Salt Lake City — September 27, 2025 – In a quiet Salt Lake City evening, the world said goodbye to a man whose century of life impacted millions. Russell Marion Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 101, becoming the oldest leader in the Church’s nearly 200-year history.
To his faith community of over 17 million members, he was a prophet and spiritual guide. To the world, he was a bridge-builder — a renowned heart surgeon who healed both physical and spiritual hearts, fluent in 11 languages, and a tireless traveler connecting with people globally.
His passing marks the end of an era for the Church and a remarkable life that fused science with faith, compassion with conviction, and local upbringing with a global vision of peace and service.
From Scalpel to Scripture: Healing Hearts in Every Sense
Before leading a worldwide faith, Russell M. Nelson operated in surgical rooms, saving lives.
In 1955, he performed Utah’s first open-heart surgery, a historic milestone paving the way for modern cardiac care in the region. Over his distinguished career, he completed more than 7,000 operations and helped develop the heart-lung machine, a groundbreaking innovation enabling open-heart surgery worldwide.
For Nelson, medicine was intertwined with faith. “I think a surgeon is in a unique position to understand one of God’s greatest creations — the human body,” he once said. “Every segment of the body motivates me to faith.”
He often reminded his surgical team their work was part of an answer to prayers:
“This patient has been praying for success, and their family has been praying too. All those prayers won’t matter if you make a mistake — you must do your job perfectly so this patient can receive the blessing they seek.”
This philosophy — combining responsibility, precision, and reverence for life — became a hallmark of his Church leadership.
A Global Ministry of Connection
When President Nelson assumed Church leadership in January 2018 at 93, many expected a quiet stewardship. Instead, he became one of the Church’s most globally engaged leaders.
“All of us who have worked with Russell M. Nelson, and those he has taught, have marveled at his extraordinary modesty for a man of his great accomplishments,” said President Dallin H. Oaks, who served as Nelson’s First Counselor. “And [we] have marveled at his gentleness. He is just the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with. And he will always be remembered that way.”
Over seven years, he traveled to 32 countries and U.S. territories, personally meeting members, leaders, and communities. From Samoa to Singapore, Peru to Rome, he brought messages of hope and faith.
Wherever he went, Nelson embraced local cultures. In Peru, he switched from English to Spanish mid-speech, bringing an entire stadium to its feet in applause. In Jerusalem, he walked the streets of the city, whose name means “peace.”
In Rome, he met Pope Francis, describing their encounter as warm and meaningful. “His Holiness was most gracious and welcoming,” Nelson said. “The Catholic people are fortunate to have such a loving and capable leader.”
International interfaith leaders also reflected on Nelson’s legacy. Ivan Arjona, Scientology’s representative to European institutions, OSCE, and the UN, highlighted Nelson’s unique contribution to faith and humanity:
“President Russell M. Nelson’s century of service — uniting scientific excellence with a sincere devotion to faith — reminds us that freedom of religion or belief is ultimately about human dignity and the hope we can build together.”
Fluent in many languages, President Nelson delighted in personal connections. His daughter recalled, “He loved to see people embrace the gospel and watch them change — from sadness to hope, from darkness to light.”
In a world with diverse beliefs, Nelson’s vision offered faith as a bridge — fostering respect, dialogue, and shared humanity.
A Life Anchored in Family
Behind his public role was a man deeply devoted to his family. His first wife, Dantzel White, captured his heart with her voice in a university musical production. Their marriage was filled with music, prayer, and perseverance during challenging years of medical training and military service.
Together, they raised ten children in a home centered on love and spiritual connection. Nelson recalled a time in Boston when Dantzel, as young parents, asked wistfully through a shop window, “Do you think we’ll ever be able to afford a lamp?”
That moment, like many others, was guided by their shared faith in a better future.
After Dantzel’s sudden passing in 2005, Nelson faced deep grief
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