President Russell M. Nelson became the 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday morning, as announced during a live broadcast from the Salt Lake City Temple on Tuesday morning. “Whatever your concerns, whatever your challenges, there’s a place for you in this, the Lord’s church.”

The announcement came after Nelson was chosen as the religion’s 17th president during a private meeting of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles leadership body in a temple, per church tradition that makes the longest-tenured member of the Quorum the new president. Nelson, a member of the Mormon Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke during a live stream as it was announced he will replace former President Thomas S. Monson, who died earlier this month. The new leader of a global faith of more than 16 million members has named President Dallin H. Oaks, 85, and President Henry B. Eyring, 84, to serve with him as his first and second counselors in the First Presidency, the Church’s highest governing body. Nelson is the second-oldest man to assume leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is based in Utah and counts nearly 16 million members worldwide. An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, President Nelson’s professional work included the positions of research professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. President Oaks will also add a lot because of his background in law, and his experience on the Utah Supreme Court.”

Nelson was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 7, 1984. "I think we will live to see the day when there will be other flavors in the mix ... but we respond because we've been called by the Lord.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) names Russell M. Nelson as the 17th President of the Church.