President Russell M. Nelson during his career wiht a team of doctors: Gen. Sam F. Seeley, and Lt. Col. Edwin J. Pulaski, front. I would say that I know a key part of life is to learn and to grow, to love one another, to love the Lord and enjoy the blessings that come from Him as we keep our covenants.. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. [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. I mean, we were all so grateful, including him, that it wasnt a day or so before someone found her. They can feel that he loves them and its not so distant. Other Nelson family activities included skiing, summer family trips, swimming and other outings. And we were going to be working together to see how we could get that goal accomplished. You know, like we said, anytime he was home. Dallin H. Oaks, then a law professor at Chicago and a fellow Latter-day Saint, actively worked to recruit Nelson. You just dont hear him say that. And then we experienced the pandemic and there was great effort to make sure that President Nelson stayed well. "[112], While a student at the University of Utah, Nelson met and began dating fellow Utah student Dantzel White (19262005). But, yeah, we have strong testimonies and gratitude that the Lord has blessed us with prophets, to have that guidance in our lives. Both parents played the piano and their mother was a talented singer. We, one time, I had gotten all the Christmas decorations out of the attic. In August 2022, President Nelson traveled outside of Utah for the first time since the . And you know, wed get our hair wet and hed squirt shampoo on each of our heads and wed shampoo the person in front of us and he called it The shampoo train. And then hed say, About-face! and we turn around and shampoo the person who used to be in back of us is now in front of us. He wrote a letter to me, right after I was born. Sarah Jane Weaver: I think thats a really beautiful thing. Nelson signed 1,150 mission calls as the presiding apostle. I love the fact that just this year before conflict broke out between Russia and Ukraine in Eastern Europe, he had given a message and directed it to all the Saints in Europe, and told him that the future was bright for the Church in Europe. I think he used it as a teaching moment for us to help us and comfort us. But we never felt that it was tied to their feelings for us. Hed come in the door. Gloria Irion: I think he is open to hearing counsel. On April 14, 2022, Nelson surpassed Gordon B. Hinckley to become the oldest president in the history of the church. But I think a great impact on me is what Gloria shared, I think the fact that he has honored me, every Mothers Day my whole entire life, speaks volumes of the importance of family and the importance of eternal relationships. [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. [22] His patient was a Latter-day Saint stake patriarch. Prophet, physician, husband and father: A look at the life of President Nelson, 98 statements of counsel from President Nelson in honor of his 98th birthday, Church News podcast, episode 118: Three of President Russell M. Nelsons children celebrate his 5 years as prophet, offering a glimpse into his role as a father, Invitations President Nelson has given since he became Prophet, President Russell M. Nelsons prophetic ministry: 5 years of historic leadership, revelation and invitations, A fulness of joy: President Nelson shares message of eternal life at his daughters funeral, President Nelsons family gathered virtually to celebrate his birthday and hear his hopes for them, The 2 things President Nelson wants his family to know this Christmas, President Nelson is now a great-great grandfather. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: He is. Laurie Marsh: It was a great experience. They each had their specific roles but one couldnt operate properly without the other. On January 29, 1995, Emily died of cancer when she was 37 years old. Sarah Jane Weaver: Well take any stories. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Thats kind of like coming home from your mission and they say, How was your mission? How do you sum up two years in a sentence? [72], Since becoming church president, Nelson has visited members of the LDS Church in various areas of the world. Laurie Marsh: There was always somebody to talk to, somebody to play with, play dolls with, or talk about problems or whatever. Ringger. Gloria Irion: As a father, hes very loving, and, well, as the prophet to youve seen, just very loving, very, Christlike love for everyone. Sometimes, it was keeping Daddy from sleeping. I don't know how long Wendy has been sick, but because . And they said, Oh were just ordinary men in extraordinary callings. But kind of like I was saying earlier, I think, with my perspective of age, theyre a lot more than just ordinary men. