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. And that always meant a lot. He knew decades before I did that there was such a thing as airdropping photos," Irion said of her 98-year-old father. Wendy Nelson Maxfield died of cancer in 2019. It also adjusted previous policies forbidding adult males to teach classes of children or youth alone to apply to all adults. [23], Nelson first operated out of the University of Utah's medical school. Screenshot from YouTube He doesnt look for anybodys approval, but the Lords. Sarah Jane Weaver: It is great to have you with us today. And I had the chance to interview him and I said, Well, this is the first time youve been out and out among the Saints since the COVID pandemic. And he did not like that question. And, Gloria, lets start with you. But, you know, to witness his preparation and preservation and the ongoing revelation and guidance that he is given. Laurie Marsh: Yeah, he committed pretty fast. But a lot of the things that he made look easy, for me, now as a parent, with kids, ranging from 14 to 26 years old, takes a lot of effort and takes a lot of knowledge. 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. [31], Nelson became involved with the administrative aspects of medicine and was elected president of the Utah State Medical Association. Please remember to subscribe to this podcast and if you enjoyed the messages we shared today, please make sure you share the podcast with others. I feel like the way he is leading the Church is exactly an example of the way we were raised, Marsh said. [45][46], Nelson's assignments as an apostle have included supervisory responsibility for the LDS Church in Africa. What have you observed from their relationship? He had a confirmation right then that this was a blessing that she went in a twinkling of an eye, basically, and kind of had to start accepting that. [24] He was at the forefront of surgeons focusing attention on coronary artery disease,[26] and contributed to the advance of valvular surgery as well. [92], In August 2018, Nelson issued a statement urging the use of the church's full name. [20] Nelson was also the director of the University of Utah thoracic surgery residency program. [63], In August 2010, Nelson journeyed to the dedication of the Kiev Ukraine Temple. During that period, the Latter-day Saint Prophet has embarked on a fast-paced global ministry that has taken him to 35 countries, guided the Church through a pandemic, extended many invitations and continued to oversee the ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hed come in the door. This is the way we treat this person, you know. In 1960, he performed one of the first-ever repairs of tricuspid valve regurgitation. Sarah Jane Weaver: And Russ, we saved you for last, because you came at the end of the Nelson family. Gloria Irion: I thought it was really a blessing. 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. And so the two of them working together was just a really nice example of how a husband and wife and a mother and father worked together. He loves to be up on the latest technology. https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng Russell M. Nelson delivers a message titled "Children of the Covenant." Russell M. Nelson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside was given on 6 February 2005. I want to talk about President Nelson before he was a Church leader. But I love the idea that whats important is, we all go through trials, right? Gloria Irion: We knew he had notoriety, because of his research and the things that he had accomplished and always kept accomplishing. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. And so that way we can kind of keep up on what hes doing and he can read what were doing. We love Wendy. 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 imagine in your minds eye the cardboard box just packed full of Christmas lights, strings and strings of Christmas lights. He noticed every little thing and taught us by example that our mother was of huge value to us, and No. And Ive watched him help and love a lot of people along the way. Laurie Marsh: Sure. It was probably 10 years ago that he taught Katie how to AirDrop photos. What was it like when he came home? And I think that was a blessing to have him home. How did President Nelsons academic and professional accomplishments influence his childrens education and career paths? Elder Russell M. Nelson. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints poses in his office in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. 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. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Thats kind of like coming home from your mission and they say, How was your mission? How do you sum up two years in a sentence? And so he would try to teach me how to, from simple things like change a light bulb, to shovel the walks, or do the garbage and, you know, take care of things around the house. A stake's high priest quorum now consists of current members of stake presidencies, high councils, bishoprics and functioning patriarchs. Days later, the Shanghai Municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau responded saying it "knew nothing about the American Mormon Church . She knows her father has been called as Prophet for this time and is grateful to be his daughter. But we never felt that it was tied to their feelings for us. And I think the other thing