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Six senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid tribute to the late President Russell M. Nelson in a broadcast from the Tabernacle on Temple Square on October 1, 2025. The event, which was not open to the public, was streamed globally in 13 languages.
President Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described President Nelson as a “prophet of love.” He recounted their last meeting two days before President Nelson’s death: “We expressed our love for him and gave him assurances that we were carrying on with the decisions he had made,” President Oaks said. “He smiled and tried hard to communicate with us. Words were difficult, but his efforts and his smile conveyed the love he felt for us as his counselors and for each of you in this great work.”
President Oaks emphasized President Nelson’s humanitarian outreach beyond church membership and referenced his teachings about love, including statements from a recent TIME magazine op-ed: “Each of us has inherent worth and dignity. I believe we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father,” President Nelson wrote. “Love your neighbor and treat them with compassion and respect. A century of experience has taught me this with certainty: anger never persuades, hostility never heals, and contention never leads to lasting solutions. … My faith teaches me that over two millennia ago, Jesus Christ preached these same laws of happiness: to love God and to love our neighbor.” President Oaks concluded by expressing hope that members would remember President Nelson’s teachings on love.
Primary General President Susan H. Porter shared memories spanning nearly three decades, recalling how then-Elder Nelson ministered to her family during times of personal loss: “He greeted us with quiet dignity and was kind and unhurried,” she said. She noted that even after losing his daughter Emily just days earlier, Elder Nelson offered comfort without judgment but with compassion.
Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé reflected on working under President Nelson’s leadership: “True to his pattern, President Nelson invited every person in the room to share their thoughts,” Bishop Caussé said regarding decision-making meetings. He also recalled an instance when then-Elder Nelson visited his family in France despite travel fatigue, emphasizing family importance: “Then, with deep conviction, he reminded me that caring for my beautiful wife was my most important priesthood duty.”
Elder Carl B. Cook recounted how President Nelson welcomed hundreds personally into his office shortly after becoming prophet in 2018: “It was so personal, so warm, and expressed with so much love.” Elder Cook described how even small gestures—such as noticing an injured fingernail—showed President Nelson’s compassion.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland highlighted two aspects: faith in Jesus Christ and devotion to family life. He remarked on President Nelson’s unique position as one among only seventeen men called as president since the church’s founding: “To be called by God to the most influential role in that Church…is evidence enough of his faith, his humility, and his love for everything celestial.” Elder Holland also spoke about President Nelson’s commitment at home during years when both he worked as a heart surgeon and Dantzel sang in The Tabernacle Choir.
Elder Henry B. Eyring noted President Nelson’s ability to remember names and make individuals feel valued: “With this gift, he had the ability to make each person feel loved.” Elder Eyring also encouraged members to follow prophetic counsel received through revelation—a process exemplified by how often President Nelson would bring new ideas or guidance received during early morning hours.
The tribute provided insight into Russell M. Nelson's legacy within church leadership circles as well as personal anecdotes illustrating themes central to his ministry—love for others, commitment to family values, humanitarian outreach beyond church boundaries, and reliance on spiritual revelation.
