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Russell M. Nelson has served as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles since April 1984. A native of Salt Lake City, he received B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. In his professional career, he has been an internationally recognized surgeon and medical researcher and served in many professional organizations, including president of the Society for Vascular Sugery, chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association, and president of the Utah Medical Association. Elder Nelson’s Church callings have included stake president, general president of the Sunday School, and regional representative. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have ten children, 55 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Sister Nelson passed away in February 2005. On 6 April 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson in the Salt Lake Temple.