Mormon church appoints 93-year-old ex-surgeon as president

SALT LAKE CITY The 93- year-old former heart surgeon named Tuesday as the new president of the Mormon Church signalled his intention to make few changes in policy regarding the role of women and LGBT issues — two topics that the faith has grappled with in recent years.

Russell M. Nelson’s remarks to reporters after he was officially chosen to become the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reaffirmed an expectation that he will likely uphold traditional church teachings.

Speaking about his approach to LGBT issues, Nelson said he understands there are “challenges with the commandments of God, challenges to be worthy.”

“God loves his children and we love them and there’s a place for everyone,” Nelson said. “Regardless of his challenges.”

The church at times has expressed empathy and told members to be welcoming to LGBT peo- ple while also strictly defending opposition to same-sex marriage and all homosexual relationships.

Dallin H. Oaks, one of two men Nelson chose to be his counsellors, added that leaders have the responsibility to teach love but also God’s commandments.

“We’ve got the love of the Lord and the law of the Lord,” said Oaks, a member of church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles leadership body.

Nelson called doing so a “bal- ance.”

Nelson succeeds Thomas S. Monson, who died Jan. 2 after leading the religion for nearly a decade. Church presidents serve until they die. He took the post following a long-standing succession plan that aims to keep the faith on course with a minimum of upheaval.

Nelson is now considered a “prophet, seer and revelator” by Mormons. He is the second-oldest man to assume leadership of the 16-million member LDS church.

He will share responsibility for the faith’s religious and business interests with his two top counsellors and members of the Quorum.

Nelson did not mention changing any roles for women, instead emphasizing their importance within the current church structure that includes an all-male priesthood. “We need their voices, we need their input and we love their participation,” Nelson said.