BYU-I Sports

The passing of President Russell M. Nelson, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marks the close of a remarkable life of faith, leadership, and service, but also the legacy of a man who embodied health, vitality, and joy through sport and recreation.

President Nelson often taught that caring for the body is a spiritual duty. “Each time you look in the mirror, see your body as your temple,” he counseled, urging Church members not to neglect or defile their physical health. He emphasized diet, rest, and exercise as gospel principles, not just personal preferences. In his 1998 address We Are Children of God, he reminded listeners to “control our diet and exercise for physical fitness.” For Nelson, physical wellness was inseparable from discipleship, part of honoring the Creator who designed the human body.

He did more than preach these truths. He lived them. An accomplished skier, President Nelson continued skiing well into his 90s, setting an example of vigor and discipline. His presence on the slopes symbolized more than athletic ability; it represented his belief that wholesome recreation uplifts the soul and keeps the spirit young. His continued participation in sport demonstrated that advancing years need not mean retreating from movement, joy, or challenge. For him, physical recreation helped combat the decline and isolation that often accompany aging.

In his writings, Nelson described the magnificence of the human body, urging people to “look beyond … see the real you—a child of God.” He reminded the faithful that health habits align with gospel living and warned against worldly trends that contradict spiritual counsel. For him, recreation was never frivolous but “wholesome” when pursued with balance and discipline.

Leaders and citizens alike praised his life of balance and vision. Utah Governor Spencer Cox remembered Nelson as “the best of men,” emphasizing his ability to build bridges across faith traditions and cultures. Senator Mike Lee called him a “bold, visionary leader prepared by God,” sharing a personal story of Nelson’s lifesaving heart surgeries on his grandparents. Senator John Curtis described Nelson’s 101 years as “a testament to service, faith, and vision.” Former Senator Mitt Romney highlighted his kindness as one of his defining personal traits, while others—from Church members to national figures—honored his legacy.

President Nelson’s passion for sport and his teachings on the sanctity of the body stand alongside his broader prophetic legacy. He will be remembered for accelerating temple construction, centering gospel learning in the home, and calling for peace in times of division. Yet for many, his enduring example on the ski slopes and his steady reminders about health and fitness gave personal, tangible meaning to gospel living.

His passing closes a chapter in Church history, but his influence continues. In both spiritual guidance and physical example, President Russell M. Nelson leaves behind a legacy of faith, discipline, vitality, and joy—reminding all that to care for the body is to honor God, and that recreation, like worship, can uplift the soul.