Russell M. Nelson Called as Church President

President Russell M. Nelson was announced as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. The announcement was made by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a live broadcast from the annex of the iconic Salt Lake Temple. He was sustained and set apart in the Salt Lake Temple on Sunday, January 14, 2018.

Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy Watson Nelson
Family Discovery Day at RootsTech, on Saturday, February 11, 2017, focused on events for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Speakers included President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson; and members of their family.
President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Monday, February 20, 2017, as part of a series of meetings in Mexico. A translator sits in the background.
Senior Church leaders offer encouragement to flood victims and volunteers in Louisiana, September 3, 2016. President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles puts his arm around a Mormon Helping Hands youth volunteer.
President Henry B. Eyring of the Church’s First Presidency and President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visit with U.S. President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch from Utah at Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, December 4, 2017.
Elder Russell M. Nelson greets a Church member in Moscow, Russia Elder Russell M. Nelson greets a Church member in Moscow, Russia.
Varuzhan Poghosyan (left) translates for Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The apostle created the first stake (similar to a diocese) of the Church in Yerevan, Armenia.
Elder Russell M. Nelson speaks at a press conference regarding a change in the age requirement for missionary service.
Elder Russell M. Nelson applying mortar during the cornerstone ceremony for the Kyiv Ukraine Temple in August 2010 Elder Russell M. Nelson applying mortar during the cornerstone ceremony for the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 2015.
Russell M. Nelson, 28 months old in 1927.
President Nelson graduated from the University of Utah in August 1947 with an M.D. degree.
Russell and his first wife, Dantzel Nelson, in 1945.
Russell and his first wife, Dantzel Nelson, at the University of Utah in 1942.
Elder Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson.
President Nelson with Russell (only son), 1972.
Elder Nelson was a heart surgeon before called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Russell M. Nelson explains a surgical procedure to a nurse.
Family photo, 1982.
Throwing horseshoes in 1965.

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President Nelson, 93, succeeds President Thomas S. Monson, who passed away January 2, 2018.

The new leader of a global faith of more than 16 million members has named President Dallin H. Oaks, 85, and President Henry B. Eyring, 84, to serve with him as his first and second counselors in the First Presidency, the Church’s highest governing body.

President Nelson also announced that M. Russell Ballard, 89, is the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Russell M. Nelson

Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since April 7, 1984. He was president of that quorum from July 15, 2015, until his call as the Church’s leader.

An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, President Nelson’s professional work included the positions of research professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.

President Dallin H. Oaks

President Dallin H. Oaks has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since May 1984. He was president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, and a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1980 until his resignation in 1984 to accept his calling to the apostleship.

President Henry B. Eyring

President Henry B. Eyring served as a counselor to President Thomas S. Monson from 2008 to 2018 and to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 2007 to 2008. He was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 1, 1995. Prior to full-time Church service, President Eyring was president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, from 1971 to 1977. He was on the faculty at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University from 1962 to 1971.

Acting President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President M. Russell Ballard has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve since October 6, 1985. In 1976 he was called as a General Authority Seventy. Prior to his call as a full-time Church leader, President Ballard had interests in automotive, real estate and investment businesses.