Biography of president russell m nelson

President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 14, 2018 in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from July 15, 2015, until his call as the Church’s leader.

He has served as a member of the that quorum since April 7, 1984.

An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, President  Nelson received his BA and MD degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 1947).

He is a member of honorary scholastic societies Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his PhD degree in 1954.

He also received honorary degrees of doctor of science from Brigham Young University in 1970, doctor of medical science from Utah State University in 1989, and docto