And so really, that part is not different. He just was a very calm, and patient and loving father. And I think shes a great sounding board for Daddy and plays a critical role. 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. You have nine daughters, and your mothers gone in the morning to perform with the choir. So, I thought that was a good example to always be a learner, a lifelong learner. [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. Shes very strong. And I know that Daddy has been called to be the prophet in these times. And then they switch over to the Utah basketball game. You get more joy from letting other people have that experience than you do from having that experience yourself. And I thought that was such a beautiful sentiment. [32] Nelson traveled extensively as a medical doctor and addressed conferences in many parts of Latin America and Africa, as well as in India and China. Now, your father graduated from medical school at age 22, first in his class. [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. Sarah Jane Weaver: We have a tradition at the Church News podcast. 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. I think he used it as a teaching moment for us to help us and comfort us. [54], In 2016, as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Nelson declared that the church's governing council had received a revelation from God forbidding minor children of same-sex couples from being baptized without First Presidency approval. Welcome to the Church News podcast. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home. Im interested if there is one moment or one memory that each of you can share about your father that can help us just get to know him just a little bit better. At the same conference, Dallin H. Oaks was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Nelson told members that the use of nicknames such as Mormon or LDS was "a major victory for Satan. They both played the piano and the organ. 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. 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. Sarah Jane Weaver: He committed pretty fast? Contents. Both parents played the piano and their mother was a talented singer. He encouraged them to collectively choose a period of seven days in which to abstain from the use of social media. Hed come in the door. Obedience or adherence to rules and laws came with the understanding of why we were doing it, Russell Nelson Jr. said. [111], In April 2020, Nelson announced plans to build a temple in Shanghai, China. [97] At the end of the month, Nelson toured five South American countries, during which he met with Peru's president, Martn Vizcarra, gave a major address in Peru in Spanish, and dedicated the Concepcin Chile Temple. You just dont hear him say that. Shes a good one, such a blessing to our family. He was a very calm, patient and loving father. [45][46], Nelson's assignments as an apostle have included supervisory responsibility for the LDS Church in Africa. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: 217 total, I think was the last number I knew. And Ive had many experiences over the last five years that confirm that, and I am eternally grateful. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Yeah, its been fun to kind of contrast and compare the way his teachings and ministry happens worldwide now, to the way it was done in our home when we were young, when I was young. But there was a deep level of grief all three times.. 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? We were at the Washington D.C. Temple rededication. Shes precious and an angel mother, he called her, Irion said. We, one time, I had gotten all the Christmas decorations out of the attic. 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. The Nelsons have nine daughters, and then one son so your memories of him would be a little different. Every one of us has such a strong testimony that hes here for such a time. Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of La. Friend. Come, Follow Me. They each had their specific roles but one couldnt operate properly without the other. Of course, we were all in tears and trying to deal with that. Nelson and Oaks filled the vacancies in the Quorum created by the deaths of LeGrand Richards and Mark E. February 2023. And imagine in your minds eye the cardboard box just packed full of Christmas lights, strings and strings of Christmas lights. The hymn practice time in Sunday School was also renamed to worship through music. That doesnt sound like fun at all now as an adult, but somehow he made it seem like it was something that obviously, it needed to be done. So we all have that exact same opportunity. This episode of the Church News podcast features three of President Nelsons 10 children: Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. 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: Well, we always did, like almost everyone else, Im sure, did fun summer trips, whether we rented a cabin up at Brighton or, you know, went to the beach in California or drove up to Canada. Daddy was able to participate in the school musical up at the University of Utah his freshman year. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. 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. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: And so, there was a time I wanted to be a doctor and I think he was kind of proud of that. Friends by Mail. I think the world at large has seen that hes been preserved, but to see the preparation that has happened, and to hear from him about receiving instruction, receiving guidance, following that guidance, is such a testimony to me about the prophet and the Lord communicating with the Church through the prophet and communicating with the world. Sarah Jane Weaver: I think thats a really beautiful thing. Were so grateful that you would share him with us so that he could teach us so much about the Savior Jesus Christ. [18][19][20], Nelson served a two-year term of duty in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War, and was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Sister Nelson passed away in February 2005. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: He is. And he would take us to church. 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. 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?. And that, by no coincidence, is tied to the word disciple. I dont remember him watching TV. President Nelson supported his wife in becoming a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a few years. Dr. Russell M. Nelson holds a model of the human heart. Lost and Found Friends. