I have collected several accounts. Obviously, some of the accounts are of lesser value (e.g., the
Church News stories), and we don't have verification of the 1979 account. If anyone knows of additional accounts, I can add them.
2021: “I have had some unforgettable moments while traveling. One occurred years ago while flying to the inauguration of a university president, where I was to offer the invocation. It was a short flight in a small, two-engine plane. We were halfway to our destination, when the right engine suddenly exploded, spewing flaming fuel all over the right side of the plane. The plane was on fire, careening to the earth in a spiral dive. I expected to die. Miraculously, the dive extinguished the fire. The pilot was able to restore power to the other engine and make a safe landing. And I actually made it to the inauguration on time. Throughout that dramatic, unexpected experience, I was surprisingly calm. My entire life flashed before me. While approaching what seemed to be certain death, I was at peace. I knew my wife and I were sealed to each other eternally, and our children were sealed to us. Thanks to the Lord, I knew we would be together again. I was at peace, ready to meet my Maker.”
Source: “The Peace and Hope of Easter: President Russell M. Nelson Palm Sunday Invitation,” 00:00:16-00:01:42,
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-a ... ion-208004.
2019a: “Speaking in Spanish, Church President Russell M. Nelson told of the time several years ago when he and others aboard a small plane survived the explosion of one of the plane’s engines, the plane’s ensuing fire and sharp nosedive toward the likely death of all aboard, and then the pilot’s miraculous emergency landing in a field after the speed of the dive extinguished the fire.
President Nelson told the Argentinian Saints of the unusual tranquility he felt as the plane spiraled toward the earth and some aboard shouted in fear of what was ahead. The source of his peace, he said, was his faith and the death-transcending power of the Christ-focused worship done in the Church’s temples. The Church teaches that these temple rites connect families together forever.
‘Part of the tranquility I felt as death approached came from my knowledge of the gospel,’ the 94-year-old prophet told the Saints gathered at Tecnópolis Arena. ‘I was falling to my death. I was surprised that I was not afraid to die, I remained calm. Why? Because I knew that my wife [Dantzel, who died in 2005] and I had married in the temple. We had been eternally sealed to each other and our 10 precious children. I realized that our marriage in the temple was more important than any other achievement of my life. Temple clothes were more important than any other uniform I had worn. The temple covenants were more important than any other commitments we had made.’”
Source: “Now Is the Time to Choose Christ, Prophet Tells Argentinian Saints,” Aug. 28, 2019,
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... ntina-2019.
2019b: “While speaking to the members of the Church in Uruguay in Spanish during the devotional, President Nelson recalled a time in his life when the airplane in which he was traveling almost spiraled to the ground.
But the plane did not crash and President Nelson’s life was preserved for a season. ‘With that time, we have the privilege to work, live, love and choose,’ he said.”
Source: Sarah Jane Weaver, “‘Live, love and choose’: President Nelson looks ahead to the future of the Church in Uruguay,”
Church News, Aug. 9, 2019,
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-a ... ies-156122.
2019c: “On November 12, 1976, Russell Nelson had boarded a commuter plane in Salt Lake City to fly the quick route to St. George, Utah, where he was to give the invocation at the inauguration of W. Rolfe Kerr as the president of Dixie College.
It was a short hop of less than an hour in a small, two-engine, propeller plane. Only four passengers were on board. The pilot had just announced that they were halfway to St. George when the engine on the right wing exploded, spewing oil all over the right side of the aircraft and then bursting into flames. In an attempt to douse the flames, the pilot turned the fuel off, causing the small plane to go suddenly into a free-fall death spiral.
The woman across the aisle from Russell began to scream hysterically. But Russell felt calm. “It was the most amazing thing,” he said. ‘I thought, ‘My wife and I are sealed. Our children are sealed to us. I’ve honored my covenants. I’ll meet my ancestors and go on to a glorious resurrection.’
