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President Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles watch as the casket of President Russell M. Nelson arrives at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

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The funeral services of President Russell M. Nelson at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

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President Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at the funeral services of President Russell M. Nelson at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

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Family members of President Russell M. Nelson arrive at the Conference Center on Temple Square for the funeral services of the beloved 17th prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

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The casket of President Russell M. Nelson arrives at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, passing members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Those closest to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remembered him for his fervent service to the church and the unrelenting joy he carried throughout his ministry.

Nelson, the church’s 17th prophet who died Sept. 27 at age 101, was memorialized during funeral services Tuesday at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Nearly all of Russell and Dantzel White Nelson’s 10 children, 57 grandchildren, 171 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild were in attendance, along with his second wife, Wendy Watson Nelson, and thousands of church members watching in person or by broadcast.

Two of Nelson’s children, Laurie N. Marsh and Russell M. Nelson Jr.; General Relief Society President Camille N. Johnson; and three members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — Dallin H. Oaks, Jeffrey R. Holland and Henry B. Eyring — offered remarks at the funeral service, which was followed by a private burial service at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

“When I think of our dad, I think of joy,” Marsh said. “Daddy always chose to be happy.”

Marsh recalled hiking, fishing and skiing with her father as well as spending time as a family for scripture study and family prayer. She said the family enjoyed popping popcorn and slicing apples on Sunday nights and listening to Nelson play the organ.

As the posterity of Russell and Dantzel Nelson grew, Marsh said he took the time to attend each of his grandchildren’s baptisms, set his grandchildren apart on missions and seal them in the temple with their spouses.

Though Nelson made time for his family, he was also devoted to his church service.

“May I say this about Wendy and the family: She and they quite literally gave a husband and a father to the church,” Holland said.

Nelson traveled around the world into old age to minister to members and meet dignitaries. Holland remembered him as always being well dressed and cheerful — despite how tired he may have been — and engaging with everyone he met.

“Having the opportunity to see him love the people, and for the people to love him, made for the most beautiful memories,” Holland said.

Eyring said Nelson was someone who would go the “extra mile” to bless others and their families.

Nelson Jr. saw this trait firsthand. He remembered a visit to his old home ward with his father when Nelson — then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — sat on the stand and noticed some old friends he could tell were struggling.

He went up to them after the meeting and offered encouragement.

“He visited them, ministered to them and counseled with them to help them lighten their burden and let the light of Christ back into their lives,” Nelson Jr. said. “There was no assignment. There wasn’t even a request. He could just see it in the faces of those he knew.”

Quorum of the Twelve President Dallin H. Oaks called Nelson his “best friend” and the most effective teacher of the quorum. He said Nelson shared his testimony of the Book of Mormon with leaders and ambassadors he met.

Oaks said that in the 34 years serving alongside Nelson in the quorum, he was “thoughtful and wise” but not as active in discussions as others.

“Mostly former lawyers,” Oaks joked.

However, when Nelson became the prophet in January 2018, Oaks said he was not prepared for what was to come.

“Suddenly I saw Russell M. Nelson as a decisive church decision-maker,” he said.

In the first meeting of the new First Presidency, Oaks said a question arose of who would write the introductory page of the monthly “Ensign” edition, as was customary.

Before Oaks or Eyring could volunteer, Nelson said: “Why do we do this? Is this really necessary? Let’s stop doing it.”

“The decision was made,” Oaks recalled.

Oaks said Nelson’s decisiveness was rooted in his background as a surgeon, where he needed to make swift judgments.

This was reflected in changes Nelson made during his presidency. 

Quoting a leader of a different denomination, Oaks referenced these “bold reforms,” including “a renewed emphasis on the name of the church, a restructuring of worship practices and the announcements of new temples.”

Oaks added of Nelson’s legacy: “His life also bore witness as prophet and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pallbearers at the funeral were Nelson’s sons-in-law Richard C. Workman, Norman A. Maxfield, Richard A. Irion, Richard L. Miles, David R. Webster, Bradley E. Wittwer, Richard M. Marsh, Elder Michael T. Ringwood, Bradley J. Lowder and Nelson Jr.

Ringwood, a member of the General Authority Seventy, offered the grave dedication.