LDS Church president Russell M. Nelson dies at 101 in Salt Lake City

Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the oldest man to lead the faith, died peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City on Saturday evening. He was 101, the church said in a statement announcing his death.

Nelson, a retired cardiothoracic surgeon who became an apostle in 1984, assumed the church presidency in January 2018 at age 93. During his seven-year tenure he presided over a period of organizational change and global expansion, announcing scores of new temples, reshaping worship practices and advocating that members use the church's full name rather than established shorthand. Church leaders described him as a beloved figure and a transformative administrator.

Among the most visible initiatives under Nelson were a rapid temple-building program and changes to local and temple worship. Church statements and public remarks by Nelson credited a significant increase in temples announced or under construction since 2018. He shortened the weekly meeting schedule from three hours to two and authorized revisions to temple ceremonies intended to use more inclusive language and recognize men and women more equitably. The church also...