Russell M. Nelson's Medical Expertise Serving the Lord — Healing Through Priesthood and Science

“Many of us have had experiences with the sweet power of prayer. One of mine was shared with a stake patriarch from southern Utah. I first met him in my medical office more than 40 years ago, during the early pioneering days of surgery of the heart. This saintly soul suffered much because of a failing heart. He pleaded for help, thinking that his condition resulted from a damaged but repairable valve in his heart. Extensive evaluation revealed that he had two faulty valves. While one could be helped surgically, the other could not. Thus, an operation was not advised. He received this news with deep disappointment. Subsequent visits ended with the same advice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke to me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and have been directed to you. The Lord will not reveal to me how to repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so prepared. If you will pray for help, you will be directed.” His great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away again? Following a prayerful night, I felt impressed to perform the operation. I did not know how to repair that second valve, but I knew that the Lord did. I went to the operating room with a prayer in my heart. I prayed that the Lord would guide my hands and my mind. I felt a distinct impression to do something that I had never done before. I followed that impression, and the operation was a success. The patient recovered completely and lived for many years. I have always been grateful for that experience. It taught me that the Lord can guide us in our professional lives as well as in our personal lives if we will but seek His help and follow His promptings.”

— Russell M. Nelson, April 2003 General Conference