Russell M. Nelson is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his call, he was a world-renowned cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, medical researcher, and educator. He received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, the late Dantzel Nelson, are the parents of ten children. Dantzel Nelson passed away in February 2005. Elder Nelson married Wendy L. Watson, a professor of marriage and family therapy in BYU’s School of Family Life, in 2006.