Timeline of President Russell M. Nelson's life and ministry – Church News

In honor of President Nelson’s 99th birthday, take a look at these notable dates from his life
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 19, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
In honor of President Nelson’s 99th birthday, take a look at these notable dates from his life
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 19, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson — who turns 99 on Sept. 9 — was set apart as the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Jan. 14, 2018, after serving 34 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was a world-renowned heart surgeon and medical researcher before entering full-time Church service in 1984. 
Sylvia Webster, one of President Nelson’s nine daughters, said her father accomplishes much because he knows how to balance his life.
“When he’s at work, he’s 100% at work. When he’s home, he’s 100% at home. When he’s doing his Church duty, he’s 100% Church duty. I think maybe that’s how he balances things,” she said.
Following are some of the events from President Nelson’s personal life, professional life and service in the Church.
Sept. 9, 1924 — Born to Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson in Salt Lake City.
1941 — Graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City as the valedictorian. At age 16, he was the youngest member of his class.
1945 — Received bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah.
Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Dantzel White Nelson, at the University of Utah in 1942. The couple met in 1942 when they were part of the same musical. They married in 1945.
Provided by Russell M. Nelson
Aug. 31, 1945 — Married Dantzel White in the Salt Lake Temple.
1945–1947 — Served in the United States Navy Reserve.
August 1947 — Graduated first in his class with his M.D. degree from the University of Utah. He went on to serve residencies at University of Minnesota Hospitals and Massachusetts General Hospital.
July 1948 — The Nelsons’ first child, Marsha, was born. They would have eight more daughters and one son over the next several years.
1951–1953 — Served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War. 
1954 — Awarded his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. 
Nov. 9, 1955 — Performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah at age 31.
Dr. Russell M. Nelson explains a surgical procedure to a nurse.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1955 — Accepted a faculty position at the University of Utah’s medical school as assistant professor of surgery.
1955-1965 — Served as a Temple Square missionary, helping visitors from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. each Thursday.
1964-1971 — Served as president of the Salt Lake Bonneville Stake. 
1968-1984 — Served as director of the thoracic surgical residency program at the University of Utah.
1970 — Received honorary Doctor of Science degree from Brigham Young University.
1971-1979 — Served as general president of the Sunday School organization.
March 1972 — The Nelsons’ 10th child, Russell Marion Nelson Jr., is born.
Church President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, pose for photographs 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
April 12, 1972 — Performed lifesaving open-heart surgery for President Spencer W. Kimball, who lived 13 more years and went on to serve as 12th President of the Church.
Feb. 6, 1977 — Ordained his father, Marion Nelson, an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. The following month, Marion and Edna Nelson and their children were sealed in the Provo Utah Temple.
1979-1984 — Served as regional representative for the Church.
September 1980 — Accepted role as visiting professor of surgery at the Shandong Medical College in Jinan, China, and developed relationships with Chinese doctors.
April 7, 1984 — Ordained an Apostle and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at age 59.
March 4, 1985 — Performed his last open-heart operation, on famous Chinese opera star Fang Rongxiang.
1985-1990 — Assigned to oversee the Church’s affairs in Europe and Africa, with special assignment to open nations in Eastern Europe under communist rule for the preaching of the gospel.
April 19, 1987 — Dedicated Hungary for the preaching of the gospel.
1989 — Received honorary Doctor of Medical Science degree from Utah State University.
Feb. 13, 1990 — Dedicated Bulgaria for the preaching of the gospel.
1994 — Received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Snow College.
Jan. 29, 1995 — The Nelsons’ sixth daughter, Emily, died of cancer at age 37, leaving behind a husband and five children.
May 18, 1997 — Dedicated the São Paulo Brazil Missionary Training Center, one of the Church’s first two international MTCs.
Feb. 12, 2005 — Dantzel Nelson died after nearly 60 years of marriage.
April 6, 2006 — Married Wendy L. Watson in the Salt Lake Temple.
September 2010 — Dedicated six countries on the Balkan Peninsula for the preaching of the gospel: Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia.
Oct. 6, 2012 — Served as chairman of the Missionary Executive Council when President Thomas S. Monson announced a minimum-age change for missionaries. As an Apostle, he also served as chairman of the Temple and Family History Executive Council and the Priesthood and Family Executive Council.
