I am inexpressibly

happy to bring greetings to President Nelson

on the occasion of celebration

of his 100th birthday. And I say that it goes without saying,

he has justified his existence in this world.

He did not just exist, but he,

after the upbringing and training that he received in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the love and nurturing of his parents,

his receiving his academic training,

by the way, parenthetically, in medicine at the University of Minnesota,

where I had the privilege of also pastoring the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

And little did I know that in 2019 I would be at the NAACP National Convention,

when I was asked by the NAACP National Board to introduce President Nelson

to that great concourse of delegates there.

And when I introduced him, I introduced him as my brother of another mother.

And I meant that because I felt that kindred spirit

immediately when I met him.

And he came with a track record of leading The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to higher pursuits of racial reckoning, understanding,

and working to provide a better day for all of God's children, particularly those who lived in urban communities around this nation.

He, my brother, who has a worldview

and has led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints through unparalleled

accomplishments

of humanitarian, spiritual,

cultural, and social betterment in this nation and world. So

happy birthday, Mr. President.

I wish more years upon you and your dear wife, Mrs. Nelson,

and that you will go on from strength to strength,

keeping the beloved community intact. Amen.