President Russell M. Nelson’s life and ministry

President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a world-renowned heart surgeon dies Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025

28 Sept 2025, 12:00 a.m. MDT

President Russell M. Nelson, 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. — President Russell M. Nelson, 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at age 101 on Sept. 27, 2025. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sarah Jane is editor of the Deseret News.

After a most extraordinary life of service, leadership, consecration, innovation and love, President Russell M. Nelson — President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a world-renowned heart surgeon — died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Salt Lake City. He was 101.

Read this article in Portuguese and Spanish:

“I have learned that the most crucial question we each must answer is this: To whom or to what will I give my life?” said President Nelson, speaking during October 2024 general conference just weeks after his 100th birthday. “My decision to follow Jesus Christ is the most important decision I have ever made.”

President Nelson’s beloved wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, was with him when he died. His counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, visited him in his final days as did each of his living children and their spouses.

Russell Marion Nelson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sept. 9, 1924 — the second of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson’s four children. He married Dantzel White in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 31, 1945; they are the parents of nine daughters and one son. After her unexpected death in 2005, he married Wendy L. Watson on April 6, 2006.

Known as a Renaissance man by his colleagues, President Nelson graduated first in his University of Utah medical school class in August 1947 at age 22. He worked on the research team that developed the artificial heart-lung machine. In total during his career, President Nelson performed 7,000 surgical operations — including Utah’s first open-heart surgery employing a heart-lung machine in November 1955.

At the height of his surgical career, he was sustained as a member of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 7, 1984.

Without hesitation, he shifted the focus. “I didn’t even ask President [Gordon B.] Hinckley, ‘Are you sure?’” President Nelson told the Church News. “My faith is just that profound and simple. When the Lord speaks through His prophet, my mind puts an exclamation point behind it, not a question mark.”

After serving 34 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Nelson was set apart as the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Jan. 14, 2018.

During his nearly eight-year ministry as President of the Church, President Nelson offered a consistent message: “Our message to the world is simple and sincere: We invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy and qualify for eternal life,” he said.

In his October 2024 general conference address, he invited 17 million Latter-day Saints to also offer their own soul to Jesus Christ. “This is the secret to a life of joy!”

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints smiles after leaving the Government Palace after speaking with the president of Peru in Lima, Peru on Oct. 20, 2018. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Nelson as a leader

President Nelson became leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a lifetime of preparation. A man of perfect pitch who for many years played the organ during quorum meetings, President Nelson often addressed Latter-day Saints in their native tongues and was “the best writer” among senior Church leaders, said his counselor in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks.

“In the many years I have known him, President Nelson has consistently taught me how to selflessly and lovingly serve others through his example,” said President Oaks, reflecting on his four decades of service with President Nelson.

Both President Nelson and President Oaks were sustained as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the same day — and both came into the apostleship with no previous experience as a general authority, with President Oaks called while serving as a Utah Supreme Court justice.

On President Nelson’s 6th anniversary as Prophet, Church leaders share what they have observed from his leadership

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, right, joins Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Frankfurt Germany Stake in 1987 at the time of the dedication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple. — Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, right, joins Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Frankfurt Germany Stake in 1987 at the time of the dedication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Russell M. Nelson converses with young men after Priesthood leadership training in Samara, Russia, Oct. 23-25, 2009. | Photo by Alexander Stalnov

Elder Russell M. Nelson communicates with child at Sal Branch, Cape Verde, in 2004. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Russell M. Nelson, center, with Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer, right, and President Randall K. Bennett walk along the Volga River in Samara, Russia, in October 2009. | Photo by Alexander Stalnov

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve visits with members in the Philippines. | Photo courtesy of Philippines Area

As grand marshal in commemorative parade, Elder Russell M. Nelson tosses candy to spectators during the 50th anniversary at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Sept. 14, 2013. — As grand marshal in commemorative parade, Elder Russell M. Nelson tosses candy to spectators during the 50th anniversary at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii, Sept. 14, 2013. | Photo by R. Scott Lloyd

Elder Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson shake hands with New Zealand members during a tour of the Pacific Area, Feb. 12-24, 2014. | Photo courtesy of Pacific Area

Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visit a long house in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Several families live in one long house, typical housing in the East Malaysia. The visit came during Elder Nelson's to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia in March 2010. | Asia Area public affairs

Elder Russell M. Nelson greets Mrs. Nurijah Wahid, widow of former Indonesian President Abdurachman Wahid (Gus Dur) in her home on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. — Elder Russell M. Nelson greets Mrs. Nurijah Wahid, widow of former Indonesian President Abdurachman Wahid (Gus Dur) in her home in March 2010. Elder Nelson was on a ministry assignment to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. | Asia Area public affairs

