The oldest president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson has inspired many through his teachings of Jesus Christ and example.
In a tribute to him and his 101st birthday, members of the church’s First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared on social media what they have learned from him, their 101-year-old friend and prophet. See their posts below.
President Dallin H. Oaks
“It has been my distinct privilege to sit with President Russell M. Nelson in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of (the church) for more than 41 years,” wrote President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the church’s First Presidency.
In his Sept. 2 post, President Oaks shared that through his service with President Nelson, he has “learned and observed much” about following Jesus Christ, receiving personal revelation and expressing genuine love to others.
“I continue to learn from him as he encourages each of us to learn of and follow God’s plan for His children,” he continued. “How grateful I am for the things he has taught me.”
President Henry B. Eyring
President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the church’s First Presidency, shared in a Sept. 3 post that serving alongside President Nelson has been one of his life’s “great opportunities.”
“Time and again,” he wrote, “I have witnessed how he humbly seeks and faithfully receives direction from the Lord. He is, for me, an example of seeking that direction with the determination to follow it.”
President Eyring then expressed his gratitude for President Nelson’s “Christlike love and care” for others, adding that he knows President Nelson was “called of God” to lead the Church of Jesus Christ.
President Jeffrey R. Holland
In a Sept. 4 post, President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote of President Nelson’s unifying leadership, sharing how his closeness to the quorum has impacted the inner workings of their service.
“Surely history will note that of the many marvelous characteristics visible in (President Nelson’s) administration, one quality that was almost invisible was the warm and productive unity that (he) maintained between the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.”
With this striving for unity, President Holland explained President Nelson has involved the quorum in “so much that the First Presidency has undertaken,” including by delegating “major temple dedications to each member of the Twelve.”
Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf
An eyewitness to President Nelson’s ministry, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared how he has seen President Nelson follow Christ’s example of “ministering to the one,” including in their early interactions.
“As a stake president in 1987,” Elder Uchtdorf wrote in his Sept. 3 post, “I had the opportunity to host then-Elder Russell M. Nelson and others as we prepared for the dedication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple.
“I still remember the words he taught and the incredibly kind manner in which he interacted with me and others. … How grateful I am for the warmth and kindness this prophet of God has always shown to me.”
Elder David A. Bednar
President Nelson is a “true disciple and leader who ‘(peaceably walks) with the children of men,’” wrote Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, quoting Moroni 7:4 in the Book of Mormon.
This attribute of peace, Elder Bednar shared in his Sept. 5 post, is consistently manifest in President Nelson’s counsel and demeanor.
“In every aspect,” he said, “(President Nelson) is a reflection of our Savior, whom he serves in all that he does. His clarity and inspired simplicity in teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ bless my life and strengthen my testimony.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook
In a Sept. 8 post, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said President Nelson’s guidance and direction have “always been so profound because he is always doing what the Lord is giving him the guidance and direction to do.”
“Whether it is announcing new temples, building relationships with others, or moving missionary work forward, when he gets guidance from the Lord, he will act as quickly as he can to bring it to the Saints and bless their lives,” Elder Cook wrote. “I am grateful for his example to me.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a Sept. 4 post that both President Nelson’s words and actions teach of charity, the “pure love of Christ.”
He mentioned a visit he and President Nelson made in 2019 to Latter-day Saints in Southeast Asia, and shared that President Nelson’s presence there “served as a reminder that everyone matters to our Heavenly Father and that they are precious in the sight of the Lord.”
At 101 years old, President Nelson’s love for others worldwide “continues to motivate everything he says and does,” Elder Christofferson explained. “I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand and to have learned from his example of caring for the Lord’s precious flock.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen
For more than three decades Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has been tutored and taught by President Nelson, the apostle wrote in a Sept. 7 social media post.
“I stood on a hill with him in Budapest, Hungary, where he spoke prophetically about the future of Eastern Europe,” Elder Andersen said. “I have bowed my head with him as he prayed in perfect Portuguese, breaking ground for the Curitiba Brazil Temple.
“I have been lifted as he has testified of Jesus Christ. … (And) I confirm in humility and truth through hundreds of experiences that he is the Lord’s prophet upon the earth.”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
In his birthday tribute to President Nelson, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of what it means to “sustain” or “hold up,” and invited others to support President Nelson “as he speaks the words of God.”
“When (President Nelson) speaks,” wrote Elder Rasband in his Sept. 2 post, “he speaks by inspiration of the Lord. … To hold up the prophet is a sacred work. We do not sit quietly by but actively defend him, follow his counsel, teach his words and pray for him.”
Elder Rasband then counseled others to “hold up” their light, as taught by Jesus, and sustain the “living prophet.”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a “defining moment” early in his service as an apostle, when he and his wife accompanied President Nelson and his wife to visit Latter-day Saints in South America in 2018.
On one “unforgettable evening” in Bolivia, Elder Stevenson said President Nelson had already begun his remarks when he declared “he felt he needed to speak in Spanish.”
“I never imagined needing a headset to understand the prophet’s words,” Elder Stevenson said in his Sept. 8 post. “Yet as he spoke, the Spirit transcended language. Tears flowed. Reverence filled the room. It was a powerful witness of the love between God’s children and his humble servant, our living prophet.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expressed his gratitude for President Nelson’s inviting and welcoming nature, as it helped him navigate his fears when he was first called to the Twelve.
“You can imagine how intimidating it was for me to sit in counsel with President Nelson and these other remarkable and faithful servants of our Savior,” wrote Elder Renlund in his Sept. 7 social media post.
“But President Nelson invited, welcomed and encouraged me. He went out of his way to teach me and support me. He helped me to have confidence in my apostolic call and in learning to rely on the Savior as I serve. I learned from his example and continue to do so today. For him, I will always be grateful.”
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
In a Sept. 5 post, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expressed his awe at President Nelson’s ability to minister to many and the one at the same time.
He said, “While accompanying (President Nelson) during a ministry trip in 2019, I was deeply touched at how (he could) minister to 10,000 people — and to a single family that’s grieving the loss of a loved one at the same time.
“President Nelson makes each person he interacts with feel special,” Elder Gong continued, “like the moment they share together is the most important. God’s prophet brings God’s love wherever he goes.”
Elder Ulisses Soares
One of the “most remarkable” attributes Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has observed in President Nelson’s leadership is his ability to “lead people with compassion,” the apostle wrote in a Sept. 6 post.
“(President Nelson) focuses on the good in people rather than their shortcomings,” he said. “He follows the Savior’s pattern as described in 3 Nephi 9:14, ‘Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.’”
Elder Patrick Kearon
President Nelson both teaches and exemplifies the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, said Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in his Sept. 6 social media post.
“With any topic, he focuses on the joy found in gospel teachings,” Elder Kearon explained, adding that a “good example” is what President Nelson has taught about the “joy found in repentance.”
President Nelson “has taught this beautiful truth in a way that changes perceptions and invites peace,” the apostle wrote. “The gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed a gospel of ‘glad tidings of great joy.’ … I am so grateful for President Nelson’s example and teachings that so wonderfully emphasize this.