Thousands of Latter-day Saints attend late President Nelson’s public viewing, mourning their faith’s former leader

Under half-staff flags, thousands filed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Monday to honor the Utah-based faith’s late President Russell M. Nelson during a public viewing.

Nelson died Sept. 27 at 101, making him the oldest church leader in the faith’s history. The centenarian took the leadership helm in 2018 and was known, in part, for his temple construction spree, announcing 200 new buildings across the globe.

Maree Webb was among those who paid their respects Monday, calling the tribute to Nelson “lovely.”

“The people were wonderful,” she said, “as far as making sure we were all able to get in there and spend a little time.”

Webb said she first met Nelson when he was an apostle. She accidentally bumped into him with her walking cane at a church office building and nearly fell over. Webb said she apologized profusely but Nelson simply helped her up and asked her if she was OK. She said that display of kindness has stayed with her for years.

Halsten Thayne also paid respects to the late Nelson on Monday, saying he was “grateful for all of his messages and for the ways he’s helped me.”

Latter-day Saints Sydney Dahl and her aunt Karen Witt attended the viewing together. Dahl said when they arrived at the casket, the large crowd of people in the room went quiet.

When asked what she would miss most about Nelson, Dahl said his energy and spry nature.

“He was always so active, so jubilant,” Dahl said. “Everything that he did, everything that he said … he was very positive.”

A ticketed funeral will be held for Nelson at the Conference Center on Tuesday.

Note to readers • Dylan Eubank is a Report for America corps member covering faith in Utah County for The Salt Lake Tribune. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories.