Mormon Church Confirms New Leader In Live Broadcast

Russell M. Nelson, 93, is expected to continue upholding the church's conservative doctrines.
Russell M. Nelson, 93, the new president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, greets family members after a press conference on Tuesday in Salt Lake City.
Russell M. Nelson, 93, the new president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, greets family members after a press conference on Tuesday in Salt Lake City.
George Frey via Getty Images

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has officially named Russell M. Nelson as its 17th president.

Nelson, a former heart surgeon, was welcomed into the position during a live broadcast from Utah’s Salt Lake Temple on Tuesday. It was the first time in the Mormon church’s history that the announcement of a new president was streamed live around the world, in 29 languages.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Nelson characterized his selection as “sacred and humbling.”

He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Thomas Monson, who died at the age of 90 on Jan. 2. He had served as president since 2008.

“No words can do justice to the magnitude and magnificence of his life,” Nelson said.

At 93, Nelson is the second-oldest person in the 187-year-old church’s history to become president.

Watch a recording of the announcement below.

Nelson has been temporarily presiding over the church since his predecessor’s death. He was ordained for his new position during a religious ceremony on Sunday.

The president of the Mormon church is believed to be a living prophet able to receive divine revelations from God. Succession is based strictly on seniority. Nelson was the longest-serving member of a church body known as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which meant that he was next in line for the role of president. He became part of the Quorum in 1984.

During the broadcast, Nelson announced that he had chosen two counselors to stand beside him in the First Presidency, the church’s highest governing body. As First Counselor, he chose Dallin H. Oaks, who has long been part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and is next in line to be president. As Second Counselor, Nelson chose Henry B. Eyring, who served in the First Presidency under Monson.

President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with his wife, Wendy L. Watson Nelson.
President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with his wife, Wendy L. Watson Nelson.
George Frey via Getty Images

Given the church’s succession process, it’s unlikely the arrival of a new president will mean changes in how it approaches topics that have caused it controversy in recent years, such as queer sexuality and women in leadership roles.

This became apparent when, after the presidency announcement, Nelson and his counselors fielded questions from reporters about the church’s future and vision.

One reporter asked about outreach to queer Mormons, many of whom have said they feel ostracized by the church. In November 2015, the church adopted a policy that deemed same-sex couples “apostates.” It also prohibited children of these couples from getting blessed or baptized until they were 18 years old, at which point they need to disavow their parents’ marriage in order to join the church.

Nelson said that while God loves all his children and wants them to have joy, there are certain challenges associated with following God’s commandments ― “challenges to be worthy to enter his holy presence.”

Oaks was a bit more explicit in his response, suggesting that believers need to follow God’s commandments in order to receive blessings.

“As leaders of the church we have a responsibility to teach love and also to teach the commandments of God,” Oaks said.

Russell M. Nelson (center), First Counselor Dallin H. Oaks (left), and Second Counselor Henry B. Eyring (right) answer press questions after Nelson was announced as the 17th president of the Mormon Church.
Russell M. Nelson (center), First Counselor Dallin H. Oaks (left), and Second Counselor Henry B. Eyring (right) answer press questions after Nelson was announced as the 17th president of the Mormon Church.
George Frey via Getty Images

Jana Riess, a Mormon blogger, said that the subtext of both men’s remarks “seemed to be a reiteration of the Church’s position that homosexual behavior is in violation of God’s commandments, but that all people are loved.”

She also suggested it’s unlikely that the First Presidency’s traditional responses to concerns about women’s leadership and minority representation in the church will be satisfactory to Mormons with questions about these issues.

“These will be issues to watch in the months going forward, as the new First Presidency defines its mission and eventual legacy,” Riess wrote in a blog for Religion News Service.

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