Elder Russell M. Nelson meets with students at Uniformed Services University in Washington, D.C.. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. From left are Megan Donahue, David Cowart, Scott Fleming and his wife, Camille Fleming. | Page Johnson

The president of Bolivia, left, meets with Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, and Jay Jensen in October l994. | Church News archives

New Apostle Elder Henry B. Eyring, who was called as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gets a hug from Elder Russell M. Nelson after being sustained in April 1995 general conference. | Deseret News file photo

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, right, gestures to President Gordon B. Hinckley as President Hinckley passes him and Elder Russell M. Nelson while leaving the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square following the afternoon session of the 177th Annual General Conference March 31, 2007. | Keith Johnson, Deseret News

Elder Russell M. Nelson greets New Zealand members during a tour of the Pacific Area, Feb. 12-24, 2014. | Provided by the Pacific Area

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quroum of the Twelve visits Europe in June 2013. | Photo provided by Renee Evans Starr, Photo provided by Renee Evans Starr

President Boyd K. Packer is helped by Elder Russell M. Nelson at the groundbreaking for the Brigham City Temple in Brigham City, Utah, Saturday, July 31, 2010. — President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is helped by Elder Russell M. Nelson at the groundbreaking for the Brigham City Temple in Brigham City, Utah, Saturday, July 31, 2010. | August Miller, Deseret News

Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy pose with a woman after visiting her ger, also known as a yurt, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in February 2009. — Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy pose with a Latter-day Saint woman after visiting her ger, also known as a yurt, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in February 2009. | Picasa

On May 29, 2015, Elder Russell M. Nelson went with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and others, to the park in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he read the prayer he offered on Feb. 13, 1990, to dedicate the nation for the preaching of the gospel. — On May 29, 2015, Elder Russell M. Nelson went with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and others, to the park in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he read the prayer he offered on Feb. 13, 1990, blessing the nation. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Arriving at the Payson Utah Temple for its dedication, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Wendy Nelson pause to greet Kirsten Boley, 9. | Church News archives

Elder Russell M. Nelson talks about the change in ages for missionaries after the Saturday morning session of General conference Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Then-President Henry B. Eyring, as second counselor in the First Presidency, observed of President Nelson: “I have the blessing of serving at his side. When he walks into a room, that room immediately feels brighter. He carries the Light of Christ with him.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who served as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said President Nelson “gave the Lord a wonderful package of raw material to work with,” but the Lord blessed him and molded him. “President Nelson is, in so many ways, the complete leader, the exemplary guide for those traveling the mortal path,” he said. “He is probably the most gentle and kind leader I have ever worked with, realizing that I have worked with among the most gentle and kind men and women on the earth.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said President Nelson was “a remarkable leader in every way” and called him “the most decisive leader I have ever worked with” who was “also very humble.”

Those traits, combined with his ability to ask significant questions, listen and encourage, helped in leading the Church through a most remarkable era in its history.

As President of the Church, President Nelson traveled to 35 nations, changed Church organization, utilized technology, led the Church through a pandemic, issued historic invitations and built bridges of understanding.

He also addressed hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saints — often in their own language — and called upon kings, presidents and prime ministers. He comforted victims of crime and others who grieve, called children to him and linked arms with top leaders of the NAACP.

President Nelson joins senior leaders of NAACP in calling for racial reform; ‘solutions will come as we open our hearts,’ they write in op-ed

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints puts his arm around the Rev. Amos C. Brown as the church and NAACP announce a partnership at a press conference at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 14, 2021. The partnership will provide $6 million in humanitarian aid over three years to inner cities in the United States, $3 million in scholarship donations over as many years to the United Negro College Fund, and a fellowship to send up to 50 students to Ghana to learn about Black American and African history. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Through the Church’s council system and with the full support of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he also enacted multiple policy changes within the Church.

Under his leadership, Latter-day Saint leaders replaced home and visiting teaching with ministering; adjusted the Sunday meetings schedule to accommodate home-centered, Church-supported gospel study; and asked members to use the full and correct name of the Church. He changed a Church policy, as a result allowing the children of parents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to be blessed as infants and baptized; discontinued a policy requiring couples who marry civilly to wait one year before being sealed in the temple; replaced “tithing settlement” with “tithing declaration”; and established a policy allowing women to serve as witnesses of temple sealings and women, youth and children to serve as witnesses for baptismal ordinances.

