rules, Utes seeing transfer portals impact on college gymnastics, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives., The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith, We joined [President Kimball] in prayer in the most sacred of circumstances,, Salt Lake Tribunes Mormon Land podcast. 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. He also visited China and forged close professional relationships with the medical community there. 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 Right away he began thinking of the principle that all things work under the direction of laws, and so he must be able, if he learned the laws of the heart well enough, to imitate its functions in order to perform life-saving operations. He has authored many articles and textbook chapters, lectured nationally and internationally, and served as president, director, or chairman of several national medical associations. (Jeremy Harmon | The Salt Lake Tribune) President Russell M. Nelson waves to the crowd at the end of Sunday morning session of General Conference on April 1, 2018. Elder Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Sister Dantzel White Nelson, who died in 2005. Nelson received the national honour of being the president of the Society for Vascular Surgery for 1975. When their son, Russell Marion Nelson Jr. was born soon after, Dantzel exclaimed Hes the one! He was sustained in a Solemn Assembly He has always been one who has written extensively in the medical literature, he has participated in studies that have advanced the knowledge of cardiovascular surgery., His legacy is now in the lives of many physicians who are cardiovascular surgeons who were trained under his watchful eye.. Elder Russell M. Nelson plays horseshoes. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [2]MarvinK. Gardner, Elder Russell M. Nelson: Applying Divine Laws, Ensign, June 1984, BYU Speeches His first assignment as the quorum president was to supervise the churchs activities in Eastern Europe. President loves his family dearly. Early on in his time at the university, he participated in a school play, where the lead soprano captured his attention. Emphasizing the churchs full name and eschewing its long-standing Mormon nickname? The man can ski with the best of them, he said. Despite a rigorous schedule and, for a long time, very little money, she never complained. During the South American leg of his ongoing Global Ministry Tour, President Russell M Nelson surprised an audience in Lima, Peru, by addressing them in Spanish (From The Church News). It adds weight to claims [he] is making., The willingness to claim revelation in public, the historian noted, has grown more rare over time.. While in Bulgaria, he attended the first few meetings between the LDS Church leaders and government officials. President Russell M. Nelson has often related the fateful day in medical school when he was instructedneverto touch the human heart. Russell and Dantzel Nelson cut their wedding cake on Aug. 31, 1945. President Nelson has often commented on the indispensable support, was for him and for their family. He met with then-Church President David O. McKay. In 2014, the University of Minnesota Medical School honoured Nelson with the Surgical Alumnus of the Year Award. To celebrate his amazing and very interesting life, we have compiled 15 facts and stories you may not know about President Nelson as well as photos to celebrate his special day. Furthermore, he was chosen as the director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. 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. The patient was an adult with an atrial septal defect. 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). On February 12, 2005, Nelson lost his first wife unexpectedly. Nelson In 2018, he became the recipient of Utah Technology Innovation Summits Governor's Medal of Science: Lifetime Achievement Award. He spent his birthday working at his office in the Church Administration Building in downtown Salt Lake City. 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. 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. . When hes at work, hes 100 percent at work. As a surgeon and medical scientist, he was a prominent figure in the field of cardiothoracic surgery and was appointed as the president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Utah Medical Association. Have a post idea? President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, at Machu Picchu in Peru. Photo courtesy of the Nelson family. President Russell M. Nelson sits down with a puzzle in his spare time. Photo courtesy of the Nelson family. Sister Webster said, on one occasion, her father was asked to respond to an award he had received in 30 seconds or less. 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. 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. He is a writer, photographer, movie-fanatic, and a lover of street tacos. We teach revelation, but we inhabit inspiration as a practice., Most Latter-day Saint leaders are a little gun-shy to go to the R word, the scholar said. Instead, he started taking part in the administrative side of medicine and was subsequently picked as the president of the Utah State Medical Association. When hes home, hes 100 percent at home. One of the 800 missionaries in attendance said, It was so inspiring to listen to an Apostle speaking in Portuguese. A young Russell Nelson was curious. He always wanted to know how things worked, said Sheri Dew, a former member of the Relief Society General Presidency. 