Russell M. Nelson

Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Title
Official name
Born	Russell Marion Nelson Birth date -1st March 1966 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died
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Resting place

Russell Marion Nelson (born September 9, 1924) is an American religious leader and former surgeon who is the 17th and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 34 years and was the quorum's president from 2015 to 2018. Nelson is a former cardiothoracic surgeon and medical researcher.

Early life and education

Nelson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. He attended LDS Business College and later received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah. He completed his medical residency and earned a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of the research team that developed the heart-lung machine.

Medical career

Nelson's medical career included serving as a professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He also served as the president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Nelson has authored numerous publications and was a pioneer in the development of open-heart surgery.

Church service

Nelson was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 7, 1984. He served in this capacity until he became the president of the quorum on July 15, 2015. Following the death of Thomas S. Monson on January 2, 2018, Nelson became the president of the LDS Church on January 14, 2018.

As president, Nelson has emphasized the importance of using the full name of the church and has announced several significant changes, including the reduction of the Sunday meeting schedule and the introduction of a new home-centered, church-supported curriculum.

Personal life

Nelson married Dantzel White in 1945, and they had ten children. Dantzel passed away in 2005, and Nelson later married Wendy L. Watson in 2006. Nelson is known for his musical talent, particularly his ability to play the piano and organ.

Honors and recognition

Nelson has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career, including honorary degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. He has also been recognized for his contributions to medicine and his service in the LDS Church.

See also

• List of presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)
• Thomas S. Monson
• Dallin H. Oaks