SALT LAKE CITY — Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a former world-renowned heart surgeon, died peacefully Saturday at his home in Salt Lake City. He was 101.
Nelson, who became the oldest president in the Church’s history, passed away shortly after 10 p.m. MDT, according to a Church statement. He had served as the faith’s leader since Jan. 14, 2018, and his tenure will be remembered for a global ministry, a record number of new temples and profound, frequent changes to the Church’s structure and practices.
Prior to his full-time Church service, Nelson was a gifted surgeon revered worldwide. He performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah in 1955 and completed more than 7,000 operations during his career. He served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association. His professional accomplishments were matched by his academic work, which included authoring numerous medical textbook chapters and lecturing at institutions around the globe. He was also conversant in 11 languages.
His medical career and faith were deeply intertwined. As a physician, he was perhaps best known for his part in developing an artificial heart and lung machine, a groundbreaking achievement made possible with the support of his first wife, Dantzel. He said his medical work heightened his appreciation for life. “I think a surgeon is in a unique position to understand one of God’s greatest creations — the human body,” he once said. “Every segment of the body motivates me to faith.”
A defining moment that fused his two callings occurred in 1972 when he was asked to perform a high-risk surgery on Spencer W. Kimball, who was then a senior apostle of the Church. Before the operation, Nelson felt a strong impression that Kimball would not only survive but would one day become the Church president. Kimball went on to serve as president for another 13 years.
President Dallin H. Oaks, who was called as an apostle on the same day as Nelson in 1984, described him as “the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with.”
As Church president, Nelson traveled extensively, visiting 32 countries and U.S. territories to meet with church members, along with government and religious leaders. His global outreach was matched by an unprecedented number of new temples. He announced plans for 200 new temples, a move that will dramatically increase the number of temples worldwide.
Nelson was also known for his efforts to build bridges with other faiths and organizations. In a historic meeting in March 2019, he became the first Church president to visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican. He also fostered a close relationship with the NAACP, speaking at the civil rights organization’s annual convention and collaborating on educational and humanitarian initiatives.
He became known as a “prophet of change” for the many adjustments he implemented. He urged members to use the Church’s full name, shifted the emphasis of gospel instruction to be centered in the home, and modified policies for children of LGBT parents. He also introduced a new youth program, changed the Church’s symbol to include a portrayal of Jesus Christ, and adjusted temple recommend interview questions.
Jeffrey R. Holland, a fellow apostle, once humorously said after a series of announcements, “President Nelson, I don’t know how many more ‘rushes’ we can handle this weekend. Some of us have weak hearts. But as I think about it, you can take care of that too. What a prophet!”
Nelson’s family life was also a central part of his story. He met his first wife, Dantzel, while singing in a musical at the University of Utah, and they were married for nearly 60 years until her unexpected passing in 2005. They had 10 children, nine girls and one boy. He later married Wendy L. Watson in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, eight of his children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren.
A master teacher, Nelson was able to “heal hearts” both physically and spiritually, according to President Oaks. He was described by his daughter as a loving father who, despite a busy schedule, made time for every important family milestone.
A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after Nelson’s funeral. The Church, which now numbers more than 17 million members, will be led by the senior apostle until a new president is called.