Senior Mormon Leader M. Russell Ballard Dies at 95

Ballard, Second-in-Line to Lead the Church, Remembered for His Service and Recent Controversy

M. Russell Ballard, a high-ranking leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at age 95 at his home surrounded by family.
Ballard was second-in-line to become church president based on being the second-longest tenured member of a top governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
He was a great-great grandson of Hyrum Smith, brother of church founder Joseph Smith, and had a long history of service in the church, including as a bishop, president of the Toronto mission and member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Recently, Ballard was involved in a controversy with Tim Ballard, the unrelated founder of the anti-child-trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad, who was accused of unauthorized use of M. Russell Ballard’s name for personal advantage.
In accordance with church traditions, a replacement for Ballard will be chosen at a yet-to-be determined time.