- Utah leaders have praised the leadership and kindness of President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Many highlighted his peacemaking and temple-building efforts.
- Utah Sen. Mike Lee described how President Nelson performed open-heart surgery on both of his maternal grandparents on the same day.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah and national leaders in government, business and religion on Sunday reacted to the death of President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with sadness and gratitude for his life of service and ministry.
The church president and prophet died just after 10 p.m. Saturday at his home in Salt Lake City. He celebrated his 101st birthday on Sept. 9.
"Today we mourn the passing of President Russell M. Nelson — a prophet of God, a gentle leader, and a voice for peacemaking," said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. "He built bridges across faith traditions and cultures, serving God's children throughout the world. Abby and I will forever treasure our moments with him. 'Hail to the prophet, ascended to heaven!'"
Cox later posted, "The best of men. I will miss my friend and the leader of my faith. We believe that the heavens are still open and that God still communicates with prophets on this earth. I'm grateful for everything he taught us and for his constant call to peacemaking and following Christ."
Former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said, "President Russell M. Nelson will be known for the scores of new temples, accelerating the growth of the church, centering the gospel in the home, his prophetic words and his love for Jesus Christ, but for Ann and me, one thing touched us most personally and profoundly: his kindness."
"Few lives have been lived as fully and faithfully as that of President Russell M. Nelson," said Utah Sen. John Curtis. "His remarkable 101 years were a testament to service, faith, and vision. I am grateful for the insight, inspiration, and teachings he shared so generously. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life that lifted countless people and left an enduring legacy of hope and strength."
Few lives have been lived as fully and faithfully as that of President Russell M. Nelson. His remarkable 101 years were a testament to service, faith, and vision. I am grateful for the insight, inspiration, and teachings he shared so generously.
— Senator John Curtis (@SenJohnCurtis) September 28, 2025
As we mourn his passing, we also… https://t.co/emhdKrwYHo
Utah Sen. Mike Lee called President Nelson "a bold, visionary leader prepared by God to testify of Jesus Christ in the very times in which we now live." He said on X that he first acquired "profound respect" for President Nelson as a 7-year-old boy when President Nelson performed open-heart surgery on both of his maternal grandparents on the same day.
"Just a few short years ago, President Nelson described to me in exquisite detail how he handled each of step of the two surgeries he had performed that day — more than 40 years earlier, and about seven years before he was called into full-time church service as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After their surgeries, he told both of my grandparents that they could each expect to live another 10 to 15 years following the surgery," Lee said.
He said his grandparents both lived for another 25 years "and credited President Nelson for their longevity, with good reason!"
"For as long as I've known him, he has exuded — and for me, he's come to personify — the kind of faith, humility, and quiet confidence that tends to be the constant companion of a devoted servant and follower of Jesus Christ. To the day he died, he remained a healer—of hearts and of souls," Lee said, adding that he and his wife "extend our gratitude and heartfelt condolences to President Nelson's family, and to the millions of Latter-day Saints throughout the world who mourn his passing."
President Donald Trump said, "Russell was sharp and engaged in service up until the end. Our hearts and prayers are with his incredible wife, Wendy, his 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren, as well as Members of the Church all over our Country. Russell had a remarkable life, pioneering life-saving heart surgery techniques and, of course, his ministry of many decades. He was a physician, literally and spiritually, and will be greatly missed!"
A legacy life
President Russell M. Nelson, church president and medical pioneer, dies at age 101
President Russell M. Nelson, a world-renowned heart surgeon, medical pioneer and 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died late Saturday.The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, speaking on behalf of Bishop Oscar A. Solis and Catholics across Utah, offered condolences to the church and the family and friends of President Nelson.
The diocese highlighted President Nelson's lifelong devotion to faith and service, noting his care for the poor and vulnerable and his leadership that inspired collaboration between the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ in Utah. "As a cardiac surgeon, he cared for people's hearts, as the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he cared for people's dignity and for their souls," the diocese said, asking all to pray for his eternal peace and happiness.
"Saddened to hear of the passing of President Nelson. A good and kind soul, who believed that a life committed to divine principles was a life worth living across all faiths. Keeping his beautiful family in my prayers," said Rabbi Avremi Zippel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah.
Ryan Smith, co-founder of Qualtrics and owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth, said of President Nelson: "Loved this man. Grateful for his remarkable life and teachings. 'Love your neighbor and treat them with compassion and respect. ... Anger never persuades, hostility never heals, and contention never leads to lasting solutions.'''
Loved this man. Grateful for his remarkable life and teachings.
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) September 28, 2025
"Love your neighbor and treat them with compassion and respect….Anger never persuades, hostility never heals, and contention never leads to lasting solutions." - Russell Nelson#SundayThoughthttps://t.co/YHXL3r8mbD
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said the teachings and example of President Nelson profoundly impacted her life.