2015–2018 — Served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Sept. 19, 2015 — Dedicated the renovated Priesthood Restoration Site in Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Jan. 14, 2018 — Ordained and set apart as 17th President of the Church after the death of President Thomas S. Monson. 
March 31–April 1, 2018 — Sustained in a solemn assembly during general conference; announced that ministering replaces home and visiting teaching and Melchizedek Priesthood quorums are combined.
April 12–23, 2018 — Embarked on global ministry with stops in London, England; Jerusalem; Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; Bengaluru, India; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong, China; and Laie, Hawaii. 
President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, talk with brothers James, Paul and Adam Howell after speaking during Jerusalem District Conference at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
May 17, 2018 — Released joint statement with national leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
June 3, 2018 — Spoke during a worldwide devotional for youth in the Conference Center and invited them to join the Lord’s youth battalion. 
Aug. 16, 2018 — Issued statement about the correct name of the Church, initiating changes to the names of Church communication channels.
Oct. 6, 2018 — Announced home-centered, Church-supported approach to gospel learning with “Come, Follow Me” and adjusted Sunday meeting schedule, both during general conference.
Oct. 19–28, 2018 — South American ministry to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile culminated with dedication of the Concepcion Chile Temple.
March 10, 2019 — Dedicated Rome Italy Temple, with every member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in attendance.
May 17–24 2019 — Pacific ministry featured stops in Hawaii, Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Tahiti.
July 21, 2019 — Spoke at the NAACP national convention in Detroit, Michigan.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks at the 110th NAACP convention in Detroit on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Aug. 24–Sept. 1, 2019 — Traveled to five countries in Central and South America: Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. 
Sept. 9, 2019 — Honored as “a heart healer” during his 95th birthday celebration in the Conference Center.
Oct. 2, 2019 — Announced women, youth and children may now serve as witnesses of sealing and baptismal ordinances.
Oct. 5–6, 2019 — Announced discontinuation of ward Young Men presidencies, other organizational changes for youth and revised temple recommend questions during general conference.
Nov. 15–22, 2019 — Traveled to four countries in Southeast Asia: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.  
April 4-5, 2020 — Introduced new Church symbol during general conference; led Hosanna Shout after issuing “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.”
Nov. 20, 2020 — Invited all to #GiveThanks in worldwide message on healing power of gratitude.
June 14, 2021 — Announced educational and humanitarian initiatives with the NAACP.
April 3, 2022 — Reached 100 total temples he had announced since becoming Prophet, with the 17 locations he released at the conclusion of general conference.
April 14, 2022 — Became the oldest President of the Church.
May 15, 2022 — Spoke during worldwide devotional for young adults in the Conference Center about three fundamental truths to prepare them for eternity.
Aug. 8, 2022 — Became the Church’s longest-living Apostle in this latter-day dispensation.
Aug. 14, 2022 — Rededicated the Washington D.C. Temple.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, walk the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, Maryland, on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Aug. 27, 2022 — Dedicated site of future Ephraim Utah Temple at groundbreaking services.
Oct. 8, 2022 — Dedicated site of future Heber Valley Utah Temple at groundbreaking services.
April 13, 2023 — Received Ghandi-King-Mandela Peace Prize from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
June 22, 2023 — Announced new edition of “Preach My Gospel” at 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders.
Aug. 30, 2023 — Donated his medical journals to the University of Utah.
Sources: ChurchofJesusChrist.org, TheChurchNews.com, “Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson” by Sheri Dew
The Nelson family portrait in 1935 includes, seated from left, Enid, Russell and Robert Nelson; standing from left are Marion, Marjory and Edna Nelson.
Nelson family photo
Dantzel White Nelson and Russell M. Nelson.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Russell and Dantzel Nelson cut their wedding cake on Aug. 31, 1945.
Provided by President Russell M. Nelson
Russell M. Nelson and Dantzel White at the University of Utah in 1942. The couple met when they were in the same musical in 1942. They married in 1945.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Russell M. Nelson, then a first lieutenant and later a captain, was part of a team that visited all five Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals, including the 8209 in June 1951 at Hongchon, Korea. The results of the significant tour resulted in changes of caring for the wounded.
Provided by President Russell M. Nelson
Russell M. Nelson poses in dress uniform during military service. He served as first lieutenant in Army Medical Corps from 1951-53.
