Russell M. Nelson, 101, Longtime President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, Dies in Salt Lake City
Russell M. Nelson, 101, died at his home in Salt Lake City on the night of Sept. 28, 2025, church spokesperson Candice Madsen said; Dallin H. Oaks is expected to become the next president under the established Quorum of the Twelve Apostles succession rules. A member of top church leadership since 1984 who became president in January 2018 and the first to reach 100 in 2024, Nelson led major institutional changes—including a 2018 name‑usage initiative, repeal of the 2015 baptism ban for children of same‑sex couples and a new youth program replacing the Boy Scouts—while facing scrutiny over the church’s handling of sexual‑abuse reports; before his ecclesiastical service he was an internationally recognized heart surgeon who helped develop an artificial heart and lung machine.
📰 Sources (3)
- Article specifies time: reports Nelson died at his Salt Lake City home after 10 p.m. local time.
- Provides family counts: lists 10 children, 57 grandchildren and more than 160 great‑grandchildren.
- Notes professional contribution: describes Nelson as an internationally recognized heart surgeon who helped develop an artificial heart and lung machine.
- Includes multiple named reactions/quotes from U.S. political figures (Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. John Curtis, Mitt Romney) and public commentators.
- Church spokesperson Candice Madsen said Nelson died at his home in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.
- Article explicitly notes Nelson became the first president of the faith to reach 100 years in 2024 and that Dallin H. Oaks is expected to be the next president per church protocol.
- Includes a direct tribute quote from Sen. Mike Lee and recounts key institutional changes during Nelson’s tenure (2018 name‑usage initiative; repeal of the 2015 baptism ban policy; youth program replacing Boy Scouts).
- Summarizes scrutiny during his tenure over handling of sexual‑abuse reports, citing an Associated Press investigation.
- Russell M. Nelson died at age 101 at his home in Salt Lake City; announcement made Sept. 28, 2025 by church spokesperson Candice Madsen.
- Dallin H. Oaks is expected to become the next president under established Quorum of the Twelve Apostles succession rules.
- Nelson served in top church leadership since 1984, became president in January 2018, and led policy shifts including name‑usage guidance, changes to baptism policies for children of gay parents, and a new church youth program after disassociating from the Boy Scouts.