President Nelson Passes...

Russell M. Nelson, beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully shortly after 10 p.m. at his home in Salt Lake City.  He was 101 - the oldest president in the history of the church.  He was called as an apostle on April 7, 1984.  He became the prophet on January 14, 2018.  He visited 32 countries during his ministry.  He announced 200 new temples.  Before full-time church service, President Nelson was a heart surgeon.  He performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah in 1955 and completed more than 7,000 operations throughout his career.  One of his most noteworthy operations came in 1972 when he was asked to perform high-risk surgery on Spencer W. Kimball, who was at the time a senior Apostle ofthe Church.  President Nelson was conversant in 11 languages and even learned enough Chinese to participate in an open-heart surgery operation in China.  Under his leadership, the prophet adjusted the way Saints around the world minister to each other.  He repeatedly stressed the importance of the correct name of the Church.  He shifted the emphasis of gospel instruction to be centered in each home.  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, near the conclusion of the April 2018 general conference, which the prophet inroduced several notable changes.  "President Nelson, I don't know how many more 'rushes' we can handle this weekend.  Some of us have weak hearts.  But as I think about it, you can take care of that too.  What a prophet!"  He is survived by his wife, Wendy, eight of his 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren.  

Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States of America, tweeted this...

Russell M. Nelson, the President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away last night at the age of 101.  He just had his birthday earlier this week!  Russell was sharp and engaged in service up until the end.  Our hearts and prayers are with his incredible wife, Wendy, and his children and grandchildren.  Russell had a remarkable life, pioneering life-saving heart surgery techniques and, of course, his ministry of many decades.  He was a physician, literally and spiritually, and will be greatly missed!