By DEEPA BHARATH and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, Related Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mourners mirrored on the life and legacy of Russell M. Nelson, the charismatic sentimentalist who oversaw a worldwide temple constructing increase as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, throughout a funeral service Tuesday in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Nelson led the religion up till his loss of life in late September on the age of 101.
About 600 members of Nelson’s household had been in attendance at religion’s Convention Heart, together with 20,000 individuals who shortly acquired tickets the church supplied on-line, mentioned church spokesperson Doug Andersen. The service additionally was broadcast globally on the church’s web site and different on-line platforms.
A number of of Nelson’s 10 kids shared tales about their father and classes he taught them.
“Once I consider our dad, I consider pleasure,” mentioned his daughter, Laurie Marsh. “Daddy at all times selected to be joyful, and that made him so enjoyable to be round.”
Church officers described him as “the holder of palms and the healer of hearts” and “the person for whom the phrase ‘gentleman’ was created.”
Mourners deal with hope
Funerals within the religion recognized broadly because the Mormon church are usually “marked by an environment of hopefulness and peace,” Andersen mentioned.
Nelson’s son, Russell M. Nelson Jr., echoed that sentiment, saying the “sting of separation is actual, however we shouldn’t be too unhappy.”
He quoted his father’s personal phrases about grief: “Mourning is without doubt one of the purest expressions of deep love,” and, “The one technique to take sorrow out of loss of life is to take love out of life.”
Each points of Nelson’s legacy — as a religious chief for 4 a long time and as a coronary heart surgeon who saved lives — had been celebrated. Henry B. Eyring, certainly one of Nelson’s two prime counselors, shared that his personal mom underwent a number of operations beneath Nelson’s cautious hand, and that he prolonged her life.
The funeral was closed-casket. Nevertheless, in step with custom, Nelson’s physique was wearing principally white temple clothes, the ceremonial clothes worn by grownup members, Andersen mentioned. The funeral occurred a day after a public viewing on Monday that was attended by an estimated 18,560 folks.
Nelson’s hymn ‘Our Prayer to Thee’ was sung
The famed Tabernacle Choir carried out a hymn written by Nelson titled “Our Prayer to Thee,” which was first printed within the church’s official publication and carried out at basic conferences in October 2018 and April 2022. One musician described the track as a particular, sacred illustration of the connection between God and the devoted.
Nelson’s household chosen different hymns carried out through the funeral, together with “Let Us All Press On” and “It Is Nicely With My Soul.”
Household is paramount on this life and the following
Whereas the funeral was public and open to Latter-day Saints and non-members, the burial is personal. After the service, Nelson’s household headed to Salt Lake Metropolis Cemetery, the place many different pioneers of the religion are buried.
Household performs a big function within the religion, not simply on this life, but in addition within the afterlife, mentioned Kathleen Flake, former professor of Mormon Research on the College of Virginia.
Flake mentioned as soon as the physique is escorted to the grave web site, those that aren’t household will depart and a male relative will dedicate the grave.
Within the church, temple sealings, which is the becoming a member of collectively of a person and a lady and their kids for eternity, bind the household as a unit that crosses over from this life to the following. A sealing have to be carried out in a temple by a person who has the priesthood.
“The idea is that (Nelson) could be becoming a member of within the afterlife with predeceased relations,” she mentioned. “You go from the household right here on Earth to the household that’s in heaven, and stay collectively in eternity.”
New president nonetheless to be introduced
A brand new president — thought of a prophet by members — is anticipated to be named someday after Nelson’s funeral.
Asserting his successor, Dallin H. Oaks, is basically a formality as a result of the church has a well-defined management hierarchy that helps guarantee a easy handover and stop lobbying internally or publicly.
Oaks led Tuesday’s funeral service and described Nelson as “my finest buddy and only instructor.”
In his first main handle since Nelson’s loss of life, the 93-year-old Oaks inspired members Sunday through the religion’s twice-annual basic convention to get married and have kids.
Oaks additionally mentioned Sunday that the religion will “decelerate the announcement of recent temples ” — the primary main distinction from Nelson’s presidency.
Bharath reported from Los Angeles.
Related Press faith protection receives help by the AP’s collaboration with The Dialog US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely accountable for this content material.
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