When he returned to Europe as an apostle, Europe Area President Elder Paul V. Johnson suggested he visit Sweden to address the members in their native language. President Nelson has often commented on the indispensable support, was for him and for their family. It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson.. Furthermore, he was chosen as the director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Nelson President Nelson, followed by his counselors, and all members of the Quorum of the Twelve, walked back from the Temple to the Church Administration Building. He now has 57 grandchildren, and 119 great-grandchildren. Click on the link here to purchase your copy on LDS Bookstore. Dr. Russell M. Nelson holds a model of the human heart. Between 1971 and 1979, he was the General President of LDS Church's Sunday School. I felt the Spirit, and he answered questions that I had.. From then to now, all Mormon prophets believed their calling was to express the mind and will of God for the church and the wider world. In January 2016, when Nelson was the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he described a controversial policy about gays as a revelation. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. 218 University Press Building President Russell M. Nelson salmon fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska, in July 2016. degree in 1945 and M.D. He would have a salary through the roof. While there, he talked with Saints, met with the president of French Polynesia, and testified of Jesus Christ and His love for His children. In the fall of 1957, President Nelsons beloved late-wife Dantzel woke in the night saying she had a vision. As part of his Latin America ministry trip the following year, Nelson and his wife Wendy visited tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints from Latin American countries including Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. What he may not have anticipated was how many hearts he would touch figuratively through his testimony, words of wisdom, and inspiring example. He conducted the first successful paediatric cardiac operation at the SLGH, a complete mending of Tetralogy of Fallot in a four-year-old girl, in March 1956. But those are revelations, too., Widtsoe was trying to help members, the historian said, grapple with the fading of the charismatic element in the church.. What a marvelous first session of general conference we have had! In 1964, he was appointed as a stake president in Salt Lake City and would perform the duties the position required until 1971. 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But I will admit that sometimes even small adjustments such as a chair help those of us who age on stage.. As a 9- or 10-year-old boy, Russell Nelson got on a street car and made his way downtown to Deseret Book, she recounted. Years ago, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set out to learn Spanish. Russell Nelson Jr. said the family saw an immediate change in President Nelsons countenance. When Angels Saved President Russell M . Early on in his time at the university, he participated in a school play, where the lead soprano captured his attention. . Overall rating 4.94 Wait time 4.10 Bedside manner 4.97 I felt spiritually renewed as I listened to those who He is an inspired and wise leader, and the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with, Dallin H. Oaks, his first counselor in the governing First Presidency who himself turned 90 in August and is the man next in line to succeed Nelson, said on the occasion. Throughout his many years of service as a surgeon, general authority, and husband and father, he has blessed countless lives. Weve all heard Elder Uchtdorfs German accent during his general conference talks, but we dont often hear him speak in his native language. Nelson has published several books over the years, including a memoir titled From Heart to Heart (1979). He has previously served as a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for about 34 years and in 2015, became the quorum president. Hes always been consistent. It really changed things for the better., Elder Ulisses Soares and President M. Russell Ballard visited Brazilian members in August of this year. He also landed a job as an assistant secretary at a bank. Many modern-day apostles who know languages other than English have spoken to Saints in their native tongues around the world. In 2014, the University of Minnesota Medical School honoured Nelson with the Surgical Alumnus of the Year Award. But I do recall my own feelings and the nature of the expressions of my brethren. He taught his children to ski between his legs, to ride a bike and to drive. [3] But even a slowed Nelson remains on the job, and he walked out of the Conference Center auditorium after Saturdays and Sundays sessions without assistance. President Nelson excitedly accepted the challenge and became fluent in Mandarin. program a year early. The distance between the Church Administration Building and the Salt Lake Temple is a few hundred yards a usual trek for the brethren as they make their way to the Temple for their weekly meeting. I think maybe thats how he balances things., Russell Nelson Jr. said people often ask him what it is like to be an Apostles son. When Danztel Nelson joined the Tabernacle Choir, President Nelson stepped in. He read to them often. The LDS Church in Africa now has one website for all Church news on the continent: http://news-africa.churchofjesuschrist.org. After teaching the saints about faith and hope, he bore his testimony in their native language: Russian. . The passing of our mother, we could tell, was a deep hit for him.. Temples are some of the most beautiful places on earth, but the work that takes place inside of them is what makes them sacred. In the 1930s, Mormon apostle John A. Widtsoe described two kinds of revelation, said historian Matthew Bowman, author of The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith., The first type is the one employed by Smith and his immediate successor, Brigham Young, which pertained to the cosmos and the kingdom of God., The second is more mundane, day-to-day things of the kingdom, said Bowman, paraphrasing