Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of the last days dies in 101

Salt Lake City (ABC4) -Russell M. Nelson, the 17th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of the last days, died, confirmed church officials on Saturday night. He was 101 years old.

Nelson, the oldest president in the history of the Church, died peacefully shortly after the 10 PM MDT today at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church officials.

In the official launch of this news, President Dallin H. Oaks said: “All of us who have worked with Russell M. Nelson, and the many that he has taught and associated, have marveled ourselves of his extraordinary modesty for a man of his great achievements.” Oaks was called to serve in the quorum of the twelve apostles the same day as President Nelson in 1984 and who served as the first advisor of President Nelson in the first presidency.

He continued: “And (we) we have marveled at his kindness. He is the most gentle and sweet person with whom you could expect to associate. And he will always be remembered in that way.”

Born on September 9, 1924, Nelson and his late Dantzel White had 10 children together, 57 grandchildren and more than 100 great -grandchildren. In December 2020, he became a great -grandfather and his second wife Wendy L. Watson survived.

Nelson served as president and prophet for the Sud Church from his call on January 14, 2018, at the age of 93. It happened to President Thomas S. Monson, who died only twelve days before at the age of 90. In his presidential call, Nelson became the second oldest man to assume the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Before his time in the presidency, Nelson was internationally recognized as a surgeon and medical researcher. He obtained his medical degree at the University of Utah and was part of the team that pioneered the development of the Heart-Lung machine and conducted the first open heart surgery in Utah in 1955.

“He was part of that story, of what we all take today to absolutely granted,” said the surgical director of the Cardiac Mechanical Support Program and Heart Transplant in Dr. Craig Selzman of U of U of Nelson.

His professional work included working as a surgery research professor and director of the Ruvian residence in the U of U. He also served as president of the Thoracic Surgery Division at the Sud Hospital in Salt Lake City and completed a two -year medical journey for the United States army during the Korean War.

Nelson captured his medical career with numerous publications in medical textbooks, obtaining several awards, including the heart of the gold of the American Heart Association, the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement and the distinguished Alumni Award from the U of U.

Nelson’s service to the church was nothing less than devout. He held numerous positions of responsibility in the Church, serving as president of the Bonneville stake from 1964 to 1971, when he was called the General President of the Sunday School. Later, Nelson was called to serve in the quorum of the twelve apostles in April 1984, a position that he held until his call to the presidency.

Throughout his religious service, Nelson regularly encouraged church members to develop a closer relationship with Christ. In his first year as president, he announced that the Church would no longer use the nickname “Mormon” that he had embraced for almost two centuries and would more clearly emphasize the name “Jesus Christ.”

President Nelson gave church members greater access to church temples. As president, he announced the construction of more than 100 new temples, including multiple in Utah, more than any church president before him.

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