He was, however, impressed with how quickly and comprehensively the mind can work. ‘It’s true, your life
does flash before you. I had a bright recollection and perfect remembrance of my whole life. One major thought was that all of the framed awards and honors on my wall, the various clothes I’d worn — tuxedos and uniforms and doctoral robes — didn’t mean anything. What mattered was that I had my garments on and had been faithful to the covenants I’d made in the temple. I knew I was going to die, but I knew I would be fine.’
Miraculously, the free fall extinguished the fire, and, in the nick of time, the pilot was able to start the left engine, regain control of the plane, and glide it to an emergency landing in a farmer’s field not far from Delta, Utah. Everyone walked away from the incident unharmed. Another plane was dispatched, and Russell made it to St. George in time to give the invocation.”
Source: Sheri Dew,
Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019), 259-60.
2018a: “President Nelson said life has taught him that ‘the honors of men, exhilarating as they may seem at the time, fade into oblivion compared to what the Lord has in store for covenant-keeping children—the supernal gift of eternal life. That’s the greatest of all of God’s gifts.’
This came clearly into focus years ago as President Nelson was traveling with four passengers on a flight from Salt Lake City to St. George Utah; during the flight, one of the two engines exploded, sending the small plane into a downward spiral.
President Nelson said he felt strangely calm. ‘Events of my life rapidly flashed before me. I thought about all the framed degrees, awards, and honors on my office wall and the various uniforms, tuxedos, and doctoral robes that I’d worn in my life.’
In his dying moments those honors meant nothing to him. What did matter was his wife and children—to whom he was sealed in the holy temple.
‘Miraculously, the free fall extinguished the flames,’ he said.”
Source: Sarah Jane Weaver, “President Nelson Shares 5 ‘Lessons Life Has Taught Me’ with 49,000 in Safeco Field,”
Church News, Sep. 16, 2018,
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/chu ... d?lang=eng.
2018b: “He [Nelson] shared an experience from traveling on a small plane. One of the engines caught fire and exploded, sending the aircraft into a spiral dive. Many of the passengers began screaming in fear.
But then a miracle happened. The speed of the fall extinguished the fire and the plane was able to land safely. President Nelson said he expected to die at that moment. But he was not afraid. He remained calm.
‘I knew my wife and I had married in the temple. We were sealed to each other and to our 10 beautiful children. I realized that our temple marriage was more important than any other achievement in my life.’”
Source: Jason Swensen, “President Nelson delivers historic message to Dominican Latter-day Saints in Spanish,”
Church News, Sep. 3, 2018,
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-a ... anish-8931.
2011: “I was in a small airplane and all of the sudden the engine on the wing caught fire. It exploded and burning oil was poured all over the right side of the airplane and we started to dive toward the earth. We were spinning down to our death.
Oh, this woman across the aisle, I just was so sorry for her. She was just absolutely uncontrollably hysterical. And I was calm. I was totally calm, even though I knew I was going down to my death. I was ready to meet my Maker.
We didn't crash. We didn’t die. The spiral dive extinguished the flame. The pilot got control and started the other engine up. We made an emergency landing out in a field. But I thought, through that experience, if you've got faith, you can handle difficulties knowing that with any true perspective that all will be well.”
Source: Russell M. Nelson, “Men’s Hearts Shall Fail Them,”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ins ... 1?lang=eng;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMwKxmTLaCs.
2006: “Those who have lived to tell the tale about a brush with violent death often recount the horror of knowing they were about to die, as did a woman on a small plane with Elder Nelson several years ago. One of the engines blew up and the plane caught fire, sending it into a steep dive as they were en route from Salt Lake City to St. George.
In the few seconds that passed before the pilot was able to shut off the fuel line and extinguish the flames, Elder Nelson recalls that his entire life passed through his mind, amid the hysterical screams from the woman in the next seat. ‘I thought of the academic regalia, the tuxedos and awards banquets,’ and how insignificant it all seemed, he said, adding that an overwhelming feeling of calm came over him.
