Celebrating President Nelson’s 95th Birthday, Friday Night

On the scene with the Witnesses — Another still photograph (presumably taken by cinematographer and script co-author James Jordan) shared by producer Russell Richins from the current Upper Canada Village set, where dramatic scenes from the Interpreter Foundation’s Witnesses project are being filmed.

My wife and I and the three other couples with whom we shared dinner and then walked over to the Conference Center thoroughly enjoyed Friday night’s tribute to the remarkable man who currently leads and presides over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

“Church Celebrates President Nelson’s 95th Birthday and Life of Christlike Service: Latter-day Saint guest artists perform with Tabernacle Choir”

If you weren’t there or if you were unable to view the live-streamed version of it last night, please do at least watch the several videos given at the link above. However, you can also watch a video of the entire program.

My reaction to the evening was, I can honestly say, not only one of entertainment but even, at some points, one of awe. Devoted father of a son and nine daughters, physician, church leader, skier, teacher and professor, M.D. and Ph.D., distinguished surgeon, apostle — Russell M. Nelson is an astonishing human being. During his recent South American ministry tour, he gave several of his speeches in Spanish. On the way up last night, a neighbor who served a mission in France told of hearing then-Elder Nelson deliver remarks in superb French. (He is reputed to speak some Chinese, as well.) And, last night, a surprising element of the program was a recent video of President Nelson playing a piano piece by Frédéric Chopin.

Jordan/Richins photograph from Upper Canada Village — Preparing for some nighttime filming on the Canadian set.
(Still photo presumably by James Jordan, provided by Russ Richins)

Reflecting on the life celebrated last night, I think it’s obvious that such lives aren’t built upon a foundation of a lot of television viewing or frivolity. And yet Russell M. Nelson plainly spent a lot of time with his family. There were photos of him waterskiing and swinging in the backyard and on horseback with children.

James and Russ, showing Mark — A still photograph of very intent filmmakers — director Mark Goodman is in the center, somewhat in the background — furnished by Russ Richins and probably taken by James Jordan.

It also occurs to me that good and accomplished lives such as President Nelson’s aren’t built on cynicism or on gossiping about others. They are founded, rather, upon earnest commitment, upon engagement in a good cause. And surely his is an inspiring life, worthy of emulation.