Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dies at 101
WASHINGTON – Russell M. Nelson, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City on the night of September 27th, the church announced. He was 101 years old.
“With sorrow, we announce that Russell M. Nelson, beloved president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully… at his home in Salt Lake City,” the church stated. He was the oldest president in the church’s history. No cause of death was specified.
Dr. Nelson became the 17th president of the church in January 2018, succeeding Thomas Monson, at the age of 93.Prior to his presidency, he was a practicing heart surgeon.
During his tenure, Dr. Nelson encouraged members to use the full name of the church, discouraging the use of shorthand terms like ”LDS” or “Mormons.” He also oversaw the rescinding of a policy implemented before his presidency that labeled same-sex married couples as “apostates” and barred their children under 18 from certain religious rites.
Utah Senator Mike Lee, a Republican, praised Dr. Nelson as a “bold, visionary leader prepared by God to testify of Jesus Christ in the very times in which we now live.”
The Church of jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded in 1830, identifies as a Christian denomination and bases its teachings on the book of Mormon, which it believes contains a more complete account of Jesus Christ’s teachings than the Bible. The church reports a global membership exceeding 17.5 million.
Dr.Nelson is survived by his wife, eight children, 57 grandchildren, and over 167 great-grandchildren. His successor will be selected by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles following his funeral; this group, like the president, is considered prophetic by church members.
