SALT LAKE CITY - Russell M. Nelson, who served as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was its oldest leader in history, passed away Saturday night at 101, according to church officials.

Nelson died at his home in Salt Lake City, the church announced.

Nelson, a former heart surgeon, spent four decades in the highest levels of church leadership after he was selected in 1984 to join a top church governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He ascended to the presidency in January 2018 when Thomas S. Monson died and in 2024 became the first president of the faith to hit the century mark.

Death comes amid shooting at Mormon church

Why you should care:

Nelson's death comes as a gunman opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint

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