Melvin J. Ballard

Melvin J. Ballard
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
January 7, 1919 (1919-01-07) – July 30, 1939 (1939-07-30)
Called by	Heber J. Grant
LDS Church Apostle
January 7, 1919 (1919-01-07) – July 30, 1939 (1939-07-30)
Called by	Heber J. Grant
Reason	Death of Joseph F. Smith; reorganization of First Presidency
Reorganization at end of term	No additional apostles ordained
Personal details
Born	Melvin Joseph Ballard (1873-02-09)February 9, 1873 Logan, Utah Territory, United States
Died	July 30, 1939(1939-07-30) (aged 66) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W
Spouse	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). He was born in Logan, Utah Territory. His grandson, M. Russell Ballard, was also ordained an apostle.

Birth and Early Life

Ballard was born at Logan, Utah to Henry Ballard and his wife, the former Margaret McNeal, on Feb. 3, 1873. His father was a native of England and had immigrated to Utah in 1852 to gather with the saints. Henry Ballard had been aboard the Saluda when it exploded at Lexington, Missouri and had been injured in that incident. Henry Ballard later served under Orrin Porter Rockwell in the Nauvoo Legion working to prevent the entry of Johnston's Army into Utah. In 1858 Henry Ballard was the first settler of Logan, and he served as bishop of the LOgan 2nd Ward from 1861-1900.

Prior to Ballard's birth, his mother had an experience that led her to believe her son would be an apostle. In his patriarchal blessing, this was reaffirmed.

Melvin Ballard attended Brigham Young College from which 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 reasigned to the Norther States Mission from which he returned in December 1898.

In 1899 Ballard organized the Logan Knitting Factory along with Joseph E. Cardon. In 1900 he was made a counselor in the bishopric of the Logan 2nd Ward.

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 Church President Heber J. Grant was pondering whom to call to replace the vacancy caused by the death of former Church President Joseph F. Smith, he decided to call on his good friend Richard W. Young, as many suspected he would. As he 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 instead. He used this experience to teach about inspiration and to testify that the Lord calls the leaders in the church.

Ballard was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on January 7, 1919. He served in the Quorum until his death in Salt Lake City from leukemia. Sylvester Q. Cannon was called to fill the vacancy caused by his passing. Ballard opened up missionary work in South America in 1925 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Death

He died in Salt Lake City and was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

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  Ballard when ordained as an apostle (1919)
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  West view of Grave marker
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  East View of grave marker

Published works

• Ballard, Melvin J (1966). Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness. Bookcraft. 1. 
• --- (1922). Three Degrees of Glory: A Discourse. Deseret Book Company. 2. 

Biographies by others

• Hinckley, Bryant S., ed. (1949). Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard. Deseret Book Company. 3. 

External links

• Melvin J. Ballard at Find a Grave

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