Who is Russell M. Nelson? What to know as LDS President turns 100

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — On Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, President Russell M. Nelson is celebrating his 100th birthday with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .

For many people in Utah — roughly 42% of the state’s population identified as a member of the LDS church in a recent study — Russell M. Nelson is a household name as the global leader of the religion.

But some people in Utah, and perhaps some newer members of the church, may not know what else Russell M. Nelson has done, or why his 100th birthday was celebrated with several church initiatives in the months leading up to his birthday.

While turning 100 years old is cause for celebration for most people, not everyone who turns 100 is at the center of a new world record or becomes the oldest leader in the history of their religion.

What did Russell M. Nelson do before he became a religious leader?

Russell M. Nelson was born on Sept. 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to the church .

Nelson worked as a heart surgeon and a medical researcher and earned his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah in 1945 and 1947, respectively.

He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1954 and earned honorary degrees from Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and Snow College.

Nelson authored chapters in medical textbooks and other publications, and he also professionally lectured internationally. He received numerous awards from the American Heart Association and other organizations.

What leadership roles has Russell M. Nelson had in the LDS church?

In Jan. 2018, Russell M. Nelson became the president of the church and he has been serving in that capacity since. The LDS church selects its president in order of seniority , meaning whoever has served the longest time in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next president.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a group of leaders in the LDS church who “oversee the growth of the global Church, and they travel the world to share God’s love,” according to the church.

Prior to being called as the president of the church, Nelson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1984. He was a member of the aforementioned quorum and later became the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in July 2015.

Before being called to the Quorum of the Twelve, Nelson also served as a stake president (where he led a group of church congregations in a specific geographical area) and general president of the Sunday School, where he had church-wide responsibilities.

How is the LDS church celebrating Russell M. Nelson’s 100th birthday?

On June 1, 2024 — 100 days before his 100th birthday on Sept. 9, 2024 — Nelson asked members of the church to celebrate his birthday by reaching out to someone in need.

“One of the places where the Savior used the number 100 in the scriptures was the parable of the lost sheep,” Nelson said on social media on June 1 . “Though 99 of his flock were safely by his side, the shepherd went in search of the 1 who was lost.”

Nelson said he has “ no need of physical gifts ,” for his 100th birthday, and used the story of the lost sheep to encourage members of the church to perform acts of service for others to honor his birthday.

The church planned a 75-minute broadcast to celebrate Nelson’s life and teachings — scheduled for 4 p.m. MDT on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 — and highlight what church members did to honor his wishes to reach out to others in need.

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