Elder M. Russell Ballard

“You must cultivate a desire to develop the skill of setting worthy and realistic goals. If your goals are righteous, then go for them. When you set a goal and commit yourself to the necessary self-discipline to reach that goal, you will eliminate most of the problems in your life. Spend your energies doing those things that will make a difference.

“We have to have faith. We have to have faith in God. We have to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And oh, how desperately we have to have faith in ourselves.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  How Do I Achieve My Goal?

Topics: ,

“As we think about the future, we should be filled with faith and hope. Always remember that Jesus Christ—the Creator of the universe, the architect of our salvation, and the head of this Church—is in control. He will not permit His work to fail. He will be victorious over all darkness and evil.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  Face the Future with Faith and Hope

Topics: , ,

“Critical to our knowledge of the plan of happiness is an understanding of the great governing principle of agency.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard

Topics: ,

“Studying the gospel and sharing it daily can be accomplished by anyone with or without an official call. Please remember that it doesn’t take a name tag to do missionary work!”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  “Questions and Answers”

Topics:

“If we are going to fill the world with goodness and truth, then we must be worthy to receive inspiration so we can bless the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  “Filling the World with Goodness and Truth,” Ensign, July 1996, 14.

Topics:

The most simple, basic certainty of life is this: We are all going to die. Whether we die old or young, easy or hard, wealthy or indigent, beloved or lonely, nobody escapes death.

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  Giving Our Spirits Control over Our Bodies

Topics:

[Elder Melvin J. Ballard] said, “The greatest conflict that any man or woman will ever have … will be the battle that is had with self,” explaining that Satan, “the enemy of our souls,” attacks us through “the lusts, the appetites, the ambitions of the flesh.” So the primary battle is between our divine and spiritual nature and the carnal natural man.

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  Giving Our Spirits Control over Our Bodies

Topics:

“Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the experience of Same-Sex Attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including [those with Same-Sex Attraction]’”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  “The Lord Needs You Now!” Ensign, Sept. 2015, 29

Topics:

I have often wondered why Joseph and Hyrum and their families had to suffer so much. It may be that they came to know God through their suffering in ways that could not have happened without it. Through it, they reflected on Gethsemane and the cross of the Savior. As Paul said, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?

Topics: ,

“Both the Lord and his church stand ready with open arms to welcome back all who stray. The First Presidency has extended this special invitation:

‘We are aware of some who are inactive, of others who have become critical and are prone to find fault, and of those who have been disfellowshipped or excommunicated because of serious transgressions.’

To all such we reach out in love. We are anxious to forgive.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard  |  A Chance to Start Over:

Topics: