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See photos from President Russell M. Nelson’s 4 years as President of the Church

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President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sits with his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor (left), and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor (right), at a press conference in Salt Lake City Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Every member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dressed in white temple clothing, posed for an iconic photograph in the Rome Italy Temple visitors center in Rome, Italy on Monday, March 11, 2019. Front center are President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. Also included are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, and President Russell M. Nelson discuss the role of women in the Restoration of priesthood authority in a video shown during the Saturday evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference o Credit: Screenshot, ChurchofJesusChrist.org
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tours the Salt Lake Utah Temple in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and President M. Russell Ballard, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome, Italy on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Credit: The Vatican
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EMBARGOED UNTIL Dec. 15-- President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plays the piano while Claire Crosby sings in Salt Lake City on Dec 6, 2019. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hugs children after a devotional in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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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. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, front right, waves to members of the Tabernacle Choir during the 191st Semiannual General Conference of at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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In November 2020, President Russell M. Nelson shared with the world a message on the “healing power of gratitude.” Credit: Russell M. Nelson Facebook
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints waves a handkerchief after a devotional at Estadio Cementos Progreso stadium in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Sister Wendy Nelson, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Sister Mary Cook look at the choir. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks during Jerusalem District Conference at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson share a laugh with Reverend Theresa Deer and Dr. Amos Brown at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets Linwood mosque victim Ahmed Jahangir and imams in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 21, 2019. Jahangir is recovering from his injuries from the attack. Two imams represented Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, 2021. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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President Russell M. Nelson invites young adults to listen to his message about God’s love for them at a BYU devotional on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greet the Vargas family at the Hyde Park Visitors Center in London on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The boys are Juan David Vargas Saavedra, right, and Joseph Daniel Vargas Saavedra. Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, attend their weekly First Presidency meeting at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson arrive for a Latin America Ministry Tour devotional in Quito, Ecuador on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Credit: Ravell Call
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tours the Salt Lake Utah Temple in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints high fives Tate Chan, 3, while meeting with a three-generation family in Singapore on Nov. 20, 2019. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, right, look over times removed from The Salt Lake Temple capstone time capsule in Salt Lake City on Wednesday May 20, 2020. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, right, along with District President Dennis Brimhall walk at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Nelson is on a global tour of eight countries. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hugs Dr. Amos Brown after his introduction at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
By Church News Staff

President Russell M. Nelson was set apart as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints four years ago, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, a little more than two weeks after the death of President Thomas S. Monson.

Before being named the 17th President of the Church, President Nelson had been serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since July 2015. He was ordained an Apostle in April 1984. He entered full-time Church service after a career as a world-renowned heart surgeon and medical researcher.

During the past four years, President Nelson has embarked on a worldwide ministry; has presided over the expansion of temple building, with dedications, renovations and announcements of plans for 83 additional temples; and has expanded outreach to other faiths and organizations. He continues to lead the Church as it adapts to conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: Invitations President Nelson has extended since he became Prophet

The photos accompanying this article are a small representation of his leadership during the past four years.

