Who Is Melvin Russell Ballard?

My VIP for this week is Melvin Russell Ballard Jr. who was born on October 8, 1928, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Melvin R. and Geraldine Smith Ballard. His father owned Ballard Motor Company in Salt Lake City, Utah, and young Russell learned his work ethic as a young child. As the only boy in the family, he worked in every department at the company. He even drove cars around the used car lot when he was barely in his teens. 

Ballard was best known as Elder M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency sat beside President Ballard for more than three decades in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Oaks commented, “[M. Russell Ballard] was a man to be trusted. And he as a man who trusted you.”

President Ballard, age 95, passed away late on Sunday night, November 12, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his seven children, 43 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His wife Barbara passed away on October 1, 2018, at the age of 86 years of age, and he often spoke of how much he missed her. Funeral service for President Ballard were held on Friday, November 17, 2023, in the Tabernacle on Temple Square.