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When Thou Art Converted: Continuing the Search for Happiness
Book by Ballard, M. Russell
225 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
M. Russell Ballard
34 books59 followersPresident M. Russell Ballard has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints since October 6, 1985. He was set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by President Russell M. Nelson on January 14, 2018.
He was born to Melvin R. and Geraldine Smith Ballard. He attended the University of Utah. He served as a counselor to the president of the British Mission. He has been a bishop twice and a high councilor in two stakes. In 1974, he was called as president of the Canada Toronto Mission, where he was serving when he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April of 1976. He served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy from Feb. 21, 1980, to Oct. 6, 1985.
Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Ballard had interests in automotive, real estate, and investment businesses. He has served on many civic committees and boards. He is the author of two books.
He married Barbara Bowen in the Salt Lake Temple Aug. 28, 1951. They have two sons, five daughters and forty grandchildren.
He was born to Melvin R. and Geraldine Smith Ballard. He attended the University of Utah. He served as a counselor to the president of the British Mission. He has been a bishop twice and a high councilor in two stakes. In 1974, he was called as president of the Canada Toronto Mission, where he was serving when he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April of 1976. He served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy from Feb. 21, 1980, to Oct. 6, 1985.
Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Ballard had interests in automotive, real estate, and investment businesses. He has served on many civic committees and boards. He is the author of two books.
He married Barbara Bowen in the Salt Lake Temple Aug. 28, 1951. They have two sons, five daughters and forty grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 8, 2021
I’m glad I discovered this book. It was one day in the David O. McKay library on BYU-Idaho’s campus. I was walking and the title caught my eye. I started browsing through it and I knew it was my kind of book, so I bought it and overall really enjoyed it!
I love Elder Ballard and it was neat reading about different experiences from him on enduring through life’s trials. At times it seemed he shared more scriptural stories than personal experiences, and don’t get me wrong, I love the scriptures, but I would’ve loved to hear more of his personal experiences. He also dedicated some chapters to either married couples, grandparents, parents, and women, which none apply to me at this time. But I still enjoyed reading about everything and it helped me keep in mind what kind of spouse/parent/grandparent I want to be someday!
I love Elder Ballard and it was neat reading about different experiences from him on enduring through life’s trials. At times it seemed he shared more scriptural stories than personal experiences, and don’t get me wrong, I love the scriptures, but I would’ve loved to hear more of his personal experiences. He also dedicated some chapters to either married couples, grandparents, parents, and women, which none apply to me at this time. But I still enjoyed reading about everything and it helped me keep in mind what kind of spouse/parent/grandparent I want to be someday!
December 30, 2019
Our search for Happiness part 2
November 7, 2021
Libby. Read with Our Search For Happiness. This was a wonderful book. Talks so much on the gospel the chains we must link together to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father some day. I love M Russell Ballard.
September 29, 2017
This was a really great book. Nothing too deep that would hurt my brain to read, but just great words and experiences, just an all around good book.
May 14, 2022
Beautiful truths expounded. Uplifting and encouraging.
Was a little disappointed with the treatment of the priesthood; but this book is pretty dated already.
Was a little disappointed with the treatment of the priesthood; but this book is pretty dated already.
December 11, 2023
Just a wonderful book. I have had it on my shelf and when Pres. Ballard passed I thought I bettter get it read. I am glad I did.
December 15, 2016
This was a really good book. It is more of a reference book than a sit down and read cover to cover. M. Russell Ballard gives a series of talks (it feels like) on topics dealing with conversion to the Lord, ranging from prayer, service, to women and the priesthood, marriage, and the End of the World. He gently touches on these topics while focusing on the core of Faith in Jesus Christ and what that entails.
"One who lays claim to special privilege through the priesthood does not understand the nature of his authority. Priesthood is about service, not servitude; compassion, not compulsion; caring, not control; stewardship, not turf. Those who would have you think otherwise are operating outside the parameters of their authority."
P.177
"I believe you cannot watch on film as people are gunned down in cold blood, in living color, and not have it affect the attitudes and thoughts of those who see it. I believe you cannot continually portray human sexuality as just another physical appetite that has to be satisfied - whenever and with whomever (including those of the same gender) the urge strikes - without diminishing respect for God and His commandments. And I believe that the desensitizing effect of such media abuses on the hearts and souls of those who are exposed to them result in a partial fullfilment of the Savior's statement that "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt 24:12).
"...Please stand for truth and right in your entertainment choices. Some of the things that are being shown in our theaters and broadcast into our homes via television and videos over the Internet are insidious and dangerous. Rather than falling within the scriptural admonition to seek after that which is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" (Article of Faith 13), they are more clearly described in Moroni 7, in which the prophet Mormon teaches that "whatsoever thing persuadeth man to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God...is of the devil" (Moroni 7:17)."