Widtsoe. He is a consummate gentleman, said Elder Holland. Dr. Nelson served as a medic in the United States Army for two years during the Korean war, travelling to Washington, D.C.; Korea; and Japan. After President Nelson completed his medical education, he quickly became a renowned heart surgeon. Later in 2022, she would go to his state, Kentucky, to speak at the University of Louisvilles McConnell Center, where she was praised by the minority leader as the most Growing up, President Nelsons parents were not active members of the Church but felt it was important for a young Russell to attend Sunday School on a weekly basis. Emphasizing the churchs full name and eschewing its long-standing Mormon nickname? In November of 2014, he received a medal for his diligent service during the Korean War. He was sustained in a Solemn Assembly New chart showing First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | April 2023, Fun match game on Latter-day Prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FREE General Conference Packet from LDS Daily (printables, coupons, and more! President Nelson has also been able to address the Latter-day Saints in South America in Spanish, which has been a huge blessing for them. On January 29, 1995, Emily died of cancer when she was 37 years old. Nelson and the R word: Why this Mormon prophet speaks more Kyrsten Sinemas Party of One - The New York Times Late Church President Spencer W. Kimball speaks with Elder Russell M. Nelson, who performed life-saving open-heart surgery on President Kimball and now has As told in Sheri Dews biography of President NelsonInsights From A Prophets LifePresident Nelson was persuaded to join a production ofHayfoot, Strawfootby his close friend Gail Plummer. While there, he and his team developed one of the first machines that could perform the functions of a patients heart and lungs during open-heart surgery. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Few of them express their impressions as Joseph Smith did., When Latter-day Saint presidents say that they felt inspired or received an impression, she wrote in an email, they ARE saying that it is a revelation.. Subsequent Latter-day Saint prophets were less comfortable than Smith attaching thus saith the Lord to their admonitions. In that first sermon, the Latter-day Saint prophet reiterated that the privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to his children., Before Nelsons appointment more than 34 years ago to full-time church service as an apostle, he was a renowned heart surgeon. He just stood up and did what was needed and would do that with anyone., Elder Holland remembers receiving a blessing from President Nelson before he underwent surgery. Of course we did everything we could to persuade him to accept an offer that we knew was being extended, recalled President Oaks, then a counselor in the Chicago stake presidency and now first counselor in the new First Presidency, of the Nov. 21, 1965, dinner. In July of 2015 he was call as the president of the Quorum of the. She was 78 at the time of her sudden death. But they rarely went to the God spoke to me rhetoric., Modern Mormons typically say weve been praying and feel inspired, Mason said. While serving as the general president of the Sunday School, President Nelson attended a meeting where then-President Spencer W. Kimball urged those in the meeting to learn Chinese. Elder Richard G. Scottwas known for recording his general conference talks in advance in Spanish and Portuguese. He stated that he would never forget the feeling I had as his heart resumed beating, leaping with power and vigor. Following his internship, he spent three years on a team that would make medical history. However, they made sure that he attended Sunday School regularly. By his own account, Russell M. Nelson speaks often to God, or, rather, God speaks often to him. Read about President Nelsons visit with the president of Peru here. Nelson He was later elected as the chairman of its executive committee. The Nelsons and their vast posterity still hold monthly family home evenings, noted Sister Webster. Born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Russell Nelson was one of the four children of Marion Clavar Nelson (18971990) and Floss Edna Nelson (ne Anderson; 18931983). Their children fondly remember that both parents showed their love by making time for each child a top priority. With an education theycan do a little more; with advanced medical degrees and training, a little more yet can be done. Dr. Wu visited the University of Utah and President Nelson visited China. The Lord inspired him. He is very, very kind.. We should pray for them and help them. In a Worldwide Youth Devotional, President Nelson recalled the experience saying, I did not hear him say, Everyone except Brother Nelson!. Nelson attended LDS Business College, concurrently with high school enrolment. Sister Wendy Watson Nelson and President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak during Family Discovery Day at RootsTech on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We joined [President Kimball] in prayer in the most sacred of circumstances, recalled Gordon B. Hinckley, who was an apostle at the time and later rose to church president. He adds a unique touch to his Instagram posts, typing out the caption twice: once in English and once in Portuguese. In 1971 he was called to be the General Sunday School President, and in 1984 he became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. While stationed in Korea, he visited every M.A.S.H. