The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, died at age 101 Saturday night at his Salt Lake City home, according to a statement from the church.

Followers of the 17 million-member global church, who viewed Nelson as a living prophet, will remember him for his years of service and the changes he made; those outside the faith may remember him for his work as a world-renowned heart surgeon. (RELATED: ‘Multiple Victims’ In Shooting At Michigan LDS Church)

Nelson began his ministry in 1984 and became president of the church in 2018. He led Latter-day Saints with an emphasis on growth in its policies. His distinct contributions, compared with those of his predecessor, included emphasizing the use of the full name of the church and expanding the construction of temples, according to the statement.

Often referred to as Mormons — named after their scriptural addition to the Bible, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ — Nelson encouraged members and others to move away from that nickname and instead use the full name of the nearly 200-year-old church to emphasize its focus on Jesus Christ, whom they believe is the head of the church.

“As one of the special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world, I testify that He is the Son of the living God. Jesus is the Christ—our atoning Savior and Redeemer. This is His Church, restored to bless God’s children and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the… pic.twitter.com/acm3iwjCxw

— Russell M. Nelson (@NelsonRussellM) September 28, 2025

Nelson will also be remembered for announcing 200 temples to be built worldwide, which, when completed, will nearly double the number of temples before his presidency. A temple is considered by Latter-day Saints to be the House of the Lord and a place where sacred covenants can be made.

Before his full-time ministry, Nelson worked as a heart surgeon, performing the first open-heart surgery in Utah in 1955 and playing a key role in developing an artificial heart and lung machine small enough to fit into an operating room, according to the church. He also served as head of many medical societies, boards and associations during this time.

During his first administration, President Donald Trump met with Nelson and praised him for the church’s charity work. “This is very exciting for me. The job you’ve done is beyond anything you could think of — taking care of people the way you take care of people and the respect that you have all over the world,” Trump said.

Nelson authored many chapters in medical textbooks as well as several books on religion. He visited 32 countries during his ministry and was conversant in 11 languages, according to the church.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 06: President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Russell M. Nelson (L) and his wife Wendy (R) wave to the faithful after the first session of the 189th Annual General conference in the Conference Center on April 6, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Several thousands faithful Mormons from around the worlds will gather for two days of instruction from church leaders. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

Nelson is survived by his wife, Wendy; eight of his 10 children; 57 grandchildren; and more than 167 great-grandchildren. (RELATED: LARRY PROVOST: Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Was Spiritual Warfare)

“All of us who have worked with Russell M. Nelson, and the many he has taught and associated with, have marveled at his extraordinary modesty for a man of his great accomplishments. And we have marveled at his gentleness,” said President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Dallin H. Oaks, who served with Nelson throughout his ministry and as his first counselor during Nelson’s presidency. “He is just the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with. And he will always be remembered that way.”

A new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expected to be chosen this week. By tradition, leadership passes to the president of the Quorum of the Twelve, who will be sustained by members during the church’s worldwide General Conference on Saturday and Sunday.