Watch President Nelson's 95th Birthday Celebration

On September 6, 2020, LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson turned 95 years old. To commemorate this milestone, BYUtv aired a special program titled President Nelson's 95th Birthday Celebration. The program was a tribute to President Nelson's life and ministry, featuring musical performances, personal stories, and messages of love and gratitude.

The program was hosted by Emily Belle Freeman and co-hosted by Jason S. Olson. It opened with a montage of President Nelson's life, featuring photos and video footage from his childhood in rural Utah to his travels around the world as the leader of the LDS Church. The montage was set to a musical arrangement of "Where Can I Turn For Peace?", a hymn that has special significance to President Nelson.

After the montage, the program shifted to a segment featuring several musical performances. The first performance was by pianist Paul Cardall, who played his own arrangement of "How Great Thou Art". This was followed by a choir performance of "Hope of Israel", a hymn that President Nelson has cited as a favorite of his.

The musical segment continued with performances by two of President Nelson's daughters, Wendy and Sylvia. Wendy, an accomplished singer, performed "I Need Thee Every Hour" while Sylvia sang "Because I Have Been Given Much", a hymn that President Nelson wrote the music for. The segment ended with a choir performance of "The Spirit of God", a hymn traditionally sung at the dedication of LDS temples.

Following the musical performances, the program shifted to a series of personal stories about President Nelson. These stories were shared by members of his family, colleagues, and friends. They ranged from humorous anecdotes to touching tributes, and gave viewers a glimpse into the character of the man they were celebrating.

One story came from President Nelson's great-granddaughter, who shared how he always made time for her and other children in his family, even when he was busy with his calling as an apostle. Another story came from Sheri Dew, CEO of Deseret Book and a close friend of President Nelson's, who recounted a time when he taught her an important lesson about humility and service.

The personal stories segment ended with a message from President Dallin H. Oaks, one of President Nelson's fellow apostles. President Oaks spoke about the impact that President Nelson's leadership has had on the church and the world, and expressed his gratitude for his example and teachings.

The final segment of the program was a collection of messages of love and gratitude from members of the LDS Church around the world. These messages were submitted via social media and compiled into a video tribute. Viewers saw heartfelt messages from individuals and families from all over the globe, thanking President Nelson for his service and wishing him a happy birthday.

The program ended with a final musical performance, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet". This hymn, sung by a choir and accompanied by orchestra, has special significance for members of the LDS Church, as it expresses gratitude for the prophet sent by God to guide and direct his people.

In summary, President Nelson's 95th Birthday Celebration was a beautiful tribute to a remarkable man. Through music, personal stories, and messages of love and gratitude, viewers were given a glimpse into the life and ministry of one of the most beloved leaders of the LDS Church. It was a celebration of a life well-lived, and a reminder of the impact that one person can have on the world.