So hed leave the stake center and come and pick us up. In timing with this milestone, three of President Nelsons 10 children Irion, Marsh and son Russell Nelson Jr. recently discussed with the Church News growing up in the Nelson home and his role as a father. He doesnt look for anybodys approval, but the Lords. In today's world, marriage and the choice to raise children require increasing faith - but the blessings, mortal and eternal, of families are well worth it. Laurie Marsh: I tell people all the time, I said I think we owe Wendy Nelson and the Lord for His longevity and his ability to continue to serve in his capacity right now. They talk about President Nelsons Church leadership and offer a unique glimpse into his role as a father, husband and teacher. [24] In an indication of his surgical skill, a 1968 case series of his aortic valve replacements demonstrated an exceptionally low peri-operative mortality. While in Rome, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles took the first apostolic group photo in two decades. And so that was always at the top of the priority list, is to treat, not only my mother, but my sisters, and all women with respect. Doing taxes doesnt sound like fun at all as an adult, but its something we just did together and had fun doing together.. [31], Nelson became involved with the administrative aspects of medicine and was elected president of the Utah State Medical Association. Russel said theyd each had their roles and cooking wasnt one of his. President Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Dantzel White Nelson, at the University of Utah in 1942. And then we experienced the pandemic and there was great effort to make sure that President Nelson stayed well. And his countenance was back up. And imagine in your minds eye the cardboard box just packed full of Christmas lights, strings and strings of Christmas lights. [83][84], The first few months of Nelson's leadership of the LDS Church saw many significant changes to church policy, although many had at least been heavily discussed before he became church president, and some were continuations of policies instituted by his predecessors. And I remember as a 14-year-old thinking, Man, are we ever gonna go home? Because we are in a different place, a different country, a different something every day, every night. Programa: Welcome to the weekly MormonNewsRoundup where Al & Dives ruminate on the great and spacious Beehive!, ep. [33], Nelson was honored nationally by being elected president of the Society for Vascular Surgery for the year 1975. Usually on a weekend, Daddy would be gone, you know, at some stake conference or something else. Thats why were here, but they dont need to be a trial of our faith. And I think that was a blessing to have him home. On April 14, 2022, Nelson surpassed Gordon B. Hinckley to become the oldest president in the history of the church. You probably came into a little more chaotic home than, than the average son. And we were jumping from bed to bed. How did President Nelsons academic and professional accomplishments influence his childrens education and career paths? Laurie Marsh: I dont think so. Their family includes 10 children, 56 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. From 1955 to 1965, Nelson served as a missionary on Temple Square every Thursday afternoon for about two hours giving tours to visitors. Fishing. We were traveling with President Nelson on his global ministry in Uruguay. Up through August 2019, he had visited sixteen countries, addressing thousands of members of the faith. And so is his wife and my mother had an amazing role in that, as well. In August 2022, President Nelson traveled outside of Utah for the first time since the . Sarah Jane Weaver: And I want to talk about, you know, you had this very tight-knit family that enjoyed being together and cherished the connections you had with each other. "The purpose of the Church is to bring the blessings of God to His children on both sides of the veil," he said. His wife and my mother had an amazing role in that as well, she said. I dont know what their secret was that made it look so awesome to participate, but out of love, we participated, Marsh said. Yeah, he might watch a bowl game on New Years day. It was our privilege as apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. We just loved to help him. They were not untouched by tragedy. Gloria Irion: I think he took those, you know, those circumstances happen so seldom, that I feel like he really tried to take those opportunities to teach us and to help us focus on the eternal, like you, like you said. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. [20] Nelson was also the director of the University of Utah thoracic surgery residency program. Sarah Jane Weaver: Yeah, Ive heard him say it, too. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Laurie Marsh: I just want to add to Russells comment about teaching opportunities, because Daddy was always looking for comments to say like, Oh, look how beautiful your mother is. Or always thanking her for what she was doing for our family and really noticed every little thing and taught us by example, that mother was of huge value to all of us, but number one to him. And hes more personable. Sarah Jane Weaver: Is there anything about your fathers service as President of the Church that surprised you or that caught your attention? I had a flashback of when mother had kind of gotten a baby, usually a girl, at that point in time, to sleep, finally, at night. In the general conference talk " Covenants ," President Russell M. Nelson teaches that "when we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us." The covenants we have made direct our lives and give us a deeper purpose. It has been four years since Russell M. Nelson became prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Russell M. Nelson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside was given on 6 February 2005. In Massachusetts, Nelson was the secretary for the adult Aaronic priesthood organization in his Boston-area branch. In the 2021 Friend to Friend event, President Russell M. Nelson gave this message to children around the world. [88], June 2018 began with a First Presidency-sponsored celebration of the 40th anniversary of the revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy members without regard to race, in which Nelson gave concluding remarks. But, Laurie Marsh: I was going say I think what I remember too, in those days, Im number seven. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Thats kind of like coming home from your mission and they say, How was your mission? How do you sum up two years in a sentence? This is the way we treat this person, you know. Friends by Mail. [37], After returning to Salt Lake City, he was called as priest quorum advisor in the Garden Park Ward, working with over 50 boys ages 16 to 18. Explore Russell M. Nelson net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! I mean, you can imagine we always had so much fun, and he would come down and try to get us to go to sleep. And Wendy said, After these world tours, my husband comes home and hits the ground running and I just hit the ground. Ive never seen him with jet lag. Russell M. Nelson Jr.: Right after our mom passed away, that was the first time in my life that Id ever seen him visibly sad, or not the cheerful countenance that he usually had for that year plus, after our moms passing. But really, we chose to come and I dont know what their secret was that made it look so awesome to participate. He noticed every little thing and taught us by example that our mother was of huge value to us, and No. Russell Nelson Jr. described another lesson he learned in the home that wasnt deliberately expressed but something he observed through his parents daily example. He is proud of who we are and who we have become and for our own accomplishments, Russell Nelson Jr. said. I feel like there was a high level of love in our home. And if Norm [Norman A. Maxfield, the husband of President Nelsons late daughter, Wendy Maxfield] needed him for anything, he would come. [56][57] Citing "continuing revelation", this policy was adjusted in 2019, such that First Presidency approval was not needed for the children to be baptized. In the five years since then, he has embarked on a fast-paced global ministry traveling to 35 nations, extending countless invitations, leading the Church through a global pandemic and overseeing the continuing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He loves to learn. And I think we had as much fun after we came home from our dates as we did on the dates. So always active, always doing something, always engaged. Especially being at the younger end, I saw more mature father and parents than my siblings did. Sarah Jane Weaver:And Laurie, I want to share a story. She was a Canadian nurse and educator. We were invited, with all, all their love to come and participate in that. We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "I feel pure joy every time I welcome a new member of our family into the world." Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox, The three things you need to know everyday, Highlights from the last week to keep you informed. But he would come and get us and drop us off, and then, I assume, go back to the stake center and resume his responsibilities as the stake president. And it actually goes along with what were talking about when we asked him about his decision to let members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, dedicated temples. But in a way, it was comforting, to me, to see the level of grief that he was experiencing. The couple had ten children; Marsha, Wendy, Gloria, Brenda, Sylvia, Emily, Laurie, Rosalie, and Marjorie and Russell Jr. Gloria Irion: We knew he had notoriety, because of his research and the things that he had accomplished and always kept accomplishing. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Its, What do you know now? And we always give our guests the last word. Laurie Marsh: Yeah, he committed pretty fast. Shes very strong. If he didnt have other responsibilities or obligations, he was fully present. And so he was always very loving and caring. And that if we can be obedient, and make and keep our covenants, well be able to live eternally as a family with Heavenly Father again. Sarah Jane Weaver: I think thats a really beautiful thing. Hed come in the door. It also adjusted previous policies forbidding adult males to teach classes of children or youth alone to apply to all adults. He knew decades before I did that there was such a thing as airdropping photos, Irion said of her 98-year-old father. So for me, its not been anything different. None of the Nelson children was told they must go to weekly church services. During that time. In 1960, he performed one of the first-ever repairs of tricuspid valve regurgitation. During the 1950s, Dantzel was a member of the Tabernacle Choir. I feel like we were so secure because we knew they were secure. [65], When he was Sunday School General President, Nelson attended a meeting where Kimball urged those present to learn Chinese. Nelson began his presidency two days after his ordination with a short broadcast to church members in January 2018 before then holding a press conference. Peoples lives depend on me getting sleep, kids. And so anyway, he tried, but we did, we always love to be together still do. As church president, Nelson is recognized by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. They can feel that he loves them and its not so distant. I think most of us took piano lessons and then got to choose another instrument, but music was really big. Famous Military Physician Russell M. Nelson was born on September 9, 1924 in United States. . Can you talk a little bit about those times when the focus of your