Peacemakers Needed [65] While there, Nelson visited government officials, was interviewed by Yuzhnaya Stalitsa television, and dedicated that country for the preaching of the gospel. See Jeremiah 1:45; Hebrews 12:9; Moses 6:51; Abraham 3:2223. Russell M. Nelson age, height, weight, net worth 2023, wife, kids, gay Nelson became a noted heart surgeon and served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Utah Medical Association.[6]. 1972). He next served as member of the Bonneville Stake YMMIA superintendency (a position roughly equivalent to a modern counselor in the stake young men's presidency) and then as a counselor in the bishopric of the Garden Park Ward. For example, I know for sure that the Lord directs the affairs of His Church. It is a gospel of hope, of healing, and of progress. As they dragged the net to shore, full of fish, Jesus said, Come and dine.3 John reports that when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?4, While I was standing on that same seashore, I realized that the Saviors question was one of the most important questions that He might someday ask me. However, after consulting with David O. McKay, Nelson turned down the offer. The challenge for you and me is to make certain that each of us will achieve his or her divine potential. shelved 6,484 times. [52], Nelson made his first international trip as quorum president to Central America from August 2031, 2015. Repentance from such shackles should be accomplished in this life while we still have the aid of a mortal body to help us develop self-mastery. [49] He was succeeded as chairman of the executive committee by Oaks. 1Timothy 6:11. He just brings differing points of view and different individuals into harmony and does so in a gentle and loving and effective manner., He has more love for people, I think, than almost anybody Ive ever been around in my life, reflected President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency. At one point, the team came close enough to the front that they received fire from enemy artillery positions, which missed them. President Nelson invites all to 'make room in your heart' this So, he tempts us to eat things we should not eat, to drink things we should not drink, and to desecrate the most intimate expressions of love by employing them outside the bounds of marriage. We follow His example and are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. [32], In 1981, Nelson held appointments as a visiting professor of surgery at the National Institute of Cardiology in Mexico City and the Catholic University in Santiago, Chile. Elder M. Russell Ballard explains the potentially devastating moral consequences: Researchers tell us there is a mechanism in our brain called the pleasure center. As church president, Nelson is recognized by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Appetites for these degrading forces can become addictive. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Magnify your callings. This letter reiterated existing policies, but also explicitly stated that no one should ever be counseled against reporting abuse to legal authorities. [87], Nelson also introduced major changes in church organization during the April general conference. If we honor it as God has ordained, we will remain on that strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.29, Jesus Christ is our great Exemplar. The longer I live, the more knowledge I gain. [28] Later, he performed the same operation on future LDS Church president Spencer W. Kimball, replacing his damaged aortic valve. [65], When he was Sunday School General President, Nelson attended a meeting where Kimball urged those present to learn Chinese. [74], In June 2018, Nelson traveled to Alberta, Canada, where his second wife was born and raised, and gave three devotional addresses in three consecutive evenings. [91] On June 18, the First Presidency created committees assigned to form a unified hymnbook and children's songbook for the worldwide church membership, with each language edition having the same hymns (and other songs) in the same order, and that these committees would be taking submissions and collecting surveys until July 2019. Tad Walch reports today from Kenya. He said, I will show [you] that I am able to do mine own work.1. Today we often hear about a new normal. If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. How would we answer the question Lovest thou me more than these?. The proclamation coincided with the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's First Vision and is the sixth proclamation issued by the church in its history.[103][104]. Others born with curly hair want it straight. If I have learned anything certain in [my life], its that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God. [48], From 2007 to 2015, Nelson was as a member of the Church Boards of Trustees/Education, the governing body of the Church Educational System, and the chairman of its executive committee. I am grateful to all who have participated in any way. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty. [32] Nelson traveled extensively as a medical doctor and addressed conferences in many parts of Latin America and Africa, as well as in India and China. The guidance also had a clear emphasis on using counseling to assist in healing from abuse. The Lord Jesus Christ directs the affairs of His Church, and it will achieve its divine objectives. Thus, we have appetites for food, for water, and for love. You are about to access Constant Contacts (http://visitor.constantcontact.com). [66] He developed ties with the medical community in China and made several trips there to train surgeons. Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Or maybe He is asking what really brings us joy and happiness. Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take. President Russell M. Nelson receives a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Salt Lake County Health Department in Salt Lake City on Jan. 19, 2021. [100] Nelson had previously characterized the 2015 policy as direction from God, stating "Each of us during that sacred moment felt a spiritual confirmation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance.3 Because of the Saviors Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing, and becoming more pure. Amos Brown, a Baptist pastor and NAACP leader. We cannot lose our love for and hope in Jesus, even if we face seemingly overwhelming challenges. Getting to Know the New Mormon President: Russell M. Nelson This passage returned to my mind recently with the news that President Russell M. Nelson, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is now the oldest prophet the church has ever had in its 192-year history. She passed away in 2005, just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. As we build and maintain these temples, we pray that each of you will build and maintain yourself so you can be worthy to enter the holy temple. To protect it from harm, it perceives pain. (RNS) Last week marked the four-year anniversary since Russell M. Nelson assumed leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it's been quite an unexpected ride. And I bear this testimony humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. I agree with Elder JeffreyR. Holland. The spirit, not the body, is the active, responsible component of the soul. During his tenure the Sunday School developed a unified 8-year-cycle of covering the LDS Church's scriptures in its curriculum. It is an essential part of Gods great plan of happiness for our eternal progression. [31], Nelson became involved with the administrative aspects of medicine and was elected president of the Utah State Medical Association. Eventually the time will come when each spirit and body shall be reunited again in perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame.20 Then, thanks to Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can become perfected in Him.21 Anyone who studies the workings of the human body has surely seen God moving in his majesty and power.22. Want to Read. President Russell M. Nelson and the COVID-19 vaccine: What the church [42], In 1991, Nelson served as the negotiator for the LDS Church with the Internal Revenue Service over whether contributions to support missionaries serving would be tax deductible. In time, physical or mental addictions enslave both the body and the spirit. Heavenly Father so loved us that He prepared His plan of salvation with a Savior as the central figure. The many amazing attributes of your body attest to your own divine nature.17. The gathering of Israel moves forward. While in Rome, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles took the first apostolic group photo in two decades. By President Russell M. Nelson Your body is a magnificent creation of God. At my age, I have attended many funerals. If you would like to stay on the page you are viewing please click Cancel. Russell Marion Nelson Sr. (born September 9, 1924) is an American religious leader and retired surgeon who is the 17th and current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Career He completed the four year M.D. The scriptures teach that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.7 The scriptures also teach that Jesus so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons [and daughters] of God.8. President Nelson was set apart as the 17th President of the Church on January 14, 2018, after serving 34 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Prior to our mortal existence here, each spirit son and daughter lived with God. "Keep on the Covenant Path:" Prophet Looks to the Future with Faith [86], During the church's April general conference, Nelson appointed Asian-American Gerrit W. Gong and Brazilian Ulisses Soares to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, both of whom had been serving in the Presidency of the Seventy. He is the light and life of the world. Russell Marion Nelson was born September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, the son of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. [85], In March 2018, the First Presidency issued a letter on preventing and responding to abuse. My dear brothers and sisters and friends throughout the world, I offer my personal welcome to this general conference. Some lessons that I knew before have been written on my heart in new and instructive ways. [40], Nelson also served for eight years as the church's Sunday School General President. He is our Father. We gather as a great global family desiring to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to the large crowd in attendance, the devotional was broadcast across the state. Getting to know President Russell M. Nelson of the First Presidency By President Russell M. Nelson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Known as a Renaissance man by his colleagues, President Nelson brings to his new position a lifetime of preparation. Petersen. See John 15:1213; Ephesians 5:12; 1John 3:23, 1618, 2324; 4:7, 911, 2021; Moses 1:39. The marvel of our physical bodies is often overlooked or underappreciated. After further surgical training and a two-year stint in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War, Nelson returned to Salt Lake City and accepted a professorship at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Now, my dear brothers and sisters, I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We set aside negative worldly influences. Remarkable as your body is, its prime purpose, as stated earlier, is of even greater importanceto serve as tenement for your eternal spirit. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding.6 I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. We earnestly strive to keep Gods commandments. It is a tabernacle of flesha temple for your spirit. Your physical body is a magnificent creation of God. May we always honor His gifts and that heritage in all that we do and say. Im not saying that having a nice home or a nice car is wrong or that using social media is bad. He married Dantzel White in 1945; they are the parents of 10 children. [55] "It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson," Nelson said. When we understand our nature and our purpose on earth and that our bodies are physical temples of God, we will realize that it is sacrilege to let anything enter that might defile the body. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online, During a 2019 event marking President Nelsons 95. Well, Russell M. Nelson's age is 98 years old as of today's date 27th April 2023 having been born on 9 September 1924. No doubt we have each learned things we did not know previously. He spent the next 29 years working in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. In 1966, Nelson became head of the thoracic residency program that combined resources from the University of Utah Medical School, LDS Hospital, Primary Children's Hospital and the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City. Yet, unless altered by disease, they can withstand such stress almost indefinitely. Your body, whatever its natural gifts, is a magnificent creation of God. After 20 months in service, he left active duty at the rank of captain. [105] His travels have been punctuated by several temple dedications, most notably the Rome Italy Temple in March 2019, which was attended by all current members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Part of that testing is to determine if the appetites of your body can become mastered by the spirit that dwells within it. Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do. Nelson then attended the University of Utah School of Medicine, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1947 ranked first in his class. In Him, we discover that every daughter and son of God is very precious to Him. Nerves and muscles control two eyes to make a single three-dimensional image. To reach your highest destiny, emulate the Savior. In Massachusetts, Nelson was the secretary for the adult Aaronic priesthood organization in his Boston-area branch. For us as Latter-day Saints, gaining an education is not just a privilege; it is a religious responsibility. Welcome to general conference and to the privilege of hearing the voice of the Lord. I declare, as His special witness, that He is the Son of God. The top 10 changes President Russell M. Nelson has made in the LDS church The Word of Wisdom: What It Is, What It Isnt, What I Learned from Having to Lose Weight for My Mission, Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish, New Era, August 2019. Next, Nelson ended home teaching and visiting teaching, replacing the programs with a focus on ministering, and shifting both the focus and methods of tracking them. The hymn practice time in Sunday School was also renamed to worship through music. Great spiritual strength is often developed by those with physical challengesprecisely because they are challenged. Wherever you are, develop a deep desire to learn. [4] He was chair of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital. [4] Nelson was a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 34 years, and was the quorum president from 2015 to 2018. Welcome to general conference and to the privilege of hearing the voice of the Lord. My dear brothers and sisters, these two days of general conference have been glorious! Salt Lake Temple Renovation Project: Taking out Trees. Such individuals are entitled to all the blessings that God has in store for His faithful and obedient children.19, Each mortal life is closed by death. Testimonies are best cultivated in the home. [83][84], The first few months of Nelson's leadership of the LDS Church saw many significant changes to church policy, although many had at least been heavily discussed before he became church president, and some were continuations of policies instituted by his predecessors. NAIROBI, Kenya To listen Monday to an LDS Church president's voice in person for the first time, East African Mormons traveled hundreds of miles in dust-covered . [20] Nelson was also the director of the University of Utah thoracic surgery residency program. They usually dont speak about social media posts. To download media files, please first review and agree to the Terms of Use. The heart pumps about 2,000 gallons (7,570 L) per day. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 513. Thank you for joining with us. From my office I have a front-row seat to watch the work taking place on the temple plaza. [93] At the church's general conference in October 2018, he reiterated his position, declaring, "It is a correction" and "It is the command of the Lord." He oftentimes has said there are 12 apostles, but you only have one daddy, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. A firm understanding of body and spirit will shape our thoughts and deeds for the good. [73], The first trip, called a global ministry tour by the church, occurred in April 2018, when Nelson along with his wife, and Jeffrey R. Holland and his wife, met with Latter-day Saints in London, England; Jerusalem; Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; Bengaluru, India; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong; and Laie, Hawaii. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide. As I have watched workers dig out old tree roots, plumbing, wiring, and a leaky fountain, I have thought about the need for each of us to remove, with the Saviors help, the old debris in our lives. I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Such as faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence (Doctrine and Covenants 4:6). He was ordained an apostle on April 12, 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley. Your heart is an incredible pump.18 It has four delicate valves that control the direction of blood flow. Nelson received a PhD from Minnesota in 1954 for his research contributions. And we will focus our eyes on sights, our ears on sounds, and our minds on thoughts that are a credit to our physical creation as a temple of God. During a 2019 event marking President Nelsons 95th birthday, he shared his testimony of Jesus Christ and his restored Church. Russell M. Nelson: Destroying the LdS Church One Revelation at a Time In The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, we read: [Jesus] will someday return to earth. At most of the funerals that I have attended, they focus on their loved ones relationships, service to others, life lessons and experiences, and their love for Jesus Christ. [50], Following the death of Boyd K. Packer[51] on July 3, 2015, Nelson became the most senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve and the quorum's