October 7, 2025, 2:23 PM MDT
Church leaders honored the late President Russell M. Nelson at his funeral on Tuesday, October 7, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles each gave remarks, as did Relief Society general president Camille N. Johnson.
Read the talk summary below.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Precious Memories
Elder Holland once introduced President Nelson as “the man who coined the word ‘gentleman.'” Elder Holland said President Nelson treated everyone he met with dignity and courtesy, whether they were diplomats or dignitaries, new neighbors or complete strangers.
Elder Holland also spoke with deep nostalgia and gratitude of his memories of traveling to Jerusalem with President Nelson in 2018, shortly after Nelson became a prophet.
“That memory is in my heart now, today and forever,” Elder Holland said. “They often sustained me on days when the sun forgot to rise. . . . President Nelson was the lamplight, not the weak lamplighter I was trying to be.”
Elder Holland also testified of President Nelson’s calling as an apostle, prophet, revelator, and seer. President Nelson also spoke about Jesus Christ and His saving Atonement, for whom he “lived and died for more than 100 years.”
“Today we all honor Russell Marion Nelson, the bearer of hands and the healer of hearts,” said Elder Holland, adding, “I testify that in Russell’s temporary absence, as we live worthy of ‘heavenly things’, we will again enjoy there ‘the same sociability that exists among us here…only that it may be joined to eternal glory'” (D&C 130:2).
Elder Henry B. Eyring: Personal Witness
The Book of Mormon prophet Alma taught that when a righteous person dies, their spirit is “accepted into a state of happiness called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they rest free from every trouble, every care, and every sorrow” (Alma 40:12).
Elder Eyring said this was President Nelson’s experience after he was released from this life.
“I testify that temple ordinances, which were of great importance to President Nelson and have been a consistent focus of his ministry, give us hope and assurance of spiritual reunion with our deceased loved ones and a glorious resurrection in which our ‘soul and body will be reunited,’” Elder Eyring said, quoting Alma 40:20.
Elder Eyring said he is a “personal witness” of the fact that the Lord inspires prophets. Elder Eyring said the Holy Spirit opened President Nelson’s heart and mind to receive direction important to the Lord’s Church. And President Nelson respected the opinions and perspectives of others.
“The church is led by prophets, seers, and revelators, through whom the Lord speaks,” Elder Eyring said. “This was Russell Marion Nelson’s responsibility and role, and he fulfilled it admirably.”
President Camille N. Johnson: A Prophetic Invitation
Just as a good shepherd knows and counts the numbers of his sheep, President Nelson always called out President Johnson’s name. He literally changed the world one person and one interaction at a time, she said.
President Johnson went on to say that President Nelson issued a prophetic invitation to understand the power of God that is accessible to all who make and keep temple covenants. President Nelson emphasized that President Nelson taught that this applies to women as well as men.
And President Johnson said that while her testimony about President Nelson’s prophetic call was naturally influenced by her interactions with him, ultimately her willingness to act on President Nelson’s invitation was more important.
“I testify that the blessings promised to the prophets come true when we accept and act upon their invitation,” President Johnson said. “And we will know for ourselves that these are men who claim to be special witnesses of the Savior Jesus Christ, who hold the keys of the priesthood to govern the Church and administer the ordinances.”
Although President Johnson was saddened by President Nelson’s passing, he said he was hopeful for the future.
“The great outcome of President Nelson’s prophetic counsel is optimism despite uncertainty,” President Johnson said. “Even if you can’t answer every question, that’s confidence. It’s joy and sorrow coexisting. It’s trusting in Jesus Christ.”