is, weve talked about the consistency of my dad, and my parents consistently had family prayer. And they were talking a little bit about themselves and their callings. Yet your family has a reputation of not expecting to be treated any different than any other Latter-day Saints. And if you chose not to come, youd be missing out on a really great opportunity to be together and do something neat. And really, you dont need to be the child of Russell and Dantzel Nelson to have those blessings. Find us on your favorite podcasting channel or with other news and updates about the Church on TheChurchNews.com. President Russell M. Nelson is the father of nine daughters and one son and has 57 grandchildren. [42], In 1991, Nelson served as the negotiator for the LDS Church with the Internal Revenue Service over whether contributions to support missionaries serving would be tax deductible. But none of us were ever forced to come.. President Nelson supported his wife in becoming a member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a few years. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: He, a lot of times, even as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve has a lot of travel and a lot of comings and goings, and a question he would get asked a lot is, How do you deal with jet lag? And he would just say, I dont have time to deal with it. 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. The call to serve in this position had been extended to Nelson by Richard L. Evans, an apostle and the lead figure over publicity efforts on Temple Square. Family bonds were also strengthened through holiday traditions and large gatherings. I just move forward and do as Im directed. And that was a lesson for me too. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. [30], In 1965, the University of Chicago offered Nelson the position as head of their department of thoracic surgery. [80][81][82], In August 2019, Nelson visited Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. Provided by the Nelson family "He's very driven, very bright and catches on fast. Laurie Marsh: You know, nothing that my dad does surprises me, nothing. This team was focused on ways to improve the treatment of wounded and was sent to all five MASH units active in Korea along with two major evacuation hospitals, several field station hospitals, a prisoner of war camp and larger evacuation hospitals in Japan, Hawaii, and the mainland United States in order to implement such improvements. Anyway, do you know more of the story? And to see him follow that, like he said, follow instruction, has been a really remarkable thing to see and witness, so close. And then we experienced the pandemic and there was great effort to make sure that President Nelson stayed well. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. Three of President Russell M. Nelson's children celebrate his 5 years as Prophet, offering a glimpse into his role as a father Three of President Nelson's 10 children Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. discuss the lessons learned as children from their father in episode 118 of the Church News podcast. 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. So, those are words that I think describe him well. Russell M. Nelson. A good example is you see all of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles each having their own opportunities to dedicate temples. 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. But I wouldnt say that its an overwhelming thought thats always at the forefront of my mind. [33], Nelson was honored nationally by being elected president of the Society for Vascular Surgery for the year 1975. And so all those little experiences add up to neat memories of him as a father and a teacher, but also of how Gods hand is in everything. In the general conference talk " Covenants ," President Russell M. Nelson teaches that "when we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us." The covenants we have made direct our lives and give us a deeper purpose. Up through August 2019, he had visited sixteen countries, addressing thousands of members of the faith. And hes helped me and loved me all these years. 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. We were invited, with all, all their love to come and participate in that. And so thats probably one of the main lessons that I learned growing up about. We dont have time for that. Both parents knew how to teach their children about the why of things, their son said. She kind of validates our testimony of his being the prophet called for this time, you know. You probably came into a little more chaotic home than, than the average son. President Russell M. Nelson holds a child with his wife, Wendy, by his side in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, April 20, 2018. Her marriage to Nelson is her first. We just need to be a child of God. And you know, wed get our hair wet and hed squirt shampoo on each of our heads and wed shampoo the person in front of us and he called it The shampoo train. And then hed say, About-face! and we turn around and shampoo the person who used to be in back of us is now in front of us. Watch this video that celebrates his love of children By Lindsey Williams December 22, 2020 04:57 PM MST In September, Church News shared what President Russell M. Nelson taught his 57 grandchildren and 140 great-grandchildren as part of his birthday celebration. 