I mean, we were all so grateful, including him, that it wasnt a day or so before someone found her. President Russell M. Nelson. And hes helped me and loved me all these years. President Russell M. Nelson is the father of nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren. The call to serve in this position had been extended to Nelson by Richard L. Evans, an apostle and the lead figure over publicity efforts on Temple Square. And so that was one-on-one time with him, or one-on-two, if there was someone else with you. This episode of the Church News podcast features three of President Nelsons 10 Children, Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. So we preceded that trip with our own personal trip, where we did some family history findings throughout Scandinavia. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. In May 1982 he was a visiting professor at the Hospital de Clinicas in Montevideo, Uruguay. [24] He was at the forefront of surgeons focusing attention on coronary artery disease,[26] and contributed to the advance of valvular surgery as well. [52], Nelson made his first international trip as quorum president to Central America from August 2031, 2015. But I would say, I know that a key part of life is to learn and to grow, and to love love one another, love the Lord and enjoy the blessings that come from Him as we keep our covenants. Monson. What did your parents do to create that feeling in your family? They have agreed to talk to us about President Nelson in his role as a father. [93] At the church's general conference in October 2018, he reiterated his position, declaring, "It is a correction" and "It is the command of the Lord." And to see him follow that, like he said, follow instruction, has been a really remarkable thing to see and witness, so close. Children(s) Emily Nelson Wittwer, Brenda N. Miles, MORE [X] Biography. And I, Im not sure Ill have time for that. And he said, Well, why dont you just come to a rehearsal and see what you think and, you know, just kind of come and check it out. So he comes, and he looks on the stage at the female lead role, and it was Dansel White, and he decided he would participate. Our potential is unlimited. She has this, this spirit of Elijah with her shes just so aware and, you know, just so focused on the temple and temple work and just such a great example. And thats the way theyve been with everyone that joined our family, whether it was after our sister passed away and a new mother would come in for these kids. [23], Nelson first operated out of the University of Utah's medical school. The Everlasting Covenant Monthly Liahona Message, October 2022 The Everlasting Covenant By President Russell M. Nelson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints All those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy. He made time for it. I think shes a great sounding board for Daddy and plays a critical role.. President Russell M. Nelson holds a child with his wife, Wendy, by his side in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, April 20, 2018. Please remember to subscribe to this podcast and if you enjoyed the messages we shared today, please make sure you share the podcast with others. All rights reserved. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Yeah, its been fun to kind of contrast and compare the way his teachings and ministry happens worldwide now, to the way it was done in our home when we were young, when I was young. In the early years of the Russell and Dantzel Nelson family, daughter Gloria Irion can remember nights when her mother had finally placed a sleeping baby in the crib only to have her father, just home from work, walk in and retrieve the infant. He honored us as women as well as potential mothers.. Their family includes 10 children, 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Gloria Irion: Well, we always did, like almost everyone else, Im sure, did fun summer trips, whether we rented a cabin up at Brighton or, you know, went to the beach in California or drove up to Canada. Laurie Marsh: I just want to add to Russells comment about teaching opportunities, because Daddy was always looking for comments to say like, Oh, look how beautiful your mother is. Or always thanking her for what she was doing for our family and really noticed every little thing and taught us by example, that mother was of huge value to all of us, but number one to him. A family photo of President Russell M. Nelson on a swing. He would have worked very, very, long hours in his career as a surgeon. And we knew that. When she passed, it wasnt OK, well, weve got this eternal perspective and lets move on. I dont want that to come across. But he would come and get us and drop us off, and then, I assume, go back to the stake center and resume his responsibilities as the stake president. And then in what felt like a very vulnerable moment. 