For most of his life, Russell M. Nelson touched people’s hearts.
He did so from the 1950s to the mid-1980s with a scalpel in his hand. In the four decades since, he did so in sermons from his soul.
It’s unsurprising, then, that news of his death at age 101 has unleashed a wave of heartfelt tributes for the former surgeon and oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from those who viewed him as a “prophet, seer and revelator.”
Here are some of their remembrances:
“I’m still so happy he prophetically and medically stood up for the COVID vaccine. Who knows how many people’s lives he saved?”
— Emily Jensen, web editor for Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.
“Russell M. Nelson was the man for the moment. As a renowned heart surgeon, he was prepared to lead the church through a global pandemic. As a longtime proponent of peace, he was prepared to lead the church through an era of cultural division and toxic polarization. As a man who had traveled the world, he was prepared to transform the church into a more global institution and anchor the church’s presence through the building of temples in far-flung locales.”
— Patrick Mason, chair of Mormon history and culture at Utah State University.
“As a gift to President Nelson, seek peace in a relationship that feels strained. Offer words of gratitude, send a message of praise, and let someone know they matter. Hug your loved ones. Share a compliment that lifts and strengthens. You can turn an ordinary day into a holy one.”
— Hank Smith, Latter-day Saint influencer and speaker, on Instagram.
“President Nelson was the prophet who went all-in for the ‘Be One’ celebration [commemorating the end of the priesthood/temple ban for Black members]. What was first described to the planning committee as ‘something nice but low key’ became bold, visible, and unforgettable once President Nelson became the prophet. He threw the doors wide open and reminded us that ‘every man [should] esteem his brother as himself.’ He didn’t just say it, he lived it. His generosity, love, and openness left a lasting mark, especially on me as an African American Saint. … He worked to build bridges with the Black community in ways I had never seen before, and that effort mattered deeply. That is how he moved: always centering Christ, always widening the circle of love.”
— Tamu Smith, Deseret Book author and one of the “Sistas in Zion.”
“I remember I was on my mission when President Monson died, and President Nelson was sustained. And I just immediately felt a wave of emotion and realized that everything that he taught us throughout his entire life, was how to get our lives in order spiritually. … Truly a man of God, called of God, who pointed us back to God with everything he did. He will be missed.”
— Jeren Stevenson, Latter-day Saint and former missionary.
“Didn’t think I would wake up crying this morning. Love you so much President Nelson, you will be missed. A true prophet of God.”
— Sasha Osipenko, Latter-day Saint and former missionary,.
“Last night I opened Instagram and saw a picture of our beloved prophet. I noticed the two years written on the image and was shocked. Just a few days earlier I had planned to attend General Conference on Sunday afternoon… I was so excited to see the prophet in person for the very first time. I felt sorrow and a deep loss, but I’m also grateful to God for preparing me. I can only imagine the joy and celebration in heaven, and how happy his first wife and daughters must be to be reunited with him. That thought brings me comfort. I will always be grateful for President Nelson. He taught me that no matter what happens, if we think celestial and trust God’s plan, everything will work out for our good.”
— Vladlena Kocheva, young adult Latter-day Saint from Ukraine.
“President Nelson repeatedly asked us to live as more determined and marked disciples of Christ. His words have had an enormous impact on our work at MWEG as we have sought to act as faithful peacemakers in our civic and political spaces. We are grateful for the way he called us to do and be better and will honor him by continuing to do the work of building a lasting peace.”
— Jennifer Walker Thomas, co-executive director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
“I stood behind him in a self-checkout line at a grocery store about nine years ago. Everyone working tried to get him to come to their lines so he wouldn’t have to do the self-checkout. He said he was fine and scanned 5 half gallons of ice cream like he did it every day. His security/bodyguard (not sure, man in a black suit) stood off to the side. It seemed like he just wanted to be treated like a regular person, even though everyone around him was very excited.”
— Beth Brumer-Reeve, marketing manager for Signature Books.
“In 1985, then-Elder Nelson, came to visit the Italy Rome Mission. In a meeting for the Saints there, he concluded his remakes by saying, through his translator, that he was calling upon the gift of tongues and then proceeded to bear a seven–plus minute testimony in practically perfect Italian. Thrilling for all of us in attendance.”
— Patrick Perkins, Latter-day Saint living in France.
“I will miss President Nelson’s impact on women. I’m sure raising nine daughters was influential in his positive changes in the temple and efforts to elevate women in our church. His talk, ‘A Plea to My Sisters’ was a profound and powerful vision of how important it is for the women of our church ‘to speak up and speak out.’ He said, ‘We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices. The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!’ I pray we can keep this amazing vision alive in the years to come.”
— Allison Dayton, founder of the Lift + Love Foundation.
“I had the privilege of knowing President Nelson and working with him in interfaith efforts in defense of marriage and the family — a cause to which he was profoundly devoted. He was also a champion of the sanctity of human life. All who knew him were struck by his kindness and compassion. Before entering church leadership, he was a highly respected heart surgeon. The LDS Church was blessed to have him as a leader, teacher, and role model. I join his family and the church’s faithful in mourning his death but also in celebrating his life.”
— Robert P. George, a Baylor professor and chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
“He led the church through a horrible pandemic, and he retained his dignity and abounding love during these divisive times. He showed us that God’s love, not our political maneuvering, is what we need now to heal our deep divisions. He will be sorely missed.”
— Ignacio Garcia, retired professor of Western and Latino history at BYU.
“President Nelson had an impact on my life because he was a prophet of change. Sometimes I struggled with the changes. They weren’t always changes I was excited about. Sometimes they caused me to stretch, but I’m so grateful for those opportunities. I think a lot of members see him as someone who was a bastion of change and someone who was unapologetically committed to the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
— Jasmin Rappleye, Latter- day Saint content creator.
“Deeply conservative but not traditional, he oversaw transformations of how Latter-day Saints worshipped, learned, identified, and engaged the world. Breaking decades and even centuries of precedent at times, he saw the restoration as an ongoing project centered on his prophetic inspiration. A believer in peacemaking, he also set the direction of the church through stormy times in the US and globally on racial tensions, LGBTQ and women’s rights, the rise of authoritarian regimes at home and abroad, invasions of Ukraine and conflict in Palestine, anti-immigration sentiment, public health crises and more. His tenure, efficacy and legacy will be hotly debated in an era of polarization within the church, but in terms of impact it will rate among the highest. May he rest in peace.”
— Taylor Petrey, religion professor at Kalamzoo College.
“One huge significance of Nelson’s life of faith and service for me is the amazing affirmation of the value a person can have in old age. Who in human history has accomplished as much and had so much impact as a top leader of anything — religious, political or otherwise — entirely in their 90s?”