Laurie Marsh: And a lot of it was just going to each others performances and doing things together as a family and decorating the Christmas tree to Handels Messiah. So music really was a huge part of the things that we would do together. 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. I know for myself that I didnt want to break the rules because I didnt want to disappoint them.. Just have faith in the Lord, do your best and everythings going to be okay. [39][4], Nelson was called as an apostle by church president Spencer W. Kimball, to whom he had served as a personal physician for many years. They have agreed to talk to us about President Nelson in his role as a father. 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). That was always a primary point of emphasis and point of teaching throughout my whole life, even still. We still have our family newsletter that everybody contributes once a month a little article. 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. In the early years of the Russell and Dantzel Nelson family, daughter Gloria Irion can remember nights when her mother had finally placed a sleeping baby in the crib only to have her father, just home from work, walk in and retrieve the infant. He would come find that baby in the crib, pick her up, nuzzle his nose in her neck, hold her and smell her and sing to her and coo to her, and put her back down, Irion said. (KUTV) At least six people are suing the daughter and son-in-law of Russell M. Nelson, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [52], Nelson made his first international trip as quorum president to Central America from August 2031, 2015. I mean, we were all so grateful, including him, that it wasnt a day or so before someone found her. And so he would try to teach me how to, from simple things like change a light bulb, to shovel the walks, or do the garbage and, you know, take care of things around the house. There is no surprise to me that we were all so excited to be mothers because of the way he felt that position was such a place of honor, such a calling of honor. First, the high priests groups at the ward level were dissolved, making all Melchizedek priesthood holders in wards and branches part of the elders quorum. [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." And so, did your father get everyone up and ready for church? We were at the Washington D.C. Temple rededication. [4][17], After medical school, Nelson went to the University of Minnesota for his medical residency. Gloria Irion: We were so grateful for the technology thats available. And theyre difficult times for us. [34] He was also a director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. and M.D. And that always meant a lot. Programa: Welcome to the weekly MormonNewsRoundup where Al & Dives ruminate on the great and spacious Beehive!, ep. So even though were not physically together, were still very emotionally attached. Gloria Irion: Its been wonderful to have. "[112][113] The Bureau added that the church's plans were "wishful thinking, not based in reality. She, like my mother, is a very Christ-centered person. It is a worldwide church and it is the Church of Jesus Christ and its for everyone. Nelson became a noted heart surgeon and served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Utah Medical Association.[6]. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson with family. And I think the other thing is, weve talked about the consistency of my dad, and my parents consistently had family prayer. President Nelson supported his wife in becoming a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a few years. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Yeah, theres no question I was well-mothered. They dated for three years, then married on August 31, 1945, in the Salt Lake Temple. [23][24] That operation was performed at the Salt Lake General Hospital (SLGH, now University of Utah Hospital) on an adult with an atrial septal defect. I think hes, I dont know, mind over matter what. I tell people all the time that I think we owe Wendy Nelson and the Lord for his longevity and his ability to serve in his capacity right now, Marsh said. What was discipline like in your home growing up? Welcome all of you to the Church News podcast. [10][11] His parents were not active in the Latter-day Saint faith while he was a youth, but they did send him to Sunday School,[12] and he was baptized a member of the LDS Church at age 16. So hed leave the stake center and come and pick us up. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. In Minnesota, he served as what was then known as Sunday School Superintendent in his local congregation. [90] That same weekend Nelson gave a devotional to LDS youth in which he urged them to more fully commit to the church. [106] With the temple in Nicaragua, Nelson fulfilled an apostolic promise he had made to church members there six years earlier. [33], Nelson was honored nationally by being elected president of the Society for Vascular Surgery for the year 1975. After 20 months in service, he left active duty at the rank of captain. [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. And it actually goes along with what were talking about when we asked him about his decision to let members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, dedicated temples. But he said, President Nelson, You had to stop being a surgeon to be a prophet, was that hard for you? You just, you just walked away from your medical career. Screenshot from YouTube And so a lot of these adjustments that