Salt Lake City (AP) – Russell M. Nelson, The oldest president Of the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ, he died at the age of 101, church officials announced late Saturday night. He was 101 years old
Nelson died Saturday night at his Salt Lake City home, church spokesman Candice Madsen said in a statement.
The former heart surgeon had a vibrant and transformative tenure, especially in 2018, his first yearwhen he made an incredible announcement calling on people to stop. Use the shorthand name “Mormon” “LDS” as a replacement for full name religion, a sharp change after previous church leaders spent millions Advertise the moniker Over decades.
Nelson also made the headline the following year. Abolished rules prohibiting baptism for gay parents’ children As a criminal labelled as a same-sex couple, as a qualifying sinner for expulsion. These 2015 policies had generated widespread backlash.
However, Nelson’s administration was more gentle and welcoming to LGBTQ+ people than his previous president, but the church’s stance Same-sex marriage It didn’t change. His administration also sharpened rules that restrict it Member participation Those who pursue gender-maintaining medical procedures, or change their names, pronouns, or their outfits lead to criticism of alienating transgender members.
Nelson and one of his top counselors described their approach to LGBTQ+ members as trying to balance “the love of the Lord and the law of the Lord.”
The next president of the faith widely known as the Mormon Church was not immediately named, but is expected to become Darrin H. Oaks. Church Protocol. He is the next longest tenure member of the 12 Apostles’ governing quorum.
The Utah-based President of Faith is seen as a prophet who works with two top counselors and 12 quorum members to guide the Church through divine revelation.
Former heart surgeon, Nelson spent 40 years at the highest level of church leadership after being selected in 1984 as the governing body of the top church known as the 12 Apostles Quarum. He rose to President in January 2018 when Thomas S. Monson passed away and in 2024 he became the first president of the Century Mark-beating Faith.
Nelson was known Leading the Church Through the Covid-19 Pandemic And cut off the century-long relationship of faith American Boy Scoutscreating the church’s own youth program that can serve more than half of its 17 million members living outside the United States and Canada.
The separation came after American Boy Scouts allowed LGBTQ+ youth members and adult volunteers to participate.
During his tenure, long-awaited scrutiny of the ways in which the faith handled reports of sexual abuse filed with local leaders. Associated Press investigation A hotline reporting religious sexual abuse has found that it has been harming the victims by turning away from law enforcement and bypassing the abuse by church lawyers who could instead fill the issue.
Nelson and church leaders defended the practice by saying the hotline “has nothing to do with protecting children, and has nothing to do with cover-up.”
The church was also faced A detailed examination of closed doorsa one-on-one interview between young people and local adult leaders who may raise questions about their identity and sexuality.
faith Guidelines have been changed More direct instructions than previous guidelines to instruct leaders not to ignore reports of abuse. Additionally, a one-on-one interview with local church leaders known as bishops allowed children to bring in parents or adults.
During his tenure, Nelson was also appointed. Non-American leaders All-white and mostly to America’s top governing bodies, as they publish regional hymns celebrating local music and cultures around the world.
president Sunday service has been reduced And accelerate long-term pushes to build more temples and dot the world with gorgeous worship houses of faith resistance Several regions of the United States
He also fakes the formal Partnership with NAACP. Until 1978, the church banned black men from the black priesthood. This is a policy rooted in the racist belief that dark skin is a curse. The church denied the reason behind the ban in its 2013 essay, but did not issue a formal apology. That remains one of them Most sensitive topics For the church.
Born in Salt Lake City in 1924, Nelson joined the religion in his youthful adulthood. He was a 22-year-old doctor and served on a two-year Army medical tour during the Korean War before resuming his medical career, including being a director of the residency of thoracic surgery at the University of Utah.
Nelson was known for his skill in accuracy, which made him a successful surgeon among church leaders. He had a reputation for emphasizing his submission to law and what he called the “way of covenant.” This said Matthew Bowman, a professor of religion at Claremont University’s Graduate University, a set of ordinances and practices that mark the life of faith.
Nelson and his first wife, Danzel White, had 10 children together. After she passed away in 2005, Nelson married Wendy Watson in 2006.