Every member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posed for an iconic photograph in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center in Rome on Monday, March 11, 2019.
Every member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles poses for an iconic photograph in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center on Monday, March 11, 2019, the day after the temple’s dedication. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, and President Russell M. Nelson discuss the role of women in the Restoration of priesthood authority in a video shown during the Saturday evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference on April 4, 2020.
President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, and President Russell M. Nelson discuss the role of women in the restoration of priesthood authority, in the replica of the Smith home in Harmony, Pennsylvania, in a video shown during the Saturday evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference on April 4, 2020. | Credit: Screenshot, ChurchofJesusChrist.org
President Russell M. Nelson inspects the Salt Lake Temple renovation project on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
President Russell M. Nelson inspects the Salt Lake Temple renovation project on Saturday, May 22, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson, center left, and other Church officials meet with  Pope Francis, right, leader of the Catholic Church, at the Vatican on Saturday, March 9, 2019. President Nelson was in Italy for the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple.
President Russell M. Nelson, center left, and other Church officials meet with  Pope Francis, right, leader of the Catholic Church, at the Vatican on Saturday, March 9, 2019. President Nelson was in Italy for the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple. | Credit: The Vatican
President Russell M. Nelson plays the piano while Claire Crosby sings on Dec 6, 2019. He is the first leader of the Church to make a music video.
President Russell M. Nelson plays the piano while Claire Crosby sings on Dec 6, 2019. He is the first leader of the Church to make a music video. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hugs children after a devotional in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.
President Russell M. Nelson hugs children after a devotional in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. During the South American ministry, President Nelson and other Church leaders visited five countries in nine days. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, are interviewed in Salt Lake City on Friday May 29, 2020.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, are interviewed in Salt Lake City on Friday May 29, 2020. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson, front right, waves to members of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 191st Semiannual General Conference, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Behind him are his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. At left are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Russell M. Nelson, front right, waves to members of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 191st Semiannual General Conference, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Behind him are his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. At left are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints waves a handkerchief after a devotional at Estadio Cementos Progreso stadium in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Sister Wendy Nelson, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Sister Mary Cook look at the choir.
President Russell M. Nelson waves a handkerchief after a devotional at Estadio Cementos Progreso stadium in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, during a ministry to Latin America. Sister Wendy W. Nelson, Elder Quentin L. Cook of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, look at the choir. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a Jerusalem District conference at the BYU Jerusalem Center on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a Jerusalem District conference at the BYU Jerusalem Center on Saturday, April 14, 2018. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, with the Rev. Theresa Dear and the Rev. Amos Brown in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, share a laugh with the Rev. Theresa Dear and the Rev. Amos Brown at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, July 21, 2019. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets Linwood mosque victim Ahmed Jahangir and imams in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 21, 2019. Jahangir is recovering from his injuries from the attack. Two imams represented the Al Noor and Linwood mosques, where innocent worshippers were gunned down March 15, 2019, in Christchurch.
President Russell M. Nelson meets Linwood mosque victim Ahmed Jahangir and imams in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 21, 2019. Jahangir is recovering from his injuries from an attack. Two imams represented the Al Noor and Linwood mosques, where worshippers were gunned down March 15, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, 2021.
President Russell M. Nelson receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Russell M. Nelson invites young adults to listen to his message about God’s love for them at a BYU devotional on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019.
President Russell M. Nelson invites young adults to listen to his message about God’s love for them at a BYU devotional on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. | Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson greet the Vargas family at the Hyde Park Visitors’ Center in London, England, on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The boys are Juan David Vargas Saavedra, right, and Joseph Daniel Vargas Saavedra.
President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson greet the Vargas family at the Hyde Park Visitors’ Center in London, England, on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The boys are Juan David Vargas Saavedra, right, and Joseph Daniel Vargas Saavedra. | Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, attend a First Presidency meeting, held daily Tuesday through Friday, at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The Church Administration Building was constructed between 1913 and 1917.
President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, right, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, left, attend a First Presidency meeting, held daily Tuesday through Friday, at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The Church Administration Building was constructed between 1913 and 1917. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, arrive for a Latin America ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, arrive for a Latin America ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tours the Salt Lake Utah Temple in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
President Russell M. Nelson inspects the Salt Lake Temple foundation on Saturday, May 22, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson high-fives Tate Chan, 3, while meeting with a three-generation family in Singapore on Nov. 20, 2019.
President Russell M. Nelson high-fives Tate Chan, 3, while meeting with a three-generation family in Singapore on Nov. 20, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson, center, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, look over items removed from the Salt Lake Temple capstone time capsule in Salt Lake City on Wednesday May 20, 2020.
President Russell M. Nelson, center, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, look over items removed from the Salt Lake Temple capstone time capsule, on Wednesday May 20, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson, center, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, right, and Jerusalem District President Dennis Brimhall walk at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
President Russell M. Nelson, center, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, right, and Jerusalem District President Dennis Brimhall walk at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 14, 2018. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson hugs the Rev. Amos Brown after his introduction at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
President Russell M. Nelson hugs the Rev. Amos Brown after his introduction at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, July 21, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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