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, exits the Cottonwood Heights Utah Brighton Stake Center as the casket is placed into the hearse after President Nelson spoke at funeral services for his daughter Wendy Nelson Maxfield, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. And shes always a cheerleader for Daddy in front of us, for sure. Sarah Jane Weaver: And when I think about your fathers ministry as president of the Church, its sort of compartmentalized for me. The Soccer . He also purchased one for each of his nine daughters, delivered with a note that read, With love as a potential mother.. So, thats been a neat thing for me to experience and learn over the last few years. While at Minnesota, he was a member of surgeon Clarence Dennis's pioneering research team developing the heart-lung machine that in April 1951 supported the first human open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. He was ordained an apostle on April 12, 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley. Dont know what I did in the pre-life, but Im grateful every day to be the daughter of Russell and Dantzel Nelson. building a so-called 'temple' in Shanghai. Gloria Irion: I thought it was really a blessing. They have agreed to talk to us about President Nelson in his role as a father. Join us every week for a new episode. [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. leading the Church through a global pandemic, President Russell M. Nelsons prophetic ministry: 5 years of historic leadership, revelation and invitations, What 3 of President Russell M. Nelsons children have learned from him as a father, 15 experiences of people who followed President Nelsons invitations, including focusing on the temple, taking charge of testimony, Invitations President Nelson has given since he became Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson offers 3 deep sea fishing lessons to help improve lives in 2023, Sarah Jane Weaver: Why President Nelsons 5-year ministry is not so different from playing Scrabble, President Nelsons family gathered virtually to celebrate his birthday and hear his hopes for them, The 2 things President Nelson wants his family to know this Christmas, President Nelson is now a great-great grandfather, Calling every temple a symbol of Jesus Christ, President Nelson rededicates the Washington D.C. Temple, Episode 67: Sister Nelson on being an eyewitness to President Nelsons four years as Prophet, Episode 12: Sister Wendy Nelson joins Sister Sheri Dew to talk about President Nelsons 3 years as Prophet, Episode 47: In honor of President Nelsons 97th birthday, Sheri Dew and Michael Colemere share insights and lessons learned from the Prophet. Usually on a weekend, Daddy would be gone, you know, at some stake conference or something else. And a constant forever is that routine of coming home and finding mother and greeting her and then having dinner together was always a great thing. So today, we will go in reverse order from age and start with Russ and go to Laurie and end with Gloria and have each of you answer the question: What do you know now that youve learned from President Russell M. Nelson? And that was underscored in just about everything that we did from, you know, We shouldnt let mother, or she shouldnt have to take out the garbage, thats our job. And so we would go take out the garbage, and make sure the home was in proper working order, and things like that from shoveling walks to doing dishes after the meal. And really, you dont need to be the child of Russell and Dantzel Nelson to have those blessings. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That just like, you know, because hes very medical, having gone through all of his years of training and surgery and, in his career and profession, just like a heart and brain work together to keep your body going, thats how I felt like our mom and dad ran our home. They both played the piano and the organ. Church President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, pose for photographs with family members after a press conference at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. [13], Nelson studied at LDS Business College in his mid-teens (concurrently with high school enrollment) and worked as an assistant secretary at a bank. And I, Im not sure Ill have time for that. And he said, Well, why dont you just come to a rehearsal and see what you think and, you know, just kind of come and check it out. So he comes, and he looks on the stage at the female lead role, and it was Dansel White, and he decided he would participate. And the rest of us are thinking, Oh., Gloria Irion: My mind would like to think that, but my bodys going, Are you kidding me?. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have ten children. And that if we can be obedient, and make and keep our covenants, well be able to live eternally as a family with Heavenly Father again. Russell Nelson Jr. remembers his father teaching him how to maintain the home, from changing a light bulb to shoveling the walks and taking out the garbage, as well as other home duties. And so thats probably one of the main lessons that I learned growing up about. And theyre difficult times for us. At the same conference, Dallin H. Oaks was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Monson. He was stern with us if we were rude to mom, but very, very, Christlike. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Even, a long time ago, I was 14, right after my freshman year of high school, I was the only one at home. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Provided by the Nelson family "He's very driven, very bright and catches on fast. Back row are doctors Lester R. Sauvage, Sigmund A. Wesolowski, President Nelson, Alton Ochsner, Jr. and Henry H. Balch. And it was fast-paced and it was hard to keep up with him, but it was also filled with so much love and beautiful moments. Sarah Jane Weaver: Russ, you have a huge opportunity to carry your fathers name, which also sometimes may feel heavy. So yeah, we know that hes curious. And there was a high expectation that we would be an eternal family and we were going to be working together to see how we could get that goal accomplished. But yeah, its less than, less than ideal, but in a lot of ways, there are some advantages to the Zoom calls too. So I think the takeaway for me in that, is, you know, our number one job is just to try to learn how to become an eternal family and enjoy all the blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give each and every one of us. And really, you dont need to be the child of Russell and Dantzel Nelson to have those blessings. [7] In 1984, Nelson and the American jurist Dallin H. Oaks were selected to fill two vacancies in the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Absolutely not. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah Jane Weaver: Now I heard your father once describe your home growing up. He was one of four children born to Floss Edna Nelson (ne Anderson; 1893-1983) and Marion Clavar Nelson (1897-1990). As Ive watched Daddy go through those times, and they are difficult times for us, Ive been so grateful for the teachings that our parents have given us about the importance of being centered in Jesus Christ, Marsh said. And this little boy, he couldnt have been 12. He treated her like royalty, Russell Nelson Jr. said. I think most of us took piano lessons and then got to choose another instrument, but music was really big. It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. I received the assignment in 2018 to write about your fathers global ministry. Gloria Irion: I know mother saw you when she was pregnant with Emily. What was that like to be raised in a home, did he help with homework? And so I know, for myself, that I didnt want to break the rules, because I didnt want to disappoint them. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: So much of our activities had to do with just being together, whether it was, you know, very early on, we would have monthly family parties, Christmas traditions, we could almost dictate the whole month of December by the traditions that we would do day by day and week by week. Faust. Children(s) Emily Nelson Wittwer, Brenda N. Miles, MORE [X] Biography. And theres no surprise to me that we all were so excited to be mothers, because the way he felt that position was such a calling of honor. During his April 2018 visit to India, Nelson explained to church members that the Lord had instructed him to announce the temple the night before general conference, though he had not originally planned to do so. He became a doctor, Doctor of the heart. "Who are we? Nelson took up this challenge and developed elementary proficiency in Mandarin. From left: Marjorie Lowder; Elder Michael T. Ringwood, a General Authority Seventy; Sister Rosalie Ringwood; and Wendy Maxfield. Subscribe to theChurch News podcastonApple Podcasts,Amazon,Google Podcasts,Stitcher,Spotify,bookshelf PLUSor wherever you get podcasts. And there was a high expectation that we would be an eternal family. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Youth Jesus Christ Friend to Friend 2021 A Visit with Sister Joy D. Jones, the Primary General President Activity: Draw a Child Praying Activity: Learn to Make Pictures from Rocks Sarah Jane Weaver: And I love as were talking about this as your fathers children, who was first a very prominent and renowned surgeon, then an apostle and then the prophet. As part of this change, young women ages 1418 may be assigned as ministering sisters, similar to the-long standing policies of young men ages 1418 serving as home teachers. But yeah, he would take us places. And thats how they met, I think the play was called Hayfoot Strawfoot. So that was, we liked that play and love that story. They love to watch sports. Six people named the daughter and son-in-law of the president of the Mormon church in a lawsuit Wednesday on charges of child sexual abuse. Gloria Irion: They had an opportunity, you know, there was no ultrasound in those days, they had an opportunity nine times to consider the name Russell Marion Nelson Jr. and never considered it, never considered it until Daddy met him. Theyre exercising their keys. And so after they were married, they lived in her home for a little bit. But I love the idea that whats important is, we all go through trials, right? . He was set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by President Thomas S. Monson on July 15, 2015. This is the way we treat this person. And a husband and a wife work together in a family. Were so grateful for that technology that allows us to do that. And his countenance was back up. But he would come and get us and drop us off, and then, I assume, go back to the stake center and resume his responsibilities as the stake president. What can we do for you? And he just said, Just go home and be with your, your children and love them and teach them. And so that right there was to me a good window into the eternities of how we just keep going. [5], A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson attended the University of Utah for his undergraduate and medical school education. