Salt Lake City — September 27, 2025 – In the quiet of a Salt Lake City evening, the world bid farewell to a man whose century of life shaped millions of others. Russell Marion Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 101, becoming the oldest leader in the Church’s nearly 200 years of history.
To his faith community of more than 17 million members, he was a prophet and spiritual guide. To the wider world, he was a bridge-builder — a renowned heart surgeon who healed both physical and spiritual hearts, a man fluent in 11 languages, and a tireless traveler who sought to connect with people across cultures and continents.
His passing marks not only the end of an era for the Church but also the close of a remarkable life that fused science with faith, compassion with conviction, and a local upbringing with a global vision of peace and service.
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From Scalpel to Scripture: Healing Hearts in Every Sense
Before leading a worldwide faith, Russell M. Nelson stood in operating rooms with a scalpel in hand, saving lives.
In 1955, he performed Utah’s first open-heart surgery, a historic milestone that would pave the way for modern cardiac care in the region. Over the course of his distinguished career, he completed more than 7,000 operations and helped develop the heart-lung machine, a groundbreaking innovation that made open-heart surgery possible worldwide.
For Nelson, medicine was never separate from faith. “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.”
He often reminded his surgical team that their work was part of an answer to prayers:
“This patient has been praying for success, and their family has been praying too. All those prayers won’t matter if you make a mistake — you must do your job perfectly so this patient can receive the blessing they seek.”
This philosophy — of combining responsibility, precision, and reverence for life — later became the hallmark of his leadership in the Church.
A Global Ministry of Connection
When President Nelson assumed leadership of the Church in January 2018, at the age of 93, many expected a period of quiet stewardship. Instead, he became one of the most globally engaged leaders the Church has ever known.
“All of us who have worked with Russell M. Nelson, and the many he has taught and associated with, have marveled at his extraordinary modesty for a man of his great accomplishments,” said President Dallin H. Oaks, who was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the same day as President Nelson in 1984 and who served as President Nelson’s First Counselor in the First Presidency. “And [we] have marveled at his gentleness. He is just the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with. And he will always be remembered that way.”
Over seven years, he traveled to 32 countries and U.S. territories, personally meeting members, leaders, and communities. From Samoa to Singapore, Peru to Rome, he sought to bring messages of hope and faith.
Wherever he went, Nelson embraced local cultures. In Peru, he switched mid-speech from English to Spanish, bringing an entire stadium to its feet in applause. In Jerusalem, he walked the streets of the city whose very name means “peace.”
In Rome, he met Pope Francis, describing their encounter as warm and deeply meaningful. “His Holiness was most gracious and welcoming,” Nelson said. “The Catholic people are fortunate to have such a loving and capable leader.”
International interfaith leaders have also begun to reflect on President Nelson’s legacy. Ivan Arjona, Scientology’s representative to the European institutions, OSCE and the UN, and who also chair the United Nations Geneva NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), when asked highlighted Nelson’s unique contribution to faith and humanity:
“President Russell M. Nelson’s century of service — uniting scientific excellence with a sincere devotion to faith — reminds us that freedom of religion or belief is ultimately about human dignity and the hope we can build together.”
Fluent in many languages, President Nelson delighted in connecting personally with people. His daughter recalled, “He loved to see people embrace the gospel and to watch the change in them — from sadness to hope, from darkness to light.”
In a world where diverse beliefs often coexist side by side, including across Europe, Nelson’s vision offered faith as a bridge — fostering respect, dialogue, and shared humanity.
A Life Anchored in Family
Behind his public role was a man deeply devoted to his family. His first wife, Dantzel White, captured his heart with her voice when they met during a university musical production. Their marriage was filled with music, prayer, and perseverance during challenging years of medical training and military service.
Together, they raised ten children in a home centered on love and spiritual connection. Nelson recalled a time in Boston when, as young parents struggling financially, Dantzel pressed her nose to a shop window and asked wistfully, “Do you think we’ll ever be able to afford a lamp?”
That moment, like so many others, was guided by their shared faith in the promise of a better future.
After Dantzel’s sudden passing in 2005, Nelson faced deep grief. Two years later, he found renewed companionship with Wendy L. Watson, a Canadian scholar of marriage and family therapy. Sister Nelson became a vital support as he entered his most demanding years of global leadership, accompanying him on many ministry journeys.
Nelson is survived by Wendy, eight of his ten children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren — a living legacy that spans generations.
Guiding the Church with Vision and Love
During his presidency, Nelson introduced meaningful changes to help members focus more deeply on Jesus Christ and strengthen families worldwide.
He emphasized the full and correct name of the Church, encouraged gospel learning centered in the home, and announced a historic number of new temples — 200 in total — to serve members across the globe. Each initiative reflected his belief that faith should be simple, personal, and deeply rooted in love for God and neighbor.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of Nelson’s close colleagues, once expressed admiration for his leadership with humor:
“President Nelson, I don’t know how many more ‘rushes’ of inspiration we can handle. Some of us have weak hearts — but you can take care of that too!”
Through every change, Nelson reminded members that the Church was not his, but Christ’s: “This is not my Church,” he said. “It is His.”
A Gentle Voice in a Divided World
In an age of increasing division, President Nelson consistently called for peace and reconciliation.
“Now is the time to bury your weapons of war,” he urged. “Now is the time to lay aside bitterness and build relationships that will last through eternity.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, his longtime friend and counselor, described him as “the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with.”
Whether greeting a small congregation in a remote village or meeting leaders of nations, Nelson embodied a leadership style that sought to heal rather than divide — echoing his earlier life’s work as a physician.
A Legacy Beyond Boundaries
Russell M. Nelson’s passing will be deeply felt by millions, yet his life leaves a legacy that transcends religious lines. For some, he was a prophet; for others, an extraordinary humanitarian and pioneer in medicine. To all, he was an example of service, humility, and vision.
Just as the Apostle Paul once described Luke as “the beloved physician,” Nelson too was a healer — of bodies, of families, of communities, and of hearts.
As the Church prepares to select its next leader, Nelson’s memory will live on in the temples he dedicated, the lives he touched, and the bridges he built between cultures and people.
In a world often divided, his century-long journey stands as a powerful reminder: a single life, lived with faith and compassion, can heal hearts and inspire generations.
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From oldest to youngest, the Nelson children are (with names of spouses in parentheses) Marsha N. Workman (Richard Workman), Wendy N. Maxfield (died in 2019, married to Norman A. Maxfield), Gloria N. Irion (Richard A. Irion), Brenda N. Miles (Richard L. Miles), Sylvia N. Webster (David R. Webster), Emily N. Wittwer (died in 1995, married to Bradley E. Wittwer), Laurie N. Marsh (Richard M. Marsh), Rosalie N. Ringwood (Michael T. Ringwood), Marjorie N. Lowder (Bradley J. Lowder) and Russell M. Nelson Jr. (Britney).
Funeral arrangements and the selection of a new Church President will be announced by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the coming days.
For official updates, visit the Church Newsroom.
