LIST: Russell M. Nelson turns 100 — How old were past LDS presidents?

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

In addition to having a record-breaking birthday card , Nelson’s birthday will be honored with a special broadcast from the LDS church on Sept. 9 — and turning 100 means Nelson is the first prophet in the modern history of the church to reach triple digits.

Here is a brief look at past presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how old they were at the conclusion of their service as president (when they died), according to the church .

Joseph Smith, 38

Joseph Smith was the first president — and founder — of the LDS church.

He served as the president of the church from 1832 until 1844, when he and his brother were killed by a mob. Joseph Smith died at the age of 38.

Smith translated and published the Book of Mormon during his life, in addition to founding the religion.

Brigham Young, 76

Brigham Young was the second president of the LDS church. He served as president of the church from 1847 until 1877, when he died at the age of 76, following an illness.

Young led the members of the church west and established LDS settlements in Utah and other areas.

John Taylor, 78

John Taylor was the third president of the LDS church and served from 1880 until 1887.

He died at the age of 78. During his life, he established LDS colonies in several states, as well as Canada and Mexico.

Wilford Woodruff, 91

Wilford Woodruff was the fourth president of the LDS church and served several service missions before he was called to be a leader.

He served as president from 1887 until 1898, when he died at the age of 91. During his time as president of the church, the church said he ended the practice of polygamy.

Lorenzo Snow, 87

Lorenzo Snow served as the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He became president in 1898 and served until 1901, when he died at the age of 87. He encouraged members of the church to pay their tithing, a practice that is common today where members are encouraged to give 10% of their income to the church.

Joseph F. Smith, 80

Joseph F. Smith was the sixth president of the church — and he was the nephew of the church’s founder, Joseph Smith.

He served as president from 1901 until 1918, when he died at the age of 80. The church said Smith helped develop historical sites for the church in New York, Missouri, and Illinois.

Heber J. Grant, 88

Heber J. Grant served as the seventh president of the LDS Church, holding the position for 27 years.

He began his service as president in 1918 and concluded in 1945, when he died at the age of 88.

He served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 37 years and helped members of the church deal with World War II.

George Albert Smith, 81

George Albert Smith was the eighth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He served as president from 1945 until 1951, when he died on his 81st birthday. According to the church, he helped organize the church’s humanitarian assistance to Europe after World War II.

David O. McKay, 96

David O. McKay was called to serve as the ninth president of the church.

He was president from 1951 until 1970, when he died at the age of 96 after 19 years as the president. McKay served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 44 years before serving as the president of the church.

Joseph Fielding Smith, 95

Joseph Fielding Smith was the tenth president of the LDS Church and was the son of Joseph F. Smith.

He served as the president from 1970 until 1972, starting his service at the age of 93. The church said he authored several books and articles about the history of the church during his life.

Harold B. Lee, 74

Harold B. Lee served as the eleventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He served as president for 18 months, from 1972 to 1973. During his life, he helped start a program that became the church’s welfare system .

Spencer W. Kimball, 90

Spencer W. Kimball was the twelfth president of the church, and he served for 12 years.

Kimball held the position from 1973 until 1985, becoming president when he was 78 years old. He died at the age of 90.

During his time as president, church policy changed to allow “all worthy male members” of the church to receive its priesthood and enter the temples, reversing race-based restrictions on Black members of the church.

Ezra Taft Benson, 94

Ezra Taft Benson was the thirteenth president of the LDS church.

He served as president from 1985 until 1994, when he died at the age of 94. The church said he emphasized the importance of the scriptures and missionary efforts during his time as a leader of the church.

Howard W. Hunter, 87

Howard W. Hunter served as the fourteenth president of the church.

He served from 1994 until 1995, and was 86 years old when he was called. He served as an apostle of the church for 35 years before he was called to be the president.

Gordon B. Hinckley, 97

Gordon B. Hinckley was the fifteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He served as the president from 1995 until 2008, when he died at 97 years old. Hinckley did interviews and press publications to increase the media attention of the church.

Thomas S. Monson, 90

Thomas S. Monson was the sixteenth president of the LDS church.

He served as president for a decade, from 2008 until 2018. Before he was the president, he was counselor to three previous presidents: Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley.

Russell M. Nelson, living

Russell M. Nelson is the seventeenth president of the church.

He was called in Jan. 2018, when he was 93 years old, and is the faith’s current leader.

The church has planned a celebration of Nelson’s 100th birthday on Sept. 9, 2024. He is the first president of the church to hold the position and reach triple digits.

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