Leaders & Ministry

In case you missed it: Remembering President Ballard

Here are 9 stories from the Church News the week of Nov. 12-18

By William Matheson Nov 19, 2023 1:50 p.m. EST

Clockwise from top left: President Ballard sits in his office; Elder Holland stands in his home; Elder Stevenson walks with a young man; Sister Spannaus speaks at a pulpit at the Provo MTC.

Leaders & Ministry

In case you missed it: Remembering President Ballard

Here are 9 stories from the Church News the week of Nov. 12-18

By William Matheson Nov 19, 2023 1:50 p.m. EST

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, died Sunday, Nov. 12. President Ballard was remembered last week in several Church News articles, including his obituary, funeral, a video, podcast and highlights from his teachings in the past year and on councils.

President Jeffrey R. Holland was set apart as the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Nov. 15, to succeed President Ballard.

Also the week of Nov. 12-18, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, speaking at Ensign College, taught of freedom, constraints and the ‘art of becoming.’ The Okinawa Japan Temple was dedicated by Elder Gary E. Stevenson. Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, spoke to missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center.

1. President M. Russell Ballard dies at age 95 after a lifetime of service as an energetic, diligent disciple of Jesus Christ

Elder M. Russell Ballard, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, sits in his office in Salt Lake City.

The obituary for President Ballard by Church News includes:

“President M. Russell Ballard — a faithful witness of Jesus Christ, devoted husband, beloved father and the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — died Sunday, Nov. 12, at home surrounded by loved ones. He was 95 years old.”

Read the full article here.

2. Podcast episode 162: President M. Russell Ballard, 1928-2023: Celebrating his life in his own words

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2018 to 2023, waves outside of a temple.

A special memorial episode of the Church News podcast remembers the life and words of President Ballard.

In President Ballard’s words: “I think our message is a message of love. It is a message of inclusion. It is a message of ‘Come and enjoy the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been restored to the earth to the Prophet Joseph Smith and those who have succeeded him in the sacred calling as apostles and prophets.’ That I know, that Jesus Christ is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. And this is His Church, and He presides over it, and we move about doing our work at His direction.”

Read the full article here.

3. During funeral services, President Ballard is remembered for his ‘enduring faith and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ’

A man drapes the U.S. flag on President Ballard’s casket as pallbearers bring the casket out of the Tabernacle.

After a lifetime of “tireless service, inspired teaching and genuine kindness,” President Ballard was remembered for his love, leadership and missionary zeal, during funeral services on Friday, Nov. 17.

The Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Ballard died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at the age of 95. Thousands gathered in the Tabernacle on Temple Square for the service, held on a sunny, mild November morning.

Read the full article here.

4. Video: ‘A Loving Farewell’ to President Ballard

Church News video, titled “A Loving Farewell,” shares highlights of President M. Russell Ballard’s life and ministry.

In a special memorial video, past Church News interviews with President Ballard detail his ministry and experience as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

“It all comes back down, in my judgment, to an unwavering, through and through, belief that Jesus is the Christ, that He is the Savior, Redeemer of the world, and that this is His Church and that He is watching over it,” testified President Ballard. “So He does live. And I know that.”

Watch the video here.

5. A look back on President Ballard’s teachings on effective councils and highlights of President Ballard’s teachings, testimony in 2023

Then-Elder M. Russell Ballard tells a story to his family members during a council meeting in Salt Lake City.

In two articles featuring President Ballard, Church News takes a look at President Ballard’s teachings on councils and looks at what he taught and testified of in 2023.

“Those who learn to counsel with each other always end up with a better result,” said President Ballard.

“My message this morning is simple. It is deep. And it is full of love for the Prophet Joseph Smith. … We thank the Lord for Joseph Smith and for his courage to go into that grove of trees,” said President Ballard on Oct. 1, during the Sunday morning session of October 2023 general conference.

Read the article about President Ballards teachings on councils here.

Read the article about the 2023 teachings and testimony of President Ballard here.

6. President Jeffrey R. Holland set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

President Jeffrey R. Holland stands in his home in 2022.

President Holland is now the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was set apart to this new assignment by President Russell M. Nelson, the Prophet and President of the Church, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The new assignment and setting apart were first announced Nov. 16

Read the full article here.

7. Elder Uchtdorf teaches of freedom, constraints and the ‘art of becoming’

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf makes his hands into a heart following his talk at the Ensign College devotional at the Conference Center Theater.

Before offering his formal remarks during an Ensign College devotional on Tuesday, Nov. 14, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles paid tribute to his “dear friend” and fellow Apostle, President Ballard.

Like President Ballard, all are on a great journey back to their Heavenly Father, a journey that is not always smooth, said Elder Uchtdorf, adding “difficult challenges await at every turn.”

Read the full article here.

8. In a place once defined by war, Elder Stevenson dedicates the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace and unity

Elder Gary E. Stevenson walks with Masato Omine in Okinawa, Japan, on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple on Sunday, Nov 12. The temple is the fourth in Japan and the 186th worldwide.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ navigated its way through difficulties, through cultural differences and through language barriers to find itself established on the island of Okinawa,” said Elder Stevenson.

Read the full article here.

9. What Sister Spannaus said during an MTC devotional about choosing Christ

Sister Andrea M. Spannaus speaks to the missionaries during her devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, made a comparison during a Tuesday, Nov. 14, devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

“When you teach them the doctrine of Christ, they will be able to recognize the truth through the Holy Ghost,” she said. “And then, they will have their opportunity to decide — one more time — as we all did before coming to Earth.”