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. He really didnt raise his voice. I knew he loved her and he missed her. I thought, What a commitment for a large family to make, for her to have that opportunity to go and be gone one night a week and then on Sunday mornings. And so Im totally interested in how that worked at your house. But he would come and get us and drop us off, and then, I assume, go back to the stake center and resume his responsibilities as the stake president. Their family includes 10 children, 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. President Russell M. Nelson with daughter Sylvia Webster and three great-grandchildren. [107], In October 2018, Nelson concluded a 10-day trip to South America by dedicating the Concepcion Chile Temple. [35] He performed a total of nearly 7,000 operations before his call to be an apostle. At one point, the team came close enough to the front that they received fire from enemy artillery positions, which missed them. The couple had ten children; Marsha, Wendy, Gloria, Brenda, Sylvia, Emily, Laurie, Rosalie, and Marjorie and Russell Jr. There is no surprise to me that we were all so excited to be mothers because of the way he felt that position was such a place of honor, such a calling of honor. He became a doctor, Doctor of the heart. Laurie Marsh: Oh, there are so many I dont even know. Fishing. I dont know if it happened a ton or if its just that such a fond memory that I remember that, but he was pretty hands on. But yes, hes very driven, and very bright, and catches on fast, but loves to be up on the latest technology. And then in what felt like a very vulnerable moment. Nelson's tenure as church president has been defined by an increased focus on worship within LDS temples. He was stern to us if we were rude to mom, but very, very Christlike.. President Russell M. Nelson will mark five years as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Jan. 14, 2023. This is the way we treat this person. They consistently had family scripture reading. This letter reiterated existing policies, but also explicitly stated that no one should ever be counseled against reporting abuse to legal authorities. But I really feel like their love for us was not tied to any kind of accomplishment at all. I had a flashback of when mother had kind of gotten a baby, usually a girl, at that point in time, to sleep, finally, at night. But I think a great impact on me is what Gloria shared, I think the fact that he has honored me, every Mothers Day my whole entire life, speaks volumes of the importance of family and the importance of eternal relationships. From left: Marjorie Lowder; Elder Michael T. Ringwood, a General Authority Seventy; Sister Rosalie Ringwood; and Wendy Maxfield. [40], Nelson also served for eight years as the church's Sunday School General President. Before holding his babies, the world-renowned heart surgeon had something of a routine when he came home each day, Marsh remembers. Mother was a beautiful singer. And we all are. And I had quite a collection, so I thought, What would Mother love, a string of these for a necklace. So I got a needle and thread and strung those beautiful pearly looking things together for my mother and gave it to her. He honored us as women as well as potential mothers.. We are children of God. I think a perfect example is, quite often on Mothers Day he would buy her a corsage. Daddy was able to participate in the school musical up at the University of Utah his freshman year. He just was a very calm, and patient and loving father. Children(s) Emily Nelson Wittwer, Brenda N. Miles, MORE [X] Biography. Laurie Marsh: I think for me, too, I just have, as weve gone through those times that are more difficult, Ive just held on the example of my parents. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Even, a long time ago, I was 14, right after my freshman year of high school, I was the only one at home. Laurie Marsh: There was always somebody to talk to, somebody to play with, play dolls with, or talk about problems or whatever. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. There he built his own heart-lung bypass machine and employed it to support the first open-heart surgery in the United States west of the Mississippi River. The tender memory of President Russell M. Nelson as a young father is also reflective of how he has led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Laurie Marsh, another daughter. Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. discuss the lessons learned as children from their father, President Russell M. Nelson. Ringger. Thats what I remember. President Russell M. Nelson with daughter Sylvia Webster and three great-grandchildren. [24], In 2015, the University of Utah, along with the American College of Cardiology, created the Russell M. Nelson MD, PhD Visiting Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery. In Washington DC, he was a counselor in the bishopric of the ward Ezra Taft Benson, then an apostle, regularly attended while serving as Secretary of Agriculture to Dwight D. Eisenhower. "Who are we? They both played the piano and the organ. That was fun. Peoples lives depend on me getting sleep, kids. And so anyway, he tried, but we did, we always love to be together still do. And the director approached him as he was, in his sophomore year, to invite him to come back and participate. He later had a practice at the Salt Lake Clinic with admission privileges at LDS Hospital. Shes been a