BORN: 9 September 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
FATHER:
MOTHER: Edna Anderson Nelson
ELDER RUSSELL M NELSON
of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles
Key Doctrines:
Elder Nelson teaches forcefully about the important of marriage and family relationships. In a recent worldwide training he said, “In reality, we are raising our children in enemy-occupied territory. The homes of our members must become the primary sanctuaries of our faith, where each can be safe from the sins of the world.” [1] He explains his professional choice thus: “[In] my opinion [the] the highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me." [2]
He often speaks about personal revelation, how God truly does know each of us and our needs and can provide for those needs when we turn to him in faith. He assures that although I may face discouraging or traumatic events I can still trust Heavenly Father and rely on the Savior. They love me and will help me. Elder Russell M Nelson explains “Not all of our prayers will be answered as we might wish. Occasionally the answer will be no. We should not be surprised. Loving mortal parents do not say yes to every request of their children. . . . Even the Son of God endured such an experience, 'saying, Father, if thou be willing, . . . nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done' (Luke 22:42).” [3]
I learned:
Elder Nelson became an MD by age 22, completing his 4 year program in 3 years. He is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in Religion.
I remember his loving support to President Kimball and vividly remember how he stood by Elder Wirthlin at the pulpit when he was ill. It was fun to learn they were Stake leaders together. When a patriarch from Southern Utah that asked Elder Nelson to perform surgery on his heart, at first he declined because there was no known solution to the problems being experienced. The patriarch told him to ask the Lord and when Elder Nelson operated he invented a new procedure that blesses many lives. He devotes his time to the Lord first, however. As a busy doctor, when asked to serve as a Stake President, he showed great faith and affirmed that the Lord would help him with his work better so he could have more time serve in that busy calling.
Elder and Sister Nelson have 10 children. He makes sure they know they come first with special traditions together. Sister Nelson says, “'When he’s home, he’s home. At home, he devotes his whole attention to us.” He says, “Family relationships are established one experience at a time.”
It was fun to discover that Elder Nelson is musical and also rides horses. Many men of his generation knew and spent time around horses because automobiles were such a new and innovative thing. My father used to give all his grandchildren rides the same Elder Nelson does with his family. I was also very intrigued at how he spends every morning filling his mind with good things.
"Jesus revealed that we pray to a wise Father who knows what things we have need of, before we ask Him (Matt. 6:8) . . . The Lord said . . . all things shall work together for your good' (D&C 90:24)’. We should pray ‘with all the energy of heart’ (Moro. 7:48) . . . The sweet power of prayer can be intensified by fasting, on occasion, when appropriate.” [4]
He shows complete faith and trust in Heavenly Father. I felt a strong peaceful calm that has stayed with me in many difficult circumstances when I heard the story of his calm when the airplane he was in had serious problems. He was not afraid. He teaches us to completely trust God and rely on His priesthood power.
[3] Elder RUSSELL M
NELSON of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Sweet
Power of Prayer,” 173rd Annual General Conference,
April 2003
[4] See Matt. 17:21; Mark 9:29; 1 Cor. 7:5; Mosiah
27:22–23; Alma 5:46; 3 Ne. 27:1; D&C
88:76. Elder RUSSELL M
NELSON of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles, “Sweet
Power of Prayer,” 173rd Annual General Conference,
April 2003
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