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: One thing Ive learned, hearing from others, other General Authorities as we happen to bump into them, and even down into my own life is, watching him allow priesthood holders exercise their keys. But I would say, I know that a key part of life is to learn and to grow, and to love love one another, love the Lord and enjoy the blessings that come from Him as we keep our covenants. How to Have Joy. Russell M. Nelson was born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Floss Edna (ne Anderson; 18931983) and Marion Clavar Nelson (18971990). [29] In 1985, Nelson along with his colleague, Conrad B. Jenson, performed a quadruple bypass surgery on the Chinese opera performer Fang Rongxiang[zh] (19251989). This team was focused on ways to improve the treatment of wounded and was sent to all five MASH units active in Korea along with two major evacuation hospitals, several field station hospitals, a prisoner of war camp and larger evacuation hospitals in Japan, Hawaii, and the mainland United States in order to implement such improvements. What was it like when he came home? [58][59], After Monson's call to the First Presidency in 1985, Nelson was assigned as the apostle to oversee the work of the church in Eastern Europe. 1 with him, Marsh said. I had a flashback of when mother had kind of gotten a baby, usually a girl, at that point in time, to sleep, finally, at night. I think really, like I say, Im seventh, so Im a younger perspective. But he would also buy us daughters a corsage with a note with love as a potential mother. Laurie Marsh: Really, we have extraordinary parents, but we are a normal family. I only remember four, maybe four or five, of my sisters at home at once rather than all nine or 10 of us being together. Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of La. I think hes, I dont know, mind over matter what. But it was fun to feel like you were on a date with your Daddy and got to spend some time with him. 2:04 Gloria Irion: Thank you, Sarah. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: But and then, you know, another, since were talking about fishing, a related memory to that is he would, you know after we would clean the fish out. And I just kind of said, What do you, what do you want us to do now? Asking from a point of, How can we help you? They went because they were invited, Marsh said. President Russell M. Nelson was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 1984. A children's magazine published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First, he would find and greet his late wife, Dantzel Nelson. And to help make this goal of being an internal family happen. President Russell M. Nelson is the father of nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren. We just need to be a child of God. Sarah Jane Weaver: You have been listening to the Church News podcast. But a lot of the things that he made look easy, for me, now as a parent, with kids, ranging from 14 to 26 years old, takes a lot of effort and takes a lot of knowledge. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. Laurie Marsh: And for me, I think of my dad as a very optimistic person. [107], In October 2018, Nelson concluded a 10-day trip to South America by dedicating the Concepcion Chile Temple. Marsh appreciates her fathers glass-half-full perspective. What was your house like, when you were children? Wendy Nelson Maxfield died of cancer in 2019. I knew he loved her and he missed her. I just move forward and do as Im directed. And that was a lesson for me too. You must do this. Instead, he seems to invite us as members of the Lords Church to follow the commandments and then claim all the blessings that we can get from that. So, I thought that was a good example to always be a learner, a lifelong learner. [88], June 2018 began with a First Presidency-sponsored celebration of the 40th anniversary of the revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy members without regard to race, in which Nelson gave concluding remarks. Unfortunately, in 2005 Russel M Nelson's wife died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City. It could perceive a lot of weight on my shoulders, because hows he going to besmirch, our name? He was a very calm, patient and loving father. In 1960, he performed one of the first-ever repairs of tricuspid valve regurgitation. Gloria Irion: Sure. And that always meant a lot. Laurie Marsh: Thank you. He was stern to us if we were rude to mom, but very, very Christlike.. And he was always teaching. Friends by Mail. President Nelson supported his wife in becoming a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a few years. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hugs children after a devotional in Asuncin, Paraguay, on Monday, October 22, 2018. And I think I have learned from my own, personal experiences, that God calls prophets to lead and guide us while were on this earth. You know, we were all really close in age, and hed spend his whole time untangling our lines, because we would throw them wherever. I think he counsels well with others. In addition to the large crowd in attendance, the devotional was broadcast across the state. Nelson and Oaks filled the vacancies in the Quorum created by the deaths of LeGrand Richards and Mark E. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home.