What mattered in that moment were his life choices, he said — temple ordinances he had participated in, including marriage to his wife, and the deep assurance that though she would become a widow, she would be taken care of financially and they would be reunited after death.
As it turned out, the plane made a safe, emergency landing and he would live to see his wife, Dantzel White Nelson, die first, in February 2005.”
Source: Carrie A. Moore, “Death is part of life, ex-surgeon says,”
Deseret News, Apr. 15, 2006,
https://www.deseret.com/2006/4/15/19948 ... rgeon-says.
2004: “Elder Nelson spoke of a harrowing trip he once made on a small airplane. One of the plane's motors exploded an hour after take-off, sending the aircraft into a spiral dive. The dive fortuitously doused the fire sparked by the explosion and the pilot was able to regain control and land the plane safely.
Elder Nelson said he had expected to die inside that distressed plane. But he had lived a life of gospel harmony and felt prepared to meet eternal life. "I was surprised that I was not afraid to die. I remained calm. Why? I knew that my wife and I had been sealed in the temple. We had been sealed eternally to each other and to our 10 precious children.’”
Source: Jason Swensen, “Gospel principles vital to correct living,”
Church News, Sep. 17, 2004,
https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/ ... ving-94995.
2003: “The imminent prospect of death places in bold relief the things that matter most in life. Elder Nelson related just such an experience he had November 12, 1976. ‘I was in an airplane going from Salt Lake City to St. George to participate in a function at Dixie College. We were in one of those small commuter airplanes. There were about six passengers in it. The pilot had just announced that we were over the halfway point between Salt Lake City and St. George—we were past the point of no return. I thought, 'Well, that's a weird announcement to make.'
‘Shortly after that, the engine on the right wing of the airplane burst open in flames, spewing oil all over the right side of the plane. The propeller became starkly still and the whole engine was on fire. We then went into a dive earthward. I assumed that my life was going to be terminated right then and there.
‘The poor lady across the aisle from me was in absolute hysterics. She was right there where the flames were the brightest. But the pilot had turned off the ignition that fed more gas into the fire and had purposely been in a steep dive hoping that the flames might be extinguished, which was what happened. Then, with the power still left in the other propeller—which he then turned on just as we were about ready to have our moment of impact—he was able to glide us, following a highway, until we could make an emergency landing.’
"I'm pleased to report that I was really prepared. I knew I was facing death and I was calm. I knew that the most important thing I had ever done was to marry Dantzel White in the temple on August 31—that all of the children that have come into our home were born in the covenant—all faithful; and I was ready to die.’2 [2. Russell M. Nelson, “A Call to Serve,” address at the University of Utah Salt Lake Institute of Religion, 1 [sic] March 1985.].”
Source: Spencer J. Condie,
Russell M. Nelson: Father, Surgeon, Apostle (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003).
1995: “I remember vividly an experience I had as a passenger in a small two-propeller airplane. One of the engines suddenly burst open and caught on fire. The propeller of the flaming engine was starkly stilled. As we plummeted in a steep spiral dive toward the earth, I expected to die. Some of the passengers screamed in hysterical panic. Miraculously, the precipitous dive extinguished the flames. Then, by starting up the other engine, the pilot was able to stabilize the plane and bring us down safely.
Throughout that ordeal, though I felt that sudden death was coming, my paramount feeling was that I was not afraid to die. I remember a sense of returning home to meet ancestors for whom I had done temple work. I remember my deep sense of gratitude that my sweetheart and I had been sealed eternally to each other and to our children born and reared in the covenant. I realized that our marriage in the temple was our most important accomplishment. Honors bestowed upon me by men could not begin to approach the inner peace provided by sealings performed in the House of the Lord.1 [1. This experience was also quoted in my address at the April 5, 1992, afternoon session of general conference. See "Doors of Death," Ensign, May 1992, pp. 72-74].”
Source: Russell M. Nelson,
The Gateway We Call Death (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1995).
