Laurie Marsh: And for me, I think of my dad as a very optimistic person. But Ive always said it keeps me good. Poor guy. In August 2022, President Nelson traveled outside of Utah for the first time since the . President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson with family. He loves to be up on the latest technology. 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). Petersen. He wanted that to be their own inspired decisions, his son said. [7] In 1984, Nelson and the American jurist Dallin H. Oaks were selected to fill two vacancies in the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When we were younger, jumping from bed to bed, we had one bedroom that had five kids sleeping in, and it was right directly under their bedroom. And just to reinforce Glorias thought about, what a great example of someone who gets up every day and learns something new every day, and Ive quite often use that, just think, OK, this is an opportunity to learn and to grow, rather than going, Oh, I cant do it again. You know, its just an opportunity to learn more and serve more. It also provided more clear policies mandating all interviews with women and youth be done with another person in the general area, and made it clear that youth and women could have a parent or other adult present for an interview. Nelson then attended the University of Utah School of Medicine, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1947 ranked first in his class. Elder Nelson's previous marriage was to Dantzel White Nelson, who died 12 February 2005. He would have worked very, very, long hours in his career as a surgeon. Nelson family No one has experience doing both operations on a 77-year-old patient, he had told President Kimball. He was stern to us if we were rude to mom, but very, very Christlike.. "[94][95][96], In the October 2018 general conference, Nelson adjusted the balance between a home-centered, church-supported form of worship. Gloria Irion: Oh, right. But I do have that visual image. Laurie Marsh: I think I have probably learned from President Nelson the importance of my relationship with my Savior and how that can help with everything that we do thats full of joy, or not full of joy, in our life. I dont remember him watching TV. Sister Nelson passed away in February 2005. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. 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. "I feel pure joy every time I welcome a new member of our family into the world." They consistently had family home evening. [56][57] Citing "continuing revelation", this policy was adjusted in 2019, such that First Presidency approval was not needed for the children to be baptized. And we knew that. Come, Follow Me Activities. [5], A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson attended the University of Utah for his undergraduate and medical school education. They can feel that he loves them and its not so distant. [44] For a time he was also the church's representative to a US State Department committee on international religious freedom. With the death of Monson on January 2, 2018, Nelson became the anticipated successor to the church's presidency. Friend January 2019 "Show and Tell" Senior Primary children in Greater Manchester, England, wrote their own verse about President Russell M. Nelson for the song "Follow the Prophet.". But yeah, he would take us places. In today's world, marriage and the choice to raise children require increasing faith - but the blessings, mortal and eternal, of families are well worth it. She, like my mother, is a very Christ-centered person. After further surgical training and a two-year stint in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War, Nelson returned to Salt Lake City and accepted a professorship at the University of Utah School of Medicine. [39], Nelson later served for four and a half years as a regional representative. [49] He was succeeded as chairman of the executive committee by Oaks. I mean, we were all so grateful, including him, that it wasnt a day or so before someone found her. But I also remember, I guess I have the perspective for being one of the older ones, but like on a Saturday morning, if we got our chores done, Daddy could take us to swim or to ice skate or the Salt Lake Country Club to swim or Salt Lake swimming and tennis club or, you know, he would take us on an outing if we got our stuff done and at least took a few mess-makers out of the house for a few hours so mom could try to catch up. When he was home, it was time for the family.. So I didnt have a real close view of it, but I do remember asking him the same thing. But there was a deep level of grief all three times.. What was it like for the Nelson children to grow up in a home with a world-famous heart surgeon? Gloria Irion: I know mother saw you when she was pregnant with Emily. And so we just try to follow their example, because theyre following the Lords example. Im interested if there is one moment or one memory that each of you can share about your father that can help us just get to know him just a little bit better. He knew everything that could have been done was done. And the first thing he would do was look for, and find, and greet my mother. What was your house like, when you were children? 1950) in the Salt Lake Temple. And Wendy said, After these world tours, my husband comes home and hits the ground running and I just hit the ground. Ive never seen him with jet lag. As church president, Nelson is recognized by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. And it actually goes along with what were talking about when we asked him about his decision to let members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, dedicated temples. The guidance also had a clear emphasis on using counseling to assist in healing from abuse. Parents shouldn't have to bury their children, and in President Nelson's life, he has had this heavy duty twice. Days later, the Shanghai Municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau responded saying it "knew nothing about the American Mormon Church . He never misses them, never. And as later in life, your father lost both your mother and then two of his daughters to cancer. Laurie Marsh The way hes leading the Church is exactly an example of the way we were raised. And they said, Oh were just ordinary men in extraordinary callings. But kind of like I was saying earlier, I think, with my perspective of age, theyre a lot more than just ordinary men. And I remember as a 14-year-old thinking, Man, are we ever gonna go home? Because we are in a different place, a different country, a different something every day, every night. [75], In September 2018, Nelson visited the Dominican Republic, where he gave an entire talk in Spanish, which was believed to be the first time a church president had given an extended talk in a formal setting in a language other than English. Sarah Jane Weaver: Russ, you have a huge opportunity to carry your fathers name, which also sometimes may feel heavy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So hes brilliant. Laurie Marsh: It was a great experience. I often think of Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not, and that is my dad.. [107], In October 2018, Nelson concluded a 10-day trip to South America by dedicating the Concepcion Chile Temple. And we were going to be working together to see how we could get that goal accomplished. Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Laurie Marsh: OK. Russell Nelson Jr. remembers his father teaching him how to maintain the home, from changing a light bulb to shoveling the walks and taking out the garbage, as well as other home duties. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson, are interviewed in Salt Lake City on Friday May 29, 2020. And he did always emphasize how important education is, but as far as career choice goes, he never pushed one way or another. What can we do for you? And he just said, Just go home and be with your, your children and love them and teach them. And so that right there was to me a good window into the eternities of how we just keep going. "[102], On April 5, 2020, Nelson issued a new proclamation, "The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World". We can lean on our faith and use our faith and have our faith in Jesus Christ help us go through those trials, and well come out better for it, because if we seek first our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, everything else will be added on to it. First, he would find and greet his late wife, Dantzel Nelson. Professional Life Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from July 15, 2015, until his call as the Church's leader. Anyway, do you know more of the story? I just feel like, wow, he did that so well and just exemplified that. Sarah Jane Weaver: And I want to talk about, you know, you had this very tight-knit family that enjoyed being together and cherished the connections you had with each other. [15] Nelson began his first year of medical school while still an undergraduate, and completed the four-year MD program in only three years. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't know how long Wendy has been sick, but because . After 20 months in service, he left active duty at the rank of captain. I remember him saying once, but living it always was, The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. And I just feel like Wow, he did that so well and just exemplified that. And I feel like we were so secure, because we knew they were secure. [23][24] That operation was performed at the Salt Lake General Hospital (SLGH, now University of Utah Hospital) on an adult with an atrial septal defect. And I think we had as much fun after we came home from our dates as we did on the dates. On Monday, September 9th, President Russell M. Nelson will be celebrating his 95th birthday. And that was something that when I first heard that, was a huge surprise to me. He loves to be up on the latest technology. The three children concluded the interview with key lessons learned from their father, President Nelson. He wrote a letter to me, right after I was born. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Yeah, Laurie mentioned it earlier that when Mother and Daddy were married, they made their motto, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God. And thats what hes encouraging all of us to do now is put the Lord first in our lives and let Him prevail and well be blessed. [Laughing]. Shes precious and an angel mother, he called her, Irion said. Were so grateful for that technology that allows us to do that. Were there other things that you did on a regular basis that you enjoyed doing together? But, you know, to witness his preparation and preservation and the ongoing revelation and guidance that he is given. What was discipline like in your home growing up? But. And we have a couple of things in place. And so thats probably one of the main lessons that I learned growing up about. [22] His patient was a Latter-day Saint stake patriarch. Yeah, he might watch a bowl game and we were just Gloria Irion: It was the only time I saw him turn on the TV. Laurie Marsh: And a lot of it was just going to each others performances and doing things together as a family and decorating the Christmas tree to Handels Messiah. So music really was a huge part of the things that we would do together. They both played the piano and the organ. "[101] Shortly after the change, Nelson said in a press release that the reversal was, "revelation upon revelation. President Russell M. Nelson was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 1984. At the end of each year, President Nelson set up a folding table in the living room, set out spreadsheets and paperwork, and invited his children to participate in preparing the family taxes. He next served as member of the Bonneville Stake YMMIA superintendency (a position roughly equivalent to a modern counselor in the stake young men's presidency) and then as a counselor in the bishopric of the Garden Park Ward. Laurie Marsh: I tell people all the time, I said I think we owe Wendy Nelson and the Lord for His longevity and his ability to continue to serve in his capacity right now. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home. 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. 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. I think a perfect example is, quite often on Mothers Day he would buy her a corsage. He took the lens out of the fishs eye out and said, Look, this is the lens and held it up over a newspaper that was right nearby and showed how it kind of magnified the print on the newspaper. The children noticed when their father complimented their mother. Mother was a beautiful singer. [50], Following the death of Boyd K. Packer[51] on July 3, 2015, Nelson became the most senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve and the quorum's president. Laurie Marsh: I have to mention, because to me, its his biggest life is his focus on the Savior. It wasnt me. 1972). The children agreed that both parents made education a high priority and fostered a love of lifelong learning. Doing taxes doesnt sound like fun at all as an adult, but its something we just did together and had fun doing together.. In Minnesota, he served as what was then known as Sunday School Superintendent in his local congregation. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. So I think the takeaway for me in that, is, you know, our number one job is just to try to learn how to become an eternal family and enjoy all the blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give each and every one of us. From left: Marjorie Lowder; Elder Michael T. Ringwood, a General Authority Seventy; Sister Rosalie Ringwood; and Wendy Maxfield. And as the evening was winding down, it was time for us to go and go back to our homes. 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