I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea;I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord.I'll be what you want me to be. Melvin Joseph Ballard was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on January 7, 1919. When President Heber J. Grant had been prayerfully pondering whom to call to serve in the vacant position left by the passing of President Joseph F. Smith, he decided to call on his good friend Richard W. Young. But as he met with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to announce his decision, he found himself saying that the Lord wanted Melvin J. Ballard to serve instead. This wonderful experience teaches us about inspiration and testifies that the Lord truly calls the leaders in the church. Ballard’s life was one filled with service and kindness. He served for several years as president of the Northwestern States Mission of the church as well as being extremely instrumental in paving the way for opening missionary work in South America.