As the nation continues to grieve this month’s tragedy, we extend prayers to the Kirk family, the Robinson family and the students who witnessed the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Many lives have been changed and will never be the same. Prayers for comfort, peace and healing are lifted for these families and for the young people who are trying to make sense, seek hope and find their footing.
Our God is a good God. He is faithful. His promises from Genesis to Revelation will sustain us. In times of political and social unrest, we need solace, encouragement and assurance that that which is cracked can be mended, that which is broken will be fixed and that which has been wounded can be healed. The Lord sent us a leader — a prophet to help us navigate through losses, sorrow, heartbreak and suffering. That leader is Dr. Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In the same week we saw people crying, fleeing for cover and seeking justice, quietly and humbly President Nelson reached his 101st birthday. There was no parade. There were no horns blaring, declarations announced or plaques erected. There was no fanfare. Yet as a centenarian and the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should be thanking God for him, whether or not we are members of the church.
President Nelson is a devoted man of God, a visionary, an exceptional leader, an advocate for the marginalized, a trusted steward and a humanitarian. He is a global leader, yet he is accessible and humble. As someone who has met him and shared meals with him, I can attest that he is also hospitable and kind, the definition of a gentleman. He has a way of smiling and making eye contact that makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room. He also personifies attributes that this world desperately needs. He is a peacemaker, bridge builder and selfless servant.
I have witnessed President Nelson as a great listener and very conciliatory leader. He looks for common ground in uncommon places. In the face of controversy and negative discourse, he seeks understanding. When things appear to be deadlocked, at an impasse or standstill, he will find a way to disarm opponents and invite constructive dialogue and opportunities.
After decades of criticism that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was not welcoming or receptive to African Americans, in 2018 he invited the NAACP to the table. It was there, at the table with members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, that we realized that both institutions love Jesus Christ and serving humanity. Since then, we have partnered together on several projects including the Self-Reliance program that helps families with budgeting and the MyBaby4Me initiative which addresses the infant mortality crisis among African American families.
President Nelson has experienced and witnessed a lot in his 101 years on this Earth. He has seen the invention of penicillin, the artificial heart, the kidney dialysis machine, the pacemaker, color TV, sunglasses, smoke detectors, the microwave oven and the internet. He has also witnessed women getting the right to vote, Jim Crow, the raid of Stonewall Inn, the Civil Rights Movement and the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other global events.
The reach and impact of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through President Nelson’s leadership has been deep, broad, affirming and transformative. Social ills and challenges such as hunger, poverty, unclean water and illiteracy have been addressed. In doing so, dignity, pride and hope have been restored. Not only have lives been changed, but so have countless families and communities for generations.
President Nelson has countless awards, commendations, publications and achievements for his work as a surgeon and leader of the church. The theme that exists throughout his life’s work is love of Jesus Christ and service to humanity. He has been faithful to his covenant, commission and his calling. Thank you, President Nelson, for your fidelity to the church and your service to mankind. May the Lord continue to bless you. Happy birthday.