family had to be eternal? Friend. Gloria Irion: Oh, right. He was happy. It also provided more clear policies mandating all interviews with women and youth be done with another person in the general area, and made it clear that youth and women could have a parent or other adult present for an interview. [99], In April 2019, the church's First Presidency published a revelation reversing a controversial November 2015 policy classifying same-sex marriage couples as apostates, and barring children of same-sex marriages from baby blessings, and from baptism until age 18. That was a good window into the eternities and how we just keep going, Russell Nelson Jr. said. What was that like to be raised in a home, did he help with homework? He knew everything, he said. But no, its been an honor. Laurie Marsh: I think I have probably learned from President Nelson the importance of my relationship with my Savior and how that can help with everything that we do thats full of joy, or not full of joy, in our life. It was probably 10 years ago that he taught Katie how to AirDrop photos. [110] This was the first time all ordained apostles of the church had been gathered in one location outside the United States. But we, we had him come over for dinner. Mother was a beautiful singer. And I know that hes there for me, I know, even as busy as he is, right now, I know that hes either a phone call, or a text or an email away from me whenever I need him. But I do have that visual image. And to help make this goal of being an internal family happen. He wrote a letter to me, right after I was born. And so, like Laurie said, hes always been very consistent throughout his whole life. And after about two weeks, I thought, Man, Im, Im getting tired and Im 14 years old. So hes, its pretty remarkable in that regard. They love to watch sports. [41] Early in his service as an apostle, Nelson was an adviser to the church's Young Women organization and was supportive of the developing of the Young Women values and Personal Progress program. Laurie Marsh: Sure. Marsh has learned the importance of developing a relationship with Jesus Christ and following the prophet. But none of us were ever forced to come, everyone would still get together. Gloria Irion: My addition to that is when he taught me how to get the lenses out of the fish eyes. You know, I said a little bit earlier that I was always taught to respect women, especially our mother and my sisters. Laurie Marsh: And a lot of it was just going to each others performances and doing things together as a family and decorating the Christmas tree to Handels Messiah. So music really was a huge part of the things that we would do together. President Nelson, the leader of almost 17 million Latter-day Saints worldwide, has traveled to 35 nations, changed Church organization, utilized technology, led the Church through a pandemic, issued historic invitations Gloria Irion: You know, I just had a thought about what an important thing music was in our home. Occasionally, you had to miss you know, you were sick, or you know, didnt hear your alarm or whatever. Sarah Jane Weaver: And since were on the topic, Im interested in knowing how your father treated your mother. Gloria Irion: Yes, I think thats very well said. [60][61] Nelson was involved in the first meetings between LDS Church leaders and government officials of Bulgaria,[62] Romania, and the Soviet Union, and worked to continue LDS expansion and recognition efforts in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. 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. President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sits with his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor (left), and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor (right), at a press conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Laurie Marsh: Besides having all of his sisters think that were talking to our dad when its really our brother! He earned an M.D. Laurie Marsh: OK. President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson with family. Shes precious and an angel mother, he called her, Irion said. From left: Marjorie Lowder; Elder Michael T. Ringwood, a General Authority Seventy; Sister Rosalie Ringwood; and Wendy Maxfield. I think hes good at making decisions and moving forward. What did your parents do to create that feeling in your family? During his April 2018 visit to India, Nelson explained to church members that the Lord had instructed him to announce the temple the night before general conference, though he had not originally planned to do so. And enjoy all the blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give each and every one of us. To not join in meant missing out on something fun. The Nelsons have nine daughters, and then one son so your memories of him would be a little different. And, but yeah, I think he set a great example of, you know, studying and doing well in school. [21] Following his military service, he did a year of work and surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital. And we all got to choose other instruments. And now, the 96-year-old father of 10, has a new title: great-great-grandfather. Gloria Irion: We were so grateful for the technology thats available. And there was a high expectation that we would be an eternal family and we were going to be working together to see how we could get that goal accomplished. And a husband and a wife work together in a family. Since then, he has embarked on a fast-paced global ministry, traveling to more than 35 nations, extending countless invitations, leading the Church through a global pandemic and overseeing the continued Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He talks about losing his wife to a heart attack after having spent his whole career studying and treating and operating on the heart. Anyway, do you know more of the story? 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