Elder Melvin J. Ballard: Apostle, Vision of the Redeemer, and Founder of the South American Mission (1852–1939)

Elder Melvin J. Ballard (1852–1939) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (called 1919) and the father of the Latter-day Saint work in South America. In December 1925, in a park in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he dedicated all of South America for the preaching of the restored gospel—the seed from which has grown a Church of more than a million Saints across the continent. Elder Ballard was also granted a remarkable vision of the Savior, of which he testified: 'I know—as I know that I live—that He lives. That is my testimony.' His life is a faith-promoting witness of an apostle who saw the Redeemer and carried the restored gospel to a new hemisphere.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I found myself in the beautiful Salt Lake Temple. I thought I was in the temple, but I soon discovered that I was in a large building, a place of worship, and that I was in the presence of the Lord. I was carried into a room where I was to meet Him. As I approached, He came toward me. He was dressed in a white robe. He came to me with open arms and folded me in His arms and kissed me. He then blessed me and said that I was accepted of Him. I felt that if I could live worthy, though it would require four-score years, so that in the end when I have finished I could go into His presence and receive the feeling that I then had in His presence, I would give everything that I am and ever hope to be! I know—as I know that I live—that He lives. That is my testimony.