At the recent biannual conference in Salt Lake City, Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, highlighted his ambitious plans for the church’s expansion and subtly addressed his complex legacy. In a pre-recorded speech, Nelson, who is nearing his 100th birthday, announced the construction of 15 new temples worldwide, urging congregants to increase their time spent in temple worship.
“Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit,” Nelson advised, emphasizing the spiritual benefits of temple attendance. This directive comes as part of a broader effort by Nelson to imprint his vision on the church, an endeavor that has seen significant shifts in practice and policy under his leadership.
A Legacy of Change and Controversy
Nelson, a retired heart surgeon who has served as president for six years, has been a figure of both continuity and change. His presidency has not shied away from altering deeply entrenched practices, including the abbreviation of Sunday service times and an end to the church’s longstanding relationship with the Boy Scouts of America in favor of a new youth program. This program is designed to be more inclusive of the church’s international demographic, which constitutes over half of its membership.
Furthermore, Nelson’s administration has made notable efforts toward inclusivity by appointing non-American leaders to the church’s top governing body and promoting regional hymnbooks to celebrate local cultures worldwide. Despite these inclusivity efforts, his stance on LGBTQ+ issues remains firmly traditional, advocating a welcoming approach towards LGBTQ+ members while adhering strictly to doctrinal views on marriage and gender identity.
Tensions Within Faith
The complexity of Nelson’s legacy is perhaps most visible in his approach to LGBTQ+ issues. Early in his tenure, Nelson made a significant move by rescinding policies that banned baptisms for children of gay parents and labeled same-sex married couples as apostates. However, the church continues to oppose same-sex marriage and restricts transgender members’ participation in church rites if they pursue gender-affirming procedures.
These policies have caused a rift within the community, with some LGBTQ+ members feeling unsupported and marginalized. Despite this, Nelson has repeatedly called for kindness and understanding towards all individuals, highlighting the Christian duty to compassion. His leadership, marked by a blend of doctrinal conservatism and progressive administrative reforms, continues to shape the church’s trajectory in significant ways.
In summary, President Nelson’s era has been one of notable shifts within the LDS Church, marked by a strategic balance between tradition and adaptation. His efforts to expand temple worship globally and his nuanced handling of contentious issues reflect a legacy that will likely influence the church’s direction for years to come.