President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, with family at the temple. On Monday, September 9th, President Russell M. Nelson will be celebrating his 95th birthday. Russell Marion Nelson Sr. is an American religious leader, author, philanthropist, and former surgeon, who is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as its 17th and current president. He is a writer, photographer, movie-fanatic, and a lover of street tacos. Few of Nelsons modern predecessors, however, have made such strong use of the word revelation, at least in public or in news releases. Nelson introduced the initiative of allowing young women in the ages of 14-18 to be assigned as ministering sisters. Elder Russell M. Nelson and his first wife, Sister Dantzel White Nelson, who died in 2005. By his own account, Russell M. Nelson speaks often to God, or, rather, God speaks often to him. Identical French and Portuguese news websites for Africa will follow, according to the church statement. Nelson, the 94-year-old president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said recently that he was awakened at 2 a.m. with a distinct impression that he should go to the Dominican Republic. After becoming an M.D., Nelson enrolled at the University of Minnesota for surgical training and doctoral studies. Weve all heard Elder Uchtdorfs German accent during his general conference talks, but we dont often hear him speak in his native language. On July 3, 2015, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church Boyd K. Packer passed away, and Nelson effectively became the senior most member of the Quorum of the Twelve and was later ordained the quorum's president. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Their journey together was a long one, including not only the demands of Russells career and then his service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also ten children. Sister Owens said President Nelson has a strong relationship with each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren sending handwritten birthday, Christmas and anniversary cards. Between 2007 and 2015, he served as a member of the Church Boards of Trustees/Education, which is the governing body of the Church Educational System. Elder Uchtdorfs TV interview. Web7 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools Melvin Russell Ballard Jr. (born October 8, 1928) is an American businessman and religious leader who is currently the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).