Living to 101 is a privilege I never anticipated. I grew up during the Great Depression as the world emerged from the First World War. Over a century, I have witnessed extraordinary breakthroughs in medicine and communication—from the telegram to Instagram—and I have seen wars and peace. The world has changed dramatically. Yet what I have learned is that some truths do not change. These enduring truths are what anchor us in turbulent times.
As a heart surgeon for four decades and an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for four more, I have spent my life studying both the physical and the spiritual heart. Early in my career, during the pioneering days of open-heart surgery, conventional wisdom held that the heart should never be touched, or it would stop. That belief proved false. In the research lab, my colleagues and I discovered that, when treated according to natural laws, the heart could be stopped, repaired, and revived. By carefully balancing sodium and potassium in the blood, we could pause the heart long enough to mend it—and then see it spring back to life when that balance was restored. I still remember a professor asking me years later, “But what if it doesn’t work?” My answer was simple: It always works. This is one example—despite longstanding beliefs—of an irrefutable truth.
Later, as a faith leader, I came to understand that the human spirit flourishes when nourished by divine truth as well. On the occasion of my 101st birthday, I wish to share two such truths—lessons that I believe contribute to lasting happiness and peace.
First: Each of us has inherent worth and dignity. I believe we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. But no matter your religion or spirituality, recognizing the underlying truth beneath this belief that we all deserve dignity is liberating—it brings emotional, mental, and spiritual equilibrium—and the more you embrace it, the more your anxiety and fear about the future will decrease.
Life can be terrifying, and I have watched many—especially young people—struggle with anxiety about whether they belong or have value. But a heart that knows it is loved and remains focused on its purpose beats with steadiness, confidence, and hope no matter what is happening—or not happening—in life.
Second: Love your neighbor and treat them with compassion and respect. A century of experience has taught me this with certainty: anger never persuades, hostility never heals, and contention never leads to lasting solutions. Too much of today’s public discourse, especially online, fosters enmity instead of empathy.
Imagine how different our world could be if more of us were peacemakers—building bridges of understanding rather than walls of prejudice—especially with those who may see the world differently than we do. I have seen bitter divisions soften when neighbors chose to listen to one another with respect rather than suspicion. Even small acts—like reaching out across lines of faith, culture, or politics—can open doors to healing. There is power in affording others the human dignity that all of God’s children deserve.
This work begins at home. At a time when loneliness and isolation are rising around the world, families—though never perfect—remain one of life’s strongest sources of stability and meaning. My own experience has taught me that fidelity, forgiveness, and faithfulness within families yield deep, enduring peace. Strong families help us extend kindness outward, reinforcing communities and societies as well.
After more than a century of life and decades of studying both the human body and the human soul, I have found this to be true: we are happiest when we remember our divine worth and extend that recognition to others—beginning with our own families.
My faith teaches me that over two millennia ago, Jesus Christ preached these same laws of happiness: to love God and to love our neighbor. After 101 years, I can say that these are not abstract theological ideas—they are practical wisdom. They are what have sustained me through loss and triumph, uncertainty, peace, war, and healing. If we embrace these eternal truths—honoring our own worth, treating others with dignity, and nurturing our families—our lives, and our world, will be steadier and more joyful.
That is my birthday wish for all of us.
The post Russell M. Nelson: We All Deserve Dignity and Respect appeared first on TIME.
