Several weeks ago our stake heard that Elder Ballard would be visiting our stake conference and we were all wondering "Why?" Come to find out, there would be no stake presidency changes or boundary realignments or anything. Elder Ballard was just coming to be a part of our stake conference! Elder Jon Hunstman was suppose to come with him, but ended up not coming because his son was appointed by President Obama to be the U.S. ambassador to China and would be receiving that appointment the same weekend. Therefore, he elected to be with his family at that time.
We were only 4 rows back from Elder Ballard at the Saturday evening adult session and it was neat to have an up close view. He spoke of spiritually preparing ourselves each day so our lamps would always be full, and referred to the story of the Ten Virgins. It's the simple things that matter: family prayer, FHE, going to church, reading scriptures, etc. He recommitted us all to pray each evening with our spouses to thank the Lord for having another day with each other. Essentially, he said praying as a couple is a cure all for any marital woes we may be having. How simple is that!
During his talk it struck me how much he reminds me of my dad, especially his hand motions while speaking. And I knew my dad would about choke if I tried to compare him to an apostle, but it's true! In fact, Adam (my brother) mentioned the same thing to me before I even said anything about it!
Since there wasn't much of a line to greet Elder Ballard after the Saturday evening session, I went up and shook his hand. Mike ended up shaking his hand on Sunday too.
He also spoke on becoming spiritually edified through sacrament meeting and to search the scriptures each day. And about how grandparents should focus on making happy memories for their grandkids and setting good examples. Most importantly, the Holy Ghost was so strong and powerful. It's wonderful to feel the Spirit testify to me that Elder Ballard is an apostle of Jesus Christ who loves us so much.
