The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over 30 years of service as an apostle have prepared him physically and spiritually to lead the Church. M. Russell Ballard Getting to know President Russell M. Nelson of the First Presidency The Lord instructed him. Early on in his time at the university, he participated in a school play, where the lead soprano captured his attention. 11 Times Apostles Spoke to Latter-day Saints in Their Elder Andersen spoke French while on a ministry tour to the Pacific Islands. President Nelson attended LDS Business College and the University of Utah before receiving his PhD from the University of Minnesota. And last month, Nelson turned 98. Why did President Russell M. Nelson, global leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, deliver his sermons Saturday and Sunday at General Conference while seated at the podium? Just because Nelson is a bit of a throwback to earlier times, said Mormon historian Ardis Parshall, doesnt negate his experience. [2]MarvinK. Gardner, Elder Russell M. Nelson: Applying Divine Laws, Ensign, June 1984, BYU Speeches . Thats the kind of affection he has for his brethren, said President Ballard. Learn how your comment data is processed. One of the 800 missionaries in attendance said, It was so inspiring to listen to an Apostle speaking in Portuguese. The article continues, In 2015, President Nelson was named an old friend of China for his work to introduce open-heart surgery to the country.. And thankfully, there a He has saved thousands of lives through his diligent work, including an open-heart surgery on then-President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Spencer W. Kimball. In 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson. Why LDS Church President Russell Nelson delivered his After dating for three years, the couple married on August 31, 1945, in the Salt Lake Temple. The other day it occurred to me that I have been alive during nearly half of the number of years since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830. 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. 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 Nelsons father was a journalist who worked for the Deseret News. However, a patient home teacher and kind sales clerk at Deseret Book helped introduce Russell to the Gospel and he was baptized at the age of 16. In November of 2014, he received a medal for his diligent service during the Korean War. . Despite a rigorous schedule and, for a long time, very little money, she never complained. 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. September 7, 2019 Temples are some of the most beautiful places on earth, but the work that takes place inside of them is what makes them sacred. They clearly believed they were inspired by God and willingly assumed the prophetic mantle, said Patrick Mason, head of Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate University. In that capacity he was a physician filled with love for those who he could serve.. On the campus of Church headquarters, many of the iconic locations such as Temple Square, the Conference Center, as well as the Church Office Building are connected through intricate underground tunnels to assist the brethren in moving easily between the locations without respect for weather or crowds. Honorary Russell Nelson Jr., however, does not remember ever beating his father in the game. Sure enough, President Nelson has touched many human hearts in his lifetime. All rights reserved. She saw that they would soon be having a beautiful baby boy. Yes, President Russell M. Nelson does speak Spanish . . First and foremost, he said, President Nelson is kind. He was recruited very aggressively by the University of Chicago, explained Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This development saved the lives of countless patients, many in the hands of Dr. Nelson himself. Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox, The three things you need to know everyday, Highlights from the last week to keep you informed. Such statements echoed words and phrases used by Kimball and others to describe their experience ending the racial ban in 1978. This ceremony took place at the Salt Lake Temple as well. Nelson was awarded the Heart of Gold Award by American Heart Association in 2002. 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. Web7 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools Melvin Russell Ballard Jr. (born October 8, 1928) is an American businessman and religious leader who is currently the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). If you'd like to see about providing a guest post on MLH, contact us and tell us about it. STE 1058, Provo, UT 84601, LDS President Russell M. Nelson launches Spanish-language Instagram account, http://news-africa.churchofjesuschrist.org, http://noticias.laiglesiadejesucristo.org. He was also significantly involved in the advancement of valvular surgery. But I will admit that sometimes even small adjustments such as a chair help those of us who age on stage.. Danztel died Feb. 12, 2005, just shy of the Nelsons 60th wedding anniversary. 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. On January 29, 1995, Emily died of cancer when she was 37 years old. 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. Despite a rigorous schedule and, for a long time, very little money, she never complained. 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. Wendy, you wont believe whats been happening, the church president told his wife, according to Andersens account. He also served the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as organist at their weekly meetings. Between 2007 and 2015, he served as a member of the Church Boards of Trustees/Education, which is the governing body of the Church Educational System. Read about President Nelsons visit with the president of Peru here. When hes at work, hes 100 percent at work. When hes home, hes 100 percent at home. 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. Brother Russell Nelson Jr. said losing his mother was deeply sad, especially for his father. | Tribune file photo He also served the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as organist at their weekly meetings. Some noticed that I sat on a chair to deliver my message this morning. Take this dive to refresh your memory, renew your commitment, and receive the promised blessings! Emphasizing the churchs full name and eschewing its long-standing Mormon nickname? Dr. Russell M. Nelson performs cardiac surgery. Russell and Dantzel Nelson cut their wedding cake on Aug. 31, 1945. My wife Wendy insists that she still cant get me to act my age. A renowned heart surgeon during his professional career, Nelson has been known for his incredible vigor and health even as he grows older. New apostles? The patient was an adult with an atrial septal defect. Their children fondly remember that both parents showed their love by making time for each child a top priority. 