Melvin J. Ballard
Melvin J. Ballard | |
---|---|
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
January 7, 1919 – July 30, 1939 | |
LDS Church Apostle | |
January 7, 1919 – July 30, 1939 | |
Reason | Death of Joseph F. Smith; reorganization of First Presidency |
Reorganization at end of term | No additional apostles ordained[1] |
Personal details | |
Born |
Melvin Joseph Ballard February 9, 1873 Logan, Utah Territory, United States |
Died |
July 30, 1939 66) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | (aged
Resting place |
Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772000°N 111.858000°W |
Spouse(s) | Martha A. Jones |
Melvin Joseph Ballard (February 9, 1873 – July 30, 1939) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His grandson, M. Russell Ballard, also became an apostle.
Birth and early life
Ballard was born at Logan, Utah Territory, to Henry Ballard and Margaret McNeal. His father was a native of England and had immigrated to Utah in 1852 to gather with the Latter-day Saints. Henry Ballard had been aboard the Saluda when it exploded at Lexington, Missouri, and was injured in that incident. He later served under Porter Rockwell in the Nauvoo Legion when it made efforts to prevent the entry of Johnston's Army into Utah Territory. In 1858, Henry was the first settler of Logan, and he served as bishop of the Logan 2nd Ward from 1861 until 1900.[2]
Prior to Ballard's birth, his mother had an experience that led her to believe her son would be an apostle. In Ballard's patriarchal blessing, this was reaffirmed.
Ballard attended Brigham Young College; he graduated in 1884.
Career and early church service
In June 1896, Ballard married Martha A. Jones. The following month he left with B. H. Roberts and George D. Pyper on a mission to the large cities of the eastern United States. He was later reassigned to the Northern States Mission. Ballard returned to Utah in December 1898.
In 1899, Ballard organized the Logan Knitting Factory along with Joseph E. Cardon. In 1900, he became a counselor in the bishopric of the Logan 2nd Ward.[2]
Mission President
Ballard served for several years as president of the Northwestern States Mission of the church. While serving in this capacity, he organized missionary work on some of the Native American reservations in Montana.
Apostleship
When new church president Heber J. Grant was pondering whom to call as an apostle to replace the vacancy caused by the death of his predecessor, Joseph F. Smith, he decided to select his good friend Richard W. Young, as many suspected he would. As Grant met with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to announce his decision, he found himself saying that the Lord wanted Melvin J. Ballard to serve in the position. Grant used this experience to teach about revelation and to testify that the Lord gives inspiration to the President of the Church.[3]
Ballard was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on January 7, 1919. As an apostle, Ballard opened up missionary work in South America in 1925 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ballard served in the Quorum until his death in Salt Lake City from leukemia.[4] Sylvester Q. Cannon was called to fill the vacancy caused by Ballard's death. Ballard was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Ballard when ordained as an apostle (1919) West view of Grave marker East View of grave marker
Published works
- Ballard, Melvin J (1966). Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness. Bookcraft. 1.
- Three Degrees of Glory: A Discourse. Deseret Book Company. 1922. 2.
Biographies by others
- Hinckley, Bryant S., ed. (1949). Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard. Deseret Book Company. 3.
Notes
- ↑ Sylvester Q. Cannon was added to the Quorum of the Twelve to take Ballard's place; however, Cannon had been ordained an apostle the year before.
- 1 2 Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 1, p. 418–19.
- ↑ "Chapter 38: Change and Consistency", Church History in the Fulness of Times, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Church Educational System, 2000) p. 496.
- ↑ State of Utah Death Certificate.
External links
References
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Richard R. Lyman |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles January 7, 1919 – July 30, 1939 |
Succeeded by John A. Widtsoe |