marvelous companion for him since day one, I believe. "Have faith to keep all the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless His children and bring them joy. But my dads always been well-known, well-known renowned heart surgeon or stake president, or general Sunday School president. [114] The following year, Nelson married Wendy L. Watson (b. Hes going to be fine. What we need to do is focus on our little ones and continue to teach them and bring them up. There was also a shift from having members of the Sunday School general board do all the training for new teachers to providing materials which developed into the book Teaching: No Greater Call. This episode of the Church News podcast features three of President Nelsons 10 Children, Gloria Irion, Laurie Marsh and Russell Nelson Jr. And he would take us to church. He was a very calm, patient and loving father. The event marked the first time in history that a pope and an LDS Church president met face-to-face. [89] A few days before this, Nelson and his counselors met with the national leaders of the NAACP. In 1964, he set up his own private practice with him as the lead and Conrad Jenson as an associate. How do you sum up a lifetime of being taught. But I think his outward focus was a good example to us, too. [55] "It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson," Nelson said. Gloria Irion: I think he is open to hearing counsel. In Minnesota, he served as what was then known as Sunday School Superintendent in his local congregation. And quite often he had callings and stuff that would take him out of the home after dinner, but sometimes he was home. We have strong testimonies and gratitude that the Lord has blessed us with prophets to have that guidance in our lives., Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox, The three things you need to know everyday, Highlights from the last week to keep you informed. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Russell Marion Nelson Sr. (born September 9, 1924) is an American religious leader and retired surgeon who is the 17th and current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). . Shes very strong. And so, like Laurie said, hes always been very consistent throughout his whole life. And so is his wife and my mother had an amazing role in that, as well. Russell Nelson Jr. knew he could ask his father anything and he would always provide the answer. And you know, he just made it fun. Absolutely not. Faust. In April 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson. They have agreed to talk to us about President Nelson in his role as a father. And thats how they met, I think the play was called Hayfoot Strawfoot. So that was, we liked that play and love that story. But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home. I would say that I know a key part of life is to learn and to grow, to love one another, to love the Lord and enjoy the blessings that come from Him as we keep our covenants.. Now, your father graduated from medical school at age 22, first in his class. [54], In 2016, as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Nelson declared that the church's governing council had received a revelation from God forbidding minor children of same-sex couples from being baptized without First Presidency approval. 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. It was one way he modeled how their mother and women in general should be treated. And were talking, boxes and boxes, because mother love to decorate the house for Christmas. He just goes forward and learns what he needs to learn and takes all of the experience with him to help. [91] On June 18, the First Presidency created committees assigned to form a unified hymnbook and children's songbook for the worldwide church membership, with each language edition having the same hymns (and other songs) in the same order, and that these committees would be taking submissions and collecting surveys until July 2019. President Nelson, the leader of almost 17 million Latter-day Saints worldwide, has traveled to 35 nations, changed Church organization, utilized technology, led the Church through a pandemic, issued historic invitations Throughout his many years of service as a surgeon, general authority, and husband and father . He knew everything that could have been done was done. Haight. 1972). [76] On the same trip, he visited Puerto Rico. And it was a Saturday night when Mother passed. You must do this. Instead, he seems to invite us as members of the Lords Church to follow the commandments and then claim all the blessings that we can get from that. He was ordained an apostle on April 12, 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley. The Soccer . President Russell M. Nelson. We were serving in Nauvoo when the sister just older than I am, passed away, Wendy, that was just before they went to Paradise, California. Sarah Jane Weaver: We have a tradition at the Church News podcast. 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. 1 with him, Marsh said. Its a boy! And, you know, Ive also heard your father joke that, you know, you were probably three before you knew who your mother was, because there was just so much love and affection in that home. [77][78], On February 10, 2019, Nelson spoke to church members in Arizona at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. 1950) in the Salt Lake Temple. [111], In April 2020, Nelson announced plans to build a temple in Shanghai, China. 