president. Prophet, physician, husband and father: A look at the life of President My dear brothers and sisters, it is a joy to be with you. [43] In 1993, he was the church's lead delegate to the Parliament on World Religions. Russell M. Nelson. Education. We honor our fathers and mothers. Never a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. [114] Together they had ten children: nine daughtersMarsha, Wendy (19512019),[115] Gloria, Brenda, Sylvia, Emily (19581995),[116] Laurie, Rosalie, and Marjorieand a son, Russell Jr. (b. In 2011, Nelson Sr. returned to Russia to organize the first church stake in that country, headquartered in Moscow. We strive to be obedient. [27] He also provided the first surgical intervention for tricuspid regurgitation, a disorder that allows blood to flow backward into the right upper heart chamber. You can find true restmeaning relief and peaceeven amid your most vexing problems. Monson. I love you, my dear brothers and sisters, and testify that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son know and love you individually. What 3 of President Russell M. Nelson's Children Have Learned From Him I thank you, and your children will thank you. The Power of Spiritual Momentum The Word of Wisdom Way to Weight Loss: Overcoming Food Addiction (17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Russell Marion Nelson Sr. is an American religious leader, author, philanthropist, and former surgeon, who is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as its 17th and current president. During a 45-minute virtual gathering on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, watched as Nelson family members sang Christmas carols and shared photographs of family members recreating the Christmas Nativity. Substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and harmful drugs are forbidden by the Lord. To download all photos or videos related to this article, select the links at the bottom of each section. During the 1950s, Dantzel was a member of the Tabernacle Choir. [117] Dantzel White was a native of Perry, Utah, and first met Nelson when they were the co-leads in a musical produced at the University of Utah. We will care for it and cherish it as our own personal gift from God. I have wondered what I might say to conclude this conference that would send you forth with the optimism about the future that I know the Lord wants you to feel. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox weekly. Then we commenced a carefully coordinated, phased reopening. Do things that make this world a better place. Remember, Jesus said, Not my will, but thine, be done.27, When deepening trials come your way, as they surely will, remember this glorious promise of the Savior: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.28, May we ever be grateful for the incredible blessing of a magnificent physical body, the supreme creation of our loving Heavenly Father. 4.48 avg rating 662 ratings published 2015 2 editions. building a so-called 'temple' in Shanghai. Though, he is 6 0 in feet and inches and 183 cm in Centimetres tall, he weighs about 202.82 lbs in Pound and 92 kg in Kilograms. We must always remember that our true happiness depends upon our relationship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with each other. Nelson told members that the use of nicknames such as Mormon or LDS was "a major victory for Satan. 1Corinthians 6:1920; see also Doctrine and Covenants 93:35. I Am a Child of God, Hymns, no. This is the dispensation when no spiritual blessing will be withheld from the righteous.1 Despite the worlds commotion,2 the Lord would have us look forward to the future with joyful anticipation.3 Let us not spin our wheels in the memories of yesterday. By referring or linking you to this website, we do not endorse or guarantee this content, products, or services offered. DallinH. Oaks, Push Back against the World (Brigham Young UniversityHawaii commencement address, Feb.25, 2017), speeches.byuh.edu. This was highlighted by shortening the length of Sunday church meetings to 2-hours from the previous 3-hours. He not only loves us; he sees the best in us. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy! It is the spirit, therefore, that chooses good or evil and will be held accountable for both the positive and negative attributes it possesses at the Final Judgment (see Alma 41:37). [30], In 1965, the University of Chicago offered Nelson the position as head of their department of thoracic surgery. He likes little people, and he likes old people, and that makes it possible for him to be a prophet to all the people, said President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I testify that They love us. Elder Russell M. Nelson Marries Wendy L. Watson Diet ElderRussell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of TheChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Wendy L. Watsonwere married today in the Salt Lake Temple. The Lords ordinances and covenants prepare us for eternal life, the greatest of all of Gods blessings.5 As you know, the COVID pandemic required a temporary closure of our temples. He and his wife, Dantzel, selected a neighborhood where they could raise their nine daughters (the . There he built his own heart-lung bypass machine and employed it to support the first open-heart surgery in the United States west of the Mississippi River. 1950) in the Salt Lake Temple. This may be a question about what we really value in life, who we follow, and how we view our relationships with family members and neighbors. A cardiothoracic surgeon, he helped pioneer the development of the artificial heart-lung machine, a means of supporting a patients circulation during open-heart surgery. Our bodies allow each of us to experience the great plan of salvation that He has designed for all His precious children. He was set apart as a counselor in the bishopric by Joseph Fielding Smith, whose son-in-law was the bishop. "[112][113] The Bureau added that the church's plans were "wishful thinking, not based in reality. We are His children. And when that has been achieved, you may have the strength to submit to the will of your Heavenly Father. Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish - The Church of Jesus Christ