
Ballard-Ontario-2023
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, arrives for a special stake conference of the Hamilton Ontario Stake on April 23, 2023. Photo by Nick Lachance, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints talk about and share the message of the Restoration, others will feel the truth of their words, said President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
“The most remarkable thing in the history of the world happened in the Sacred Grove in 1820,” he said. “The heavens opened.”
Speaking to members and missionaries in Toronto, Ontario, almost 50 years after serving as a mission president in the city, President Ballard bore testimony of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, of his prayer in the Sacred Grove and of the appearance of the Father and the Son.

Ballard-Ontario-2023
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks at a special stake conference of the Hamilton Ontario Stake on April 23, 2023. Photo by Nick Lachance, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
“It must have been something that penetrated his being — from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet — when he heard our Heavenly Father call his name, ‘Joseph: this is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!’
“That is our message,” he told the missionaries, repeating for emphasis. “That is our message.”
President Ballard returned to Ontario April 21-23 — addressing missionaries in the Canada Toronto Mission, participating in leadership training meetings and presiding at the Hamilton Ontario Stake Conference. He was joined by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder James W. McConkie III, a General Authority Seventy.
Any faithful seeker who asks will get an answer, President Ballard emphasized. “This is the true Church of Jesus Christ. The Lord has opened the heavens again. …
“Our message is the most thrilling and most profound and most exhilarating message that I know of.”
Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company.