1 / 2

Church President Russell M. Nelson celebrates his 98th birthday while admiring cards and letters he received Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. He was spending the day participating in meetings and other duties in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

2 / 2

Church President Russell M. Nelson celebrates his 98th birthday while admiring cards and letters he received Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. He was spending the day participating in meetings and other duties in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

❮ ❯

Russell M. Nelson was born into a loving family in the early days of the Roaring ’20s. He lived through the Great Depression and World War II, serving in the closing days of the war. On April 14 of this year, he became the oldest president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Born Sept. 9, 1924, Nelson celebrated his 98th birthday on Friday by doing what he always does, working and fulfilling his duties as president.

Nelson said he is very grateful for the many cards and well wishes he has received from members and friends around the globe.

Reflecting on Nelson’s service and life, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, said, “He is an inspired and wise leader and the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with.”

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, expressed his thoughts about Nelson’s role as the Lord’s prophet. “Every time we walk out of the office, President Oaks and I say, ‘It happened again.’ You’ll just see revelation come. You’ll see him ask for counsel, and then the decision will come and everybody in the room knows it is right and from God. He just quietly says, ‘I think this is what the Lord would want us to do.’ It’s just time after time.”

Nelson has served as president of the church since February 2018. He has moved the church forward in temple building while initiating friendships with organizations, political leaders and leaders of other denominations throughout the world. He has met with the pope at Vatican City, developed abiding friendships with the leaders of the NAACP and served with devotion the members of the church.

Nelson and his wife, Wendy Watson Nelson, have traveled the globe meeting members and building the ministering of the kingdom.

On April 7, 1984, Nelson was called to be an apostle by then President Gordon B. Hinckley.

He has been serving in church capacities most of his adult life. Aside from his church service, Nelson was a world-renowned heart surgeon. Just prior to his call to serve full time in the church, Nelson spent a great deal of time in China teaching and helping with heart surgeries. His medical career has been beneficial as the world has had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nelson has received hundreds of well wishes from members of the church. One comment on social media, exemplifying a common message, said, “On behalf of millions of Latter-day Saints and friends of faith, happy birthday, President Nelson!”

Newsletter