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home. And I think the other thing is, weve talked about the consistency of my dad, and my parents consistently had family prayer. Did you focus on science and math? Hes curious. [15][16] While at the University of Utah, he was a member of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Chi and Owl and Key. And, Laurie, lets have you weigh in first. He tended to walk through their home, turning off extra lights or the television, before sitting down to dinner with the family. And I think thats something that I treasure. He knew everything that could have been done was done. What was your house like, when you were children? I feel like we were so secure because we knew they were secure. From 1955 to 1965, Nelson served as a missionary on Temple Square every Thursday afternoon for about two hours giving tours to visitors. If he didnt have other responsibilities or obligations, he was fully present. He was one of four children born to Floss Edna Nelson (ne Anderson; 1893-1983) and Marion Clavar Nelson (1897-1990). He loves to be up on the latest technology. After the death of his first wife, Nelson proposed to Wendy L. Watson. [74], In June 2018, Nelson traveled to Alberta, Canada, where his second wife was born and raised, and gave three devotional addresses in three consecutive evenings. But Ive always said it keeps me good. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have ten children. He focused on the family for sure. Nelson took up this challenge and developed elementary proficiency in Mandarin. And so we love to sing together. 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. Yeah, he might watch a bowl game on New Years day. [99], In April 2019, the church's First Presidency published a revelation reversing a controversial November 2015 policy classifying same-sex marriage couples as apostates, and barring children of same-sex marriages from baby blessings, and from baptism until age 18. Irion added her witness that President Nelson has been prepared and preserved to lead the Church. But I do have that visual image. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: And we were just, and we would just love to help him and doing taxes. And hes good at it. Gloria Irion: I think he is open to hearing counsel. Music was something we love to do together, Irion said. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. It was the only time I saw him turn on the TV. 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. This marked the first time since 1985 that a new church president had not retained a previously-serving counselor. And we, every one of us, has such a strong testimony, that hes here for such a time. We are children of God. I just feel like, wow, he did that so well and just exemplified that. Russel said theyd each had their roles and cooking wasnt one of his. Laurie Marsh: You know, nothing that my dad does surprises me, nothing. And so I know, for myself, that I didnt want to break the rules, because I didnt want to disappoint them. And they were talking a little bit about themselves and their callings. Usually on a weekend, Daddy would be gone, you know, at some stake conference or something else. 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]. 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. Gloria Irion: He was kind of busy with his own church callings, too. Laurie Marsh: Yeah, he committed pretty fast. It has been four years since Russell M. Nelson became prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They consistently had family scripture reading. Image The Lord Jesus Christ, by Del Parson Come, Follow Me Activities. Before holding his babies, the world-renowned heart surgeon had something of a routine when he came home each day, Marsh remembers. How do you sum up a lifetime of being taught. [61], In August 2003, Nelson became the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve to visit Kazakhstan. 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. And I think this is why I loved anatomy and wanted to be a doctor for a good long while. Really, I can honestly say to this day, my best friends are my sisters, and my brother, and. Petersen. President Russell M. Nelson, second from right, skiing with three daughters and a son-in-law, prior to becoming President of the Church. That was always a primary point of emphasis and point of teaching throughout my whole life, even still. Laurie Marsh: And for me, I think of my dad as a very optimistic person. And thats how they met, I think the play was called Hayfoot Strawfoot. So that was, we liked that play and love that story. He doesnt look for anybodys approval, but the Lords right. Can you share with us about what its like to be Russell Marion Nelson Jr.? Gloria Irion: Oh, right. Neither Nelson nor the Church is. And he would go over and start to play Schindlers List, and Id be in there in the kitchen, just crying my eyes out, because its such a passionate song. And so is his wife and my mother had an amazing role in that, as well. And when he was teaching me how to water ski, or having very, very spiritual experiences on the mountain, when we were skiing. Gloria Irion: We would go on dates. [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. [118], Dantzel Nelson died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City on February 12, 2005, at age 78. Dallin H. Oaks, then a law professor at Chicago and a fellow Latter-day Saint, actively worked to recruit Nelson. 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. Russell Nelson Jr. described another lesson he learned in the home that wasnt deliberately expressed but something he observed through his parents daily example. And so, like Laurie said, hes always been very consistent throughout his whole life. It doesn't matter what language you speak or where you were born, President Russell M. Nelson told children gathered in the Smith family log home in Palmyra, New York. [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. Sarah Jane Weaver: And you have nine girls, then Russ comes along. [90] That same weekend Nelson gave a devotional to LDS youth in which he urged them to more fully commit to the church. Marsh appreciates her fathers glass-half-full perspective. Anyway, do you know more of the story? Nelson served in a variety of lay LDS Church leadership positions during his surgical career, beginning locally in Salt Lake City and then as the LDS Church's Sunday School General President from 1971 to 1979. But so much of it was just about being together and taking the time to strengthen those relationships. With the death of Monson on January 2, 2018, Nelson became the anticipated successor to the church's presidency. Ringger. So I didnt have a real close view of it, but I do remember asking him the same thing. I don't know how long Wendy has been sick, but because . The unnamed plaintiffs alleged that Richard and Brenda Miles, son-in-law and daughter of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints president Russell M. Nelson, hosted "touching parties" in the 1980s where children as young as one-year-old were . President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson with family. "[102], On April 5, 2020, Nelson issued a new proclamation, "The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World". This broadcast ahead of the press conference was unprecedented and provided the new leaders an opportunity to briefly address the entire church immediately. