Teachings of Russell M. Nelson

by Russell M. Nelson

In January 2018, Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the seventeenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Internationally renowned as a surgeon, teacher, and man of great faith, he has dedicated his life to healing hearts and ministering throughout his medical career, his church service, and his more than three decades as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Nelson's teachings, including many from his recent world tour and other unpublished addresses, on more than 100 topics have been gathered in this invaluable volume. A perfect resource for talks, lessons, and more. Become more familiar with his insights and wisdom as you come to know him as a prophet of God.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Church, Nonfiction

448 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2018

About the author

Russell Marion Nelson is the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is also a retired American physician and cardiothoracic surgeon.

A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. 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 Mass. General Hosptial in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his Ph.D. degree in 1954. Shortly after medical school, he began working with the team of doctors which created the first heart-lung machine. In 1951, the machine was used in the first open-heart operation on a human being. Four years later, Nelson was the first doctor in Utah to perform successful open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine.

Nelson served a two-year term of medical duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, being stationed in Korea, Japan, and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Later he worked for a year at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Nelson returned to Salt Lake City in 1955 and was initially on the academic staff of the College of Medicine at the University of Utah, where in November of that year he performed the first cardiac operation in Utah utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. That operation was performed at the Salt Lake General Hospital (SLGH) on an adult with an atrial septa defect.

In March 1956, Nelson performed the first successful pediatric cardiac operation at the SLGH, a total repair of tetralogy of Fallot in a four-year-old girl. In 1959, he joined the staff of the Salt Lake Clinic, became associated with the LDS Hospital, and continued to make major contributions to the development of the thoracic specialty both in the clinical sciences and as the second director of the residency program.

Nelson's surgical volume was sufficiently large that it was a critical component of the residents' experience. He was an innovative and facile surgeon responsible for many improvements in cardiac operations. He also established a research laboratory at LDS Hospital.

By the late 1960s, Nelson's experience with artificial aortic valve implantation was such that he was able to report a large series of patients with an exceptionally low operative mortality.

In a unique combination of spiritual and professional obligations, Nelson performed heart surgery on LDS Church president Spencer W. Kimball.

Reviews

[Susan Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for different perspectives, insights, and thoughts on many of the doctrines and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pertinent and perfectly targeted to the trials and woes of today's world.

[Jenalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words of revelation, wisdom, prophecy, comfort, truth.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life changing - worth all our reading time.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many excellent teachings about a wide variety of gospel topics. In some cases I wish the editors would have been more thorough in the teachings they chose to include, but for the most part this volume is a good sampling of President Nelson's teachings over the last several decades. I learned a lot and was deified by his teachings. I know he is a prophet of God.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise and uplifting words.

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of short quotes taken from sermons and writings of the current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I loved the book, but it's probably not meant to be read cover to cover. instead, it's a great tool for those planning lessons or talks who want to use quotes from President Nelson as part of their remarks. The author broke the book into topics--everything from abortion to youth and their value.

[Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this with the wrong expectations, and it was definitely user-error. I thought this was a biography of our current prophet, not his compiled teachings. Once I figured if out and adjusted my expectations, I really enjoyed having this resource. I won't read it all the way through again, but I will definitely use it as a reference when I'm preparing a talk or devotional. I appreciate having President Nelson's words compiled in an easy to reference way.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had expected the prose to be written more like a book. Instead this is a collection of short stories and/or excerpts from Russel M. Nelson. I enjoyed being able to topically look up subject matter however I was disappointed that it wasn’t written in a more continuous format. Very well organized, just not what I had expected.

[Mary L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little bit a day book for me. The Teachings are quotes on various topics that are arranged in alphabetical order (of the topics). These are wonderful but better as a resource, looking up what he has to say on a certain topic than to just read through the whole book. Will keep it as a reference.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time through, I chose to read this cover to cover. But it's really meant as a reference book, with quotes arranged alphabetically by topic. I have used it a couple of times to write talks or supplement lesson materials. It was a great way to get to know the prophet and president of my church.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly believe that God speaks through his prophets and I'm grateful to have read this book with insights from one of those prophets. He didn't know he'd be prophet, but he lived his life as a true disciple of Christ and thank goodness he was willing to share what he's learned over the years. I need to add this one to my home library!

[Andrea Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.
It's definitely meant more as a reference than as a straight read through. Still has good content.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book with recent and archived talks on different gospel subjects.

[Anabel]

Love it! Very clear teachings!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading President Nelson’s teachings on a variety of topics. He truly is a prophet of God.

[jeffery j. johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Rebecca Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the timely reminders from our Prophet Russell M Nelson.

[David Yaede]

Tracy C

[Kendal · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my reread of this book, I noticed that there was no entry on "Zion."

[Tyler Critchfield]

Grateful for a living prophet of the Savior in our days. Just think of that! I've come to really respect President Nelson as I read more about his life this year. This book summarizes his teachings up to this point, which makes me respect him even more. It's mainly a collection of quotes, so while not the best book maybe to read from cover to cover, this would be a great resource for lessons at church and at home.