Free, no account. Made by a member, not by the Church. Summaries are by AI, and every talk links to the real one.

M. Russell Ballard

87 talks1976 to 2023

Talks mainly about

Each talk counts once, under what it’s mainly about. Tap one to see just those talks below.

When they spoke

1990s: 22 talks

What they talked about more than most

Subjects they came back to more than conference did in the same years. The dark bar is theirs, the light bar is everyone’s. Tap one to see just those talks below.

Scriptures they quote

They cited scripture 375 times in 87 talks, about 4 a talk.

  • Old Testament6%
  • New Testament33%
  • Book of Mormon30%
  • Doctrine and Covenants23%
  • Pearl of Great Price7%

The verses they come back to

  • Moses 1:396 times
  • John 13:345 times

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  • John 14:275 times

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  • Alma 5:144 times
  • Doctrine and Covenants 121:454 times
  • Doctrine and Covenants 18:104 times
  • John 8:124 times

    Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • Matthew 28:194 times

    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

  • 2 Timothy 4:33 times

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

  • Alma 37:63 times

Their talks

  1. 2023Remember What Matters MostWhat matters most is our relationship with God, family, following the Spirit, and testifying of Christ.
  2. 2023Praise to the ManBallard expresses gratitude for Joseph Smith, his family, and all the Restoration brought.
  3. 2022Missionary Service Blessed My Life ForeverBallard recalls how his mission shaped his life and calls youth to prepare and serve.
  4. 2022Follow Jesus Christ with Footsteps of FaithBallard honors pioneer ancestors and calls Joseph Smith, missionaries, President Nelson and Christ pioneers.
  5. 2021Hope in ChristBallard invites all, especially single members, to find hope and belonging in Christ and His Church.
  6. 2021“Lovest Thou Me More Than These?”The Savior's question to Peter asks whether we love him more than the things of this world.
  7. 2020Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?Ballard recounts Joseph and Hyrum Smith's lives and martyrdom and asks members to offer the Lord something righteous.
  8. 2020Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray AlwaysBallard asks people everywhere to pray for their countries and leaders, then act to help.
  9. 2019The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus ChristBallard urges members to keep recent Church adjustments simple and centered on loving God and neighbor.
  10. 2019Giving Our Spirits Control over Our BodiesBallard, grieving his wife, urges Saints to let their spirits rule their bodies and prepare for reunion.
Show the other 77 talks
  1. 2018Precious Gifts from GodBallard calls members to sustain President Nelson and treasure gifts like faith, the Sabbath, service and Christ.
  2. 2018The Vision of the Redemption of the DeadOn its centennial, Ballard tells how Joseph F. Smith's sorrows preceded his vision of the redemption of the dead.
  3. 2017Return and ReceiveBallard asks members to align their goals with God's plan: return to Him and receive His blessings.
  4. 2017The Trek Continues!Ballard says each of us continues the pioneer trek and must not be deceived along the way.
  5. 2016Family CouncilsBallard urges families to hold four kinds of family councils where parents mostly listen.
  6. 2016To Whom Shall We Go?Ballard asks those faltering in faith to think hard before leaving, and asks members to embrace them.
  7. 2015The Greatest Generation of Young AdultsBallard raises the bar for young adults with a personal interview and counsel to serve and marry.
  8. 2015God Is at the HelmBallard names truths aboard the Old Ship Zion and urges members to stay on board.
  9. 2014Following UpBallard follows up on using the Church's full name and on inviting others, urging members to follow through.
  10. 2014Stay in the Boat and Hold On!Ballard likens the Church to a river boat and urges members to stay in, wear life jackets and hold on.
  11. 2013“This Is My Work and Glory”Ballard teaches that the priesthood power that made the universe should bless families, and promotes new leadership training.
