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President Nelson will not attend General Conference in person after injury, fall over the weekend
Sep 28, 2023, 1:23 PM | Updated: Jan 5, 2024, 12:57 pm
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints looks at birthday cards sent to him for his 99th birthday in his office at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Friday. He turned 99 on Saturday. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Thursday that President Russell M. Nelson will not attend this weekend’s General Conference in person but will instead attend virtually.
An online message from President Nelson explained that he had injured his back.
“I will be watching general conference through technology just as most of you will,” President Nelson wrote in the message.
“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.”
President Nelson said that he is healing, but cautious.
“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.”
President Nelson said he would not be able to sit in a chair for a long period of time. He noted that he hopes to record his general conference message and “looks forward to participating in this marvelous October 2023 general conference through technology.”
The church statement also said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles is still recuperating from recent health challenges and he will also be participating from home.
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