President Nelson Remembered for Decisive Leadership and Unwavering Testimony

President Russell M. Nelson was honored Tuesday as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a dedicated disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Four leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined two of the prophet’s children in eulogizing him at his funeral in the Conference Center on Temple Square.

“His writings and his influence and his example live on. And so does our grief at his passing,” said Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He added that President Nelson’s life “bore witness of his committed testimony as a prophet and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

President Oaks and Elder Henry B. Eyring, who served as President Nelson’s counselors, joined two of the prophet’s 10 children — daughter Laurie N. Marsh and son Russell M. Nelson Jr. — and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson to pay tribute to the prophet’s life and teachings. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performed the music, including “Our Prayer to Thee,” which President Nelson wrote.

As a tender glimpse of President Nelson’s testimony of Jesus Christ, President Oaks described how the prophet would share the Book of Mormon with those who visited during their seven-plus years as a First Presidency.

“He would pick up a Book of Mormon, hold it close, and explain that this was the most precious gift he could share,” President Oaks said. “[He would explain] that this was an important book, a holy book, a book that changed lives.”

President Nelson would then read aloud several verses from 3 Nephi 11, the portion of the Book of Mormon where Christ visits the Americas.

“Tears would glisten in his eyes. He knew it was true. The Savior lives and He visited and taught on this American continent. All present could recognize the conviction and love he felt,” President Oaks said. “He always ended every visit with a sincere and burning testimony.”

“In all of this,” President Oaks added, “I recognized that I was seeing and hearing one of Israel’s most powerful missionaries in action.”

President Oaks also described President Nelson’s leadership style. From their earliest days as a presidency in 2018, President Oaks said the prophet’s professional work as a surgeon was reflected in quick and decisive decision-making. In their first meeting, a question was raised about which member of the First Presidency would write the introductory page in the monthly “Ensign” magazine.

“Before President Eyring and I could get involved in any discussion of which one of us would do that, President Nelson said, ‘Why do we do this? Is this really necessary? Let’s stop doing it.’ The decision was quickly made,” President Oaks said.

“Figuratively speaking,” President Oaks continued, “I tightened my seatbelt a few more notches and said to myself, ‘Being a counselor in this First Presidency is going to be fun.’”

In her tribute to her father, Sister Marsh described President Nelson as a man who radiated joy.

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“Daddy always chose to be happy, and that made him so fun to be around,” she said.

His joy, she explained, came because he always focused on Jesus Christ.

“When our parents were married, they chose a motto that they lived by, found in Matthew 6:33: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,’” Sister Marsh said. “And that is how they raised their family.”

The joy in their home was manifested, she said, in such things as walking and skipping together, hearing President Nelson whistle, popping popcorn, listening to him play the organ, watching him snuggle his grandchildren, and much more.

“I will sorely miss the joy and light that my dad’s physical presence has brought to my life,” Sister Marsh said. “But I know he has great faith in you and me and will always be cheering each and every one of us on, inviting us to joyfully live with Christ in the center of our lives.”

In his remarks, Elder Eyring (whose mother was operated on nine times by President Nelson) shared his admiration for the prophet’s value of the opinions of others.

“President Nelson’s desire to hear these opinions and views was real. He sincerely wanted to hear what others thought,” Elder Eyring said. “At times, I believe President Nelson’s final decision about a given matter was influenced by the information provided by others. He sincerely sought for and received counsel. He received revelation from the inspiration of others.”

Elder Holland, who with his late wife, Pat, joined President Nelson on his first ministry trip around the world as Church president in April 2018, reflected on the privilege of that journey to eight cities in 11 days.

“He paid us perhaps the greatest ecclesiastical compliment I have ever received by inviting Pat and me to accompany them,” Elder Holland said. “No matter how tired he was on any trip, President Nelson was always perfectly groomed and carefully attired as he stepped off the plane, casting that patented Nelson smile on those he met and to whom he spoke. Having the opportunity to see him love the people and the people love him made for the most beautiful of memories. I have those memories in my heart even now, today, and forever.”

For her part, President Johnson provided a peek at the prophet’s personal ministry to her. She noted, quoting a Book of Mormon prophet, that President Nelson was “quick to observe” and was blessed with the gift of discernment.

“He once discerned and lovingly addressed my personal needs, ones I had not articulated to anyone outside my immediate family,” she said. “When I saw him next, I shook his hand and whispered, ‘Thank you for knowing.’ He responded, ‘He knows. He loves you. So do I.’ Mine is just a representative story of thousands of stories and innumerable lives he changed.”

In his reflection about his father, Brother Nelson provided additional views of the prophet’s personal ministry. He said his father was always reaching out to individuals. As a boy, he joined his father in ministering to families in their congregation. The power of this ministry was evident years later, he said, when President Nelson returned to that congregation as an Apostle and saw that some people in those families looked sad.

“My dad felt a prompting,” Brother Nelson said. “After the meeting he visited them, ministered to them, and counseled with them to help lighten their burden and help let the light of Christ back into their lives. … He was still ministering to them because he loved them.”

Brother Nelson also spoke of the power of the name he shares with his father.

“My father and I promised each other that we would do our best to honor the name given to us,” he said. “This has helped me with many decisions and situations in my life.”

Brother Nelson extended that thought as an invitation to every Latter-day Saint around the world.

“Each of us have taken upon ourselves the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. We try to emulate Him and be more like Him and do our best to honor His name,” he said. “May we continue to follow our prophets, make and keep sacred covenants, and be peacemakers in our lives.”