North Texas Mormons Welcome New Church President

North Texas members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with Mormons around the world to welcome a new prophet and president of their church.

President Russell M. Nelson was announced as the 17^th president and prophet of The Church on Jan. 16, 2018, at a press conference in Salt Lake City.

At his press conference Monday, President Nelson said, “God loves his children and he wants them to have joy.”

“I declare my devotion to God, our Eternal Father, and to his Son, Jesus Christ,” said President Nelson, age 93. “I  know them, love them, and pledge to serve them—and you—with every remaining breath of my life.”

The new leader of a global faith of more than 16 million members (about 4,000 of those live in Frisco) has named President Dallin H. Oaks, 85, and President Henry B. Eyring, 84, to serve with him as his first and second counselors in the First Presidency, the Church’s highest governing body.

All three leaders in the Church’s First Presidency have visited North Texas and local members shared their memories of meeting them.

Hayley Vogelsberg Helsten, a Frisco Liberty High School graduate, was at the press conference Monday. She married one of Nelson’s grandsons.

“Our family was able to be at the meeting and press conference and there was no doubt that this new presidency was the perfect fit for the Church right now,” Vogelsberg Helsten said.

“Being in that room, watching our grandfather, father, and great-grandfather be announced as the new prophet of the church was overwhelming. We all held each other and were overcome with love and hope,” Vogelsberg Helsten said.

“It felt amazing to watch these men announce the new leadership of the church and bravely answer questions from the press.” she said. “I am excited for the rest of the world and the church to get to know our dear prophet as I do. The more you know him, the more you’ll love him.”

In September 2008, President Nelson was in the North Texas area on assignment as an Apostle to speak to members. Frisco Mormon Jonathan Roberts provided personal transportation to and from various events for President Nelson. Roberts tells the experience of pointing out to his children during a private moment that Nelson was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, just like in the ancient Church.

Nelson immediately turned to the two young children, wanting to be approachable, and said,

“and I am a grandpa too.”

President Nelson now has 116 great grandchildren.

In March 2010, the Frisco-area youth of the Church participated a pioneer trek when snow hit early. They pulled their handcarts until a rare snowstorm hit and they gathered at a Frisco church. To their surprise, Pres. Oaks greeted them at the church and shook every youth’s hand.

“There must have been hundreds of us, but I still felt so special that Pres. Oaks took the time to look me in the eye, smile and shake my hand,” Vogelbserg Helsten said.

In 2001, President Eyring visited North Texas to help organize some of the area’s congregations with new leaders.

Eyring, when asked about the waning faith of Milennials by a reporter at Monday’s press conference, said “There’s a power coming in this ‘millennial’ generation that is in fact remarkable, with greater faith than I can remember. I thought I had faith when I was an 18-year-old, but I’m seeing 18-year-olds now and some 20-year-olds and 25-year-olds that have rock solid faith.”

“I give you my assurance that regardless of the world’s condition and your personal circumstances,” President Nelson told reporters, “you can face the future with optimism and joy — if you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel.”

“This is a great time in the history of the church,” Eyring added, “and yes, the best is yet to come.”

Learn more at: https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/