President M. Russell Ballard
Joseph Smith’s Sacred Grove Experience
President Ballard focuses on Joseph Smith’s First Vision, a pivotal moment in the Church’s history, and quotes the hymn “Praise to the Man” to illustrate the importance of this event:
“Because Jesus, our Savior and our Redeemer, spoke to the boy Joseph and opened up this dispensation of time that we now live in, we sing, ‘Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!’”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Joseph Smith—History 1:14 – “It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.”
- Joseph Smith—History 1:17 – “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
The Gift of the Book of Mormon
President Ballard emphasizes the Book of Mormon’s role as a powerful testament of Jesus Christ. He points out that it exists because Joseph Smith was inspired and chosen by God to obtain the golden plates and translate them:
“We have the Book of Mormon. What a marvelous and wonderful gift the Book of Mormon is to the membership of the Church. It is another witness, another testament that Jesus is the Christ.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 1 Nephi 13:38 – “And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.”
- Moroni 10:4-5 – “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
The Blessings of Knowing Our Purpose
President Ballard reflects on the blessings of having knowledge of the purpose of life and God’s plan for humanity. He appreciates the gift of understanding one’s divine identity and the path to personal improvement:
“I marvel, and I’m sure that many of you do too, at how blessed we are to know what we know about our purpose in life, why we are here, what we should be trying to do and accomplish in our daily lives.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Abraham 3:22-25 – “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;”
- Alma 34:32 – “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.”
Sustaining Joseph Smith and His Family
President Ballard pays tribute to Joseph Smith’s family and those who sustained him during his prophetic calling. He acknowledges the vital role of Joseph’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and the unwavering support of his father, siblings, and family members in Joseph’s divine mission:
“I would like to pay tribute this morning to his mother. I’ve always thought how wonderful it was that when Joseph came home from that experience in the Sacred Grove and told his mother what had happened, Lucy Mack Smith believed him.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- D&C 21:1-7 – “Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build it up unto the most holy faith.“
- D&C 135:3 – “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.”
The Role of a Witness
President Ballard reflects on his nearly 50 years as a General Authority and the privilege of spreading the gospel worldwide. He expresses his love for Church members and the joy of witnessing their faith and dedication:
“Oh, how I love you. What a glorious experience that’s been—to look into your faces, be in your presence, and feel your love that you have for the Lord and for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 3 Nephi 18:36 – “And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.”
- D&C 107:23 – “The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.”
Calls to Action:
- May our Heavenly Father watch over us now and bless all the proceedings of the conference.
- May we have the Spirit of the Lord well up in our hearts
- May our love for the gospel of Jesus Christ—our beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ—increase as we strive to serve Him and keep His commandments and be more like Him as a result of our attending general conference.