And as the world was engulfed in the pandemic in November 2020, President Nelson offered a surprising remedy — one that “flies in the face of our natural intuitions” — for all that ails the world — gratitude.

“One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will,” said President Nelson during the Church’s April 2018 general conference.

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, listens to the opening prayer during the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Nelson as temple builder

During a 2019 interview in Rome — the ancient and great city where two millennia ago Peter and Paul preached and died — President Nelson called the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple “a hinge point in the history of the Church.”

“Things are going to move forward at an accelerated pace,” he said. “The Church is going to have an unprecedented future, unparalleled. We are just building up to what is ahead now.”

In his seven-plus years as President of the Church, President Nelson announced 200 temples — more than 50% of the Church’s 382 houses of the Lord that are dedicated, under construction or announced and in planning.

In October 2021 general conference, President Nelson shared a video taped in front of the foundation of the historic Salt Lake Temple, then being renovated.

“It is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures — perhaps measures we have never taken before — to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations,” he said after the video. “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.”

When an individual’s spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, he or she will have no need to fear, he taught. “As you are true to your covenants made in the temple, you will be strengthened by His power.”

President Russell M. Nelson stands in the entrance of the Syracuse Utah Temple in Syracuse on Sunday, June 8, 2025, prior to the temple's dedication. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands in the entrance of the Syracuse Utah Temple in Syracuse on Sunday, June 8, 2025, prior to the temple's dedication. | Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News

In October 2022 general conference, he also announced plans to build “multiple temples in selected large metropolitan areas where travel time to an existing temple is a major challenge,” including four new temples in the Mexico City, Mexico, area.

“Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now,” said President Nelson. “He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined.”

He added, “I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.”

Within the last year of his life, President Nelson dedicated the Church’s 200th temple — the Deseret Peak Utah Temple. “This is the Lord’s house. It is filled with His power,” President Nelson said of one of the Church’s newest temple, which he dedicated Sunday, Nov. 10, in Tooele, Utah. The Prophet promised that those who live God’s higher law will have access to that power. “God’s power helps us to withstand the trials and temptations of life — with joy in our hearts,” he said.

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pose prior to dedicating the Church's 200th temple, the Deseret Peak Utah Temple in Tooele on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Nelson’s compassion, affection

President Nelson will also be remembered for his compassion.

The late President M. Russell Ballard, then acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said that when he had heart bypass surgery in 1995, he awoke to learn that President Nelson had “stood over the surgeon” during the entire procedure.

“That’s the kind of affection he has for his brethren,” said President Ballard.

In an interview after President Nelson was set apart as President of the Church, President Ballard recalled President Nelson checking on the late Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “He would come over and feel his pulse and look him in the eye and get a report as to what happened overnight,” said President Ballard. In that capacity “he was a physician filled with love for those who he could serve.”

He has lifted and sustained other quorum members with the same “kind of affection,” said President Ballard.

In 2007, the late Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin locked his knees while delivering a conference address; as he spoke, he grew increasingly weak.

Credit: Screenshot ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Elder Wirthlin’s son, Joseph Wirthlin Jr., remembers leaving his seat in the Conference Center to help his father, only to see President Nelson quickly move to his father’s side at the pulpit. President Nelson put one hand on the Apostle’s shoulder and grabbed his belt with the other. Because of the lifting and stabilizing effort of President Nelson, Elder Wirthlin was able to complete the address.

Joseph Wirthlin Jr. said President Nelson acted with “quiet humility.”

“He stood up and let Dad finish his talk,” he said. “He didn’t make a big fanfare about things. He just stood up and did what was needed and would do that with anyone.”

Elder Holland remembers receiving a blessing from President Nelson before he underwent surgery. “I was moved to tears under his hands,” he said. “That is what came through. It was not Dr. Nelson who would have known anything and everything about whatever was going on with a few bones and joints. … It was Prophet, Seer and Revelator Nelson. The language of that blessing wasn’t a medical opinion. It was faith.”

President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, left, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles look over the view at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 14, 2018. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Born just five years before the stock market crash of 1929, a young Russell Nelson was curious. He always wanted to know how things worked, said Sheri Dew, a former member of the Relief Society general presidency.

As a 9- or 10-year-old boy, Russell Nelson got on a street car and made his way downtown to Deseret Book, she recounted. He asked an employee to recommend a book about the Church and “somehow left with one,” said Sister Dew.

