The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Governor Spencer J. Cox has declared July 23, 2021, “President M. Russell Ballard Day” in Utah. He made the announcement on Thursday during a press event at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City.
The 92-year-old President Ballard is a Utah native and has served as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since January 2018. This honor comes to the Apostle, Governor Cox said, because of President Ballard’s commitment to community, history, bridge building and interfaith solidarity.
Others who spoke Thursday were Pamela Atkinson, a community advocate; Ellis Ivory, chair and executive director of This Is The Place Heritage Park; Kem Gardner, chairman of the Days of ’47 Rodeo; Scott Anderson, president of Zions Bank; and Utah Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard, President Ballard’s daughter-in-law.
“[President Ballard] is the epitome of a truly wonderful Christian, following Christ’s teachings in all that he does,” Atkinson said.
“President Ballard has truly dedicated his life to building faith and cherishing the memory of those who have gone before and sacrificed so much for the building of this state,” added Garff Ballard.
President Ballard said he feels deep gratitude for the pioneers who founded Utah.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
