This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2024.

Marjorie Nelson Lowder discusses the remarkable life and enduring influence of her mother, Dantzel White Nelson.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Marjorie grew up as the 9th of 10 children of President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Dantzel White Nelson, surrounded by music, books, art, faith and lots of love. She loves to spend time creating, being in nature and gathering with her family and friends. She is an artist, vocalist, and the author/illustrator of a book based on a favorite lullaby her mother used to sing, Pudding on the Moon.

This conversation honors Dantzel’s legacy as a deeply-faithful Latter-day Saint, wife, and mother, emphasizing the principles and traditions she established that created a foundation of unity and spiritual strength for her family.









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Links

Pudding on the Moon

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

In this episode, Kurt interviews Marjorie, the youngest daughter of President Russell M. Nelson, to honor her late mother, Dantzel White Nelson. The conversation explores Dantzel’s life, her influence on the family, and the legacy she left behind, particularly through a children’s book Marjorie authored inspired by a lullaby her mother used to sing.

00:02:55 – Honoring Dantzel White Nelson

Discussion on the life and legacy of President Nelson’s first wife.

00:04:28 – Marjorie’s Book: Putting on the Moon

Introduction to Marjorie’s children’s book inspired by her mother.

00:05:41 – Marjorie’s Early Memories

Marjorie shares her early memories of her mother and family traditions.

00:08:11 – Dantzel’s Background

Details about Dantzel White Nelson’s upbringing and education.

00:09:50 – Courtship of Dantzel and Russell Nelson

The romantic story of how Dantzel and Russell Nelson met and fell in love.

00:10:36 – Family Life and Traditions

Insights into the family dynamics and traditions created by Dantzel.

00:12:32 – Family Olympics and Celebrations

Description of unique family events and celebrations organized by Dantzel.

00:14:19 – Creating Special Memories

Marjorie’s reflections on how her mother made family gatherings memorable.

00:16:26 – Navigating a Large Family

Challenges and dynamics of growing up in a family with many daughters.

00:19:00 – Father’s Medical Career

Insights into the life of being the daughter of a surgeon and its impact on family life.

00:22:26 – Church Callings and Choir

Discussion of Dantzel’s involvement in church callings and her time with the Tabernacle Choir.

00:25:23 – Singing Legacy

Marjorie’s connection to her mother’s musical legacy and family singing traditions.

00:30:11 – Becoming an Apostle

Marjorie’s experience learning about her father’s call to be an apostle.

00:32:04 – Adjusting to New Roles

How Dantzel adapted to her new role as the wife of an apostle.

00:33:31 – Mother-Daughter Relationship

Reflections on Marjorie’s relationship with her mother as a young adult.

00:35:05 – Dantzel’s Calm Demeanor

Stories highlighting Dantzel’s patience and temperament as a mother.

00:39:10 – Coping with Loss

Marjorie’s thoughts on her mother’s sudden passing and the support received.

00:41:44 – Legacy and Remembrance

The importance of sharing stories and memories of Dantzel with others.

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

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