Russell M. Nelson as a student at Roosevelt Jr. High in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1936. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Russell Marion Nelson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sept. 9, 1924. | Russell M. Nelson Facebook page

Nelson family portrait taken in 1935: seated: Enid, Russell and Robert Nelson: standing: Marion, Marjory and Edna Nelson. | Photo provided by Nelson family

Marion C. Nelson, father of President Russell M. Nelson. | Photo courtesy President Russell M. Nelson

President Russell M. Nelson's parents, Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. | Russell M. Nelson Facebook page

He was baptized at age 16; “his desire and drive to be part of the Church came much from within,” said his son, Russell Nelson Jr. Although his parents had not been active in the Church during President Nelson’s youth, they never discouraged his Church participation. They also supported their son in his education, which he pursued diligently.

His career in medicine included receiving doctoral degrees from the University of Utah and University of Minnesota and completing additional advanced work in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. He helped pioneer the development of the artificial heart-lung machine, a means of supporting a patient’s circulation during open-heart surgery.

Dr. Russell M. Nelson during an operation. — Dr. Russell M. Nelson durante uma operação. | Courtesy of Nelson family

Dr. Russell M. Nelson segura um modelo do coração humano. | Credit: Courtesy of Nelson family

Em 1947, Russell M. Nelson, terceiro à esquerda na segunda fila, posou para uma foto com a equipe de estagiários de cirurgia dos Hospitais da Universidade de Minnesota. | Photo courtesy Elder Russell M. Nelson

Dr. Russell M. Nelson era um cirurgião cardíaco de renome mundial quando foi chamado para o Quórum dos Doze Apóstolos em 1984. | Courtesy Elder Russell M. Nelson, Courtesy Elder Russell M. Nelson

Dr. Russell M. Nelson, em 1951, participa de uma operação no laboratório da Universidade de Minnesota. | Photo courtesy Elder Russell M. Nelson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Presidente Russell M. Nelson, do Quórum dos Doze Apóstolos de A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias, e o Dr. Li Zhenfeng se abraçam do lado de fora da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Shangdong, onde Presidente Nelson foi homenageado na sexta-feira, 23 de outubro de 2015, por ter introduzido a cirurgia de coração aberto na China, em meados da década de 1980. | Greg Frei, Greg Frei, LDS Church

A equipe do Dr. Russell M. Nelson se reúne com profissionais médicos do lado de fora da Faculdade de Medicina de Shandong, em Jinan, China, em setembro de 1980. | Photo courtesy of Nelson family

Presidente Russell M. Nelson, ao centro, na época membro do Quórum dos Doze Apóstolos de A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias, recebe uma pintura do filho e do neto do falecido astro da ópera chinesa, Fang Rongxiang, cuja vida foi salva em 1985 por uma cirurgia de ponte de safena, realizada pelo então Élder Nelson. A pintura, feita pelo neto, foi entregue na sexta-feira, 23 de outubro de 2015, na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Shangdong, em Jinan, Shangdong, China. | Greg Frei

Dr. Craig H. Selzman, professor de Cirurgia Cardíaca da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Utah, posa para uma foto com Presidente Russell M. Nelson. Dr. Selzman foi o recipiente da Cátedra Presidencial Dr. Russell M. Nelson e Dantzel W. Nelson. | Welden C. Andersen

Na época Élder Russell M. Nelson, à esquerda, recebe o Prêmio Aluno Cirurgião do Ano, entregue pelo Dr. David Rothenberger, diretor de treinamento cirúrgico do Departamento de Cirurgia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Minnesota. | Jerry Vincent

The doctors who worked on the heart-lung machine were taught in medical school “never to touch a human heart,” said Sister Dew. Yet they were willing to defy conventional wisdom to figure out how to save lives.

“As the small group would go to medical conventions, they would share information,” explained Sister Dew, who once asked President Nelson what the team did to protect their personal interests — in terms of patents or academic credit.

He told her, “Our competition wasn’t with each other. Our competition was with disease, death and ignorance.”

This development of the artificial heart-lung machine made open-heart surgery possible; President Nelson performed the first surgery of that kind in Utah in 1955.

Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer, a doctor and emeritus General Authority Seventy, said Dr. Nelson was consistently described during his career as “inspiring, dedicated, competent and highly consistent in everything he did.”

Dr. Nelson is renowned for what he has done, with his creativity and innovation having saved countless lives, Elder Schwitzer said. “He has always been one who has written extensively in the medical literature, he has participated in studies that have advanced the knowledge of cardiovascular surgery.”

His legacy is “now in the lives of many physicians who are cardiovascular surgeons who were trained under his watchful eye.”

President Nelson as husband and father

Sylvia Webster, one of President Nelson’s nine daughters, said her father knew how to balance his life. When he was at work, he was 100% at work. When he was home, he was 100% at home. When he was doing his Church duty, he was 100% on Church duty.

