After much rest and healing, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday he is on the mend and able to start work again.

On Sept. 9, Nelson celebrated his 99th birthday. Two days later he fell and injured his back.

Nelson announced his health status on his social media platforms, thanking people for their thoughts and prayers.

“My recovery from my fall in September when I injured the muscles in my back has been rigorous. I have needed your prayers,” Nelson said. “The apostle James taught that the effectual fervent prayers of righteous men and women ‘availeth much.’ Your prayers opened the heavens, and the Lord is blessing me.”

At the time of his fall and lower back muscle strain, the church was preparing for its semiannual general conference. Nelson said that was one of his favorite times of the year, but for the first time he would be unable to attend in person and would be watching from home.

While sitting for long periods of time hurt, Nelson said, he did prepare a speech wrapping up conference and videotaped the message. Part of that message was his announcing the building of 20 new temples throughout the world — a favorite topic anticipated by members of the church.

His recovery has been unique, he said, in that his doctors have never developed a back treatment for one his age.

“As my physician says, ‘We don’t have much data on how 99-year-olds recover from an injury like this one, so I am prescribing a slow, careful approach to healing so that you achieve a full recovery.’ Having prescribed just such a course of action for many of my own patient’s years ago, I feel duty-bound to follow doctor’s orders.”

Nelson added that the prayers offered on his behalf have “lifted my spirits and bolstered my courage and my great desire to soldier on.”

“In short, the Lord has responded to your prayers and expressions of love, and He is helping me to heal,” he added.

Nelson said he was grateful to report that, throughout the last two months, he has been able to attend most meetings of the First Presidency virtually.

“Now I am slowly returning to the office on selected days while continuing to use technology as needed,” Nelson said.

“The work of the Lord continues to move on, under His direction,” Nelson said. “Thirty-six new missions will be created in 2024. The Lord is truly hastening His work, and we are blessed to be part of it.”

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