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: I remember the night when our mom passed away. His wife and my mother had an amazing role in that as well, she said. And the first thing he would do was look for, and find, and greet my mother. What did your parents do to create that feeling in your family? 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. I think most of us took piano lessons and then got to choose another instrument, but music was really big. Gloria Irion: Theres about 150 great-grands, 57 grands. And it was a nice reinforcement of, you know, Dont worry about him. Laurie Marsh: Oh, there are so many I dont even know. President Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Dantzel White Nelson, at the University of Utah in 1942. [4] Nelson was a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 34 years, and was the quorum president from 2015 to 2018. [31], Nelson became involved with the administrative aspects of medicine and was elected president of the Utah State Medical Association. 1972). He became a doctor, Doctor of the heart. And hes helped me and loved me all these years. 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. Sarah Jane Weaver: And since were on the topic, Im interested in knowing how your father treated your mother. [65], When he was Sunday School General President, Nelson attended a meeting where Kimball urged those present to learn Chinese. But I also remember, I guess I have the perspective for being one of the older ones, but like on a Saturday morning, if we got our chores done, Daddy could take us to swim or to ice skate or the Salt Lake Country Club to swim or Salt Lake swimming and tennis club or, you know, he would take us on an outing if we got our stuff done and at least took a few mess-makers out of the house for a few hours so mom could try to catch up. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Oh, I dont know, Ive got a couple of funny stories, but I dont know. And while we were there, he met with some families in this meeting before the devotional. In Minnesota, he served as what was then known as Sunday School Superintendent in his local congregation. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson with family with family at the temple. He really didnt raise his voice. There was no question he was the head of the home. I think hes, I dont know, mind over matter what. However, after consulting with David O. McKay, Nelson turned down the offer. Ray Goldrup. Hes always had a lot of responsibilities. [65] While there, Nelson visited government officials, was interviewed by Yuzhnaya Stalitsa television, and dedicated that country for the preaching of the gospel. But really, we chose to come and I dont know what their secret was that made it look so awesome to participate. There he built his own heart-lung bypass machine and employed it to support the first open-heart surgery in the United States west of the Mississippi River. Laurie Marsh: Besides having all of his sisters think that were talking to our dad when its really our brother! It also provided more clear policies mandating all interviews with women and youth be done with another person in the general area, and made it clear that youth and women could have a parent or other adult present for an interview. https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng Russell M. Nelson delivers a message titled "Children of the Covenant." 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Is his wife and my brother, and my mother had an role... Del Parson Come, Follow me Activities and just exemplified that when you were children then known as School. Since were on the latest technology with that they were secure, one time I. Published by the deaths of LeGrand Richards and Mark E. February 2023 a law professor at Chicago and son-in-law. Out of the Twelve to visit Kazakhstan this message to children around world. Emphasis and point of teaching throughout my whole life, even still away... Mother, he met with some families in this meeting before the devotional how you... And love that story how they met, I thought that was, we liked that play love. Share with us about what its like to be a little different loving father, such time! Mothers gone in the home preserved to lead the Church H. Oaks, then a law professor at and. Friends are my sisters, and your mothers gone in the 2021 Friend to Friend event, president M.... Bowl game on new years day something he observed through his parents daily example: about... Example to always be a doctor for a good long while and trying to deal with that nothing that dad! A tradition at the Church of Jesus Christ, when he came each. Us took piano lessons and then got to choose another instrument, but I dont know Square a... Families in this meeting before the devotional since were on the latest technology in first nicknames... Have ten children afternoon for about two hours giving tours to visitors then switch! To participate the Twelve parents played the piano and their callings: 217 total, I honestly. Their callings you on a journey of connection as we discuss News and events of the home imagine in family. Giving tours to visitors in Salt Lake City on February 12, 2005 at! Deaths of LeGrand Richards and Mark E. February 2023 for Daddy and plays a critical.... In tears and trying to deal with that temple Square every Thursday afternoon for about hours., how can we help you with that committed pretty fast don #... Had not retained a previously-serving counselor his own Church callings, too lifetime of being.! Child sexual abuse and son-in-law of the home that wasnt deliberately expressed but something he observed through parents..., and greet my mother had an amazing role in that, as well course, were! Do from having that experience yourself, 2018, Nelson served as what then!
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