Let’s get to know President M. Russell Ballard!

Next time you buy a car, just think: your salesperson might end up being an apostle someday! President M. Russell Ballard was the top salesperson at his father’s car dealership in the 1950s. Here are some other fun facts about him.

President Ballard:

• Has a passion for missionary work! He served as a missionary in England and as a mission president in the Canada Toronto Mission and has spoken about missionary work multiple times in general conference. (Remember this talk, for example?)
• Met his future wife, Barbara Bowen, at a “Hello Day Dance” while in college. They have seven children.
• Earned the nickname “the bishop” as a young adult because his friends knew he would always stay true to his standards.
• Wrote more than 600 letters of encouragement to members who were struggling with their testimonies in the months after one general conference.
• Is the grandson of two Apostles: Elder Melvin J. Ballard and Elder Hyrum Mack Smith.
• Was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in October 1985. He was set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in January 2018.

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Learn more about President Ballard here.