We’re confident few people have done more in 95 years of living than Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’re also confident nobody has done more in just their 95th year.
President Nelson returned this week from a Latin America ministry that took him to Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. There he met or spoke to 344,452 members of the global church. In May, he embarked on a Pacific ministry where he traveled to seven countries. Last October he ministered to saints in South America, and that was preceded earlier in the year by a trip across much of Europe and Asia.
We’re pausing today to wish President Nelson a happy 95th birthday, officially marked on Monday. We acknowledge the church he represents owns this publication, but our reason for reflecting on his leadership is not one of obligation. Rather, his methods of influence deserve recognition as a model for others to follow, particularly those who assume responsibility for Americans at all levels of government.
The reality is America is craving leadership across the board, and anyone who has a duty to represent others in the decision-making process should sharpen their skills. Looking through the lens of President Nelson’s leadership is a good place to start.
While visiting Latter-day Saints across six continents in the past two years, President Nelson found time to meet dozens of heads of state, civic organizations and other faith leaders. The agenda is always the same: forgo the photo-op in favor of substantive conversations that build bridges across beliefs, cultures and politics.
Before speaking to a crowd of 15,000 in Orlando this spring, for instance, President Nelson spent a few quiet moments with the owner of Pulse nightclub, a gay venue that was the setting of a hate-fueled mass shooting three years prior. “I was … moved he was so kind to me,” the owner remarked afterward. Individually reaching out with respect to groups easily marginalized creates opportunities for mutual understanding and future collaboration.
Such is the budding yet sincere friendships between President Nelson and leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Together, the church and the NAACP are helping inner-city residents learn principles of money management and self-reliance. Their ability to build partnerships based on shared goals is changing the life trajectory of some of society’s most vulnerable members.
And a visit to the Vatican in March underscores another principle of transformational leadership: Different worldviews should never stand in the way of common concerns. After a 30-minute conversation with Pope Francis, President Nelson noted, “The differences in doctrine are real and they’re important, but they’re not nearly as important as the things we have in common.” They discussed the importance of families, religious liberty and expressed concern for human suffering.
Through it all runs a sense of urgency and importance that others should emulate. There should be no time for partisan bickering when Americans are suffering, and there should be no room for inaction when communities need immediate help. Leaders have a duty to act without hesitation in the best interests of their followers.
We hope President Nelson enjoys his birthday gifts this year, but we are more concerned with others accepting the gift he offers all leaders — examples of leadership that lift, inspire and build the lives of all who follow.