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. Elder W. Craig Zwick, an emeritus General Authority Seventy, said he has been with President Nelson on black diamond ski runs, scared to death for me and for him.. And this weekend will be filled with them., Donate to the newsroom now. 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. While there, President Nelson became friends with Dr. Zhang Zheng-Xiang, who later asked him to perform a complex surgery on a famous opera singer. All rights reserved. But there was a Pentecostal spirit., The assembled men did not hear a voice audible to our physical ears, Hinckley said. In 1985 until 1990, President Nelson was extended the calling to open the doors to missionary work within the countries of Eastern Europe. Spencer W. Kimball, right, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with counselor Marion G. Romney, presides over a session of General Conference in October 1978, when members approved an end to the priesthood ban. On Wednesday, Nelson, launched a new Spanish-language Instagram Account to broaden his reach to Hispanic Latter-day Saints around the world. Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer, a doctor and General Authority Seventy, said during his career Dr. Nelson was consistently described with the words of inspiring, dedicated, competent and highly consistent in everything he did., Dr. Nelson is renowned for what he has done, he said, explaining his creativity and innovation have saved countless lives. He later became the manager of Gillham Advertising Agency. President Nelson has often commented on the indispensable supportDantzelwas for him and for their family. . 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. Early on in his time at the university, he participated in a school play, where the lead soprano captured his attention. At that time Dantzel was pregnant with their sixth child, and they both felt very excited to welcome a boy into their family. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. In 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson. This set off an illustrious career with countless achievements. 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. But I do recall my own feelings and the nature of the expressions of my brethren. It was Elder Nelson, it was Apostle Nelson, it was Prophet, Seer and Revelator Nelson. Russell M. Nelson - MormonWiki 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.. M He would come over and feel his pulse and look him in the eye and get a report as to what happened overnight, said President Ballard. Those who serve with President Nelson also speak of his compassion. They were blessed with another 3 more beautiful daughters but felt so confident that their baby boy was still on his way to help complete their family. This ceremony took place at the Salt Lake Temple as well. While stationed in Korea, he visited every M.A.S.H. The family loved music, with all 10 children learning a musical instrument in addition to the piano. However, the following year, a new companion and support entered Russell M. Nelsons life when he married Wendy L. Watson, a marriage and family therapy professor at BYU. Brother Russell M. Nelson when he was called as the Sunday School general president of the Church in 1971. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. It really changed things for the better., Elder Ulisses Soares and President M. Russell Ballard visited Brazilian members in August of this year. Andy Larsen: Heres where National Weather Service forecasts flooding, in the short term and the long term, Murray police officers were justified in their use of force against a 52-year-old man who died after arrest, Salt Lake County D.A. Gospel Q&A: What Can I Do If I Dont Like General Conference? In this inspiring volume, author Donald W. Parry discusses in a clear and understandable way what we can learn from the scriptures and from modern prophets and apostles about angels and their missions. He adds a unique touch to his Instagram posts, typing out the caption twice: once in English and once in Portuguese. He mentioned that he was typically supposed to sit at the front of the room, but he became increasingly uncomfortable sitting in his chair. In 1964, he was appointed as a stake president in Salt Lake City and would perform the duties the position required until 1971. But Plummer persisted, and eventually, President Nelson accepted the invitation. At that very moment, the Spirit made known to me that this special patient would live to become the prophet of God on earth.. Sister Ardeth Kapp, former Young Women general president, said that President Nelson asks significant questions, then listens and encourages. Wendy has made the effort and she has been amazing., Sister Owens said with Wendy, he has now found another amazing complement and match. When Sister Nelson accompanies President Nelson on assignments she speaks to peoples hearts in a way that cant come any other way than through Wendy Watson Nelson. Comment your favorite quote, story, or personal interaction with President Nelson to help wish him a very happy birthday. | Tribune file photo This site publishes breaking news in English relevant to the entire region. There isnt much difference in my father as the surgeon or as the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. If listeners pay attention to his language and start connecting the dots, they will see he is laying a foundation for the church in ways we have not heard in a long, long time. How seriously do you take President Russell M. Nelson as the Lords prophet today? He gave the Lord a wonderful package of raw material to work with, but I have seen the Lord bless him and mold him into becoming the prophet of the Lord that we sustain him to be.. 