President Russell M. Nelson

Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from July 15, 2015, until his call as the Church’s leader. He has served as a member of that quorum since April 7, 1984.

An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, Dr. Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 47). Honorary scholastic societies include Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his Ph.D. Degree in 1954. He also received honorary degrees of Doctor of Science from Brigham Young University in 1970, Doctor of Medical Science from Utah State University in 1989, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Snow College in 1994.

His professional work included the positions of research professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.

October 30, 2023 10:23 AM MDT
“Overcoming the world” sounds like hard work. But what if it were as simple as finding spiritual rest? In his latest book, President Nelson tells us what spiritual rest is and how to find it.
5 Min Read
October 13, 2023 01:25 PM MDT
“Family has meant everything to me. My greatest joys and, yes, deepest worries and sorrows, have come from my family.”
2 Min Read
September 29, 2023 09:28 AM MDT
President McKay opened his eyes and said, “Brother Nelson, it doesn’t feel good to me. Your place is here in Salt Lake City. ... I don’t think you should go to Chicago.”
4 Min Read
September 09, 2023 06:00 AM MDT
In an excerpt from his upcoming book, President Nelson (ninety-nine today) reflects that “the heart is at the very heart of everything meaningful in life.”
5 Min Read
December 30, 2022 06:03 AM MST
This excerpt originally ran on LDS Living in December 2019.
3 Min Read
March 04, 2020 12:30 PM MST
At first blush, it seems odd that Nephi, son of Lehi—a man born approximately 615 years BC—should have such a contemporary and continuing influence upon my life. But he has.
11 Min Read
September 20, 2018 09:38 AM MDT
Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.
8 Min Read
May 23, 2018 07:42 PM MDT
Years ago when Sister Nelson and I had several teenage daughters, we took our family on a vacation far away from telephones and boyfriends. We went on a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. As we started our journey, we had no idea how dangerous this trip could be.
3 Min Read
April 02, 2018 05:00 PM MDT
In his book, Accomplishing the Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do, President Russell M. Nelson shares a powerful personal experience with angels, as well as many fascinating examples from the scriptures and Church history. Enjoy the excerpt below and learn more about these heavenly beings.
5 Min Read
February 19, 2018 03:44 PM MST
The realities of agency and occasional choice to do wrong need to be reckoned with in the passing of some of our youth. Even though their bodies may be mature, their heads are strong and sometimes puerile. Their behavior may be furtive or unfortunate. When those deeds result in disobedience or demise, their parents and loved ones need special consoling.
2 Min Read
January 27, 2018 01:24 PM MST
If I were to ask which of the Lord's commandments is most difficult to keep, many of us might cite Matthew 5:48: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
4 Min Read
January 20, 2018 12:14 PM MST
The following are excerpts from President Russell M. Nelson's Accomplishing the Impossible and Perfection Pending.
7 Min Read
December 21, 2017 02:54 PM MST
The word angel is very meaningful. It comes to us from the Greek language. The Greek word, ΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ, means “messenger.”1 This same noun is centered in the Greek word for gospel, which is ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ. Its literal meaning is “good message” or “good news,” with an implication of a heavenly or angelic source. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ is the very first word in the Greek New Testament (“Gospel According to St. Matthew”).
4 Min Read
November 28, 2017 05:50 PM MST
Through the ages, God has made covenants with His children. His covenants occur throughout the entire plan of salvation and are therefore part of the fulness of His gospel. For example, God promised to send a Savior for His children, asking in turn for their obedience to His law.
7 Min Read
October 28, 2017 01:10 PM MDT
The following is excerpted from President Nelson's book The Gateway We Call Death.
4 Min Read
October 26, 2017 01:08 PM MDT
The following is an excerpt from President Russell M. Nelson's bookThe Gateway We Call Death.
11 Min Read