A century and one — President Russell M. Nelson turns 101

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson, celebrates his 101st birthday today.

Yesterday, on Sept. 8, President Nelson celebrated with a small family gathering at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City.

Becoming president of the church in 2018, President Nelson hasn’t let his age slow his impact to the Church.

In his first two years of being the president, President Nelson traveled over 115,000 miles to visit 35 nations.

A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said about accompanying President Nelson to seven countries in the South Pacific in 2019, “What he’s done is something quite magnificent — to come and be with the people in a way that brings the Lord’s love.”

Oftentimes the President, who is conversant in 11 languages, spoke to people in their own language. Elder Gary E. Stevenson traveled with the prophet in South America in 2018 and shared his personal feelings on the experience.

“I never imagined that I would come and have to wear a headset, through translation, to listen to the words of President Nelson. That was a surprise to me.” When talking about President Nelson addressing the congregations in Spanish he said, “It just touches your heart. There’s a reverence. There’s a silence, and then everyone’s wiping their eyes. Tears are flowing, and it’s just a remarkable thing. It’s an indication that the Latter‑day Saints love their prophet, and the prophet loves the Latter‑day Saints.”

In 2019, the prophet responded to Muslim terrorist attacks that killed 51 people in Christchurch, New Zealand. He met with Muslim leaders whose mosques were targeted, donated funds in behalf of the Church, and stated, “We’re brothers. It’s incomprehensible anybody could do that to another human being.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and a back injury in 2023, President Nelson has moved away from world travel to digital outreach. Social media and annual General Conference sessions are held for worldwide members to hear the prophet’s messages.

According to the Church, the prophet’s ministry is filled with hopeful optimism, anchored by his strong testimony of Jesus Christ.

In his recent address in the April 2025 Conference session, President Nelson proclaims, “Let us plead with our Heavenly Father to fill our hearts with greater charity—especially for those who are difficult to love—for charity is a gift from our Heavenly Father for true followers of Jesus Christ. The Savior is the Prince of Peace. We are to be His instruments for peace.”