P.118
"One who lays claim to special privilege through the priesthood does not understand the nature of his authority. Priesthood is about service, not servitude; compassion, not compulsion; caring, not control; stewardship, not turf. Those who would have you think otherwise are operating outside the parameters of their authority."
P.177
"I believe you cannot watch on film as people are gunned down in cold blood, in living color, and not have it affect the attitudes and thoughts of those who see it. I believe you cannot continually portray human sexuality as just another physical appetite that has to be satisfied - whenever and with whomever (including those of the same gender) the urge strikes - without diminishing respect for God and His commandments. And I believe that the desensitizing effect of such media abuses on the hearts and souls of those who are exposed to them result in a partial fullfilment of the Savior's statement that "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt 24:12).
"...Please stand for truth and right in your entertainment choices. Some of the things that are being shown in our theaters and broadcast into our homes via television and videos over the Internet are insidious and dangerous. Rather than falling within the scriptural admonition to seek after that which is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" (Article of Faith 13), they are more clearly described in Moroni 7, in which the prophet Mormon teaches that "whatsoever thing persuadeth man to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God...is of the devil" (Moroni 7:17)."
P.118
May 15, 2025
Original Review 2017: I'm just not spiritually ready for this book. This is about doing more, and I'm still working on the basics. didn't finish it.
2025: In retrospect, I feel like my original review made me sound like a borderline bad person. I wasn't dealing with drugs or sexual sins or anything that Mormons consider atrociously bad. I was actually a perfectionist. I was trying to have my kids perfectly presentable at church and actually be on time, and work on my genealogy with some sort of regular schedule and attend the temple more frequently and family home evening and do all the things Utah Moms supposedly do, while also dealing with executive dysfunction.
I had picked up this book over and over and over again, and I probably made it at least halfway through the book before I couldn't take any more of the underlying message that I am never gonna be good enough and God always wants more from me. It didn't feel like "more conversion," it felt like "more labor."
2025: In retrospect, I feel like my original review made me sound like a borderline bad person. I wasn't dealing with drugs or sexual sins or anything that Mormons consider atrociously bad. I was actually a perfectionist. I was trying to have my kids perfectly presentable at church and actually be on time, and work on my genealogy with some sort of regular schedule and attend the temple more frequently and family home evening and do all the things Utah Moms supposedly do, while also dealing with executive dysfunction.
I had picked up this book over and over and over again, and I probably made it at least halfway through the book before I couldn't take any more of the underlying message that I am never gonna be good enough and God always wants more from me. It didn't feel like "more conversion," it felt like "more labor."
June 8, 2011
This book speaks to me. I read it two years ago and started again to prepare for a lesson in RS. This book was written as an continuation of his book, "Our search for happiness," which was originally written for people who were investigating the gospel. This book gives me hope and help. You know how some books seem to be written for you...this one I relate to.
April 21, 2011
Really liked some of Elder Ballards thoughts about "feasting" on the words of Christ, and how he said it's not just enough to read 1 verse a day. Needed that kick in the pants to get me going on really studying my scriptures again.
September 23, 2016
I thought this was a good book. It wasn't the standard repeat and rephrasing of scriptural passages (though there was some of that). There was a lot of Elder Ballard's own voice in the writing which made it more enjoyable, easier to relate to and more moving/thought provoking. Glad I read it.
June 20, 2007
This book is amazing!
Read
February 17, 2008I reread this book often.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2008
Not as memorable as the first book, but still a good one.
April 20, 2008
what to do when you are converted--how does it change your life and the lives of those around you? I liked this book
April 24, 2008
Great sense of humor!
July 3, 2008
One of the best LDS books written.
September 11, 2008
I always wondered why Peter was so determined to follow the Savior, but then denied him three times. This book gives great insights into that struggle, which a lot of us face.
March 13, 2009
This was a great book - wonderful stories! Charity, thanks for letting me borrow it! I really enjoyed it.
May 18, 2009
This is an excellent book! It's for members of the church instead of his prior book Our search for happiness for people investigating the church.
October 2, 2009
What I enjoyed the most about this book were the stories Elder Ballard tells about teaching his children and grand-children.
August 4, 2009
Great book on how to become converted.
June 26, 2011
Great book. I love Elder Ballards stories.
June 20, 2010
I got this book on my my mission. I loved it then, and I loved it during this second reading.
November 22, 2010
A great book to remind each of us our commitment to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
October 22, 2011
Wonderful book. Very easy, fast read.
Want to read
March 13, 2015DNF, reading other churchy non-fiction, so i'll come back to it later.
Read
December 27, 2014Page 66- We must have personal, spiritual experiences to anchor us. These come through seeking them in the same intense, single-minded way that a hungry person seeks food.
December 29, 2014
It was good! Not spectacular. It definitely described some doctrine that I'd been looking for, most of the rest was full of nice explanations and sweet stories.
June 18, 2015
Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews