Russell Marion Nelson, Dies at 101 in "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "The Mormon church"

Russell M. Nelson, the 17th President (and “Prophet, Seer, and Revelator”) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on September 27, 2025, in his home in Salt Lake City at age 101. 

Early Life and Background

• Russell Marion Nelson was born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

• He earned a B.A. and an M.D. from the University of Utah (1945 and 1947) and later a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, participating in early research on the heart-lung machine. 

• Before full-time church ministry, Nelson was a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon. He performed numerous operations, contributed to surgical education, and held leadership roles in medical societies. 

• He also served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War.

Nelson was ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1984. Over his decades in church leadership, he rose in seniority and became President of the Quorum of the Twelve in 2015. He became church president on January 14, 2018, after the death of Thomas S. Monson. 

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Key Changes and Initiatives During His Presidency

Nelson’s presidency is often characterized by sweeping changes aimed at reorienting the church’s identity, structure, global reach, and public image. Below are some of the most prominent:

1. Emphasis on the Full Name of the Church

One of Nelson’s earliest and most visible moves was to discourage use of the nicknames “Mormon” and “LDS,” insisting instead that members use the full name The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He framed this as a commandment and a matter of doctrinal importance, to place Jesus Christ more centrally in the church’s identity.

2. Youth Program & Withdrawal from Boy Scouts

Nelson oversaw the formal severing of the church’s long-standing relationship with the Boy Scouts of America and introduced a new internal youth program designed for a global membership (since more than half of church members live outside the U.S. and Canada). The restructuring aimed to better adapt youth ministry to local conditions and global diversity.

3. Policy Changes Regarding LGBTQ+ Members

Under Nelson, the church reversed a 2015 policy that had barred children of same-sex couples from baptism and labeled same-sex married couples as “apostates.”  After the reversal, children of LGBTQ+ parents could be baptized. 
At the same time, Nelson’s presidency introduced stricter limits on transgender participation — for example, in areas such as name changes, pronouns, and gender-affirming medical treatments — which drew criticism from some quarters as marginalizing. The balancing act was often described by church leaders as reconciling “the love of the Lord and the law of the Lord.” 

4. Organizational Restructuring

Nelson made structural changes in church governance:

• He dissolved the traditional ward-level high priest groups; all Melchizedek priesthood holders in a ward or branch became part of the elders quorum. 

• He replaced older home-teaching and visiting-teaching programs with a new emphasis on ministering — more flexible and personalized pastoral care. 

• He also issued new directives on abuse prevention: clarifying that church leaders should encourage reporting abuse to legal authorities, adjusting interview practices with youth and women to ensure third-party presence or choice of adult companions, and broadening safeguards. 

5. Temple Expansion & Global Emphasis

Nelson aggressively accelerated temple construction worldwide. By some counts, during his presidency he announced or had in process over 200 new temples. His travels included many temple dedications and global outreach efforts. 
He also pushed for greater inclusion of international voices in church leadership (e.g. appointing apostles from Asia and Latin America) and encouraged regional hymnbooks and culturally contextual worship.

6. Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nelson’s medical background played a role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the church had to rapidly adapt operations, suspend in-person gatherings, and issue guidance to members globally. 

7. Public Image, Partnerships, and Social Issues

His presidency sought to improve interfaith relations and public perception. He formed a formal partnership with the NAACP as part of efforts related to racial justice, recalling the church’s prior ban (lifted in 1978) on Black men holding the priesthood.
Yet, his tenure also faced scrutiny, especially regarding how church authorities handle sexual abuse allegations and the transparency of internal processes. 

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Legacy and Succession

Nelson’s legacy is mixed and likely to be debated for years. To supporters, he is seen as a bold reformer who modernized the church, refocused attention on Jesus Christ, expanded its global reach, and made governance more adaptive. To critics, some changes were too abrupt or lacked sufficient consultation, and policies around gender identity and accountability raised serious concerns.

Upon his death, church protocol dissolves the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presides over the church until a new president is set apart.Based on seniority and tradition, Dallin H. Oaks, Nelson’s First Counselor, is expected to become the next church president.

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Significance Beyond the Church

Nelson’s life bridged realms of science and faith. His career as a surgeon and educator lent him credibility in public health and medical matters, especially useful during crises like the pandemic. His leadership also illustrates how religious institutions confront modern challenges: globalization, identity politics, social justice, and internal reform.

His death at 101 closes a remarkable chapter in LDS history. His structural, doctrinal, and branding changes will likely cast a long shadow over the church’s future direction.