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 Salt Lake City home on Saturday night, Sept. 28, 2025, church spokeswoman Candice Madsen said; he had served in senior leadership since 1984 and became president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in January 2018, becoming the first president of the faith to reach 100. A former internationally recognized heart surgeon, Nelson guided significant policy changes — including a name‑usage initiative, repeal of the 2015 baptism ban for children of gay parents and a youth program replacing the Boy Scouts — and faced scrutiny over the church’s handling of sexual‑abuse reports; Dallin H. Oaks, 93, the longest‑tenured member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is expected to succeed him, with a formal announcement likely after Nelson’s funeral on Oct. 7, 2025.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Russell M. Nelson, 101, died at his home in Salt Lake City on Saturday night (after 10 p.m. local time); church spokesperson Candice Madsen announced his death on Sept. 28, 2025.
- Nelson became the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints to reach 100 years in 2024; he had served in top church leadership since 1984 and was church president from January 2018.
- Dallin H. Oaks, 93 and the longest‑tenured member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is expected to become the next church president under established succession rules; a formal announcement is likely after Nelson’s funeral on Oct. 7, 2025.
- During his presidency Nelson led major institutional changes, including the church name‑usage initiative, the repeal of the 2015 policy restricting baptism for some children of same‑sex couples, and creation of a new youth program after disaffiliating from the Boy Scouts.
- Nelson’s tenure also drew scrutiny over the church’s handling of sexual‑abuse reports, as cited in an Associated Press investigation.
- Before and alongside his church service, Nelson was an internationally recognized heart surgeon who helped develop an artificial heart and lung machine.
- He is survived by a large family: 10 children, 57 grandchildren and more than 160 great‑grandchildren.
- Nelson’s death prompted widespread public tributes and reactions from political figures and commentators, including statements from Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. John Curtis and Mitt Romney.
📍 Contextual Background
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported that it has nearly 47,000 members in Michigan and almost 7 million members in the United States.
📰 Sources (4)
Former judge is likely the next leader of the Mormon church and its 17 million members
New information:
- Dallin H. Oaks — 93 and the longest‑tenured member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — is expected to become the next president of the Church.
- The article states the formal announcement of the new president will likely come after President Nelson's funeral on Oct. 7, 2025.
- Provides a direct quote from Oaks addressing the recent Michigan church attack and paying tribute to Nelson.
Russell M. Nelson, oldest president of the LDS Church, dies at age 101
New information:
- 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.
Russell M. Nelson, oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 101
New information:
- 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, oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies
New information:
- 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.