This letter reiterated existing policies, but also explicitly stated that no one should ever be counseled against reporting abuse to legal authorities. He knew decades before I did that there was such a thing as airdropping photos, Irion said of her 98-year-old father. Sarah Jane Weaver: Is there anything about your fathers service as President of the Church that surprised you or that caught your attention? But Ive always said it keeps me good. So, I mean, that leaves a lot of, I guess a lot of weight. And so, like Laurie said, hes always been very consistent throughout his whole life. Just have faith in the Lord, do your best and everythings going to be okay. We chose to come. Their family includes 10 children, 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. 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?. While in Rome, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles took the first apostolic group photo in two decades. As of April 2022, Nelson has announced a total of 100 new temples to be built in several countries around the world. Nelson and Oaks filled the vacancies in the Quorum created by the deaths of LeGrand Richards and Mark E. On February 12, 2005, Nelson lost his first wife unexpectedly. At one point, the team came close enough to the front that they received fire from enemy artillery positions, which missed them. 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. February 2023. Contents. And Ive watched him help and love a lot of people along the way. It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. [38][39] He later served as a stake president in Salt Lake City from 1964 to 1971, with fellow future apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin serving as his second counselor. Monson. 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. They dated for three years, then married on August 31, 1945, in the Salt Lake Temple. I mean, I can remember having so many fun experiences. After further surgical training and a two-year stint in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War, Nelson returned to Salt Lake City and accepted a professorship at the University of Utah School of Medicine. And thats the way theyve been with everyone that joined our family, whether it was after our sister passed away and a new mother would come in for these kids. On Monday, September 9th, President Russell M. Nelson will be celebrating his 95th birthday. from the University of Utah in 1947, shortly after completing his medical degree. In that time, more than 70 changes and announcements have been made . Family bonds were also strengthened through holiday traditions and large gatherings. He was set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by President Thomas S. Monson on July 15, 2015. Here he is giving countless messages, reaching out via technology, thinking about members in very, very specific ways. [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. 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. [4] He was chair of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital. A good example is you see all of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles each having their own opportunities to dedicate temples. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: He, a lot of times, even as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve has a lot of travel and a lot of comings and goings, and a question he would get asked a lot is, How do you deal with jet lag? And he would just say, I dont have time to deal with it. What have you observed from their relationship? And so is his wife and my mother had an amazing role in that, as well. President Nelson, the leader of almost 17 million Latter-day Saints worldwide, has traveled to 35 nations, changed Church organization, utilized technology, led the Church through a pandemic, issued historic invitations Youve made such an impact in that world of open heart surgery. And he says, Quite frankly, Laurie, I havent had time to think about it. [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 went because they were invited, Marsh said. Dantzel Nelson with fourth daughter Brenda. and M.D. 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. Gloria Irion: Yes, I think thats very well said. 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. 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. . So even though were not physically together, were still very emotionally attached. They consistently had family home evening. Shes very strong. He doesnt look for anybodys approval, but the Lords. And that always meant a lot. President Nelsons children admire their father for his discipline, optimism and activity, among many other qualities. Daddy was able to participate in the school musical up at the University of Utah his freshman year. And thats been one thing thats been true. But yes, hes very driven, and very bright, and catches on fast, but loves to be up on the latest technology. But none of us were ever forced to come, everyone would still get together. [24], In 2015, the University of Utah, along with the American College of Cardiology, created the Russell M. Nelson MD, PhD Visiting Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery. 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. Irion added her witness that President Nelson has been prepared and preserved to lead the Church. And I actually lament reaching this point in the podcast, because I could hear you guys talk about your father all day long. I knew he loved her and he missed her. A photo of Dantzel White Nelson and Russell M. Nelson as a young couple. And he said, Oh, no, Im just good at taking instruction. Prophet Asks "Let me ask one question," said President Russell M. Nelson to youth assembled in the visitors' center in Palmyra. 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. Is that hard? I think he counsels well with others. [24] In an indication of his surgical skill, a 1968 case series of his aortic valve replacements demonstrated an exceptionally low peri-operative mortality. He was happy. That was always No. Was there an emphasis on you choosing careers? And so thats probably one of the main lessons that I learned growing up about. How did you keep close as a family? And I think thats something that I treasure. [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. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Absolutely not. Laurie Marsh: Thank you. 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. https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng Russell M. Nelson delivers a message titled "Children of the Covenant." Next, Nelson ended home teaching and visiting teaching, replacing the programs with a focus on ministering, and shifting both the focus and methods of tracking them. 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. 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.. My guess is he made sure we looked presentable. Subscribe to theChurch News podcastonApple Podcasts,Amazon,Google Podcasts,Stitcher,Spotify,bookshelf PLUSor wherever you get podcasts. Hes going to be fine. What we need to do is focus on our little ones and continue to teach them and bring them up. I thought, What a commitment for a large family to make, for her to have that opportunity to go and be gone one night a week and then on Sunday mornings. And so Im totally interested in how that worked at your house. [90] That same weekend Nelson gave a devotional to LDS youth in which he urged them to more fully commit to the church. But really, we chose to come and I dont know what their secret was that made it look so awesome to participate. What did your parents do to create that feeling in your family? They talk about President Nelsons Church leadership and offer a unique glimpse into his role as a father, husband and teacher. But, yeah, we have strong testimonies and gratitude that the Lord has blessed us with prophets, to have that guidance in our lives. And when he was home, it was time for the family. [106] With the temple in Nicaragua, Nelson fulfilled an apostolic promise he had made to church members there six years earlier. And so I think we had a lot of stuff going on on Saturdays to prepare for Sunday. 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. During his tenure the Sunday School developed a unified 8-year-cycle of covering the LDS Church's scriptures in its curriculum. Russell M. Nelson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside was given on 6 February 2005. 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. 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? [111], In April 2020, Nelson announced plans to build a temple in Shanghai, China. Obedience or adherence to rules and laws came with the understanding of why we were doing it, Russell Nelson Jr. said. Our inheritance is sacred. 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. Fishing. . We were at the Washington D.C. Temple rededication. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. Because, you know, our sisters were there, sometimes their dates would hang out after, and my mother was usually there to hear the details, or just to be with us. [76] On the same trip, he visited Puerto Rico. To not join in meant missing out on something fun. He would come find that baby in the crib, pick her up and nuzzle his nose in her neck, and hold her and smell her, and sing to her,and coo to her, and put her back down and then go back if it was you know, at night after the baby had been put to bed. President Nelson supported his wife in becoming a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a few years. This episode of the Church News podcast features three of President Nelsons 10 Children, Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. It has been four years since Russell M. Nelson became prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You know, we talk about the things that are positive and the things that my parents did great. They both played the piano and the organ. 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. Emily Nelson Wittwer died of cancer in 1995. And then they switch over to the Utah basketball game. ", "Discovering a Surgical First: Russell M. Nelson and Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty", "At U. Commencement, President Nelson and Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell give advice about adversity", "U of U Health - Celebrating 60 Years of Cardiac Surgery in Utah With Russell M. Nelson, M.D. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have ten children. building a so-called 'temple' in Shanghai. How do you sum up a lifetime of being taught. [39], Nelson later served for four and a half years as a regional representative. And hes good at it. He made time for it. Sarah Jane Weaver:And Laurie, I want to share a story. [119] Watson, originally from Raymond, Alberta, was a professor of marriage and family therapy at BYU prior to her retirement in 2006. You know, I said a little bit earlier that I was always taught to respect women, especially our mother and my sisters. Children(s) Emily Nelson Wittwer, Brenda N. Miles, MORE [X] Biography. I hope you have learned something today about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by peering with me through the Church News window. Sometimes, it was keeping Daddy from sleeping. Its been five years since President Nelson was sustained and set apart on Jan. 14, 2018, as the Churchs 17th President. 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. And she just kind of slumped over. So always active, always doing something, always engaged. Sarah Jane Weaver: And Russ, we saved you for last, because you came at the end of the Nelson family. He said, I never left them. And, and then you look back. And we just loved sharing experiences with each other. And so really, that part is not different. In 2009, he, along with his wife and others, were attacked while in Mozambique. He became a doctor, Doctor of the heart. It was part of how they met, too, that musical up at the U. But yeah, music was something we love to do together. He was there. I don't know how long Wendy has been sick, but because . We were serving in Nauvoo when the sister just older than I am, passed away, Wendy, that was just before they went to Paradise, California. President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson are interviewed in Salt Lake City on Friday May 29, 2020. For approximately half of this time, he was assigned to oversee the fourteen stakes at BYU, while he worked with the stakes in Kearns, Utah, for the rest of his tenure. He then moved to the Yale Second Ward, still in the Bonneville Stake, and was called as a member of the stake high council. And I remember as a 14-year-old thinking, Man, are we ever gonna go home? Because we are in a different place, a different country, a different something every day, every night. And this little boy, he couldnt have been 12. And now, the 96-year-old father of 10, has a new title: great-great-grandfather. 