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. These websites are the official voice of the Church in these regions around the world. Learn how your comment data is processed. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News 24 of 25 Years ago, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set out to learn Spanish. 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. The Africa Newsroom is the second of the Churchs consolidated news websites. One of the few changes Hinckley attached directly to God, at least in public, was the Perpetual Education Fund, which offers school loans to needy members. [3] 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 Their journey together was a long one, including not only the demands of Russells career and then his service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also ten children. Courtesy Intellectual Reserves. In that capacity he was a physician filled with love for those who he could serve.. When the Korean War broke out, Nelson enlisted and served for two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. After the death of his predecessor, Thomas S. Monson, in January 2018, Nelson assumed the role of the Church President. On Monday, September 9th, President Russell M. Nelson will be celebrating his 95th birthday. Sure enough, President Nelson has touched many human hearts in his lifetime. Elder Andersen served a mission in France and is fluent in the language. Elder Uchtdorfs TV interview. This development saved the lives of countless patients, many in the hands of Dr. Nelson himself. He is a father of 10, nine daughters and one son. Thats the kind of relationship they had. He and his wife immediately started studying the difficult language and praying for the people in China. 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. After his service he returned to Utah, where he worked as a research professor and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah, as well as the chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. President loves his family dearly. They had ten children together, nine daughters, Rosalie, Sylvia, Marsha, Wendy, Brenda, Emily, Laurie, Marjorie, and Gloria, and one son, Russell. Dantzel, who became pregnant once more at the age of 46, and her nighttime experiences of seeing their boy continued. 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. 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. He loves to visit the hospital when new babies are born; two great-grandchildren numbers 115 and 116 joined the family just last week. As the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve to travel to Kazakhstan, Nelson met government officials and gave an interview to the Yuzhnaya Stalitsa television. This development saved the lives of countless patients, many in the hands of Dr. Nelson himself. September 7, 2019 He described it in a 2001 General Conference sermon as a plan which we believe is inspired by the Lord.. Nelsons father was a journalist who worked for the Deseret News. However, the following year, a new companion and support entered Russell M. Nelsons life when he married Wendy L. Watson, a marriage and family therapy professor at BYU. 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! Andy Larsen: Heres where National Weather Service forecasts flooding, in the short term and the long term, Murray police officers were justified in their use of force against a 52-year-old man who died after arrest, Salt Lake County D.A. He stated that he would never forget the feeling I had as his heart resumed beating, leaping with power and vigor. Soon, he developed his own heart-lung bypass machine and used it to perform the first open-heart surgery in the state of Utah at the Salt Lake General Hospital (SLGH). During the South American leg of his ongoing Global Ministry Tour, President Russell M Nelson surprised President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson. Many of the stories mentioned in this article can be found in Sheri Dews biography of President Nelson entitled, Insights From a Prophets Life. President Nelson completed his medical degree in three years, graduating with the highest honors at the age of 22. A seated President Russell M. Nelson speaks at General Conference on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. White, and the two were married three years later in 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. He always wanted to know how things worked, said Sheri Dew, a former member of the Relief Society general presidency. It was not Dr. Nelson who would have known anything and every thing about whatever was going on with a few bones and joints. In 1985, Nelson, along with his colleague Conrad B. Jenson, operated on Chinese opera performer Fang Rongxiang. Six weeks later, President Nelson was attending the annual meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. 