Turning a century old is a milestone worth celebrating, and the top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about to reach just that. Russell M. Nelson, the president of the Utah-based faith, will be turning 100 years old on September 9, 2024.
Looking back at the church’s history, in Russel M. Nelson’s birth year of 1924, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had 597,861 members, 1,685 congregations, and 25 missions. Fast forward to 2024, the church has grown significantly with approximately 17.3 million members, an increase of 3.8% in membership compared to the previous year. The number of congregations has also nearly doubled to 31,490, with 450 missions currently active.
Interestingly, six of the 15 men in the Mormon church’s top leadership panels are 80 years old or older, highlighting the longevity and commitment of these leaders. President Nelson himself will join the centenarian club and is part of this esteemed group along with other leaders like Dallin Oaks (92), Henry B. Eyring (91), Jeffrey Holland (83), Dieter Uchtdorf (83), and Quentin Cook (84).
Shifting focus to other faith traditions, we see leaders like Archbishop Alexandre do Nascimento, the oldest living Catholic cardinal at 99, and Ali al-Sistani, the 94-year-old grand ayatollah for Shia Muslims. In the Catholic tradition, the oldest-serving pope was Leo XIII, who passed away at 93. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, is currently 89, while Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, is 87. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, leading Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide, is 84.
These remarkable leaders serve as guiding lights for their respective faith communities, embodying wisdom, experience, and dedication. Their commitment to their beliefs and followers is truly commendable.
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