How will President Russell M. Nelson be remembered most during his time as Prophet of the LDS Church?
End of an Era: President Russell M. Nelson Dies at 101 After Leading Major Church Reforms
President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 101. His tenure as Prophet was marked by sweeping reforms, including adjustments to temple recommend interviews, emphasis on using the full name of the church, and unprecedented global temple announcements. Nelson’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was widely noted for balancing faith with public health considerations. He was also the oldest-ever president in the church’s history, and his passing marks the end of a deeply transformative era for the LDS faith. Church members and leaders around the world are now reflecting on his spiritual and institutional legacy. As is traditional, his successor will be the longest-serving apostle, currently President Dallin H. Oaks. Nelson’s life as both a pioneering heart surgeon and spiritual leader continues to be praised across religious and secular communities alike.
Options
- Reforming church policies
- Expanding global temples
- Guiding during COVID-19
- Emphasizing full church name
- Other/Not sure