In brief
Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away at his Salt Lake City home. His tenure saw significant changes, including a shift away from shorthand names for the church and evolving views on LGBTQ+ issues. Expected to succeed him is Dallin H. Oaks. Nelson, remembered as a skilled surgeon and church leader, navigated the church through the COVID-19 pandemic and addressed criticism surrounding sexual abuse reporting. His legacy includes pushing for diversity in church leadership and building more temples around the globe.
SALT LAKE CITY — Russell M. Nelson, the longest-serving president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died at the age of 101, church representatives confirmed late Saturday. Nelson passed away at his home in Salt Lake City, leaving behind a complex legacy shaped by both progressive reforms and traditional stances within the faith.
As a former heart surgeon and church leader, Nelson began his presidency in January 2018, marked by a radical call to abandon the shorthand terms “Mormon” and “LDS” in favor of the full name of the church. This directive represented a significant shift from decades of branding efforts imposed by previous leaders.
In subsequent years, he made headlines for repealing controversial rules that restricted baptisms for children of same-sex couples, though the church's opposition to same-sex marriage remained intact. Throughout his presidency, the church's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals drew both praise for its softer approach and criticism for ongoing curbs on participation for transgender individuals.
Nelson’s leadership also coincided with heightened scrutiny over the church's handling of sexual abuse reports. An Associated Press investigation revealed that the church’s abuse reporting hotline was occasionally used to reroute claims from law enforcement to church attorneys, sparking concerns about victim safety.
Among his many accomplishments, Nelson oversaw the church's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitated its split from the Boy Scouts of America, creating a more globally inclusive youth program. He also worked towards diversifying leadership within the church, appointing non-American leaders to its high governing body.
Nelson left a distinctive mark on the church, achieving modernization while upholding traditional beliefs, and was known for his advocacy for building more temples internationally, despite some local resistance. With his passing, Dallin H. Oaks stands poised to become the next president, continuing a tradition of selecting leaders with extensive church experience.
Born in 1924, Nelson’s long journey in medicine and faith saw him merge both careers into an influential legacy marked by precision, service, and a commitment to what he termed the “covenant path” of the church. His death marks the end of a significant era for a faith that has navigated considerable societal changes under his stewardship.
