Melvin Russell Ballard
Information regarding M. Russell Ballard
- Apostle number: 95
- Quorum of the Twelve number: 87
- Date of birth: October 8, 1928
- Place of birth: Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah
- Date of apostolic ordination: October 10, 1985
- Age when ordained apostle: 57 years 0 months
- End of apostolic service: November 12, 2023
- Total apostolic years: 38 years 1 month
- Date called into the Quorum of the Twelve: October 10, 1985
- Tenure in the Quorum of the Twelve: 38 years 1 month
- Date of death: November 12, 2023
- Age at death: 95 years 1 month
- Place of death: Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah
- Remarks: Elder Ballard is a grandson of Hyrum Mack Smith and Melvin J. Ballard, both former apostles. He is a descendant of Hyrum Smith and Joseph F. Smith. Elder Ballard was called to serve as a general authority in April of 1976. Thus, in April of 2023, he completed 47 years of service as a general authority. He and his wife, Barbara Bowen Ballard, were the parents of 7 children. One of Elder Ballard’s sons-in-law, Paul Clayton, served as a mission president and was an anesthesiologist.
- Inspirational quote: “Sometimes we can learn, study, and know; sometimes we have to believe, trust, and hope.”
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