  12. 2013Put Your Trust in the LordBallard asks every member to overcome fear, pray for missionary opportunities and reach out to one person.
  13. 2012That the Lost May Be FoundBallard says strong families are the cause of societal health and offers ways not to get lost.
  14. 2012Be Anxiously EngagedLike honeybees, members' small daily acts of service add up to a great work.
  15. 2011Finding Joy through Loving ServiceBallard says small, simple acts of loving service, like flecks of gold, add up to great treasure.
  16. 2011The Importance of a NameBallard asks members to use the Church's full revealed name and identify as followers of Christ.
  17. 2010Mothers and DaughtersBallard urges daughters to learn from their mothers and mothers to teach daughters covenants, modesty and nurturing.
  18. 2010O That Cunning Plan of the Evil OneBallard compares Satan's lures to fly fishing and teaches how prayer and the Atonement free people from addiction.
  19. 2009Learning the Lessons of the PastYouth should learn from parents, prophets and history rather than repeat past mistakes.
  20. 2009Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable RelationshipBallard gives sons and fathers three suggestions each for talking to and strengthening one another.
  21. 2008Daughters of GodBallard honors mothers of young children and offers counsel to mothers, husbands, children and wards.
  22. 2008The Truth of God Shall Go ForthBallard traces the Church's growth decade by decade and calls members to carry the work forward.
  23. 2007The Miracle of the Holy BibleThe Bible is a miraculous, preserved witness of Christ that Latter-day Saints love and follow.
  24. 2007Faith, Family, Facts, and FruitsBallard gives members short talking points to explain the Church to curious friends.
  25. 2006Creating a Gospel-Sharing HomeBallard invites members to share the gospel naturally by making their homes places where others feel the Spirit.
  26. 2006O Be WiseBallard gives six ways to serve in Church callings wisely without neglecting family or health.
  27. 2005One MoreBallard asks every ward and branch to send one more worthy missionary this year.
  28. 2005What Matters Most Is What Lasts LongestOn the proclamation's tenth anniversary, Ballard calls everyone to put family first.
  29. 2004The Atonement and the Value of One SoulAfter his grandson's death, Ballard teaches that the Atonement shows how precious each single soul is.
  30. 2004Pure TestimonyBallard urges members to bear clear, Christ-centered testimony and share it boldly with others.
  31. 2003The Essential Role of Member Missionary WorkAs the bar rises for missionaries, members must also rise to help find and teach.
  32. 2003Let Our Voices Be HeardBallard warns that harmful media attacks the family and urges members to speak out and set standards.
  33. 2002The Peaceable Things of the KingdomBallard teaches that true peace is inner peace through faith in Christ, and that we should share it.
  34. 2002The Greatest Generation of MissionariesBallard raises the bar for missionary service and calls young men and fathers to prepare now.
  35. 2001“His Word Ye Shall Receive”Ballard urges families and youth to study and promptly obey President Hinckley's counsel.
  36. 2001Doctrine of InclusionBallard teaches members to love and include neighbors of other faiths, as the good Samaritan did.
  37. 2000“How Is It with Us?”Ballard repeats Lorenzo Snow's 1900 question and urges members to deepen devotion and share the gospel.
  38. 2000Now Is the TimeBallard urges members and ward councils to help investigators and members reach deep conversion.
  39. 1999Like a Flame UnquenchableBallard urges parents to fortify youth to stay chaste through information, communication, intervention, example.
  40. 1999Beware of False Prophets and False TeachersBallard warns members to watch for false teachers, even within the Church, as foretold for the last days.
  41. 1998Marvelous Are the Revelations of the LordBallard testifies of revelation through Joseph Smith and urges members to study revealed truth.
  42. 1998Are We Keeping Pace?With temple building accelerating, members and councils must keep pace by preparing people for temples.
  43. 1997“You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey”Ballard draws on the 1847 pioneers to show that simple faith carries us through life's journeys.