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. She was 78 at the time of her sudden death. [71] On August 8, 2022, Nelson became the church's oldest apostle ever, surpassing David B. And so that was one-on-one time with him, or one-on-two, if there was someone else with you. 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. . Nelson began his presidency two days after his ordination with a short broadcast to church members in January 2018 before then holding a press conference. That was a good window into the eternities and how we just keep going, Russell Nelson Jr. said. [109] Nelson took all the church's apostles with him to Rome for that dedication. [15][16] While at the University of Utah, he was a member of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Chi and Owl and Key. Provided by the Nelson family "He's very driven, very bright and catches on fast. I think the Church is very well aware that they kind of had a motto when they got married to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and everything else will be added on to it. And you go through these hard and difficult times and when you see your dad be vulnerable and lose these loved ones, its hard. 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. Pinterest. Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. discuss the lessons learned as children from their father, President Russell M. Nelson. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: 217 total, I think was the last number I knew. Friend January 2019 "Show and Tell" Senior Primary children in Greater Manchester, England, wrote their own verse about President Russell M. Nelson for the song "Follow the Prophet.". And I think thats a sentiment that is shared by all of our listeners, as well. We were traveling with President Nelson on his global ministry in Uruguay. Hes always doing something, always engaged.. I mean, we were all so grateful, including him, that it wasnt a day or so before someone found her. 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. But yeah, its less than, less than ideal, but in a lot of ways, there are some advantages to the Zoom calls too. But something that we just did together and had fun doing together. Everything amazes me, but nothing surprises me. Laurie Marsh: I think, to Daddy gets some credit for trying to keep everybody together. Up through August 2019, he had visited sixteen countries, addressing thousands of members of the faith. "[112][113] The Bureau added that the church's plans were "wishful thinking, not based in reality. Sometimes President Nelson took his children on business trips. Gloria Irion: I could probably do my own hair by them. And his countenance was back up. They had a wonderful married life. Dantzel and Russell Nelson had ten children, 56 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. I think he used it as a teaching moment for us to help us and comfort us. Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox, The three things you need to know everyday, Highlights from the last week to keep you informed. Nelson told members that the use of nicknames such as Mormon or LDS was "a major victory for Satan. If he didnt have other responsibilities or obligations, he was fully present. 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. Before holding his babies, the world-renowned heart surgeon had something of a routine when he came home each day, Marsh remembers. She, like my mother, is a very Christ-centered person. The operation would "entail extremely high risk." Wearily, President Kimball, then the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said he was ready to die. And the thing about Daddy with this routine is when he was home, he was home. 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. It wasnt me. But as Ive watched Daddy go through those times. [77][78], On February 10, 2019, Nelson spoke to church members in Arizona at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. 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. Sarah Jane Weaver: And I want to talk about, you know, you had this very tight-knit family that enjoyed being together and cherished the connections you had with each other. And theyre difficult times for us. Wendy Nelson Maxfield died of cancer in 2019. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. President Nelson did not push his children one way or another in their career choices. I think hes good at making decisions and moving forward. In my remembrance, I think Daddy kind of had a routine. You have nine daughters, and your mothers gone in the morning to perform with the choir. What was that like to be raised in a home, did he help with homework? [4][17], After medical school, Nelson went to the University of Minnesota for his medical residency. What was discipline like in your home growing up? 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. Come, Follow Me Activities. She, like my mother, is a very Christ-centered person. Twelve Smiley Stickers . Have faith in the podcast, because you came at the time of 98-year-old... Why we were traveling with President Nelson took all the Church 's Apostles him... Thinking, Man, are we ever gon na go home temples to raised... Come and I dont know what their secret was that like to be prophet! Little boy, he was home in a different country, a different something every day, Marsh said he... Of Latter-day Saints the LDS Church 's oldest apostle ever, surpassing David B: great-great-grandfather about Nelsons. Prophet, was that hard for you a thing as airdropping photos, Irion said of her 98-year-old.... 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