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SALT LAKE CITY — President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanked church members for their prayers for him in a social media post on Friday.
The church leader injured his back when he fell in September, and he said the recovery has been "rigorous."
"I have needed your prayers," he said. "Your prayers have lifted my spirits and bolstered my courage and my great desire to soldier on. In short, the Lord has responded to your prayers and expressions of love, and he is helping me to heal."
President Nelson, who is 99 years old, said over the last two months he has attended meetings with the First Presidency virtually, and he is slowly returning to his church duties in his office.
"You have blessed me to feel the power of prayer and the reality of the Lord's love in a most personal way. I love you!" President Nelson said.
Thank you for your prayers for me during the last two months. My recovery from my fall in September when I injured the muscles in my back has been rigorous. I have needed your prayers.
— Russell M. Nelson (@NelsonRussellM) November 10, 2023
The apostle James taught that the effectual fervent prayers of righteous men and women… pic.twitter.com/SO9DeOq00U
In the October general conference, a prerecorded video message from President Nelson was shared because of his recent back injury, as he was unable to attend any of the sessions of the semi-annual conference.
In his Friday social media, President Nelson said the work of the Lord is continuing to move on, and he noted that 36 new missions will be created next year.
Also on Friday, church leaders announced the church is donating $1 million for hurricane relief efforts after Hurricane Otis.
A news release from the church said Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, met this week with government leaders in Mexico City to discuss hurricane relief efforts in Acapulco, Mexico.
