U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has released a statement following the death of Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his remarks, Lee highlighted both Nelson’s medical and spiritual contributions.
“President Russell M. Nelson was a bold, visionary leader prepared by God to testify of Jesus Christ in the very times in which we now live,” Lee said.
Lee recounted his personal connection to Nelson, noting that as a child he witnessed Nelson’s impact on his family when he performed open-heart surgery on both of Lee’s maternal grandparents. “On the same day Just a few short years ago, President Nelson described to me in exquisite detail how he handled each step of the two surgeries he had performed that day — more than 40 years earlier, and about seven years before he was called into full-time Church service as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” Lee stated.
He added that after their surgeries, Nelson told both grandparents they could expect to live another 10 to 15 years; both lived for another 25 years and credited Nelson for their longevity.
Lee also reflected on how his admiration for Nelson grew beyond these early experiences: “Although I first heard his name in the context of his surgical practice, for me that was only the beginning of my countless reasons for admiring President Nelson.”
He described Nelson as embodying faith and humility: “For as long as I’ve known him, he has exuded — and for me, he’s come to personify — the kind of faith, humility, and quiet confidence that tends to be the constant companion of a devoted servant and follower of Jesus Christ.”
“To the day he died, he remained a healer — of hearts and of souls,” Lee said.
The senator concluded by offering condolences: “Sharon and I extend our gratitude and heartfelt condolences to President Nelson’s family, and to the millions of Latter-day Saints throughout the world who mourn his passing.”
