Russell M. Nelson

Prophets of the Restoration

Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of the Church

Born September 9, 1924, President Nelson is the son of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and over 100 great-grandchildren. Dantzel passed away in February 2005. In April 2006, President Nelson married Wendy L. Watson.

An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, President Nelson received his BA and MD degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 1947). He is a member of honorary scholastic societies Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his PhD degree in 1954. He also received honorary degrees of doctor of science from Brigham Young University in 1970, doctor of medical science from Utah State University in 1989, and doctor of humane letters from Snow College in 1994.

President Russell M. Nelson
President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, January 14, 2018, in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple.
Get to Know President Russell M. Nelson, a Renaissance Man
In the fall of 1965, Russell M. Nelson—a surgeon and Salt Lake City stake president—made several trips to Illinois to look into an attractive and generous offer to head cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Chicago.
Conference Talks
View President Nelson’s Conference talks
My 2020 Invitation to You: Share the Message of the Restoration of the Savior’s Gospel
God loves all of His children and has a vision for each of us. Just as He listened to Joseph’s prayer in 1820, He listens to you and yearns to speak with you through the Spirit. Heavenly Father wants you.
President Nelson’s 36 Years of Influencing World Leaders and Sharing the Gospel throughout the Globe
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Vatican.
Prophets of the Restoration