Spencer J. Condie - Russell M. Nelson: Father, Surgeon, Apostle

Preface

Preface

Eighteen years after he "left his net" as a surgeon to become an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Russell M. Nelson was honored by the American Heart Association with its 2002 Gold Heart Award for his many achievements and contributions. All three members of the First Presidency attended the April 2002 ceremonies to honor their esteemed associate.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, in his inimitable, eloquent way, paid the following tribute to Elder Nelson:

"You are a man of tremendous energy. I have traveled with you. You have not spared yourself in following where a sense of duty led you.

"You are a man of great learning, recognized over the world for your medical skills. You have literally given life to thousands of people who must forever be grateful to you.

"Your achievements in medicine are so very many, and your contributions have been so remarkable that we cannot possibly enumerate them.

"You are a pioneer, a member of the first team in performing open-heart surgery at the University of Minnesota in 1951. You were the first to perform this surgery in the state of Utah in 1955.

"You are a man of remarkable skills, a great teacher and a great practitioner. You have gone across the earth imparting your skills to surgeons in many lands. Not content with demonstrating procedures to others, you have learned their languages. You speak French, Russian, Spanish, and Chinese. I have listened to you and have been amazed with your fluency.

"You are a man of great faith. I have heard you pray. I have heard you give the wisdom of scripture. I have seen you speak to large congregations who have hungered for your words. Through faith you have moved ever forward and upward in the remarkable course of your life.

"You are a man of humility. You have recognized a power beyond your own. You have looked to the Almighty for help, for understanding, for direction. You have been a magnificent witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom you serve with such devotion.

"You are a husband to a remarkable woman. Your beloved Dantzel has been the polar star of your life. What a treasure she is. You are the father of a wonderful family where love and appreciation reign.

"You are, Russell, a dear friend whom we cherish, whom we respect, whom we honor, whom we love.

"May God bless you as you now are honored, and may He bless you in all the years to come."

In March 2001, when I received the invitation to write Elder Nelson's biography, I was stunned. I immediately questioned whether it was possible for a sparrow who has spent most of his life perched on the rafters of a barn to adequately capture the life of an eagle who has soared to the lofty heights of his profession, his apostolic ministry, and his most important calling, that of father.

As I began sifting through stacks of daily records, speeches, and transcripts of interviews, I began to sense the imperative nature of the task. The urgency of this undertaking was not just in writing of Elder Nelson's life but also in presenting to a needy world the lessons from his and Dantzel's way of life.

The Lord revealed, "I will give unto you a patternin all things, that ye may not be deceived" (D&C 52:14; emphasis added). The world has all but lost the patternthe pattern of families living "after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5:27). What were once unthinkable thoughts and unspeakable deeds a generation ago have become common topics of discussion and frequent objects of legislation that undermine the sanctity of the traditional family.

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have sought to rescue and reestablish this pattern by, among other things, publishing The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The heart of the family pattern is the great plan of happiness, and at the heart of one great family are a heart surgeon and his eternal companion. That is why, as this project progressed, it became less of a biography in the strictest sense and more of a handbook for happiness.

The importance and eternal nature of the family was emphasized on the evening of September 21, 1823, when the angel Moroni appeared to the young Joseph Smith. Moroni informed him that the prophet Elijah would return to earth to "plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers." Without this, "the whole earth would be utterly wasted" (D&C 2:23).

Elder Nelson has testified, "Grand as it is, planet Earth is part of something even granderthat great plan of God. Simply summarized, the earth was created that families might be. Scripture explains that a husband and wife 'shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation.'" Elder and Sister Nelson understand well Nephi's declaration: "Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it" (1 Nephi 17:36).

Few men live lives that reflect a greater appreciation for and a better understanding of the great plan of happiness than does Elder Nelson. As a devoted husband to his beloved Dantzel, as a loving father of nine daughters and one son, and as a doting grandfather of fifty-four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (with more coming), he has enjoyed the rich rewards of living after the manner of happiness. He has reaped a bounteous harvest indeed!

Elder Nelson gave his heart to Dantzel White half a century ago. Their hearts, in the intervening years, have been captured by their children and grandchildren. How perfectly natural it is that such a man as Russell M. Nelson would become a heart surgeon who spent his days repairing and strengthening diseased and defective hearts, and an Apostle who spends his ministry blessing and healing bruised and broken hearts.

As I interviewed President James E. Faust for this biography, he counseled, "Make Russell the great human being he is, not just a great scholar-surgeon. You must capture his great soul and great heart."

This I have humbly tried to do. In order to observe Elder and Sister Nelson in their home environment, one Monday evening in May 2001 my wife and I were invited to participate in the monthly Nelson extended family home evening and birthday party. The monthly venue rotates among the homes of the married children, all of whom reside in the Salt Lake Valley. This Monday evening's activities were held at the Irion home in Murray. Dr. Richard Irion is married to the Nelsons' daughter Gloria, and they have seven children.

When we arrived, the good doctor was draped in a large chef's apron rather than in an obstetrical gown, notwithstanding that he had delivered two babies earlier in the day and would soon be delivering a third. Rich was busily barbecuing, and the cousins and their parents were enjoying themselves either playing volleyball in the backyard, swimming in the pool, or seeing how many grandchildren could fit in the hot tub.