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also significantly involved in the advancement of valvular surgery. Because of the lifting and stabilizing effort of President Nelson, Elder Wirthlin was able to complete the address. Thomas Monson died on January 2, 2018, and subsequently, Nelson was assumed to be the likely successor to the presidency. He described it in a 2001 General Conference sermon as a plan which we believe is inspired by the Lord.. Smith reported a visionary experience with God and Jesus as well as the spiritual ability to translate ancient scripture including the faiths Book of Mormon into modern English. The language of that blessing wasnt a medical opinion. During a celebration in honor of his 95th birthday, it was announced that President Nelson has spoken to more than one million members in congregations around the world, traveled over 90,000 miles, met with more than 100 world and religious leaders, and visited 28 countries, all within the first year and a half of his time as President of the Church. Dr. Russell M. Nelson during an operation. Over 30 years of service as an apostle have prepared him physically and spiritually to lead the Church. . He earned his B.A. He will do this in unique and individual ways that are suited specifically to you as you seek to increase your spiritual capacity. The full devotional is also available online in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and American Sign Language here. President Russell M. Nelson is now the oldest President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.. Russell Marion Nelson was born September 9, 1924, in He mentioned that he was typically supposed to sit at the front of the room, but he became increasingly uncomfortable sitting in his chair. At that very moment, the Spirit made known to me that this special patient would live to become the prophet of God on earth.. The Lord really does speak to him in the night, Reid said on a recent episode of The Salt Lake Tribunes Mormon Land podcast. Wendy W. Nelson Share About the Author Haley Lundberg During his nearly five-year tenure, the churchs 17th president has launched a number of reforms, led the worldwide faith of 16.8 million members through a worldwide pandemic, announced plans for 100 new temples, and visited every continent, save for Antarctica. He greeted the Canadian saints in French and spoke of the importance of following Jesus Christ. Bonus if it speaks specifically to the uniqueness of living a faithful LDS lifestyle. The top 10 changes President Russell M. Nelson has There is a real difference between how generally 19th-century people speak about revelation and prophecy (and speaking in tongues, and healing, and other gifts of the Spirit) and how current and recent generations do, Parshall said. He, in turn, did what he could to support her. He was sad and he missed her, just like anybody would after so many years of life together, said President Nelsons granddaughter Katie Irion Owens. He graduated first in his class from medical school at age 22. It was as though something were saying to me, There is no new organization necessary to take care of the needs of this people. On June 18, 2018, the church revealed that the First Presidency has established several committees that have been assigned the task to create one hymnbook for the church. One of the 800 missionaries in attendance said, It was so inspiring to listen to an Apostle speaking in Portuguese. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/russell-m-nelson-18602.php, 20th Century Spiritual & Religious Leaders, 21st Century Spiritual & Religious Leaders. He and his wife, Dantzel, selected a neighborhood where they could raise their nine daughters (the Nelsons 10th child, a son, was born later) and contemplated the professional and research opportunities the job would afford. It was faith.. In his service as an apostle, Elder Nelson made a special effort to speak to members around the world in their native language, often ending his talks with his testimony spoken from his own lips in Spanish, Russian, German, Mandarin, French, and other languages. Sister Webster said her father returned the unfailing support her mother offered him. President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson shows his phone to a great-granddaughter. But there was a Pentecostal spirit., The assembled men did not hear a voice audible to our physical ears, Hinckley said. M. Russell Ballard In his newly updated book, The Second Coming of the Lord, Elder Gerald N. Lund shares an experience he had with President Russell M. Nelson, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, while eating lunch in the Church Administration Building. President Russell M. Nelson has often related the fateful day in medical school when he was instructedneverto touch the human heart. Newsroom reported that as President Nelson began speaking to the Saints in Peru, he announced to the delight and applause of the audience that he would speak in Spanish, which he did for more than 15 minutes.. By. That hardly means these men shied away from mentioning their revelatory experiences in private or from referring openly to their prayers and pleadings with the Lord. The first, created in September 2020 for the faiths Spanish speakers, is http://noticias.laiglesiadejesucristo.org. The current Latter-day Saint leader, on the other hand, speaks boldly of his prayer life and divine mandates. After all, members believe that their movement began with founder Joseph Smiths directions from God in a New York forest not to join any other church but to start his own. All rights reserved. Heres a look at three of them that have inspired me recently. They now travel and speak together often, uplifting and instructing members of the Church worldwide. His medical degree was as well used in the Korean War conflict, and his love of serving and helping others was felt throughout his medical career. He would later say he felt the finest career that would be available to a human being would be that of a mother. ", Nelsons immediate predecessor, President Thomas S. Monson, then declared the mind of the Lord and the will of the Lord., Each of us during that sacred moment felt a spiritual confirmation, Nelson said, in the first official explanation of the hotly debated policys origins. Elder Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Sister Dantzel White Nelson, who died in 2005. Instead, he started taking part in the administrative side of medicine and was subsequently picked as the president of the Utah State Medical Association. Elder Andersen accompanied President Nelson on a visit to Canada in August. He met with then-Church President David O. McKay. Elder Uchtdorfs TV interview. A seated President Russell M. Nelson speaks at General Conference on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. But no one can dodge the passage of time, and Saturdays address marked the first time Nelson has delivered a conference sermon while sitting down. On April 12, 1984, he was made an apostle by Gordon B. Hinckley. Jana Riess. Living But the voice of the [Holy] Spirit whispered with certainty into our minds and our very souls.. He held an artificial heart valve in his hand and explained how it worked. Nelson is preparing the faithful for the long-awaited Second Coming of Christ, Reid said, and relaying Gods will is a key factor in that readying. He was baptized at age 16; his desire and drive to be part of the Church came much from within, said his son. Even in those moments, however, she is never one to mince words, or to linger. Those existing country-specific pages now redirect to this new hub for Church news in Africa. