Members of many faiths congratulate LDS Church President on 100th birthday

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Members of many faiths throughout the world, including members of the Universal Society of Hinduism, wished president Russell M. Nelson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a happy 100th birthday on Monday.

Last Friday, Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism wished Nelson “grace, health and good times ahead.”

Nelson, the President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned 100 on Monday, being the first LDS president to reach the century mark.

“Nelson, a world-renowned, award-winning heart surgeon and author of many publications; is known for his selflessly caring and serving others, kindness, compassion; and for embodying God’s love,” Zed noted.

“Nelson took the Church to the next level and introduced various major changes during his presidency,” Zed said in a release. Those include many changes to the Church’s General Handbook, changes to the Temple Endowment, and the announcement of 168 temples, according to the Church Newsroom .

Zed’s gesture was one of several interfaith gestures that took place over the past several days. Members from the Church of England, Judaism, and Baptists alike saluted Nelson. Friends from Morehouse College, Princeton University and Oxford University in England also joined in during a live broadcast celebrating Nelson’s 100th birthday .

“He came with a track record of leading The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to higher pursuits of racial reckoning, understanding and working to provide a better day for all God’s children. Particularly, those who lived in urban communities around this nation,” Reverend Dr. Amos Brown, the pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, said.

Brown and Nelson have forged a friendship through the LDS Church’s efforts working with the NAACP, of which Brown is a board member. The pair of Brown and Nelson have partnered on several projects, according to the Church Newsroom .

Family members and other members of the Church, as well as Gov. Spencer Cox, also wished the Prophet a happy birthday. Cox even named Sept. 9 “President Russell M. Nelson Day” in the state of Utah.

“We honor his life’s dedication to kindness, love and welcoming spirit,” Cox wrote in the proclamation.

President Nelson’s ministry as President of the LDS Church began in January of 2018. Nelson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984. He also served as the President of the Quorum from 2015 to 2018 when he was chosen to succeed President Thomas S. Monson.

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