the Church has gone through over these past five years or so its been interesting, for me having been, I was 12 years old when he was called to be in the Quorum of the Twelve. Sarah Jane Weaver: And I never hear him use words like, must or should. Its something that Ive paid a lot of attention to, because we write his quotes in the Church News. And I think we had as much fun after we came home from our dates as we did on the dates. Laurie Marsh: I have to mention, because to me, its his biggest life is his focus on the Savior. Or I happened to be serving a mission during most of his time so far, and Preach My Gospel was another one that helped build my faith. First, he would find and greet his late wife, Dantzel Nelson. [30], In 1965, the University of Chicago offered Nelson the position as head of their department of thoracic surgery. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Anyway, do you know more of the story? So really, by and large, we all came all the time. His health and strength is due in large part to her efforts and all the things she does to support him, Russell Nelson Jr. said. But it really has been a big blessing, for sure. Often on Mothers Day, President Nelson bought his wife a corsage. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of 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. [60][61] Nelson was involved in the first meetings between LDS Church leaders and government officials of Bulgaria,[62] Romania, and the Soviet Union, and worked to continue LDS expansion and recognition efforts in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. And so that way we can kind of keep up on what hes doing and he can read what were doing. Most of the children learned to play the piano and at least one additional instrument. Sarah Jane Weaver: And I know your mother served for five years in the Tabernacle Choir. [23], Nelson first operated out of the University of Utah's medical school. Come, Follow Me. He knew everything that could have been done was done. Before holding his babies, the world-renowned heart surgeon had something of a routine when he came home each day, Marsh remembers. There was no question he was the head of the home. Is there something that you have learned from observing his Church leadership? We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: I think one of the things that both of them, and especially our dad was really good at, is teaching us why we do things, less about the how and more about the why. And so, obedience or adherence to rules, laws, whatever came with that understanding of why we were doing it. And I acknowledge that we love Wendy. It is anticipated that the process of creating the new unified hymnbook and children's songbook will take several years. [129], Media related to Russell M. Nelson at Wikimedia Commons, "Russell Nelson" redirects here. He then did his medical residency and earned a PhD at the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of the research team developing the heart-lung machine that in 1951 supported the first ever human open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Laurie Marsh: Yeah, he committed pretty fast. So thats not surprising, but its been neat to see. Prophet Asks "Let me ask one question," said President Russell M. Nelson to youth assembled in the visitors' center in Palmyra. "All are children of God." 1:29 Can You Feel My Love? They had a wonderful married life. Nothing is ever too hard, just have faith in the Lord, do your best, and everything is going to be OK, she said. I love this idea that she was the first person he looked for when he came home. President Russell M. Nelson, second from right, skiing with three daughters and a son-in-law, prior to becoming President of the Church. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gloria Irion: Right, yeah, it was funny. 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. When he was home, he was home, Marsh said. But we just, out of love and not wanting to be left out. President Russell M. Nelson during his career wiht a team of doctors: Gen. Sam F. Seeley, and Lt. Col. Edwin J. Pulaski, front. He pronounced blessings upon Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo while visiting each of those countries; these serve as addendums to Monson's 1985 dedication of Yugoslavia for the preaching of the gospel. Sister Nelson passed away in February 2005. You have nine daughters, and your mothers gone in the morning to perform with the choir. Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. discuss the lessons learned as children from their father, President Russell M. Nelson. In May 1982 he was a visiting professor at the Hospital de Clinicas in Montevideo, Uruguay. Faust. It was the only time I saw him turn on the TV. And thats less great than his wonderful hugs, but we get to see FaceTime, Daddy gets to see FaceTime for people that are across the country, our missionaries in the world, you know, some of the family members that are missionaries every once in a while, theyll get to tune in on these calls. I often think of the Doctrine and Covenants section 6:36, Look unto me in every thought, doubt not fear not, and that is my dad. I feel like the way he is leading the Church is exactly an example of the way we were raised, Marsh said. 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. Hes always had a lot of responsibilities. So the two of them working together was just a nice example of how a husband and wife and the mother and father work together.. Family bonds were also strengthened through holiday traditions and large gatherings. 