Church officials have announced the passing of Russell M. Nelson, who died Saturday night at the age of 101.
According to church spokesperson Candice Madsen, he passed away at his home in Salt Lake City.
Nelson, a former heart surgeon, had an extensive career of over 40 years at the top levels of church leadership, having been appointed in 1984 to the governing body known as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
He became the church president in January 2018 after Thomas S. Monson’s death and, in 2024, he became the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the new century.
The new president hasn’t been officially named yet, but it’s expected to be Darrin H. Oaks, the longest-serving member of the 12 Apostles’ quorum.
Utah Senator Mike Lee paid tribute to Nelson on social media shortly after the announcement, describing him as someone who embodied faith, humility, and quiet confidence, a true servant to followers of Jesus Christ.
Nelson’s Impact on the Church
During his time as president, especially in 2018, Nelson introduced significant changes. He urged church members to discontinue the use of the abbreviated names “Mormon” and “LDS,” advocating instead for the full name of their faith.
The following year, he made headlines again by prohibiting baptism for children of same-sex parents and rolling back measures that had classified same-sex couples as potential candidates for excommunication.
These policies were contentious, drawing considerable criticism since they reversed previous practices.
While Nelson’s administration was viewed as more inclusive toward LGBTQ+ individuals compared to his predecessor’s, the church’s stance on same-sex marriage remained staunchly conservative.
However, his administration faced backlash regarding its policies around gender-affirming medical care and limited participation for members who change their names, pronouns, or attire, which impacted many transgender individuals.
Nelson and his counselors framed their approach as attempting to balance “the love of the Lord and the law of the Lord.”
As president, he is recognized as a prophet and works with two leading counselors and twelve quorum members to guide the church based on divine revelations.
He notably led the church during the Covid-19 pandemic and terminated a century-long affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America, coinciding with the latter’s decision to include LGBTQ+ youth and adult volunteers.
Addressing Abuse Reports
His tenure also involved significant scrutiny regarding how the church addressed sexual abuse allegations made to local leaders. An investigation from the Associated Press highlighted that some reports of abuse were diverted to church lawyers rather than reported to law enforcement, raising concerns regarding victim protection.
In response to the criticism, Nelson defended the church’s hotline procedure, describing it as necessary but not related to protecting children or concealing abuse.
The church faced additional scrutiny over the protocol for one-on-one interviews between youth and local leaders, resulting in revised guidelines to ensure that such reports were taken seriously and that children could have adults present during these meetings.
Broadening Leadership and Partnerships
Nelson also took steps to diversify church leadership by appointing non-American leaders to top governing roles, encouraging the publication of local hymns that reflect diverse cultures and music.
He implemented shorter Sunday services and initiated efforts to expand temple construction globally, despite facing some resistance in the U.S.
Furthermore, he established a partnership with the NAACP, acknowledging the church’s past policy that excluded black men from the priesthood until 1978, a ban rooted in deeply problematic beliefs regarding race.
Though the church issued a clarifying statement about its historical ban in 2013, it did not offer an official apology for this sensitive issue.
Born in Salt Lake City in 1924, Nelson joined the church as a young adult and was serving as a doctor during the Korean War before returning to a successful medical career.
Known for his exceptional skills in surgery, he was admired among church leaders for his legal adherence and what he referred to as the “way of covenant.” This is a framework of ordinances and practices integral to church life, as noted by Matthew Bowman, a religion professor at Claremont Graduate University.
Nelson fathered ten children with his first wife, Danzel White, who passed away in 2005. He remarried Wendy Watson a year later.