Provided by President Russell M. Nelson
In 1947, Russell M. Nelson, third from the left in the second row, poses for a photo with the surgical intern staff of the University of Minnesota Hospitals.
Provided by President Russell M. Nelson
Dantzel Nelson, wife of Russell M. Nelson, with fourth daughter Brenda.
Provided by the Nelson family
President Russell M. Nelson and family.
Provided by the Nelson family
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
Elder Russell M. Nelson enjoys a moment with his wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson, during an international conference broadcast from Salt Lake City in September 2004. She died unexpectedly, but peacefully, on Feb. 12, 2005.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Thomas S. Monson presents a statue of a family to Erich Honecker, Chairman of State Council of the German Democratic Republic, as Elder Russell M. Nelson; Henry J. Burhardt, president of the Freiberg Germany Temple: Manfred Schutze, president of the Leipzig stake; and Frank Apel, president of Freiberg stake look on. Nov 12, 1988.
Deseret News archives
Sister Marjorie P. Hinckley, center, with a daughter, Kathleen H. Barnes (now Walker), at the dedication of the Accra Ghana Temple on Jan. 11, 2004, followed by President Gordon B. Hinckley and then-Elder Russell M. Nelson. Sister Hinckley missed April 2004 general conference due to illness and passed away two days later.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Elder Russell M. Nelson, second from right, joins Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, right, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, second from left, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Frankfurt Germany Stake in Friedrichsdorf, Germany in 1987 for the dedication of the nearby Frankfurt Germany Temple.
Provided by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, arrive for the Curitiba Brazil Temple dedication on June 1, 2008.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Elder Russell M. Nelson reviews material in Liahona with Vladimir Blinkov in Samara, Russia, in October 2009.
Alexander Stalnov
While meeting with Latter-day Saint military surgeons and students in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, Elder Russell M. Nelson holds his 41st great-grandchild, Benjamin Nelson Wittwer, for the first time. The mother is Brooke Wittwer.
Page Johnson
Elder Russell M. Nelson chats with Mrs. Nurijah Wahid, widow of former Indonesian President Abdurachman Wahid (Gus Dur) in her home on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The photo is from Elder Russell M. Nelson’s ministry to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Then-Elder Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson shake hands with New Zealand members in 2014.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, greets Church President Russell M. Nelson during the 192nd Annual General Conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson and family members pose for a group photo.
Provided by the Nelson family
President Russell M. Nelson, second from right, and several family members on a ski outing.
Provided by the Nelson family
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve visits local members at groundbreaking ceremony on March 10, 2005, for Brazil’s fifth temple, to be built in Curitiba. He offered site dedication prayer in Portuguese.
Fernando Assis
Elder Russell M. Nelson holds Lucas Silva Augusto of the Curitiba Brazil Iguacu Stake. Nine stakes are in the Curitiba area. Elder Nelson presided at the groundbreaking for the Curitiba Brazil Temple on March 10, 2005.
Fernando Assis
Gathering together during a meeting on April 8, 2009, of Sunday School presidencies past and present were, from left, current president Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe, left, and past presidents Brother A. Roger Merrill, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., Elder Marlin K. Jensen, Elder Harold G. Hillam, Elder Charles Didier and Elder Russell M. Nelson.
R. Scott Lloyd, Church News archives
Elder Russell M. Nelson greets a Yuriy Ivanovich Panfilov, a Church member in Moscow, Russia. Elder Nelson organized the Moscosw Russia Stake on June 5, 2011.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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, on Saturday, July 31, 2010.
Deseret News archives
Elder Russell M. Nelson, second from right, joins government official Alexander Rutskoi in 1991 to announce Russia’s formal recognition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church News archives
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve visits with members in the Philippines. He dedicated the Philippines Missionary Training Center in Manilla, Philippines, on May 20, 2012.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Young single adults join Elder Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson at the Summer Gardens in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 9, 2012. Earlier in the day, he organized the St. Petersburg Russia Stake — the second stake in Russia.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles looks over the graduates during BYU Summer Commencement processional in Provo, Utah, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
During the Saturday afternoon session of the October 2007 general conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin is assisted by then-Elder Russell M. Nelson, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, so Elder Wirthlin can finish his address.
Screenshot from ChurchofJesusChrist.org
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.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tours the renovation work at the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is interviewed in the visitors’ center during the Washington D.C. Temple rededication in Kensington, Maryland, on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints poses in his office at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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