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. President Nelson attended LDS Business College and the University of Utah before receiving his PhD from the University of Minnesota. 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. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, at Machu Picchu. Hes always been consistent. He said, Everybody weve interviewed around here says you might be alright, but you dont have the time. He later spent a year in surgical training at the Massachusetts General Hospital. There are many trees mentioned in the scriptures that have spiritual lessons we can learn from. I am sure it is hard to walk into a family of 200-plus people and feel like you are close friends, said Sister Webster. In a speech from Brigham Young University-Hawaii to the faiths millennials everywhere, Nelson explained the policys reasoning. 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? At headquarters he has served as the chairman of each of the Churchs three governing committees the Missionary Executive Council, the Temple and Family History Executive Council and the Priesthood and Family Executive Council. Dr. Zhang eventually retired to Canada and decided to join the Church. 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. Theyre the treasure of Japan., It was made clear that Elder and Sister Stevenson have a love for the youth in Japan. Elder Johnson said, Elder and Sister Renlunds visit to Sweden was historic. The University of Utah set up a chair in cardiothoracic surgery named after him and his late first wife Dantzel in June 2018. Donate to the newsroom now. Though the distance is not very far, for men in their eighties and nineties, golf carts have become a great help in transporting the brethren. This quick quiz will test your knowledge of the names behind the initials of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During his medical career, church service, and family life, President Nelson has always had a love of traveling. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, at the dedication of the Brigham City Temple. The Lord impressed it on his mind. Many modern-day apostles who know languages other than English have spoken to Saints in their native tongues around the world. Many of which that will still under communist rule. President Nelsons son, Russell Nelson Jr., said his father can still snow ski all day. President Russell M. Nelson with daughter Sylvia and great grandchildren. Russell Marion Nelson was born September 9, 1924, a native of Utah. 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. 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. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, leave the stand after the Sunday morning session of general conference Sunday, April 3, 2016. Credit: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News, Deseret News. 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. 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. In 1997, Russell M. Nelson won University of Utahs Distinguished Alumni Award. 218 University Press Building He has lifted and sustained other quorum members with the same kind of affection, said President Ballard. The language of that blessing wasnt a medical opinion. He held an artificial heart valve in his hand and explained how it worked. He was baptized at age 16; his desire and drive to be part of the Church came much from within, said his son. Getting to know President Russell M. Nelson of the First Presidency Yes, President Russell M. Nelson does speak Spanish . 1926). As a ninth grader, Gregory Schwitzer attended a career development day and heard a presentation by Dr. Nelson. He enrolled at the medical school while still working on his bachelors degree and finished the four-year M.D. It was as though something were saying to me, There is no new organization necessary to take care of the needs of this people. In January, the month Nelson took the faiths reins, his wife, Wendy Watson Nelson, reported that one night she was prompted to leave her husband alone in their bedroom. However, most of these changes had been previously discussed in-depth while he had not assumed his position as the president yet and a considerable few were simply the continuation of the measures that his predecessor had implemented. I grab hold of the banister to balance and I skip along as well as I can., Elder Holland said President Nelson bounds two stairs at a time.. Just because Nelson is a bit of a throwback to earlier times, said Mormon historian Ardis Parshall, doesnt negate his experience. After his first marriage in 1945, he served the church as a counsellor in bishoprics and as a member of a stake high council. It will be translated in various languages and each translated version will have the same hymns in the same order. The LDS Church continues to build on its online and social media presence throughout the world. It was in these years that Russell first entertained the idea of becoming a doctor. This is the first time a Swedish-speaking Apostle has been to Sweden and spoken in Swedish. 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. (Jeremy Harmon | The Salt Lake Tribune) President Russell M. Nelson speaks at the beginning of the Sunday morning session of General Conference on April 1, 2018. 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.