Russell Nelson Jr. said there wasn’t much difference in his father as the surgeon or as President of the Church. He was always consistent.

When he was home, “he was really home,” said Webster.

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his wife Sister Wendy Nelson and his children celebrate his 101st birthday at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his wife Sister Wendy Nelson and eight of his ten children celebrate his 101st birthday at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. | Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News

He taught his children to ski between his legs, to ride a bike and to drive. He read to them often. The family played a lot of ping-pong. Russell Nelson Jr., however, does not remember ever beating his father in the game.

One constant in his father’s life was his wife Dantzel. “It was always obvious that my parents loved each other very much,” Russell Nelson Jr. said.

Webster said her father returned the unfailing support her mother offered him. The family loved music, with all 10 children learning a musical instrument in addition to the piano.

When Dantzel Nelson joined the Tabernacle Choir, President Nelson stepped in. On Sunday mornings when the choir performed, President Nelson helped his nine daughters get ready for church, trying “to curl our little hair and get everybody dressed.”

“He kept the home fires going,” said Webster. “That’s the kind of relationship they had. It was very sweet and very giving to each other.”

Episode 118: Three of President Russell M. Nelson’s children celebrate his 5 years as prophet, offering a glimpse into his role as a father

President Russell M. Nelson shared photos of his family in honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10, 2020. From left, a picture of Sister Dantzel Nelson, Wendy, Marsha and President Nelson taken in 1951 in Washington, D.C. | Screenshot from President Russell M. Nelson's Facebook page

President Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Dantzel White Nelson, at the University of Utah in 1942. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Russell M. Nelson married Dantzel White in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 31, 1945. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Russell and Dantzel Nelson cut their wedding cake on Aug. 31, 1945. | Courtesy of Nelson family

Dantzel Nelson with fourth daughter, Brenda. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Nelson's daughters, Wendy, Gloria and Marcia Nelson. — Daughters of President Russell M. Nelson and the late Sister Dantzel Nelson play together. Left to right, Wendy, Gloria and Marsha, are three of nine sisters in the family. | Courtesy Nelson family

Old family photo of President Russell M. Nelson. | Courtesy of Nelson family

Russell M. Nelson and Dantzel Nelson with their eight daughters. | Russell Nelson Facebook

Russell M. Nelson and Dantzel Nelson welcome a new baby. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Marion Nelson, Russell M. Nelson and Russell Nelson Jr. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Sister Dantzel White Nelson, who died in 2005. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Russell M. Nelson with family. | Courtesy of Nelson family

President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson, pose for a photo with their ten children. | Screenshot from President Nelson's Facebook page

The Nelson family in 1982. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

20180113 President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson Courtesy Nelson family | Courtesy Nelson family, Courtesy Nelson family

Family photo of the Nelsons. | Provided by the Nelson family

President Russell M. Nelson holds one of his posterity in March 2010. | Courtesy Nelson family

President Russell M. Nelson hugs a granddaughter in this archive photo. | Courtesy Nelson family

President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson with family with family at the temple. | Provided by the Nelson family

President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, virtually welcome a new baby to their family during COVID-19 restrictions in a photo from a social media post on Sept. 20, 2020. | Screenshot from President Russell M. Nelson's Facebook page

Elder Russell M. Nelson escorts his granddaughter, Kimberly Ringwood, out after the funeral service of his wife, Dantzel White Nelson, at the Salt Lake Bonneville Stake on February 18, 2005. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receives hugs from family members after he and his councilors President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor held a press conference at the church office building in Salt Lake City Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. | Scott G Winterton, Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, receive hugs from family members after he and his counselors — President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor — held a press conference at the church office building in Salt Lake City Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. | Scott G Winterton, Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson talks with family members after a press conference at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson receives hugs from family members after a press conference at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. — President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, receives hugs from family members after he and his councilors — President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor — held a press conference at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson with a grandson. | Courtesy of Nelson family

Dantzel died Feb. 12, 2005, just shy of the Nelsons’ 60th wedding anniversary. The Nelson posterity includes 10 children and 57 grandchildren.

Russell Nelson Jr. said losing his mother was deeply sad, especially for his father. “The passing of our mother, we could tell, was a deep hit for him.”

In 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson. Russell Nelson Jr. said the family saw “an immediate change” in President Nelson’s countenance. “The sadness was gone, and it did us all good to see that happiness back.”

Sister Wendy Nelson was by his side for almost two decades and was a “tremendous support for him,” he said.

Podcast: Sister Nelson on being an eyewitness to President Nelson’s four years as Prophet