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. In 1985 until 1990, President Nelson was extended the calling to open the doors to missionary work within the countries of Eastern Europe. What he may not have anticipated was how many hearts he would touch figuratively through his testimony, words of wisdom, and inspiring example. One member said, The members were overjoyed to see President Nelson. When hes at work, hes 100 percent at work. Russell Marion Nelson was born September 9, 1924, a native of Utah. Have a post idea? It was the last surgery he ever performed and it created much goodwill, according to lds.org. Russell M. Nelson Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family All that is necessary is to put the priesthood of God to work.. Her name wasDantzelWhite, and the two were married three years later in 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. During his South American ministry tour, President Russell M. Nelson addressed Peruvian Latter-day Saints in their native language of Spanish. This site publishes breaking news in English relevant to the entire region. During these trips, and prior to being called as Church President in January 2018, Nelson has consistently shared his testimony of Jesus Christ in the Spanish language, according to church information. In that capacity he was a physician filled with love for those who he could serve.. He spent his birthday working at his office in the Church Administration Building in downtown Salt Lake City. I remember him standing in front of the class . All rights reserved. Following the deaths of the Quorum members LeGrand Richards and Mark E. Petersen, Nelson became the member of the Quorum of the Twelve and Dallin H. Oaks was also sustained in the same position. In 1985, Nelson, along with his colleague Conrad B. Jenson, operated on Chinese opera performer Fang Rongxiang. Last year, he shared a TV interview from 30 years ago when he was serving as a stake president, the chief pilot of Lufthansa, and the chair of the temple committee for the Frankfurt, Germany temple. 11 Times Apostles Spoke to Latter-day Saints in Their and M.D. President Nelson Is Now Oldest President of The Church 1926). President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 2, 2023. During the April general conference, Nelson revealed that he is seeking to dissolve the high priest groups at the ward level. A renowned heart surgeon during his professional career, Nelson has been known for his incredible vigor and health even as he grows older. I do not recall the exact words that he spoke. Identical French and Portuguese news websites for Africa will follow, according to the church statement. talking to us about what he did. Nelson responded, I dont know about that, but I have the faith! That faith served him as he continued to serve both his patients and the members of his stake. Neither of his parents was an active Mormon when Nelson was young. President Russell M. Nelson was set apart as the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Jan. 14, after serving 34 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. His career in medicine included receiving doctoral degrees from the University of Utah and University of Minnesota, and additional advanced work in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. The patient was an adult with an atrial septal defect. This team developed the first machine capable of performing the functions of a human heart and lungs during surgery, making open-heart surgery a real possibility for the first time. President Nelson put one hand on the Apostles shoulder and grabbed his belt with the other. I was moved to tears under his hands, he said. He graduated from the University of Utah with his bachelors degree in 1945, and then summa cum laude with an MD in 1947, at the age of 22. Watch: President Russell M. Nelson surprises Latter-day Many of the stories mentioned in this article can be found in Sheri Dews biography of President Nelson entitled, Insights From a Prophets Life. Indeed, in his first nearly nine months as the Utah-based faiths top prophet, seer and revelator," Nelson has used the term revelation again and again to describe his motivation for initiatives and changes. In 2018, he became the recipient of Utah Technology Innovation Summits Governor's Medal of Science: Lifetime Achievement Award. On Monday, September 9th, President Russell M. Nelson will be celebrating his 95th birthday. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A seated President Russell M. Nelson speaks at General Conference on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. He learned the language as a missionary and said, I felt it a great privilege to be able to testify of Jesus Christ and of His role as our Savior and Redeemer in Japanese to our Japanese Saints. Her name was. Prophets have different gifts, different styles. Late Church President Spencer W. Kimball speaks with Elder Russell M. Nelson, who performed life-saving open-heart surgery on President Kimball and now has followed in his footsteps to become president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, at Machu Picchu. Nelson brought about several important changes to the church policies. An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, Dr. Nelson received his B.A. Dr. Russell M. Nelson performs cardiac surgery. President Russell M. Nelson with a granddaughter. LDS President Russell M. Nelson launches Spanish