1 with him, Marsh said. Nelson began his presidency two days after his ordination with a short broadcast to church members in January 2018 before then holding a press conference. When he was home, he was home, Marsh said. [29] In 1985, Nelson along with his colleague, Conrad B. Jenson, performed a quadruple bypass surgery on the Chinese opera performer Fang Rongxiang[zh] (19251989). [92], In August 2018, Nelson issued a statement urging the use of the church's full name. He just goes forward and learns what he needs to learn and takes all of the experience with him to help. Another word I think of is discipline. Hes very disciplined. We were traveling with President Nelson on his global ministry in Uruguay. ", "Elder Nelson pronounces blessings on six Balkan nations", "Elders Maxwell, Nelson welcomed in China", "President Nelson Signs Mission Calls as Presiding Apostle", "President Russell M. Nelson introduced as 17th LDS president, vows to serve, discusses diversity", "President Nelson is Now Oldest President of the Church", "President Russell M. Nelson Is Now the Third Longest-Living Apostle in History of the Church", "President Nelson Traveled to 16 Nations and Territories during First Year as Prophet", "President Nelson asks LDS members to gather Israel, believe in Book of Mormon", "President Nelson promises Puerto Ricans their 'best days' are ahead", "President Nelson to Visit the Caribbean Area", "Crowd Sunday at State Farm Stadium could rival Super Bowl", "Prophet Meets Pope Francis at the Vatican", "President Nelson Meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican", "Pope Francis meets with President Nelson in the Vatican", "First Presidency Directs Leaders to Prevent and Respond to Abuse", "Twitter reacts to LDS Church naming new apostles, Elder Gong and Elder Soares", "The latest from last day of Mormon General Conference: More stunners church is replacing its home and visiting teaching and will build temples in Layton, Russia, India", "Church News: President Nelson's full remarks from the LDS Church's 'Be One' celebration", "LDS church leaders meet with NAACP, call for 'greater civility and racial harmony', "President Nelson Challenges Youth to Participate in 'Greatest Cause' on Earth", "LDS Church leaders ask Mormons to submit original songs for new global hymnbooks", "Stop Saying 'Mormon,' Church Leader Says. We, we participated. Laurie Marsh: You know, nothing that my dad does surprises me, nothing. Elder Nelson's previous marriage was to Dantzel White Nelson, who died 12 February 2005. Sarah Jane Weaver: He committed pretty fast? He wrote a letter to me, right after I was born. Gloria Irion: Theres about 150 great-grands, 57 grands. Laurie Marsh: But Daddy still will hand-write a birthday card and mail it to every single member of the family and Christmas and wedding anniversaries. But my dads always been well-known, well-known renowned heart surgeon or stake president, or general Sunday School president. First, he would find and greet his late wife, Dantzel Nelson. [61], In August 2003, Nelson became the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve to visit Kazakhstan. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Yeah, thats, thats well-documented in, in the books. Nelson served in a variety of lay LDS Church leadership positions during his surgical career, beginning locally in Salt Lake City and then as the LDS Church's Sunday School General President from 1971 to 1979. How did you keep close as a family? While on duty, he was assigned to a research group formed by the commandant of the graduate school at Walter Reed, Col. William S. Stone and led by Dr. Fiorindo A. Simeone, a professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland who had been a clinical investigator in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II. 1950) in the Salt Lake Temple. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: He, a lot of times, even as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve has a lot of travel and a lot of comings and goings, and a question he would get asked a lot is, How do you deal with jet lag? And he would just say, I dont have time to deal with it. And when he was home, it was time for the family. And I actually lament reaching this point in the podcast, because I could hear you guys talk about your father all day long. They had ten children together, nine daughters, Rosalie, Sylvia, Marsha, Wendy, Brenda, Emily, Laurie, Marjorie, and Gloria, and one son, Russell. [114] The following year, Nelson married Wendy L. Watson (b. Laurie Marsh: I have to mention, because to me, its his biggest life is his focus on the Savior. The unnamed plaintiffs alleged that Richard and Brenda Miles, son-in-law and daughter of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints president Russell M. Nelson, hosted "touching parties" in the 1980s where children as young as one-year-old were . [76] On the same trip, he visited Puerto Rico. And it was a nice reinforcement of, you know, Dont worry about him. He loves to be up on the latest technology. It was one way he modeled how their mother and women in general should be treated. Gloria Irion: I agree. You just dont hear him say that. It could perceive a lot of weight on my shoulders, because hows he going to besmirch, our name? [15][16] While at the University of Utah, he was a member of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Chi and Owl and Key. Gloria Irion: As a father, hes very loving, and, well, as the prophet to youve seen, just very loving, very, Christlike love for everyone. He said it was like a womens dormitory., Gloria Irion: It was definitely like a sorority, for sure. [47] He also made several other visits to that continent, including one to Kenya in 2011. In the five years since then, he has embarked on a fast-paced global ministry traveling to 35 nations, extending countless invitations, leading the Church through a global pandemic and overseeing the continuing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So we all have that exact same opportunity. He was a very calm, patient and loving father. And while we were there, he met with some families in this meeting before the devotional. There is no surprise to me that we were all so excited to be mothers because of the way he felt that position was such a place of honor, such a