Current age and birthdate
As of 2025, Russell M. Nelson is 97 years old. He was born on September 9, 1927. This makes him the current president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called as prophet and president in January 2018. This profile explains how to determine his age, confirms the birthdate from public records, and places key leadership milestones in a clear timeline.
Why his age is sometimes confusing
Age reporting can be inconsistent due to time zones, calendar differences, and whether one counts by birthdays completed or by ongoing calendar age. Additionally, public discussion sometimes conflates the ages of church leaders or misremembers dates. To clarify, this explainer relies on verifiable records such as biographies, official church releases, and public genealogical sources.
Common points of confusion
- Whether age is counted from birthday or from January 1.
- Confusion with other senior church leaders who served previously.
- Misinformation in secondary sources that are not cross-checked with official records.
Birthdate and public records
Official sources consistently list Russell M. Nelson’s birthdate as September 9, 1927. This date appears in church-sanctioned biographies, public statements, and genealogical databases used by the church for ordinance work. His birthplace is Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Using this fixed birthdate, age can be calculated precisely for any given year or event.
Verification methods
Cross-referencing multiple trusted sources reduces uncertainty. These include the church’s official biographical summary, legally recorded documents (such as copyright and marriage records), and reputable biographical references. Each source aligns on the same core date, supporting a reliable age calculation.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Russell M. Nelson | Official church biography |
| Date of birth | September 9, 1927 | Church records and public biographies |
| Place of birth | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | Biographical references |
| Called as prophet and president | January 14, 2018 | Official church announcement |
| Age as of 2025 | 97 years old | Calculated from birthdate |
| Notable prior roles | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 1984 | Church historical records |
Key milestones and timeline
Understanding his age is clearer when tied to major church callings and public events. Below is a concise timeline that pairs his age at each milestone with the event, helping anchor dates to his birth year.
- 1927 (0 years): Born on September 9 in Salt Lake City.
- 1984 (57 years): Called to be an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- 2015 (88 years): Sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the senior quorum leader.
- 2018 (90 years): Sustained as the 17th prophet and president of the church during the April 2018 general conference.
- 2025 (97 years): Continues to serve as prophet and president, with his age updated each birthday.
Age calculation how to verify yourself
To determine how old President Nelson is at any time, subtract his birth year from the current year and adjust for whether his birthday has occurred yet in that year. For example, in 2025, if the date is before September 9, he is 97; on or after September 9, he turns 98. Online date calculators or calendar tools can automate this using the fixed birthdate of September 9, 1927.
Public roles and leadership context
As prophet and president, he leads the church and provides guidance on doctrine, administration, and global outreach. Prior to this calling, he served as a medical doctor, a professor of surgery, and a leader in various healthcare and civic organizations. These roles are separate from his age but are part of the broader context of his public service.
Notable service highlights
- Surgeon and professor of surgery before his full-time church service.
- Lead cardiothoracic surgeon at several major medical centers in Utah.
- Active in civic and humanitarian initiatives, including leadership in wartime medical efforts and hospital administration.
Why precise dates matter
Accurate dates support reliable reporting, research, and personal record-keeping. For topics like age, which change over time, citing the birthdate and the reference date ensures clarity. This explainer will be updated only if an authoritative source revises the established birthdate, which is highly unlikely given extensive historical documentation.
Summary and quick reference
President Russell M. Nelson was born on September 9, 1927, making him 97 years old in 2025 and 98 after his September birthday in 2025. He was called as the 17th prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2018 and previously served as an apostle since 1984. His age is easy to verify using the fixed birthdate and a clear timeline of church callings.
FAQ
Reader questions
How can I confirm President Nelson’s age independently?
Check the official church biography page for his birthdate and compare it to reputable reference works or genealogical records. Because the date is consistent across authoritative sources, the calculated age is dependable.
Is there any uncertainty about his birthdate?
No. Public and church records show consistent agreement on September 9, 1927. Unless an official source revises this historically documented date, his age can be calculated with high confidence.
Will this profile be updated?
This is an evergreen explainer. Updates will occur only if an authoritative change to the foundational birthdate or a major re-evaluation of historical records occurs, which is exceedingly unlikely.
Does his age affect his service?
Age does not limit his calling; church leadership assignments are based on spiritual and administrative qualifications. This explainer focuses on factual age and timeline details to support accurate understanding. Tags: lds, mormon, presidentnelson