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!. In a speech from Brigham Young University-Hawaii to the faiths millennials everywhere, Nelson explained the policys reasoning. After his first marriage in 1945, he served the church as a counsellor in bishoprics and as a member of a stake high council. As a devout member of the LDS Church, Russell M. Nelson has been actively involved in the matters pertaining to the church while simultaneously maintaining a busy career in medicine. Sister Ardeth Kapp, former Young Women general president, said that President Nelson asks significant questions, then listens and encourages. . I dont really remember understanding everything he said medically. For example, Thursday was designated as her day to do what she likedparticularly for volunteering at the LDS Hospital and singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choirand he made sure to be home those nights to free her up. He was baptized at age 16; his desire and drive to be part of the Church came much from within, said his son. Dr. Zhang eventually retired to Canada and decided to join the Church. . He now has 57 grandchildren, and 119 great-grandchildren. Their children fondly remember that both parents showed their love by making time for each child a top priority. That is how, Nelson said, revelation works. He often enjoys taking a family member with him on such excursions, and recently it was reported that he has visited 133 different nations. He has also received honorary degrees from Brigham Young University (Doctor of Science) in 1970, Utah State University (Doctor of Medical Science) in 1989, and Snow College (Doctor of Humane Letters) in 1994. As President Russell M. Nelson uttered those first few words in Spanish, surprised faces in the congregation glanced up from their notebooks. What a help that was! he wrote Saturday on Facebook. to touch the human heart. They also supported their son in his education, which he pursued diligently. By David Noyce | Oct. He was part of the research team that built the heart-lung machine which was instrumental during the first ever human open-heart surgery using mechanical takeover of heart and lungs (cardiopulmonary bypass) in 1951. 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 had three siblings, one brother, Robert Harold (19312014), and two sisters, Marjory Edna (19202016) and Enid (b. I was moved to tears under his hands, he said. As the couples ate dinner in the Oaks home and spoke about the Church in Chicago, a lasting friendship formed. The current Latter-day Saint leader, on the other hand, speaks boldly of his prayer life and divine mandates. Elder Russell M. Nelson talks about the change in ages for missionaries after the Saturday morning session of general conference Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News, Deseret News. talking to us about what he did. Six weeks later, President Nelson was attending the annual meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. This helps many Portuguese-speaking members read Elder Soares testimony without losing any of his powerful words in translation. Russell M. Nelson. Nelson was a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 34 years, and was the quorum president from 2015 to 2018. As church president, Nelson is accepted by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Nelson brought about several important changes to the church policies. Prophets have different gifts, different styles. Nelson also visited Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. In fact, one person told me that many were very impressed with his magnificent Swedish., Elder Stevenson traveled to Japan in August to address the youth and answer their questions in a Face to Face event. I do not recall the exact words that he spoke. In April 2018, he travelled all over the world and came across people of the LDS faith in London, England; Jerusalem; Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; Bengaluru, India; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong; and Laie, Hawaii. Elder Richard G. Scottwas known for recording his general conference talks in advance in Spanish and Portuguese. President Russell M. Nelson with his daughter Sylvia and three of his great-grandchildren. Photo courtesy of the Nelson family. President Russell M. Nelson with a grandson. After the death of his predecessor, Thomas S. Monson, in January 2018, Nelson assumed the role of the Church President. How seriously do you take President Russell M. Nelson as the Lords prophet today? He didnt make a big fanfare about things. Do you have the time?. We love to post articles that help people live fuller, more vibrant lives. This development saved the lives of countless patients, many in the hands of Dr. Nelson himself. Nelson attended LDS Business College, concurrently with high school enrolment. Incredible things happened as a result of President Nelson deciding to follow the prophet. President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Watson Nelson in Pennsylvania at the dedication of the newly developed Priesthood Restoration Site in 2015. He would be made head of the department. 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. At the age of 16, he graduated from high school and subsequently started attending the University of Utah. Nelson uses old-style language and is possibly unique in that style among recent leaders, Parshall said, but I think its only his language, not his claimed experiences, that are unique.. He described it in a 2001 General Conference sermon as a plan which we believe is inspired by the Lord.. Early on in his time at the university, he participated in a school play, where the lead soprano captured his attention. Between 1971 and 1979, he was the General President of LDS Church's Sunday School. The top 10 changes President Russell M. Nelson has He stated that he would never forget the feeling I had as his heart resumed beating, leaping with power and vigor. 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. At that very moment, the Spirit made known to me that this special patient would live to become the prophet of God on earth.. Brother Joseph Wirthlin Jr. said President Nelson acted with quiet humility., He stood up, and let Dad finish his talk, he said. As the lights were turned down for a slide presentation, I slipped out of my chair and walked quietly to the back of the room. When the lights turned on, he realized he was sitting by Professor Wu Ying-Kai, a doctor from Beijing, China. When Angels Saved President Russell M President Russell M. Nelson with a grandson. Years ago, I had the desire to learn the language of my Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters, President Nelson said in his first Instagram Reel. . Click on the link here to purchase your copy on LDS Bookstore. Nelson (Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley (left) and James E. Faust at the Saturday afternoon session of the 174th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center, April 3, 2004. Russell Marion Nelson Sr. is an American religious leader, author, philanthropist, and former surgeon, who is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as its 17th and current president. He also landed a job as an assistant secretary at a bank. He then joined the group of researchers who created the heart-lung machine that was utilized during the first-ever human open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in March 1951. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In the fall of 1965, Russell M. Nelson a surgeon and Salt Lake City stake president made several trips to Illinois to look into an attractive and generous offer to head cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Chicago. After his graduation from the University of Utah, President Nelson interned at the University of Minnesota. After he earned his MD, Russel Nelson completed an internship at the University of Minnesota, where he later returned to earn a PhD in 1954. Nelson and the R word: Why this Mormon prophet speaks more It was not Dr. Nelson who would have known anything and every thing about whatever was going on with a few bones and joints. There was a hallowed and sanctified atmosphere in the room., For Hinckley, it felt as if a conduit opened between the heavenly throne and the kneeling, pleading prophet of God who was joined by his brethren, he told members a decade after the experience.