Photos courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. View the original article HERE.
Thousands gathered at the Conference Center on Temple Square on Monday, October 6– relatives, families, and friends of faith– each waiting for a quiet moment to say goodbye to President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who spent his life leading them closer to Jesus Christ.
The emotional viewing took place in the Hall of the Prophets, located on the third floor of the Conference Center, the same building where General Conference was held this weekend.
Lined with bronze busts honoring the Church’s past prophets, the Hall of the Prophets provided a fitting setting for the farewell. Public viewings for the prophets have been held there since 2008.
President Russell M. Nelson served as prophet for nearly 8 years, called in 2018 to preside over the Church. Before becoming the prophet, he served as an apostle for 34 years. He was a loving father, a devoted spouse, a heart surgeon, and a mouthpiece of the Lord.
Under his direction, the Church saw historic change: 200 new temples were announced, worship and learning shifted to a home-centered approach, and ministering replaced the familiar patterns of home- and visiting-teaching.
President Russell M. Nelson was father to ten children, whom he loved dearly, nine daughters and one son. Today, among his other children, Gloria N. Irion paid her respects, joining countless others in honoring her father’s life and legacy.
During his time as an apostle and prophet, President Russell M. Nelson gave 112 talks and participated in 83 General Conferences. He was called as an apostle on April 7, 1987.
In his first General Conference talk as prophet, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, he emphasized the importance of personal revelation. “I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow,” he said.
With his focus on expanding the global Church, he truly lived what he taught. President Russell M. Nelson could converse with others in 11 different languages, including French, German, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese
While traveling with President Russell M. Nelson in 2018, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reflected on his global focus. “He’s the prophet to the world, and he has that view. He has that prophetic seership. We sustain him as a seer and a revelator, and he is looking at the whole world,” said Elder Holland.
Rosalie Ringwood, one of President Russell M. Nelson’s eight surviving children, attended the sacred event with her daughter. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, eight of his 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and over 167 great-grandchildren.
People of all ages attended the event, honoring a life of service and love. Bryanna Corrall Corrales, an 11-year-old from Arizona, said, “I felt his spirit was around, like he was watching all the people who came to see him. I love most that he was a very kind person and a messenger of God. To me, he was the voice of God. He taught us to be kind and love and support each other.”
In 2020, President Russell M. Nelson introduced a new global youth program, inviting the youth to counsel with the Lord about how they could grow in a balanced way. The program has four categories: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual, encouraging youth to make their own personal goals.
As a physician, President Russell M. Nelson healed the sick through heart surgery, and as a disciple of Christ, he healed broken hearts. In a 2005 talk, he shared, “When sore trials come upon us, it’s time to deepen our faith in God, to work hard and to serve others. Then He will heal our broken hearts.”
President Dallin H. Oaks said, “I’ve heard surgeons that he trained comment on how effective he was at teaching them to be surgeons, and I’ve seen him as the master teacher teach the servants of the Lord in the same way.”
“It felt very sacred being able to pay my respects to the prophet, a man that we look up to so highly,” said Alan Johnson, 24. “He was a really good example in life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. … Being a Native American, we always respect our elders. And he was an elder to us.”
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles honored President Russell M. Nelson with a flower arrangement, a symbol of their love, respect, and gratitude for his life of service and leadership.
Laurie Marsh, daughter of President Russell M. Nelson, visits with a couple in the Hall of the Presidents at the viewing, surrounded by the quiet reverence of those who came to pay tribute to the beloved prophet.
One of President Nelson’s iconic invitations, to “Think Celestial!” urges followers of Christ to look at life with an eternal perspective. “As you think celestial, your faith will increase,” he promised.
In his last General Conference address, “Confidence in the Presence of God”, President Nelson shared, “When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit. The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that our confidence can ‘wax strong in the presence of God.’ Imagine the comfort of having confidence in the presence of God!”
President Nelson’s funeral will be held in the Conference Center on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 12 PM MDT. The funeral will be open to the public, ages 8 and older. Tickets are required for the in-person viewing. The funeral will also be streamed live on YouTube. More information can be found here.
MaryannOctober 7, 2025
Thank you so much for posting these pictures. I can truly feel the love and reverence in the faces of these people for our dear Prophet, President Nelson. None of us will ever forget him and his influence for good in our lives. This photo essay was a wonderful service for those of us who couldn't be there. We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet!