Hi there, my Y. Religion friends, Professor Anthony Swet here from B.O.

Use Department of Church History and Doctor and welcome to another fabulous episode of the Y. Religion podcast.

Shortly after Russell M. Nelson became the 17th Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

in January of 2018, there was this interesting press release from NBC News announcing it.

In hindsight, the title of the article is meaning to be serious, but it's almost comical.

It reads, quote, noted heart surgeon Russell Nelson unlikely to transform Mormon Church as new president and of quote.

And then the opening line says,

Russell M. Nelson, the new leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

isn't expected to move the Church in major new directions and of quote.

That prediction about the Church and its new Prophet President could not have been more wrong.

Not only has he majorly transformed the Church in just a few short years,

one of his first things was saying, let's quit calling it the Mormon Church, which is what made that headline so great.

Just a few of the changes that he has made since becoming Prophet.

We know high priest group were dissolved and became part of the Elder's Quorum.

Young men's Presidencies were released and Bishop Rick took over as the Young men's Presidents.

The names of the young women's classes were dropped. Rest in peace, beehives.

Home teaching was replaced with ministering.

Three-hour Sunday meetings were reduced to two-hour meetings,

with a home-centered Church-supported emphasis based on Come Follow Me.

It was announced that women could now serve as baptismal and temple witnesses and on and on.

The Church News calculates that there have been at least 39 significant changes since President Nelson took over.

Listen to what Professor Mark Ogletree, who was recently published on President Nelson's tenure as Prophet explained.

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