SALT LAKE CITY—Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was remembered not only as the leader of a worldwide church but as a husband, father and friend at a funeral service held Oct. 7 in the Conference Center. President Nelson had just turned 101 on his birthday Sept. 9. He became the President of the Church in January 2018.  

Photo by Brenda Ginos

 The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performed the music, including “Our Prayer to Thee,” which President Nelson wrote.

“When I think of our dad I think of joy,” said Laurie N. Marsh, President Nelson’s daughter, one of 10 children. “Daddy always chose to be happy. So he was always fun to be around.”

President Russell M. Nelson’s life was a joyful life because he centered it on our Savior Jesus Christ, she said. “We were raised in a home centered on the Savior and filled with joy. I will sorely miss the joy and light that my dad’s physical presence has brought to my life but I know he has great faith in you and in me and he will always be cheering each and every one of us on, inviting us to joyfully live with Christ as the center of our lives.”

“I once introduced Russell Marian Nelson as the man for whom the word gentleman was created,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “For the rest of his life he proved me true, day in and day out he was dignified and courteous with every man and woman he met, be they diplomats or other dignitaries, new neighbors or complete strangers.”

He loved the rising generation, he said. “Every youth and young adult he ever met anywhere, not only for what they were, but for what they could become.”

Elder Holland said every delightful hour they ever spent was among the most remarkable privileges of his life. “He was a friend whom I loved and who in turn, treated me and loved me as courteously as he did everyone in the church and beyond.”

“I was honored to have served by his side,” said Elder Henry B. Eyring, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “He was a man of God – a prophet.”

President Nelson was a world renowned heart surgeon. “He operated on my own dear mother and extended her life,” said Elder Eyring.

He sincerely received inspiration, Elder Eyring said. “I’m grateful for a church led by prophets, seers and revelators. He fulfilled that in a magnificent way.”

“He was my best friend,” said Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “I sat by him for 34 years as a member of the Twelve Apostles. I came to understand that as a physician, he had to make quick decisions. When we started to discuss who would write an article for the first page of the Ensign Magazine he asked ‘why do we do this?’ Let’s stop doing it.’ I thought then being a councilor in the First Presidency is going to be fun.”

He met with nations and other religious faiths, President Oaks said. “Over the seven and a half years he served, leaders came to meet him. He melted hearts. He would ask them about their families and their countries. He would pick up a Book of Mormon and hold it close and tell them ‘this is the most precious gift I could share. Tears would glisten in his eyes – he knew it was true.”

His example lives on, said President Oaks. “He was a bridge builder and a healer.”