President Russell M. Nelson to miss general conference due to recent fall

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — Russell M. Nelson, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Thursday he will not personally attend general conference this weekend due to a recent fall.

President Nelson said he will be watching the twice annual conference "through technology just as most of you will."

"Three weeks ago, I fell and injured the muscles in my lower back," he said. "This episode has reminded me of the reality that things sometimes change quickly in our lives."

You can view his full statement below.

Dear brothers, sisters and friends, we have the cherished opportunity this coming weekend to attend or watch our semiannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! General conference weekends are two of my favorite weekends of the year. How I love meeting in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City with all who gather there.

This weekend, however, I will be watching general conference through technology just as most of you will. Three weeks ago, I fell and injured the muscles in my lower back. This episode has reminded me of the reality that things sometimes change quickly in our lives. This photo of my counselors and me was taken at the celebration of my 99th birthday. Two days later, I fell.

Thankfully, my healing is progressing. But as my physician says, “We don’t have much data on how 99-year-olds recover from an injury like this one, so I am prescribing a slow, careful approach to healing so that you achieve a full recovery.” Having prescribed just such a course of action for many of my own patients years ago, I feel duty-bound to follow doctor’s orders.

I am still not able to sit in a chair for long periods of time. However, I am hoping to record my general conference message and look forward to participating in this marvelous October 2023 general conference through technology.

I pray that each of us, wherever we may be, will approach this sacred weekend with our hearts full of gratitude for the privilege of hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by His servants. May this general conference be a time of joy and spiritual rejuvenation for you. I know that it will be for me!

Also, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland continues to recuperate from his recent health challenges and, while improving, will participate in conference sessions by watching at home.