  44. 1997Standing for Truth and RightBallard calls priesthood holders to stand for truth and help keep youth from gangs and crime.
  45. 1996Feasting at the Lord’s TableBallard compares famine in Ethiopia to spiritual hunger and calls members to feast on and share the gospel.
  46. 1996Faith in Every FootstepBallard recounts pioneer sacrifice and asks members to prepare for the 1997 sesquicentennial.
  47. 1995Answers to Life’s QuestionsThe plan of happiness answers life's hard why questions, including why suffering and evil exist.
  48. 1995Hyrum Smith: “Firm As the Pillars of Heaven”Ballard holds up Hyrum Smith's steady faith as a pattern for Latter-day Saints to follow.
  49. 1994Counseling with Our CouncilsBallard urges bishops to draw on their ward councils instead of carrying every burden alone.
  50. 1994Restored TruthBallard traces the apostasy and the Restoration and invites all to ask God if it is true.
  51. 1993Keeping CovenantsBallard urges youth to keep baptismal and priesthood covenants by living morally clean lives.
  52. 1993Strength in CounselBallard teaches leaders to use councils well, seek the sisters' input, and lead with love.
  53. 1993Equality through DiversityBallard tells Relief Society sisters that God loves men and women equally and gives them distinct roles.
  54. 1992The Blessings of SacrificeBallard asks members to keep the pioneers' spirit of sacrifice through service and giving today.
  55. 1992The Joy of Hope FulfilledAmid calamities of the last days, Ballard says the Lord is in control, so never lose hope.
  56. 1991Teach the ChildrenBallard urges parents and teachers to love children and teach them the gospel while they are young.
  57. 1991The Family of the Prophet Joseph SmithBallard honors Joseph Smith's parents and brother Hyrum and urges members to cling to basic principles.
  58. 1991Be an Example of the BelieversBallard tells overburdened sisters to do their best without guilt and to be righteous examples.
  59. 1990Small and Simple ThingsGod works mainly through small and simple things, and Satan uses small things to destroy.
  60. 1990Purity Precedes PowerBallard warns young men against sexual sin and gives six ways to stay morally clean.
  61. 1989The Effects of TelevisionBallard warns of harmful television and urges families to limit, select and protest bad programming.
  62. 1989Duties, Rewards, and RisksAfter two missionaries were killed in Bolivia, Ballard urges faith over fear in sharing the gospel.
  63. 1988God’s Love for His ChildrenBallard urges reverence for God shown by noticing His creations and His gift of a Savior.
  64. 1988The Hand of FellowshipBallard urges members to welcome converts and newcomers warmly and to befriend all people, not only prospects.
  65. 1987Keeping Life’s Demands in BalanceBallard, after a serious illness, offers practical steps for balancing life's many demands.
  66. 1987Sacrifice and Self-SufficiencyBallard shows how South American Saints grew stronger by sacrificing to become self-sufficient.
  67. 1986The Kingdom Rolls Forth in South AmericaNewly called apostle Ballard recounts the 1925 opening of South America and its growth since.
  68. 1986We Proclaim the GospelBallard gives members four simple steps for sharing the gospel, starting with setting a date.
  69. 1985Prepare to ServeBallard urges young men to prepare now for missions and asks bishops to call every worthy boy.
  70. 1985In Response to the CallBallard accepts his new call humbly and testifies that Jesus is the Christ.
  71. 1984Write Down a DateSet a date, then pray and fast to have someone ready to hear the gospel by then.
  72. 1983Teaching—No Greater CallBallard urges teachers to rely on scriptures and approved manuals and to teach by the Spirit.
  73. 1980You Can Be the VoiceLike a control tower guiding a lost plane, priesthood holders can guide one inactive man home.
  74. 1980The Savior’s TouchBallard shows how members can let the Savior's healing touch reach others through them.
  75. 1978Spiritual DevelopmentBallard urges parents to feed and train their children's spirits, not only their bodies.
  76. 1976Learn Obedience and ServiceNewly called, Ballard recalls sitting by the pulpit as a boy and pledges obedient service.
  77. 1976The Making of a MissionaryBallard shares what his missionaries wish they had learned before serving and urges better preparation.