Russell M. Nelson - Hope In Our Hearts

Introduction

Beginnings, Happenings, and Endurings

Much can be learned from studying the lives and writings ofthose who strive to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing men and women offaith fosters faith. Their thoughts, deeds, and teachings can evoke feelingsand spark insights that may help another individual be a better disciple.

People of faith may draw strength from the faith of theirancestors. That has surely been true for me. All eight of mygreat-grandparents were converts to The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints in Northern Europetwo from England, two fromDenmark, one from Sweden, and three from Norway. Each of them has a story thatis precious to me. Also precious to me are my four grandparents, whom I honorand love. The courage they displayed had its roots in testimony, for each discovered the truth that the living Lord has restored His priesthood and guides us today through living prophets and apostles. All theseprogenitors chose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, mind,and strength.

My beloved parents supported me in my decision to become amedical doctor, and they were enthusiastic about my desire to marry DantzelWhite. They encouraged us as we pursued opportunities for advanced educationand research that took us from Utah to live in Minneapolis, Minnesota;Washington, D.C.; Boston, Massachusetts; and back to Minneapolis before wereturned to Utah, where we made our permanent home. Our parents were excitedwith the arrival of each of our ten children. Without the unending support ofall of our family members, from progenitors to posterity, my life would nothave developed the way it did. I am eternally grateful for each of them.

President Spencer W. Kimball, who had entrusted his life tomy surgical care, once asked me if I had written the story of my life. Ianswered, No.

You should, he replied. You will be an ancestor to alarge posterity. They must know of your beginnings, your happenings, and yourendurings.

With that admonition from this beloved leader, I complied.My autobiography, From Heart to Heart,was prepared for the family as a sign of my obedience to the specific requestof a prophet of the Lord. It was published in 1979 when I was fifty-four years of age.The book documented my ancestry, childhood, youth, courtship, marriage,military service, education, career, and service to family, community, andchurch.

During the subsequent quarter of a century, I served as aRegional Representative for five years and as a member of the Quorum of theTwelve Apostles for nearly twenty years. To document that additional history, Iinvited Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy to update the story of my life.That biography is titled Russell M. Nelson: Father, Surgeon, Apostle, and it was published in 2003. Elder Condie dedicatedthe book To Dantzel, Elder Russell M. Nelsons wonderful wife, caringconfidante, courageous companion, faithful friend.

Picture: Dantzel White and Russell Nelson at the time of their engagement, 1945.

Picture: Russell M. Nelson when he was serving as a stake president, 1964.

Picture: Russell M. Nelson in the operating room, around 1982. Photo by Dr. Glen Griffin.

Less than two years after that book was published, my dear eternal companion, Dantzel, was suddenly called home to our Heavenly Father. Words cannot describe the stunning and numbing effect of her passing. In a very real way, when she died, part of me died also. The part that remained can never be the same. My grief was mercifully assuaged somewhat by a remarkable outpouring of love from family and friends. They also sensed a deep debt of gratitude for Dantzel and the many blessings that had come to each of us because of her. Expressions of love and consolation came from all parts of the world. Those messages were most comforting.

Picture: The Nelson family. Standing, left to right: Wendy, Laurie, Marjorie, Russell Jr., Rosalie. Seated, left to right: Brenda, Emily, Dantzel, Russell, Gloria, Marsha, Sylvia

Picture: Russell and Dantzel Nelson, around 1972.

But my ultimate consolation came from the Lord. Because of His infinite Atonement, my knowledge was and is ever certain that resurrection is a reality and eternal life a possibility for everyone. That possibility can become a reality as we qualify for eternal life in the presence of our Eternal Father through obedience to the covenants and ordinances of the holy temple. This Dantzel had accomplished. She was thoroughly prepared to return to her Maker.

People react in different ways to the wrenching loss andstark loneliness imposed when an eternal companion is taken to the other side.The commandment to endure to the end (1 Nephi 13:37; 22:31; 2 Nephi 31:16, 20; 33:4; Omni 1:26; 3 Nephi 15:9; Mormon 9:29; D&C 14:7; 18:22; 20:25, 29) is especiallydifficult to obey when ones loss is unbearably painful. Even among theApostles, that situation has been endured in different ways. Each faces thefuture as a widower in his own way, prayerfully and faithfully.

I consulted with my leaders in the Church about how I shouldmove forward. They didnt presume to give me specific direction, declaring thatthis matter is a personal one. But they did opine that it would be easier toassign me wherever I might be needed if I had a companion by my side. Mydesire, of course, has always been to serve the Lord. Whether I serve here oron the other side of the veil matters not to me. That decision is the Lords.

On April 6, 2006, President Gordon B. Hinckley performed thesealing ordinance that brought Sister Wendy Lee Watson and me together at thealtar of the holy temple. Privately and sacredly, each of us knew that the Lordwas our matchmaker and that our companionship would benefit us, our families,and the Church.

When marriage did not come to Wendy during her young adultyears as she supposed and hoped it would, she pursued first her masters andthen her doctoral degrees. Her hope was to strengthen families by teachingpostgraduate students studying marriage and family therapy. In addition tothese academic responsibilities as a university professor, she also had aprivate practice counseling those whose marriage and family relationshipsneeded healing. Over the years, she helped literally thousands offamilies.