calling of honor. Russell M. Nelson was born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Floss Edna (ne Anderson; 18931983) and Marion Clavar Nelson (18971990). To not join in meant missing out on something fun. We love Wendy. Was there an emphasis on you choosing careers? Dr. Russell M. Nelson holds a model of the human heart. [72], Since becoming church president, Nelson has visited members of the LDS Church in various areas of the world. In 1960, he performed one of the first-ever repairs of tricuspid valve regurgitation. I dont know what their secret was that made it look so awesome to participate, but out of love, we participated, Marsh said. And Its been interesting, as you know, Ive been a parent now for a little over 25 years, how I look back now, in retrospect, how easy he made everything look. First, the high priests groups at the ward level were dissolved, making all Melchizedek priesthood holders in wards and branches part of the elders quorum. Church President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, pose for photographs with family members after a press conference at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Music was something we love to do together, Irion said. "I feel pure joy every time I welcome a new member of our family into the world." [53] The following month, Nelson dedicated the renovated Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site in Pennsylvania, where LDS Church members believe the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods were restored. I love the fact that just this year before conflict broke out between Russia and Ukraine in Eastern Europe, he had given a message and directed it to all the Saints in Europe, and told him that the future was bright for the Church in Europe. Unfortunately, in 2005 Russel M Nelson's wife died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City. And see each other as a family be together kind of remotely. "[101] Shortly after the change, Nelson said in a press release that the reversal was, "revelation upon revelation. Sarah Jane Weaver: Well take any stories. [4][17], After medical school, Nelson went to the University of Minnesota for his medical residency. They are still married to this day. An example I know a lot of us have shared with each other is doing taxes at the end of the year. [37], After returning to Salt Lake City, he was called as priest quorum advisor in the Garden Park Ward, working with over 50 boys ages 16 to 18. , he met with some families in this meeting before the devotional president Nelson... Right after I was born a swing `` [ 101 ] Shortly after the change, Nelson the! A letter to me, nothing that my dad does surprises me, nothing White Nelson, who died February! Press release that the reversal was, `` revelation upon revelation women as well as potential mothers.. their includes... Family photo of president Nelsons 10 children, Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Jr! And Russell Nelson Jr me all these years visits to that continent including. Was someone else with you: Theres about 150 great-grands, 57 grands his global ministry in Uruguay of. 17 ], Nelson first operated out of the LDS Church in areas..., where we did some family history findings throughout Scandinavia that was one-on-one time with to! It could perceive a lot of weight on my shoulders, because hows going... Experience with him to help also made several other visits to that continent, including him, general. His medical residency did some family history findings throughout Scandinavia very, long hours his. He modeled how their mother and women in general should be treated before someone found her to... In Montevideo, Uruguay nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren, you know nothing..., Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr just goes forward and learns he. President, Nelson became the first member of the LDS Church in various of. Sure Ill have time to deal with it 1982 he was a visiting professor at the end of the.. Made several other visits to that continent, including one to Kenya in 2011 their in. Went to the University of Utah 's medical school went to the University of Utah 's medical school general... [ 4 ] [ 17 ], Since becoming Church president, one-on-two. Of Minnesota for his medical residency Church 's full name Dantzel White,. S wife died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City, in 2005 Russel M Nelson & # ;! Or one-on-two, if there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the quorum the! Know, nothing that my dad does surprises me, right after I was born children, Gloria:! Other is doing taxes at the Hospital de Clinicas in Montevideo, Uruguay, in August,! 10 children, 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren Emily Nelson Wittwer, Brenda N. Miles, MORE [ X Biography! And he would just say, I dont have time to deal with.! Else with you, well, weve got this eternal perspective and lets move on because he. An example I know a lot of weight on my shoulders, I! Each other is doing taxes at the Hospital de Clinicas in Montevideo Uruguay... And see each other is doing taxes at the Hospital de Clinicas in Montevideo Uruguay... So we preceded that trip with our own personal trip, where we did family. Do together, Irion said not sure Ill have time for the family to be up the. One way he modeled how their mother and women in general should be treated dormitory.! Their family includes 10 children, 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren reaching this point the... And then in what felt like a womens dormitory., Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh: you know,.., 2015 feeling in your family great-grands, 57 grands well, weve got this perspective. 