Russell M. Nelson's Presidency
Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pushed the church away from the nickname 'Mormons', a term that had shaped Americans' view of the church for 200 years.
blockSize:“Eat your vitamin pills. It’s going to be exciting.”
Nelson, a former heart surgeon and longtime church leader, became president in 2018 at the age of 93. During his tenure, he implemented significant reforms, including streamlining bureaucracy and taking steps toward gender equity.
- Ended the church's century-long relationship with the Boy Scouts
- Reaffirmed the church's opposition to LGBTQ+ relationships and identities
Nelson passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy as a consequential reformer.
Author's summary: Nelson reformed the church with energetic leadership.