Russell M. Nelson, President of the Mormon Church, Dies at 101

Russell M. Nelson, the oldest president in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Saturday in Salt Lake City. He was 101. The church said in a statement that he passed away peacefully at his home shortly after 10 pm. “His time as prophet will forever be remembered as one of global ministry… increased temple construction… and profound change,” the statement said. Read more: Russell M. Nelson: We All Deserve Dignity and Respect Before joining the church full-time, Dr. Nelson was a respected heart surgeon who performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah in 1955. After becoming leader and prophet of the church in 2018, at the age of 93, he traveled to 32 countries and U.S. territories to visit church leaders and ministries. Dr. Nelson reflected on his life and career in a recent essay for TIME to mark his 101st birthday. “After more than a century of life and decades of studying both the human body and the human soul, I have found this to be true: we are happiest when we remember our divine worth and extend that recognition to others—beginning with our own families,” he wrote. My faith teaches me that over two millennia ago, Jesus Christ preached these same laws of happiness: to love God and to love our neighbor. After 101 years, I can say that these are not abstract theological ideas—they are practical wisdom,” he added. This is a developing story.