| Melvin J. Ballard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| January 7, 1919 (1919-01-07) – July 30, 1939 (1939-07-30) | |
| LDS ChurchApostle | |
| January 7, 1919 (1919-01-07) – July 30, 1939 (1939-07-30) | |
| Reason | Death ofJoseph F. Smith; reorganization ofFirst Presidency |
| Reorganization at end of term | No additional apostles ordained[1] |
| 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″N111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772000°N 111.858000°W /40.7772000; -111.858000 (Salt Lake City Cemetery) |
| Spouse(s) | Martha A. Jones |
| Children | 8 |
Melvin Joseph Ballard (February 9, 1873 – July 30, 1939) was a member of theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His grandson,M. Russell Ballard, also became anapostle.
Ballard was born atLogan, Utah Territory, to Henry Ballard and Margaret McNeil. 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 theSaluda when it exploded atLexington, Missouri, and was injured in that incident. He later served underPorter Rockwell in theNauvoo Legion when it made efforts to prevent the entry ofJohnston's Army into Utah Territory. In 1858, Henry was the first settler of Logan, and he served asbishop of the Logan 2ndWard 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'spatriarchal blessing, this was reaffirmed.
Ballard attendedBrigham Young College; he graduated in 1884.
In June 1896, Ballard married Martha A. Jones. The following month he left withB. H. Roberts andGeorge D. Pyper on a mission to the large cities of the eastern United States. He was later reassigned to the Northern StatesMission. 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]
Ballard served for several years aspresident of the Northwestern StatesMission of the church. While serving in this capacity, he organized missionary work on some of the Native American reservations in Montana.
When newchurch presidentHeber 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 friendRichard Whitehead 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 aboutrevelation 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 inSouth America in 1925 inBuenos Aires, Argentina.
Ballard served in the Quorum until his death in Salt Lake City fromleukemia.[4]Sylvester Q. Cannon was called to fill the vacancy caused by Ballard's death. Ballard was buried inSalt Lake City Cemetery.
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles January 7, 1919 – July 30, 1939 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
