Russell Nelson has lost his sight.

[I Have Questions]

Report

Even as the oldest man ever to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to preside over the 17.5 million-member global faith, Nelson has been feeling the ravages of his age.

In May 2023, the prophet-president began using a walker or wheelchair, due to balance issues.

Four months later, Nelson injured his back in a fall, which took some months to heal and kept him from attending an approaching General Conference in person.

And now, the 101-year-old is losing his eyesight.

At a stake conference this month in northern Kentucky, apostle Quentin Cook reported to the congregation, according to a tape recording of his remarks, that Nelson had recently told the apostles that he “just can’t see anymore” and that it was “all right for you guys to tell the Saints I can’t see.”

Cook went on to say: “That’s the only thing he can’t do.”

Well, he can’t see and can’t walk or stand unaided. And can’t attend Conference in-person. But still, he’s approaching his 102 year. Perpetrating a grand financial fraud against the SEC with those physical challenges is some achievement.

[drumdude]

I’m afraid Oaks won’t be any better. I wish Rusty Nelson a long life and some comfort in his twilight years. Losing your sight can’t be easy and I hope he’s managing well.

[Tom]

President Nelson would do well to step down. It would be unprecedented, sure, but it would be a positive step for him, his family, and the church going forward. Presidents Oaks and Eyring would then have precedent to go emeritus. Church members would accept the change. I recall Nelson’s 2018 words: “We are witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you are just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. Wait till next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It’s going to be exciting.”

There’s nothing sacrosanct about the apostle with the longest tenure automatically becoming the church president. Apostles could actually seek inspiration as to who should be the new church president. Would the Apostles make a change if the senior Apostle set to become church president was in a coma?

[Whiskey]

Well, I didn't plan to sustain Nelson as a seer before this, but now I really ain't. No way.

[MG 2.0]

Well, I didn't plan to sustain Nelson as a seer before this, but now I really ain't. No way.

The church is accomplishing its mission as intended. Other prophets have also become incapacitated to some extent or another. The Lord can do His work. Have faith, brother!

Regards,
MG

[Everybody Wang Chung]

President Nelson would do well to step down. It would be unprecedented, sure, but it would be a positive step for him, his family, and the church going forward. Presidents Oaks and Eyring would then have precedent to go emeritus. Church members would accept the change. I recall Nelson’s 2018 words: “We are witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you are just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. Wait till next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It’s going to be exciting.”

There’s nothing sacrosanct about the apostle with the longest tenure automatically becoming the church president. Apostles could actually seek inspiration as to who should be the new church president. Would the Apostles make a change if the senior Apostle set to become church president was in a coma?

Tom,

Yesterday at the temple, I had an interesting discussion with a very Chapel Mormon about Rusty. He expressed his belief that God actually took Rusty's eyesight so his other senses (specifically hearing, touch, and smell, as well as his spirituality) could be enhanced to help him accomplish his mission. He then tried to support this idea by noting that God uses science, and that studies have shown that individuals who lose their sight become functionally enhanced to compensate for the loss of vision due to neuroplasticity.

*SIGH*

[Tom]

President Nelson would do well to step down. It would be unprecedented, sure, but it would be a positive step for him, his family, and the church going forward. Presidents Oaks and Eyring would then have precedent to go emeritus. Church members would accept the change. I recall Nelson’s 2018 words: “We are witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you are just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. Wait till next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It’s going to be exciting.”

There’s nothing sacrosanct about the apostle with the longest tenure automatically becoming the church president. Apostles could actually seek inspiration as to who should be the new church president. Would the Apostles make a change if the senior Apostle set to become church president was in a coma?

Tom,

Yesterday at the temple, I had an interesting discussion with a very Chapel Mormon about Rusty. He expressed his belief that God actually took Rusty's eyesight so his other senses (specifically hearing, touch, and smell, as well as his spirituality) could be enhanced to help him accomplish his mission. He then tried to support this idea by noting that God uses science, and that studies have shown that individuals who lose their sight become functionally enhanced to compensate for the loss of vision due to neuroplasticity.

*SIGH*

Everybody Wang Chung, I am heartened to hear that you remain firm in the faith. I must confess that some church members of my acquaintance have shared private doubts with me that President Nelson can “see around corners,” citing the fact that he—a prophet, seer, and revelator; physician; and holder of a doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota—failed to warn us about the COVID-19 epidemic that has now killed more than seven million people worldwide.

I admit that I do not possess the childlike faith of the very Chapel Mormon with whom you spoke. I do confess that I could not resolve the concerns of the Chapel Mormons of my acquaintance. Nor could I recommend apologetic resources to them. As far as I know, the Interpreter Foundation is not planning a dramatic film or documentary film series to demonstrate that President Nelson is a true prophet of God. (My acquaintances were not persuaded by Six Days in August’s attempts to portray Brigham Young as a prophet and harbor doubts about the forthcoming Bowdlerizing Brigham film series.)

Posted from Pseudopolyandry, Utah

[Doctor Steuss]

Hopefully he has the faith not to be healed.

Seriously though, I really hope I die before my body and mind start to completely fall apart. Take me out when I'm in my 80s at the latest, please.

[I Have Questions]

Tom,

Yesterday at the temple, I had an interesting discussion with a very Chapel Mormon about Rusty. He expressed his belief that God actually took Rusty's eyesight so his other senses (specifically hearing, touch, and smell, as well as his spirituality) could be enhanced to help him accomplish his mission. He then tried to support this idea by noting that God uses science, and that studies have shown that individuals who lose their sight become functionally enhanced to compensate for the loss of vision due to neuroplasticity.

*SIGH*

Everybody Wang Chung, I am heartened to hear that you remain firm in the faith. I must confess that some church members of my acquaintance have shared private doubts with me that President Nelson can “see around corners,” citing the fact that he—a prophet, seer, and revelator; physician; and holder of a doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota—failed to warn us about the COVID-19 epidemic that has now killed more than seven million people worldwide.

I admit that I do not possess the childlike faith of the very Chapel Mormon with whom you spoke. I do confess that I could not resolve the concerns of the Chapel Mormons of my acquaintance. Nor could I recommend apologetic resources to them. As far as I know, the Interpreter Foundation is not planning a dramatic film or documentary film series to demonstrate that President Nelson is a true prophet of God. (My acquaintances were not persuaded by Six Days in August’s attempts to portray Brigham Young as a prophet and harbor doubts about the forthcoming Bowdlerizing Brigham film series.)

Posted from Pseudopolyandry, Utah

Gents, as you know I am afflicted with incurable inquisitiveness. It gets me into all sorts of trouble. But my research suggests that the order of Presidential succession is not governed by the hosts of heaven, but by a clause within the corporate documents relating to the Corporation of the President. I’m unaware of any provision for the incapacity, but not death, of the incumbent other than his counsellors picking up the slack. If he were to expire then, temporarily, governance would fall to the President of the Q12 - and yes no dodo.

Another line of questioning I have is Nelson’s promise that the restoration was an ongoing process. So what has Nelson “restored” that was once operated during Christ’s day but which fell away until he restored it?

Posted from 33,000 feet.

[Fence Sitter]

President Nelson would do well to step down. It would be unprecedented, sure, but it would be a positive step for him, his family, and the church going forward. Presidents Oaks and Eyring would then have precedent to go emeritus.

I don't see Oaks stepping down for any reason besides being dead.

Long live Nelson.