Melvin J. Ballards Witness of the Savior

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Melvin J. Ballard:

"I love to contemplate what it cost our Father in Heaven to give us the gift of His Beloved Son, that worthy Son of our Father, who so loved the world that He laid His life down to redeem the world, to save us and to feed us spiritually while we walk in this life, and prepare us to go and dwell with Him in the eternal worlds. …

I recall an experience which I had … , bearing witness to my soul of the reality of [the Savior’s] death, of His Crucifixion, and His Resurrection, that I shall never forget. …

… I found myself one evening in the dreams of the night in that sacred building, the temple. After a season of prayer and rejoicing I was informed that I should have the privilege of entering into one of those rooms, to meet a glorious personage, and, as I entered the door, I saw, seated on a raised platform, the most glorious being my eyes have ever beheld or that I ever conceived existed in all the eternal worlds.

As I approached to be introduced, He arose and stepped towards me with extended arms, and He smiled as He softly spoke my name. If I shall live to be a million years old, I shall never forget that smile. He took me into His arms and kissed me, pressed me to His bosom, and blessed me, until the marrow of my bones seemed to melt! When He had finished, I fell at His feet, and, as I bathed them with my tears and kisses, I saw the prints of the nails in the feet of the Redeemer of the world. The feeling that I had in the presence of Him who hath all things in His hands, to have His love, His affection, and His blessing was such that if I can receive that of which I had but a foretaste, I would give all that I am, all that I ever hope to be, to feel what I then felt!

… I see Jesus not now upon the cross. I do not see His brow pierced with thorns nor His hands torn with the nails, but I see Him smiling, with extended arms, saying to us all: “Come unto me!”"

Genevieve Johnson Van Wagenen:

“I shall never forget one sacrament meeting in the Provo First Ward. I was about twelve years at the time. Apostle Melvin J. Ballard was the speaker. He bore his testimony. It was a truly spiritual experience. His testimony thrilled the audience. He told of seeing the Savior. He wept as he told how the Savior took him in his arms and kissed and hugged him and blessed him. And as Apostle Ballard kissed the Savior’s feet he saw the nail prints.

I sat spellbound and enthralled, for I truly felt felt the Lord’s Spirit at the meeting. Apostle Ballard was a wonderful soloist. After speaking he sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” The tears rolled down his cheeks as he sang. They rolled down mine too. I felt very close to the Savior. I know that his testimony was true. I desired to live so that I too could be in my Savior’s presence.”

YouTube Video:

References:

By Elder Melvin J. Ballard (1873–1939)

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

From Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard (1949), 147–57, as reprinted in “Classic Discourses from the General Authorities: The Sacramental Covenant,” New Era, Jan. 1976, 7–11.

”The Witness of Women, firsthand experiences and testimonies from the Restoration” by Janiece Johnson Jennifer Reeder (P.20)