BRAMPTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy met with all of the stake presidencies, district presidencies, bishops and branch presidents in Toronto, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on Saturday, March 6. Most of these leaders gathered at the Brampton Ontario Stake Center with others joining the meeting via satellite. Of this session, Elder Clayton said, "That experience reconfirmed that the Lord raises up valiant servants to lead His Church in every part of the world. We were most impressed by their strength and spirit. Eastern Canada is a stronghold for the Church."

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Elder M. Russell Ballard visits with Dennis and Olga Cantlon, two members who were interested in Church membership when Elder Ballard served as mission president.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Sister Barbara B. Ballard, wife of Elder M. Russell Ballard, visits with Kenneth Shoesmith on March 5 during the Ballards' return to Ontario, Canada, where Elder Ballard served as a mission president.

Similar leadership meetings are being held throughout the Church, making it possible for members of the Quorum of the Twelve to personally share messages from the First Presidency and the Twelve, respond to questions from the priesthood leaders, and discuss the challenges these leaders are facing in their areas. Elder Ballard was pleased to extend special greetings from President Thomas S. Monson, who also presided over the mission in Toronto, and Sister Frances Monson, who served with him there.

It was a particularly enjoyable experience for Elder Ballard since he and Sister Ballard presided over the Canada Toronto Mission from 1974-77. As part of the weekend activities, Elder David Murray, Area Seventy, arranged for a special dinner where longtime friends and associates of the Ballards gathered to renew friendships. These long-timers, who have served in nearly every leadership capacity during their lifetimes, rejoiced together as they shared the fond memories of years past.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Elder M. Russell Ballard and his wife, Sister Barbara Ballard, speak with Joseph Wilmott during their visit to area where Elder Ballard served as a mission president in Canada's Toronto area.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Gordon and Libby Olsen, and their daughters, Kassidy and Logan, performed musical entertainment during a reunion dinner March 5 for Elder M. Russell Ballard and Sister Barbara B. Ballard upon their return visit to Canada.

The evening program included showing the video "Taking Care," which had been commissioned in 1975 by Mission President Ballard and featured prominent Canadian members of the Church. Elder Ballard recalled the first public screening of the film in 1976, which was attended by President N. Eldon Tanner and then-Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve and an audience of about 3,000. As remembered by Bruce Smith, one of the attendees at the dinner, the film was used with investigators to demonstrate "the strength of the Church in Canada."

After the video presentation, as if on cue, Elder Ballard asked whether anyone had ever thought to convert the show to DVD; in response, a DVD copy was instantly presented by Elder Murray, who indicated it is available to all who want a copy.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Friends of Elder M. Russell Ballard pose for a photo during his visit.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

During a visit to Canada, Elder M. Russell Ballard, center, stops in front of the Toronto Ontario Temple on March 6 with Elder David Murray, an Area Seventy, left, and Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, right.

On Friday evening more than 700 young single adults gathered in the Brampton Ontario Stake Center for a fireside where Elder Ballard and Elder Clayton spoke to them. They came from long distances to fellowship with one another and to listen to counsel from the brethren. And on Sunday morning special conferences were held for the London Ontario Stake (Elder Ballard) and the Kitchener Ontario Stake (Elder Clayton). At the stake conference in London, more than 1,200 members of the Church attended. Elder Ballard was most pleased to see so many in the meeting as the London Stake was organized as a very small stake toward the close of his tenure as mission president. At the conference Elder Ballard asked how many attendees were members in the 1970s. When 25-30 percent of the congregation stood up to be counted, he joked that he was happy to see so many were still among the living.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Elder M. Russell Ballard visits with members outside the Toronto Ontario Temple.

Photo by Michael H. Clifton

Elder M. Russell Ballard visits with local Church members, expressing his thanks to the kitchen staff during a luncheon.

The Ballards look forward with great anticipation to sending their son-in-law, Bradford J. Brower, who served as an assistant to then-President Ballard, and their daughter Tamara to replace Toronto Canada West Mission President Craig E. Middleton and his wife, Sister Peggy K. Middleton, this July. Elder Ballard indicates that "the ongoing family tie to Ontario will be exciting for our whole family."

Of the weekend Elder Clayton said, "One of the joys of this visit was watching Elder Ballard and his friends … greet each other with obvious affection. A great blessing of missionary work is the formation of enduring friendships. That blessing was in evidence everywhere we went."

For Elder Ballard, the weekend was "a wonderful reunion … like coming home."

— Michael H. Cliftoncontributed to this article