‘He changed the hearts of many’: LDS Church holds public viewing for late prophet Russell M. Nelson

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are bidding their final farewell to President Russell M. Nelson.

Crowds started lining up before doors even opened at the Conference Center to pay their respect to the late Church President. According to the Church, the prophet’s body is lying in repose in an open casket in the Hall of the Prophets on the Conference Center’s third floor, where bronze busts of each of the Church’s presidents line the walls.

ABC4 spoke with members who say they are honoring a man they looked up to and remember their favorite principles their prophet taught. “Everything, the temples for one promises of us all being together unity being peacemakers, loving one another letting little things go,” Vivian Hardy, a Church member told ABC4.

It has been a busy few days with General Conference, but Church members from all over the world are expected to attend their Prophet’s funeral. “Simple things like think celestial when things are just going really bad and you try to think…Thanks Celestia,” Judy Souder who is visiting from Nebraska said.

Public funeral services

The public funeral services for President Nelson will take place on Tuesday.

The services for Nelson will be held in the Conference Center at noon on Oct. 7. Tickets will be required to attend the funeral services, and they are available online.

Nelson passed away in his Salt Lake City home on September 27 at the age of 101. He was both the oldest president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the oldest leader of a faith organization in the world. He served as president since January 14, 2018.

The public viewing will be held until 8 p.m. on Monday. Visitors of all ages are welcome to attend.