(SALT LAKE CITY – Sept 2025) Russell M. Nelson, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving president in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City late on the evening of September 27, 2025. This announcement closes a distinctive chapter for a global community of Latter-day Saints, marking the end of a life characterized by unusual service, ingenuity, and transformation at the age of 101 years.
Pioneering Leadership and Lifelong Service
Russell M. Nelson, born in Salt Lake City on September 9, 1924, experienced life in the span of more than a century, both the challenges and the enormous changes his church confronted and the global changes beyond his church. Prior to his spiritual calling, Dr. Nelson was a respected heart surgeon who performed Utah’s first open-heart surgery and had a history of inventing (in the 1950s) and contributing to medical innovations like the heart-lung machine. In short, he was recognized for saving untold lives as a heart surgeon, establishing himself as a healer of bodies, long before becoming a healer of souls.
His full-time church leadership calling started in 1984 when he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the governing council of the church second only to the leadership of the First Presidency. He was sustained as the 17th president and prophet of the church on January 14, 2018, at the age of 93 and had already established his legacy in history—the oldest leader of the church at the time of his inauguration.
Transformative Presidency: Policy Changes and Global Growth
This presidency was characterized by an avalanche of new church initiatives, unprecedented changes in church policy, and growth. This time period saw:
- The announcement of the construction of 200 new temples across the globe, emphasizing the stated goals and objectives of the church—growth and thinking beyond the borders of the United States to be more in line with its members’ international citizenship.
- A pronounced change in the branding of the church—most notably in what Russell urged in 2018; to avoid using the terms “Mormon” and “LDS” but to call itself the full name of the church—an historic deviation from decades of President Gordon B. Hinckley of a different era.
- The reversal of a policy in 2019 that declared that same-sex couples would be defined as having committed apostasy; permitting full participation of their children in church ordinances—an indication of a proclivity for a more generous openness and sensitivity to societal issues.
- The development of partnership with the NAACP in addressing our divides and discussing issues of race and culture.
Additionally, the time of Russell Nelson as prophet coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic when Russell used his platform to acknowledge the validity of public health and encouraged members in communities to make safety a priority over the wishes of individuals for personal belief, or their faith—an integration of faith and science that was rare in the annals of the church’s history.
Personal Faith and Emphasis on Christ
A preeminent part of Nelson’s message was a reaffirmation of church practice and identity in Jesus Christ. In numerous speeches and writings, he invited members to “let God prevail” in their lives, and his message included the significance of daily prayer and scripture study, as well as loving others. His remarks in October 2024 at General Conference summarized his lifetime message: “My decision to follow Jesus Christ is the most important decision I’ve ever made.”
Nelson believed immensely in faith’s power to change lives. His presidency emphasized ministering, worldwide outreach, and a personal relationship with Christ; indeed, attempting to align church programs and policies more closely with their ministries where the church is named for Christ.
Family and Legacy
Russell Nelson is survived by his wife, Wendy, 8 of his 10 children by his first wife Dantzel (who passed away in 2005), 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren. Family indicated he thought of himself as a devoted husband and father who carefully walked a life public service during the day, filled with compassion in private.
Photos and memories shared by other church leaders, including Nelson’s counselors; Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring, summed him up with the comment of his “extraordinary modesty for a man of his great accomplishments,” adding he offered charity through listening, empathizing, and gently leading.
Reflections and Reactions
Memories and remembrances poured in from across the political, religious, and world scientific communities. Utah Senator Mike Lee recalled that he had performed life-saving heart surgery on both of his maternal grandparents on the same day with the comment, “To the day he died, he remained a healer– of hearts and of souls.”
World leaders highlighted that Nelson lived out his faith in dialogue for peace, honoring Nelson’s commitment to be a bridgebuilder during a time of deep division.
Succession and Continuity
In line with Church tradition, the next of the church’s living prophets will be appointed by the announcement of the next president of the church who will be appointed by senior quorums of the church; it is likely that Dallin H. Oaks will be appointed next. Choosing to honor seniority is given to the individual called to serve for continuity, stability, and seniority—directives of the church’s development of governance.
The Lasting Influence of Nelson
Russell Nelson’s influence extended to every dimension of church life, from missionary work and global temple growth to restated doctrine, structure, and outreach. His rare combination of medical training, scientific rigor, and spiritually grounded conviction provided the LDS Church with a leader who could face the complexities of the modern age—both practically and prayerfully. In his seven years of leadership, the church grew to over 17.5 million members across the globe, reflecting Nelson’s vision for a faith grounded in Jesus Christ, compassion, and forward movement.
Russell Nelson will be remembered not only for his age, but for his tenacity to serving others, vision, and transformational leadership. He leaves a church with more members, more global, and continuing to be historically rooted, generous, and strong with challenges ahead.
To the millions his life touched—from the surgical room to the pulpit—Nelson’s legacy will be one of healing, hope, and an expansive heart.
