The BYU-Idaho community joins our friends around the world in celebrating the wonderful life of our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Chair of the BYU-Idaho Board of Trustees, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the age of 101.
President Nelson’s life was marked by devoted discipleship, inspired prophetic leadership, and a steadfast witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His guidance has blessed the mission of BYU-Idaho to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.
“President Nelson had a tender love for BYU-Idaho, our mission, and our students,” said Alvin F. Meredith III, president of BYU-Idaho, on social media Sunday. “We will miss his steady guidance, but we rejoice in the assurance that his legacy of faith will continue to strengthen the Church and its members.”
Education was one of President Nelson’s lifelong passions. President Dallin H. Oaks referred to him as a “master teacher,” praising his ability to instruct both surgeons and servants of the Lord. President Nelson himself taught, “In the Church, obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a religious responsibility. We educate our minds so that one day we can render service of worth to somebody else.”
In his BYU-Idaho devotional address on January 27, 2015, titled “Education—A Religious Responsibility,” President Nelson encouraged students with a message of courage and potential: “The Lord has more in mind for you than you have in mind for yourself! You can do hard things. You can change the world. You will become a precious part of His perennial pattern: the Lord uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible!”
President Nelson will be remembered as both a prophet and a beloved physician whose years of service, faith, teaching, and love touched millions around the world. His prophetic leadership left a lasting imprint not only on the global Church but also on the students and employees of BYU-Idaho.
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