Religious Figure. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born a church member in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Melvin and Geraldine (nee Smith) Ballard. He was the grandson of apostles Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum M. Smith. He was a descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother of LDS church founder Joseph Smith. From 1948-1950, he served a proselyting mission in England. While attending the University of Utah, he met Barbara Bowen, and the two wed in 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they had seven children. They were married until her death in 2018. He did not remarry. From 1974 to 1977, Ballard served as president of the church's Canada Toronto Mission. Professionally, he was a businessman, working in automotive, real estate, family entertainment, and investment businesses. Elder Ballard, as he was known within the LDS Church, served in many church callings (church volunteer positions) before being called as an apostle in 1985 by President Spencer W. Kimball after the death of Elder Bruce R. McConkie. He served as the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 2018 until he died in Salt Lake City in 2023 at the age of 95.
Religious Figure. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born a church member in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Melvin and Geraldine (nee Smith) Ballard. He was the grandson of apostles Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum M. Smith. He was a descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother of LDS church founder Joseph Smith. From 1948-1950, he served a proselyting mission in England. While attending the University of Utah, he met Barbara Bowen, and the two wed in 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they had seven children. They were married until her death in 2018. He did not remarry. From 1974 to 1977, Ballard served as president of the church's Canada Toronto Mission. Professionally, he was a businessman, working in automotive, real estate, family entertainment, and investment businesses. Elder Ballard, as he was known within the LDS Church, served in many church callings (church volunteer positions) before being called as an apostle in 1985 by President Spencer W. Kimball after the death of Elder Bruce R. McConkie. He served as the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 2018 until he died in Salt Lake City in 2023 at the age of 95.
Bio by: HH
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