1992: “I remember vividly an experience I had as a passenger in a small two-propeller airplane. One of its engines suddenly burst open and caught on fire. The propeller of the flaming engine was starkly stilled. As we plummeted in a steep spiral dive toward the earth, I expected to die. Some of the passengers screamed in hysterical panic. Miraculously, the precipitous dive extinguished the flames. Then, by starting up the other engine, the pilot was able to stabilize the plane and bring us down safely.
Throughout that ordeal, though I ‘knew’ death was coming, my paramount feeling was that I was not afraid to die. I remember a sense of returning home to meet ancestors for whom I had done temple work. I remember my deep sense of gratitude that my sweetheart and I had been sealed eternally to each other and to our children, born and reared in the covenant. I realized that our marriage in the temple was my most important accomplishment. Honors bestowed upon me by men could not approach the inner peace provided by sealings performed in the house of the Lord.
That harrowing experience consumed but a few minutes, yet my entire life flashed before my mind. Having had such rapid recall when facing death, I do not doubt the scriptural promise of ‘perfect remembrance’ when facing judgment. (Alma 5:18; see also Alma 11:43.)”
Source: Russell M. Nelson, “Doors of Death,” General Conference, April 1992,
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... h?lang=eng; see also Russell M. Nelson, "Most Important,"
Friend, June 1994,
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... t?lang=eng.
1985: “I was in an airplane going from Salt Lake City to St. George to participate in a function at Dixie College. We were in one of those small commuter airplanes. There were about six passengers in it. The pilot had just announced that we were over the halfway point between Salt Lake and St. George—we were past the point of no return. I thought, 'Well, that's a weird announcement to make.' Shortly after that, the engine on the right wing of the airplane burst open in flames, spewing oil all over the right side of the plane. The propeller became starkly still and the whole engine was on fire. We then went into a dive earthward. I knew that my life was going to be terminated right then and there. I'm pleased to report that I was really prepared. I knew I was facing death and I was calm. I knew that the most important thing I had ever done was to marry Dantzel White in the temple on August 31—that each of the children that have come into our home were born in the covenant—all faithful, many of them married in the temple; and I was ready to die. The poor lady across the aisle from me was in absolute hysterics. She was right there where the flames were the brightest. But the pilot had turned off the ignition that fed more gas into the fire and had purposely been in a steep dive hoping that the flames might be extinguished, which was what happened. Then, with the power still left in the other propeller—which he then turned on just as we were about ready to have our moment of impact—he was able to glide us, following a highway, until we could make an emergency landing. I was well rehearsed for my reply to the First Presidency because I had literally faced death and was able to say, 'Yes, I'm ready for whatever the Lord would have me do.'"
Source: Russell M. Nelson, “A Call to Serve,” Fireside, March 31, 1985, Salt Lake Institute of Religion Devotional and Fireside Speeches (Salt Lake City: Salt Lake Institute of Religion), 5.
1979: “The final nudge came as I was a passenger in a small airplane plummeting earthward with one of its two engines exploded. I realized then although the spiritual and material needs for my family had been provided, I had not left for them a reasonable recapitulation of my life that they could review. The safe emergency landing of that disabled aircraft provided me with the change I needed" (ix).
"Moreover, my experiences on the front line of artillery action and under sniper fire by guerillas in Korea, in a crippled airplane with an exploded engine as it plummeted earthward, in the grip of thundering rapids on the relentless Colorado River, submerged while wearing high waders in the Snake River — all these episodes, any one of which could have ended fatally, combine to make my statement of gratitude to God for life, health, and strength a most sincere one" (305).
"November 12 - Flew to St. George. When one of the small airplane's engines exploded, I expected to be killed. But after a precipitous dive in the disabled plane, the pilot made a safe emergency landing in Delta. I was going to St. George to give the opening prayer at the inaugural services at which Rolfe Kerr became president of Dixie College" (376-77).
Source: Russell M. Nelson,
From Heart to Heart: An Autobiography (Salt Lake City: Nelson, 1979) (quotations kindly provided by Gabriel
here).
