Russell M. Nelson, the oldest president in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died peacefully at age 101, church officials announced.
Nelson passed away at his home in Salt Lake City, shortly after 10 p.m. MDT on September 27, 2025. TIME+3lds365.com+3PBS+3 Over the decades, he had transformed from a renowned heart surgeon into a religious leader who guided the LDS Church through significant institutional changes.
Before devoting himself fully to church service, Nelson was a trailblazer in medicine. In 1955, he performed Utah’s first open-heart surgery and went on to carry out more than 7,000 such operations. LDS Daily+2PBS+2 His medical credentials included leadership roles in cardiology and thoracic surgery and contributions to advancing artificial heart and lung technologies.
Nelson joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984 and became church president in January 2018 following the death of Thomas S. Monson. Wikipedia+3PBS+3Church News+3 During his presidency, he launched a global temple-building initiative that added hundreds of new temples, reemphasized the use of the church’s full name over shorthand terms, and led reforms in church policies and outreach.
He also pushed changes in how the church related to LGBTQ+ members and families, rolled back some policies regarding children of same-sex couples, and broke the church’s century-long partnership with the Boy Scouts amid changing cultural norms. PBS+2AP News+2 Nelson’s leadership was not without controversy, especially as the church faced criticism over its handling of abuse allegations, but his supporters praised his dedication, humility, and global vision.
Thousands are expected to attend a funeral service in Salt Lake City, with both members and non-members invited to pay their respects. AP News Meanwhile, under established LDS Church protocol, Dallin H. Oaks, the longest-serving member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is expected to succeed him as the next president.
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