Listed here are 12 quotes from President Ballard in honor of his birthday

President M. Russell Ballard was set aside as Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Jan. 14, 2018, and is the Church’s longest-tenured normal authority — sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1976.

Born on Oct. 8, 1928, to Melvin R. and Geraldine Smith Ballard, he was the one son amongst their 4 kids. 

Simply three days after he returned residence from his mission to the British Isles, he met Barbara Bowen at a Good day Day dance on the College of Utah. They have been married Aug. 28, 1951, within the Salt Lake Temple and are the dad and mom of 5 daughters and two sons. Sister Ballard died in 2018.

Previous to his full-time Church service, President Ballard was engaged in varied enterprise endeavors, together with automotive, actual property and investments. He was known as to preside over the Canada Toronto Mission in 1974 earlier than coming into full-time Church service in his 40s.

In honor of his birthday as we speak, listed below are 12 of his quotes from the final 12 months.

A Christmas reward to the Savior

President M. Russell Ballard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves to attendees upon leaving a particular stake convention broadcast to United Kingdom and Eire in London, England on Sunday Oct. 31, 2021.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information

Between now and Christmas, “let your prayers to your Father in Heaven embody a want that He place one in all His kids in your pathway, so you’ll be able to share what you now know is true … . There might be no larger reward that anybody of us can provide the Savior at Christmastime than to carry somebody to Him.”

— Message to Latter-day Saints in England, Eire, Scotland and Wales, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021

Getting ready for the Second Coming

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, calls on 5 kids to assist seal the cornerstone through the dedication Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ temple in Pocatello, Idaho.

Drew Nash, for the Deseret Information

Temple work will not be a method unto itself. “That’s all preparatory to the time of the Second Coming — getting ready the world for that day when the Savior will return.”

— Pocatello Idaho Temple dedication, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021

A message of optimism

President M. Russell Ballard, performing president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, waves in direction of the viewers as he leaves after the Saturday night session of the 191st Semiannual Common Convention of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Convention Heart in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

Shafkat Anowar, Deseret Information

“Simply preserve smiling. The pandemic will put on itself out, however don’t let it put on you out. Simply preserve getting up within the morning and preserve elevating your households. Issues will probably be OK.”

— “2 years of COVID-19,” Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022

How seminary blessed his life

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves to the viewers after a filming of the Seminaries and Institutes annual coaching broadcast on the Convention Heart Little Theatre in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

Spenser Heaps, Deseret Information

“My attendance in seminary is likely one of the issues that set me in the precise course for my life. In seminary my coronary heart was touched and the seeds of testimony have been planted inside my soul. I don’t bear in mind all the pieces that was taught, however I do bear in mind how I felt once I was there. I additionally bear in mind feeling as if I belonged there.”

— Seminary and institute teacher coaching, Jan. 21, 2022

On getting ready a convention discuss

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walks into his workplace in Salt Lake Metropolis on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information

“I attempt to suppose by what the present wants and realities of what persons are dealing with and attempt to say one thing that may be useful to them, all targeted on the anchor that everybody wants of their life, no matter what’s occurring, and that anchor is to remain near the Lord Jesus Christ.”

— Reflecting on 46 years of talking normally convention, March 27, 2022

Married over his head

Then-Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his spouse Barbara smile at one another previous to Elder Ballard talking to Brigham Younger College college students throughout a campus devotional held within the Marriott Heart in Provo on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information

“All I can say about my beloved spouse, Barbara, was she sustained and supported me in each manner, and my calling as a member of the overall authorities for nearly 9 years as a Seventy, after which the stability of my life as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. So I actually ended up, I feel, on this accountability, as a result of I married manner over my head and had such a beautiful companion in my expensive Barbara.”

— Church Information podcast, March 29, 2022

Message to his grandchildren

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, smiles in his workplace in Salt Lake Metropolis on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information

“I’ve tried actually onerous with my grandchildren to speak to them infrequently and allow them to know what my testimony is. As a result of I feel one of many key roles of a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is to attempt to encourage and elevate and assist those that try to get by this mortal expertise.”

— Church Information video titled, “Grand Design,” April 1, 2022

Blessings of serving a mission

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stands in Previous Market Sq. in Nottingham, England on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 within the place the place he preached as a younger missionary in 1949.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information

“I testify that my mission is the place I got here to know that Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ know and love me.”

— April 2022 normal convention deal with, April 2, 2022

Using a patriarchal blessing

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, talks with the Church Information on the Church Administration constructing in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, March 5, 2021.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information

“A patriarchal blessing is ‘religious encouragement’ to attempt for the necessary goals of life. Getting by life will not be a straightforward deal — and a patriarchal blessing is a superb factor to have. It’s a consolation.”

— Counsel on getting ready for patriarchal blessings, April 29, 2022

Honoring those that laid groundwork for the gospel

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stands exterior of the historic Gould Barn in Topsfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday, Could 14, 2022. The Smith Household Memorial in Topsfield pays tribute to 5 generations of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s ancestors.

Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret Information

“We’re right here as we speak as a result of it is very important by no means lose sight of those that have laid the groundwork and constructed the trail that has led to the sunshine and reality [of the gospel of Jesus Christ] that’s obtainable to those that are keen to hunt it, discover it, embrace it and be a part of it.”

— Monument dedication in Topsfield, Massachusetts, Could 14, 2022

Pioneer Day is greater than handcarts

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks about pioneers whereas sitting in entrance of the Mary Fielding Smith residence at This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake Metropolis on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information

“Whether or not you’re a brand new member of the Church in Hong Kong, India or Salt Lake Metropolis, it’s the identical message, and that’s, the Church is true. Jesus is the Christ. The Father and the Son have appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and have restored the fulness of the eternal gospel. And the priesthood — the authority and energy of God — is as soon as once more upon the earth to direct the affairs of the dominion of God in preparation for the day when Christ will come once more.”

— Reflecting on pioneer heritage, July 9, 2022

‘Observe Jesus Christ With Footsteps of Religion’

President M. Russell Ballard, Appearing President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks through the 2 p.m. normal convention of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.

Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information

“You will need to observe the Prophet and preserve our toes firmly planted on the covenant path of faithfulness because it was for the early pioneers.”

— October 2022 normal convention, Oct. 1, 2022