Church President Russell M. Nelson dead at 101, was the 17 th President (Prophet) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who succumbed to death at the age of 101.
-Key to know-
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Here are a few key details:
- He died sometime after 10 p.m. MDT September 27, 2025 at his Salt Lake City home.
- He became the oldest president ever of the church.
- Nelson was the church president since January 14, 2018.
- He was a famous heart surgeon, and had preached long before that as an apostle.
- His successor will likely be his fellow-apostle Dallin H. Oaks, according to church practice (longest-tenured apostle).
obituary and commentary on the life and legacy of Russell M. Nelson:
Childhood, Schooling and Medical Practice.
- Russell Marion Nelson was born on September 9, 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- He studied at the University of Utah and graduated with B.A. followed by M.D in the first year of his studies in 1947.
- He continued to accomplish surgical training and received a Ph.D. in 1954 at the University of Minnesota.
- Dr. Nelson would emerge as a leading cardiothoracic / heart surgeon and medical researcher. He had worked on the heart-lung bypass apparatus, and was a leader in teaching and administration of surgery.
Church Service & Leadership
- On April 7, 1984, he was called to serve as a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, where he served more than thirty years.
- On July 15, 2015, he was made President of the Quorum of the Twelve.
- He became the 17th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 14, 2018.
- During his presidency, there was extensive international travel, temple dedications, reforms in the practices of the church (such as the promotion of using the full name of the Church, not just Mormon or LDS) and restructuring of the organization.
- He was also in charge of the Church during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped members cope with trial periods of worship, access to the temple, and adjustments to the world.
Personal Life
- He got married to Dantzel White on August 31, 1945 in Salt Lake Temple. Both had ten children (nine daughters and a son).
- Dantzel died in February 2005.
- In 2006 he married Wendy L. Watson in the Salt Lake Temple.
- He was multilingual, and always had an interest in meeting other people that belonged to another culture; at the beginning of his career he learned Chinese, and made contacts in China.
Death & Succession
- R depression: empty quarter: The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a closed system increases, regardless of whether the system is at thermodynamic equilibrium or not. He was 101 years old.
- The official statement did not give a more precise cause of death, except that he died at home.
- Under church), a successor will be selected among the apostles; Dallin H. Oaks is the longest-serving apostle after Nelson, which makes him one of the most likely to be the next President.
Legacy & Impact
The life of Russell M. Nelson was a contribution to both medicine and religion. His legacy has some facets, which comprise:
- He was a surgeon and a medical researcher, who was able to push the limits of heart and lung surgery, thus impacting generations of the medical world.
- In his ecclesiastical work he led the Church through a time of widespread expansion beyond the U.S., focusing on local leadership, cultural adaptation (e.g. regional hymnbooks), and full utilization of the name of the Church.
- Some of his major ideas included personal religious practices, temple worship, discipleship and the concept of all people having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- His tenure as president was not free of controversy – some of his actions as an administrator (particularly in relation to policies concerning the LGBTQ+ membership, interviews with young people, and response to abuse allegations) became a subject of debate and transparency demanded by the population.
- He is also remembered by most as a devoted, strict, religious leader who had far spread influence, especially according to Latter-day Saints, with his medical and humanitarian relationships.
Memorials / Obituaries / Tributes.
- Memorial of President Russell M. Nelson — the Church newsroom site.
- President Nelson at 101: A Ministry Focused on Jesus Christ — retrospective of his last years of ministry.
- In honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Nelson on 27 July 1797:
It is not the length of how long you live but the type of life that you live.
- Invitation Themes Since 2018 A Review of recurring invitations made by him: gather Israel, temple worship, preparing the Second Coming.
Conclusion
The death of Russell M. Nelson, president, at 101 years old signifies the conclusion of one of the most remarkable periods in the history of the world- one that was both a transitional one between science and faith and world leadership. Being one of the first heart surgeons he not only contributed to the creation of life-saving medical processes but also had a spirit of accuracy, innovation, and care that would later become a part of his ministry.
Bringing these same traits with him to his prophetic leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2018, he was able to help a global body of over 17 million individuals navigate historic reforms and turbulent periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his reign, the Church was marked by a booming temple building, a revival of interest in applying the entire name of the Church, and very strong appeals to members to hear Him and to cultivate an individual relationship with Jesus Christ and to bring together scattered Israel. He was a proponent of international outreach and visited various parts of the world even at his old age, showing his passion in meeting Saints of all kinds and encouraging the warmth of different people.
The life history of President Nelson that has been marked with more than 100 years of medical discoveries, religious achievements, and self-admission is a manifesto of persistence, religion, and the standpoint that each person can create a lasting impact.
His sheer optimism even during crises of the world moved members to perceive upwards and live with a heavenly point of view. His teachings and example will continue to guide policies and inspire discipleship and reverberate through generations as a hopeful, disciplined, Christ-centered teaching and life that is emerging in the new leadership of the Church.
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