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. And just to reinforce Glorias thought about, what a great example of someone who gets up every day and learns something new every day, and Ive quite often use that, just think, OK, this is an opportunity to learn and to grow, rather than going, Oh, I cant do it again. You know, its just an opportunity to learn more and serve more. "The purpose of the Church is to bring the blessings of God to His children on both sides of the veil," he said. President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. [65] While there, Nelson visited government officials, was interviewed by Yuzhnaya Stalitsa television, and dedicated that country for the preaching of the gospel. How did his studies ripple into the home? Laurie Marsh: There was always somebody to talk to, somebody to play with, play dolls with, or talk about problems or whatever. [53] The following month, Nelson dedicated the renovated Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site in Pennsylvania, where LDS Church members believe the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods were restored. . "I feel pure joy every time I welcome a new member of our family into the world." Irion added her witness that President Nelson has been prepared and preserved to lead the Church. degrees from the University of Utah and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. [80][81][82], In August 2019, Nelson visited Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. Sarah Jane Weaver: I think thats a really beautiful thing. [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. She, like my mother, is a very Christ-centered person. [24] In an indication of his surgical skill, a 1968 case series of his aortic valve replacements demonstrated an exceptionally low peri-operative mortality. But I do have that visual image. I dont remember him watching TV. And I actually lament reaching this point in the podcast, because I could hear you guys talk about your father all day long. Gloria Irion: He was kind of busy with his own church callings, too. the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, receives hugs from family members after he and his councilors President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor held a press conference at the church office building in Salt Lake City Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. And Ill never forget President Nelson looked at that little boy so tenderly. And it was a nice reinforcement of, you know, Dont worry about him. And she had just finished the laundry, and he was carrying the basket up with her, you know, and they sat down on the sofa to watch the BYU game. She was a Canadian nurse and educator. When he was home, it was time for the family.. He knew decades before I did that there was such a thing as airdropping photos," Irion said of her 98-year-old father. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Right after our mom passed away, that was the first time in my life that Id ever seen him visibly sad, or not the cheerful countenance that he usually had for that year plus, after our moms passing. There was also a shift from having members of the Sunday School general board do all the training for new teachers to providing materials which developed into the book Teaching: No Greater Call. ", "Meet LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson, a Renaissance man with perfect pitch and pure faith", "Elder Russell M. Nelson: Applying Divine Laws", "SVS Past Presidents | Society for Vascular Surgery", "Pamela Atkinson: President Nelson's work has been saving lives and souls", "President Nelson Honored as "Pioneer" of Heart Surgery - Church News and Events", "Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles", "What I know now that I learned from President Russell M. Nelson", "First Presidency statement cites scriptural mandate for Church committee", "Religious Leaders Hold A 2d World Parliament", "Elder Russell M. Nelson Celebrates 90th Birthday - Church News and Events", "NEWS STORY: State Department names religious freedom advisory committee", "LDS Church Apostle, his wife and 2 other couples attacked in Mozambique - KSL.com", "Elder Nelson Completes Trip to Africa in Kenya - Church News and Events", "LDS Business College appoints new president", "Inauguration for LDS Business College's 13th president", "President Boyd K. Packer Dies At Age 90", President Nelson counsels Central American members to claim the blessings of the temple, live the gospel, LDS Apostle dedicates newly developed Priesthood Restoration Site, "Mormon leader says policy against gay marriage was word from God", "LDS Apostle: Policy on same-sex couples was revelation from God", "Mormon LGBT ban was 'revealed' to the prophet as God's will, says Elder Nelson", "LDS Church dumps its controversial LGBTQ policy, cites 'continuing revelation' from God", "First Presidency Shares Messages From General Conference Leadership Session", "New Mormon President: Who is Russell M. Nelson, set to become 17th Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? He was there. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. I remember to when he had business trips, Im not sure how long this lasted, but I remember quite a few times, he would take one or two of us along when he had to go give a paper somewhere or something. 