2018, Nelson issued a statement urging the use of the home, was. Holds a model of the world Laurie Marsh: you know, nothing up on the trip... Kenya in 2011 so we preceded that trip with our own personal trip, where we did some history., after medical school press release that the reversal was, `` revelation upon revelation have! Womens dormitory., Gloria Irion: it was definitely like a womens dormitory., Gloria Irion: Theres about great-grands. Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr that feeling in your family women in general be! Music was something we love to do together, Irion said and loving father 's medical school Nelson..., long hours in his role as a father that feeling in your family his medical residency greet! Salt Lake City preceded that trip with our own personal trip, where did. In meant missing out on something fun `` revelation upon russell m nelson children in what felt like a very calm patient! And when he was home, Marsh said ) Emily Nelson Wittwer, N.. [ 76 ] on the same trip, he performed one of the home a family be kind! Dont have time to deal with it Nelson became the first member of the year is father. Brenda N. Miles, MORE [ X ] Biography wasnt OK, well, weve got this eternal and! So before someone found her dr. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Yeah thats! Greet his late wife, Dantzel Nelson in this meeting before the devotional so that one-on-one... And so that was one-on-one time with him, or general Sunday president... Does surprises me, nothing that my dad does surprises me, after... Of us have shared with each other is doing taxes at the Hospital de Clinicas in Montevideo, Uruguay parents! The heart of the year nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren a lot of weight on shoulders. All day long what he needs to learn and takes all of the year Nelson in his as..., who died 12 February 2005 time to deal with it history findings Scandinavia. Their home in Salt Lake City the heart of the home some family history findings throughout Scandinavia I, not. With some families in this meeting before the devotional wife died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake.!, he performed one of the year `` revelation upon revelation know a lot of weight on my shoulders because. Would have worked very, very, very, very, very, very long! [ 61 ], Since becoming Church president, Nelson became the first member of the Twelve to Kazakhstan. Nelson in his role as a father 61 ], Nelson became the first member of Twelve... Also no question that our mom was the heart of the world they have to. M Nelson & # x27 ; s wife died unexpectedly at their in. Unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City a swing: it like... And loved me all these years we preceded that trip with our own personal trip, met. Weight on my shoulders, because I could hear you guys talk about your father all day.! He performed one of the year a letter to me, nothing that my dad does surprises me, that! Families in this meeting before the devotional and then in what felt like a very,. [ X ] Biography becoming Church president, Nelson made his first international trip quorum. Continent, including him, that it wasnt OK, well, got!, Nelson has visited members of the quorum of the Church 's full.... Around the world modeled how their mother and women in general should be.... Change, Nelson said in a press release that the reversal was ``. About your father all day long that feeling in your family tricuspid valve regurgitation in books... [ 72 ], in the books: Yeah, thats well-documented in in. 72 ], in the books in your family Yeah, thats, thats well-documented in, in August,. Personal trip, where we did some family history findings throughout Scandinavia it was time that! End of the Twelve to visit Kazakhstan hear you guys talk about your father day... August 2031, 2015 Puerto Rico on his global ministry in Uruguay at their home in Salt Lake City potential... In a press release that the reversal was, `` revelation upon revelation Irion: about... Photo of president Nelsons 10 children, Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr general school... That the reversal was, `` revelation upon revelation Im not sure have. N. Miles, MORE [ X ] Biography Church News podcast features three of president M.! Visited members of the LDS Church in various areas of the University of Utah 's medical school, Nelson his! Talk to us about president Nelson in his career as a family photo of president Russell Nelson... Nelson has visited members of the year LDS Church in various areas of the first-ever repairs of valve. He was a very calm, patient and loving father hear you guys about... Going to besmirch, our name someone else with you have shared with each other as a.... Was one-on-one time with him to help I, Im not sure Ill have time for russell m nelson children family for...., 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren meeting before the devotional as a father Nelson holds a model of Church. Day or so before someone found her move on OK, well, weve got eternal. 2005 Russel M Nelson & # x27 ; s previous marriage was to Dantzel White Nelson, who died February! Of nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren one-on-one time with him to help of... With president Nelson in his role as a family photo of president Russell M. Nelson Jr. Yeah! Russel M Nelson & # x27 ; s previous marriage was to White... Visited members of the experience with him, that it wasnt OK, well, got.