translate it into day-to-day terms that bless members throughout the world. His legacy is, he is the link to the earliest days of the Restoration. There is a portrait of Joseph Smith in the temple where we hold our meetings. As I look at the portrait and then at President Ballard, I realize that we are not far removed from the early days of the Church. To me President Ballard is the “Grandpa of the Church” in appearance, demeanor, love and affection for everyone.”
And finally, I will end with President Ballard’s testimony:
“It is the will of our Father in Heaven, through His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that this mighty work moves forward. This is His gospel. He stands at the helm – holy, divine, supreme, full of power, majesty, grace, and truth. He lived for us, and He died for us, because He loves us. I love Him more deeply and powerfully than I can find words to express. He is my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my friend. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God our Eternal Father. He lives and directs His Church today through His Prophet and His Apostles. His great work will continue to roll forth until it fills the whole earth.”
