Apostles Honor President Ballard, Their Late Leader in the Quorum of the Twelve, in Social Posts
Two apostles have posted social media tributes to President M. Russell Ballard days after the funeral for the man who had been their quorum leader in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Ballard died Nov. 12 while serving as the acting president of the quorum. He was responsible for giving assignments to the other 11 apostles in the quorum to travel the world to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and organize the church wherever they went.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband knew President Ballard long before they labored together in the Quorum of the Twelve.
In a post on Instagram and X on Tuesday, Elder Rasband said President Ballard was a mentor, friend and leader to him for most of his life. When Elder Rasband worked for the Huntsman Corporation, President Ballard served on the company’s board of directors.
“It was in this association that he taught me the following,” Elder Rasband shared, “which I hope to never forget: ‘Ron, always let your word be your bond.’”
Similar lessons ensued, Elder Rasband said.
“Many times in my business career, President Ballard taught me the importance of being honest, truthful and having complete integrity in my work. These lessons became even more pronounced in my close associations with him in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles over the past eight years.”
Read the entire post here.
Elder Dale G. Renlund also had served eight years in the quorum with President Ballard, who became the acting president of the quorum in January 2018 after President Thomas S. Monson died and President Russell M. Nelson, who had been the quorum president, became the new president of the church.
Elder Renlund said on Instagram and Facebook that President Ballard’s death “has left a hole in my heart. He was not just my acting quorum president for more than 5 ½ years, he was a fixture in church leadership for a major part of my life. I know that all is well with him and that a glorious reward awaits him, but I and many, many others will miss him dearly.”
He also shared parts of his last conversation with President Ballard on Nov. 1 before the Renlunds left for South America on an assignment from his quorum president.
President Ballard said he wasn’t feeling well, but then Elder Renlund said one of the cities he was visiting was Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“(He) became animated and told me about his grandfather (Elder Melvin J. Ballard) dedicating the lands of South America for the preaching of the gospel on Dec. 25, 1925.”
Remarkably, he said, “President Ballard cited most of the prayer from memory.”
Read the rest of the post here.
To those in and from the United States, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
