Death is part of life, ex-surgeon says

It's important in God's plan, Elder Nelson says

When interviewing patients whose bodies died for a time while he worked feverishly to bring them back to life, Elder Russell M. Nelson gained an uncommon perspective on what it means to die.

A renowned heart surgeon before leaving his profession in 1984 to become a full-time leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the man who church members believe is one of Christ's living apostles has learned much about life and death in a variety of settings — one of them contemplating what he thought at the time would be his own impending demise.

In most of the Christian world, such topics come to a pinnacle this weekend with prayerful reflection over what the life, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means for believers as they celebrate another Easter season.

Latter-day Saints who have heard Elder Nelson's sermons will recall the analogy of the glove — which only comes to life when a person's hand fits snugly inside, much like he describes a distinct body and spirit. He has seen the result on a gurney when the "hand" withdraws, leaving the "glove" a limp shell without soul or life force.

Those whose bodies have died have often described to the surgeon how they saw him "struggling over their body trying to bring them back, watching as though they were a third party. Nearly all of them speak of their surroundings while having this experience as a glorious environment; not an unpleasant thing at all," he said.

Yet mortals have historically feared death, if not for the unknown that lies beyond, then the separation from all that is familiar and dear.

Those who have lived to tell the tale about a brush with violent death often recount the horror of knowing they were about to die, as did a woman on a small plane with Elder Nelson several years ago. One of the engines blew up and the plane caught fire, sending it into a steep dive as they were en route from Salt Lake City to St. George.

In the few seconds that passed before the pilot was able to shut off the fuel line and extinguish the flames, Elder Nelson recalls that his entire life passed through his mind, amid the hysterical screams from the woman in the next seat. "I thought of the academic regalia, the tuxedos and awards banquets," and how insignificant it all seemed, he said, adding that an overwhelming feeling of calm came over him.

What mattered in that moment were his life choices, he said — temple ordinances he had participated in, including marriage to his wife, and the deep assurance that though she would become a widow, she would be taken care of financially and they would be reunited after death.

As it turned out, the plane made a safe, emergency landing and he would live to see his wife, Dantzel White Nelson, die first, in February 2005. At age 80, he became a widower, after having previously lost one of his daughters to death as well. On April 6, at 81, he was remarried in the Salt Lake Temple to Wendy Watson, a Brigham Young University professor.

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