Family members of President M. Russell Ballard arrive at the Tabernacle on Temple Square for the funeral services of the former leader of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
SALT LAKE CITY — Funeral services for President M. Russell Ballard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were held Friday, Nov. 17, in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The 95-year-old was remembered by friends and family as a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and a man fervently focused on his family.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, a fellow member in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said President M. Russell Ballard was a mentor to each member in the Quorum and many, many others.
“On of the reasons he has been such a great missionary and leader is his love of people, all people,” said Elder Cook. “Everyone he met realized he was truly interested in them and any challenges they faced.”
Ballard died surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, Nov. 12. He had recently transitioned back home from a hospital stay.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, President Ballard’s successor as leader of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said President Ballard was one of the “greatest friends in his life.” He explained how during his recent five-week hospital state, President Ballard visited or called every day.
“How do you thank a man for that?” President Holland said. “I have since tried to do so, in part with reciprocal visits and calls to him every day during the last two or three weeks of his life.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency said it would be impossible to measure President Ballard’s impact for good during his sojourn in mortality. He has been a courageous warrior for truth!
“We learned from his many great leadership qualities and we were blessed by his influence throughout the church,” said President Oaks. “He has been an exemplary leader of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during his many years in that capacity. We will miss him. The other leaders of the church will miss him. Our missionaries will miss him. The members of the church will miss him.”
Two of President Ballard’s seven children also spoke.
Immediately after the service, a private burial was set to take place at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.