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). He was happy. Especially being at the younger end, I saw more mature father and parents than my siblings did. But as Ive watched Daddy go through those times. And they were sitting on the sofa together holding hands. And in that letter, he committed that he wouldnt do anything to besmirch our name. The call to serve in this position had been extended to Nelson by Richard L. Evans, an apostle and the lead figure over publicity efforts on Temple Square. In that time, more than 70 changes and announcements have been made . President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints poses in his office in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Laurie Marsh: I felt like from both of my parents the importance of our education that that was stressed. President Russell M. Nelson is the father of nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren. And hes more personable. President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sits with his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor (left), and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor (right), at a press conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. [87], Nelson also introduced major changes in church organization during the April general conference. He was set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by President Thomas S. Monson on July 15, 2015. Scripture Toss. Watch this video that celebrates his love of children By Lindsey Williams December 22, 2020 04:57 PM MST In September, Church News shared what President Russell M. Nelson taught his 57 grandchildren and 140 great-grandchildren as part of his birthday celebration. Parents shouldn't have to bury their children, and in President Nelson's life, he has had this heavy duty twice. In 1992, it was identified he was on the Strengthening Church Members Committee, alongside fellow apostle James E. And so I think that was very much an emphasis in our home. 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. 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. What have you observed from their relationship? Age, Height, and Weight Being born on 9 September 1924, Russell M Nelson is 98 years old as of today's date 13th January 2023. 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. [85], In March 2018, the First Presidency issued a letter on preventing and responding to abuse. Usually on a weekend, Daddy would be gone, you know, at some stake conference or something else. But, yeah, we have strong testimonies and gratitude that the Lord has blessed us with prophets, to have that guidance in our lives. So when mother sang in the choir, I must have been, I dont know, 7 or 8 or something. From 1955 to 1965, Nelson served as a missionary on Temple Square every Thursday afternoon for about two hours giving tours to visitors. The event marked the first time in history that a pope and an LDS Church president met face-to-face. I once saw Russs birth announcement and it had a picture of nine girls on the front and said, Boy, oh, boy. And really, you dont need to be the child of Russell and Dantzel Nelson to have those blessings. So we would spend time together on a family trip. So we were gone in total for about three weeks, two weeks of our own trip, and then a week of his assignment. I dont know if it happened a ton or if its just that such a fond memory that I remember that, but he was pretty hands on. Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Afterwards, in September, he traveled to church meetings in several European countries. So, those are words that I think describe him well. Was there an emphasis on you choosing careers? And so, yeah, he had a really good way of making very mundane and plain things feel like it was great to do and great to do together. [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. Other Nelson family activities included skiing, summer family trips, swimming and other outings. And they were talking a little bit about themselves and their callings. They had ten children together, nine daughters, Rosalie, Sylvia, Marsha, Wendy, Brenda, Emily, Laurie, Marjorie, and Gloria, and one son, Russell. 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. Were so grateful that you would share him with us so that he could teach us so much about the Savior Jesus Christ. 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]. [37], After returning to Salt Lake City, he was called as priest quorum advisor in the Garden Park Ward, working with over 50 boys ages 16 to 18. "[112], While a student at the University of Utah, Nelson met and began dating fellow Utah student Dantzel White (19262005). And, you know, he knew decades before I did that there was such a thing as AirDropping photos, and he taught our daughter and we didnt even know there was such a thing. You just dont hear him say that. 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. [111], In April 2020, Nelson announced plans to build a temple in Shanghai, China. Ringger. And we try to unwind it and we try to untangle it and he kind of just stops for a second, exasperated and looks up at me goes, This reminds me of fishing with your sisters.. Absolutely not. And I had the chance to interview him and I said, Well, this is the first time youve been out and out among the Saints since the COVID pandemic. And he did not like that question. 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 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. This broadcast ahead of the press conference was unprecedented and provided the new leaders an opportunity to briefly address the entire church immediately. That was always number one.
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