"He was an example of Christlike love and service for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and people of all faiths through the world. He will be missed," she said.
Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert posted on X, "Jeanette and I are saddened at the passing of our prophet Russell M. Nelson. We honor his service and example of Christlike love in all he did. He taught us to think Celestial."
Jeanette and I are saddened at the passing of our prophet Russell M. Nelson. We honor his service and example of Christlike love in all he did. He taught us to think Celestial ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RSiKsKxygj
— Gary R. Herbert (@GovHerbert) September 28, 2025
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz posted on social media, "A long life well lived. President Russell M. Nelson was a man of vision, faith, and service whose guidance blessed countless lives, including mine. I will always be grateful for his example of Christlike love and steady leadership. My prayers are with his family and all who feel this loss."
"With profound gratitude and heavy hearts, we remember the life of President Russell M. Nelson, a prophet and healer, both physically and spiritually," said Utah Senate President Stuart Adams. "We mourn his passing while celebrating a lifetime devoted to peace, faith and unwavering service. His enduring legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us all."
Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy wrote: "President Russell M. Nelson was a visionary leader who lifted us higher and called us to be peacemakers. A pioneer in open-heart surgery and a bridge-builder in faith, his devotion and love will inspire generations. Today we celebrate his remarkable life of faith and service and mourn his passing."
"Man, I will miss Russell Nelson," said Brian S. King, chairman of the Utah Democratic Party and former Democratic state lawmaker in Utah. "When he was called as an apostle in 1984, I distinctly recall how impressed I was with his background. How wonderful and appropriate it was that this man who had saved so many lives as a heart surgeon would be working to save lives spiritually. I loved how President Nelson spoke consistently and eloquently about how we can move forward for the better not just individually, but as communities, a state, and a country."
BYU football coach Kalani Sitake spoke with BYU commentator Greg Wrubell about President Nelson's legacy and his belief in the afterlife as a fellow Latter-day Saint.
"Just sad that he's gone, but we all know where he's at and just really grateful that I was able to see him as our leader and as our prophet," Sitake said.
The football coach shared the team's condolences, thoughts and prayers with the Nelson family. He also said the church president did "a great job of serving here on earth" and said he would continue to use the leaders' words with his players. Sitake said President Nelson's conference talks provided insights about peacemaking and doing things differently that were beneficial to BYU football.
The NAACP released a statement that said, "The NAACP Salt Lake Branch and Tri-State conference of Idaho, Nevada and Utah sends our deepest condolences to President Russell M. Nelson's family and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in hearing of his passing. President Nelson will be remembered for all of the good that he did around the world. President Russell M. Nelson was a man of integrity who made a difference in this world. He lived a life of empathy towards others."
Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy said he and his wife mourn President Nelson's death and that "his teachings of faith, love, and discipleship in Jesus Christ have strengthened families, inspired hope, and lifted lives across the world. We are grateful for his example and the steady testimony he shared throughout his remarkable life. Our prayers are with his family, and with all who mourn his passing. His legacy will continue to bless generations to come."
Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke said, "President Nelson devoted his life to service, faith, uplifting others, and testifying of God and our Savior's love for each of us. He leaves an enduring legacy of compassion and leadership. ... His influence will long be remembered not only within our faith community but also by people across the world who were touched by his message of civility, kindness and hope."
"As a pioneering heart surgeon and later as the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson devoted his life to healing— people and communities alike," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Wendy, and his family as we honor his extraordinary life."
The University of Utah expressed sorrow. In a statement on X, the university said, "President Nelson's remarkable journey, from U alum to pioneering heart surgeon to global faith leader, reflects a life of innovation, compassion and devotion. His influence and discipleship are woven into the history of our university and the lives of many of our students." The university also highlighted his legacy in a feature honoring his contributions to medicine and faith.
Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, tweeted, "President Nelson lived each of his 101 years to their fullness. A respected heart surgeon in his formative years and an apostle and prophet in his latter years. His life was a testament to peacemaking, kindness, and faith. His far-reaching influence will long be remembered, and he will be honored as a man of God who devoted himself to serving others. And to me, his example will remind me to fill my years by being the most dedicated husband, father, neighbor, professional, and disciple of Christ."
Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, mourned the passing of President Nelson, saying he is grateful for his example in word and deed, noting that his teachings and unwavering love for the Savior have blessed his family. "May we honor his legacy by striving to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ," Owens wrote, offering prayers for Sister Nelson, their family, and the millions whose lives the church leader touched.
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, celebrated the life of President Nelson, calling him "a wise and thoughtful man" who dedicated decades of leadership to his faith and the church, served his country in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, and pioneered groundbreaking medical procedures. "He was an exceptionally kind leader," Crapo said, offering prayers for President Nelson's family as they grieve his loss while celebrating the hope of rejoining him in perfect peace in heaven.
This story will be updated.
Contributing: Tad Walch
