LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson Dies at 101, Leaves Legacy of Global Growth and Policy Shifts

President Russell M. Nelson, the beloved leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away late Saturday, September 27, at his Salt Lake City home. He was 101 years old, making him the oldest individual to serve as president of the global faith.

Nelson is survived by his wife, Wendy; eight of his ten children from his first marriage; 57 grandchildren; and more than 167 great-grandchildren. His passing is a pivotal moment for the Church, which counts approximately 2% of American adults among its members, with a significant concentration in the Western U.S.

Before dedicating his life to full-time church service, President Nelson was a renowned heart surgeon. He performed Utah’s first open-heart surgery in 1955 and was recognized for his contributions to medical technology, including the development of an artificial heart and lung machine.

He transitioned to full-time church leadership in 1984, eventually joining the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In January 2018, he ascended to the presidency, where his tenure was marked by several significant policy changes and an ambitious expansion of temple construction worldwide. Notably, in 2019, he reversed a policy that had labeled same-sex member couples as “apostates” and restricted their children from religious rites.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.