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. Did you focus on science and math? [118], Dantzel Nelson died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City on February 12, 2005, at age 78. As soon as he saw him, they discussed that and decided. It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. Yeah, he doesnt believe in it. And so we love to sing together. You know, Sunday mornings, I guess. She, like my mother, is a very Christ-centered person. Prophet Asks "Let me ask one question," said President Russell M. Nelson to youth assembled in the visitors' center in Palmyra. 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. We, one time, I had gotten all the Christmas decorations out of the attic. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS Theyre exercising their keys. Irion added her witness that President Nelson has been prepared and preserved to lead the Church. They can feel that he loves them and its not so distant. Dont know what I did in the pre-life, but Im grateful every day to be the daughter of Russell and Dantzel Nelson. Being as smart and skilled as he is, I kind of took some of that for granted. But I would say, I know that a key part of life is to learn and to grow, and to love love one another, love the Lord and enjoy the blessings that come from Him as we keep our covenants. Doing taxes doesnt sound like fun at all as an adult, but its something we just did together and had fun doing together.. He then moved to the Yale Second Ward, still in the Bonneville Stake, and was called as a member of the stake high council. Ray Goldrup. Sometimes, it was keeping Daddy from sleeping. Gloria Irion: You know, I just had a thought about what an important thing music was in our home. It wasnt me. President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. It is a worldwide church and it is the Church of Jesus Christ and its for everyone. And you know, he was there with her. Sarah Jane Weaver: Well, I have to agree with all of you. [88], June 2018 began with a First Presidency-sponsored celebration of the 40th anniversary of the revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy members without regard to race, in which Nelson gave concluding remarks. Welcome all of you to the Church News podcast. 2:04 Gloria Irion: Thank you, Sarah. [117] Dantzel White was a native of Perry, Utah, and first met Nelson when they were the co-leads in a musical produced at the University of Utah. Can you talk a little bit about those times when the focus of your family had to be eternal? Our potential is unlimited. [39], Nelson later served for four and a half years as a regional representative. . [8][9] He had two sisters, Marjory E. (19202016) and Enid (19262019), and a brother, Robert H. (19312014). "I feel pure joy every time I welcome a new member of our family into the world." from the University of Utah in 1947, shortly after completing his medical degree. His wife and my mother had an amazing role in that as well, she said. Nelson was set apart as the quorum president on July 15, 2015, by Thomas S. And so, did your father get everyone up and ready for church? But there was also no question that our mom was the heart of the home. And there was a high expectation that we would be an eternal family. And I think shes a great sounding board for Daddy and plays a critical role. On April 14, 2022, Nelson surpassed Gordon B. Hinckley to become the oldest president in the history of the church. He would come find that baby in the crib, pick her up and nuzzle his nose in her neck, and hold her and smell her, and sing to her,and coo to her, and put her back down and then go back if it was you know, at night after the baby had been put to bed. Just like a heart and a brain worked together to keep your body going, thats how I felt our mom and dad ran our home, he said. I do remember him changing diapers, reading books and helping us with homework. President Russell M. Nelson, second from right, skiing with three daughters and a son-in-law, prior to becoming President of the Church. But it was fun to feel like you were on a date with your Daddy and got to spend some time with him. And it was fast-paced and it was hard to keep up with him, but it was also filled with so much love and beautiful moments. Gloria Irion: Theres about 150 great-grands, 57 grands. They consistently had family home evening. You know, we do a lot of Zoom calls. They get to see him the way we know him. You get more joy from letting other people have that experience than you do from having that experience yourself. And I thought that was such a beautiful sentiment. [32] Nelson traveled extensively as a medical doctor and addressed conferences in many parts of Latin America and Africa, as well as in India and China. 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. And I think we had as much fun after we came home from our dates as we did on the dates. And I just feel like hes just made it very clear of the importance of having Christ be the center of my life. He said, Well, its like being a father. Were there other things that you did on a regular basis that you enjoyed doing together?

Tui Cruises From Southampton, 3 Examples Of Active Transport, Replacement Flights For Original Jarts, Geraldine Stowell Death, Richie Anderson Salary, Maronda Homes Spring Hill, Delhivery Pincode Service Check, Arrowhead Country Club Montgomery, Al Membership Fees, Susan Bednar Age, Hidrate Spark Change Glow Color,