the church's plans were "wishful thinking, not based in reality." Marriages and children While a student at the University of Utah, Nelson met and began dating fellow Utah student Dantzel White (1926–2005). They dated for three years, then married on August 31, 1945, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they had ten children: nine daughtersMarsha, Wendy (1951–2019), Gloria, Brenda, Sylvia, Emily (1958–1995), Laurie, Rosalie, and Marjorieand a son, Russell Jr. (b. 1972). Dantzel White was a native of Perry, Utah, and first met Nelson when they were the co-leads in a musical produced at the University of Utah. During the 1950s, Dantzel was a member of the Tabernacle Choir. Dantzel Nelson died unexpectedly at their home in Salt Lake City on February 12, 2005, at age 78. The following year, Nelson married Wendy L. Watson (b. 1950) in the Salt Lake Temple. Watson, originally from Raymond, Alberta, was a professor of marriage and family therapy at BYU prior to her retirement in 2006. Her marriage to Nelson is her first. Positions and awards President of the Thoracic Surgical Directors Association President of the Society for Vascular Surgery (1975) President of the Utah State Medical Association Director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery Chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association Chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the LDS Hospital Vice-chairman of the board of governors at the LDS Hospital "Citation for International Service", American Heart Association "Heart of Gold Award", American Heart Association "Golden Plate Award", American Academy of Achievement "Distinguished Alumni Award", University of Utah "Surgical Alumnus of the Year Award", University of Minnesota Medical School "Governor's Medal of Science: Lifetime Achievement Award", Utah Technology Innovation Summit "Advocate of the Arts" award presented by the Inspirational Arts Association. In June 2018, the University of Utah endowed a chair in cardiothoracic surgery named after Nelson and his first wife, Dantzel. Honorary degrees Selected works Books Speeches See also Council on the Disposition of the Tithes Michael T. Ringwood Notes References External links "General Authorities and General Officers: President Russell M. Nelson", churchofjesuschrist.org Nelson on Special Witnesses of Christ 1924 births Living people American general authorities (LDS Church) American people of Danish descent American people of English descent American people of Norwegian descent American people of Scottish descent American people of Swedish descent American surgeons Apostles (LDS Church) General Presidents of the Sunday School