Barbara Bowen Ballard: A Faithful Missionary Companion and Wife of an Apostle

Barbara Bowen Ballard (1932–2018) was the beloved wife of President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his faithful companion in a lifetime of Church service. A socially gifted woman with myriad friends from her days at the University of Utah, Sister Ballard served beside her husband in ministry and missions, including his service as president of the Canada Toronto Mission, and was a source of warmth and comfort to countless Saints. President Ballard called the day he met her 'the greatest day in my life.' Her life is a quiet, faith-promoting witness of the sustaining, faithful companionships through which the Lord strengthens His servants and His Saints.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Black and Walker, “Anxiously Engaged: A Biography of M. Russell Ballard” (Reviewed by Richard Ji) – Dawning of a Brighter Day):

After careful consideration, he purchased it, not knowing who it would be for but determined that whomever he would marry would fit the sweater. In essence, it became a Cinderella story of sorts but with a sweater rather than a glass slipper. It was just three days after his mission that President Ballard was introduced to Barbara Bowen. Barbara was lively, popular, and had many suitors. Despite this, ever confident President Ballard persisted in his courtship. In the winter of 1950, he presented the sweater set as a Christmas gift to Barbara, and it fit perfectly. They were not yet an exclusive couple at that time. She loved it and was touched by the story behind it. Barbara’s father was also not active in the Church, and she was determined to marry someone who would be strong in the Church. She was attracted to what she saw from the young President Ballard. After being encouraged to pray earnestly for an answer by him, Barbara received a personal witness, she relinquished her other dating prospects, and they were married.