For the past 23 years of my life, I have been lucky enough to call this wonderful man,

President Russell M. Nelson, my great- grandfather. I love this man. Because of our sweet connection, I've had a personal look into the inner aspects of his life, and I've been directly blessed by his incredible example, undying devotion, and unfailing love. In recognition of this unique relationship, I want to share some of my great- grandfather’s attributes I love the most. Because he is a world-class enjoyer of lists, I will call this list my Top Three Century Highlights.

When I think back to my childhood, I think of my great-grandfather as a tender and loving man. This is the first Century Highlight I love about him—his love.

He is a man who loves his family deeply.

I fondly recall my great-grandfather playing the piano, surrounded by children, all laughing, singing, and smiling.

I remember him proudly informing our entire family that I had been cast in my ninth grade rendition of The King and I.

He even enthusiastically and spontaneously sang a tune from the play to show his support and love.

He has also, as grandfathers have been known to do, given personalized nicknames to almost everyone in his family.

Cute, loving, endearing nicknames.

I will always think of his love when I think of him. From his hugs to his personalized nicknames, he has always been full of love. My grandfather is a man who shows up.

A man who is dependable. A man who is reliable.

This is the second Century Highlight I associate with him—his steadfastness. Despite serving in a myriad of callings, he has hardly ever missed a baby blessing, baptism, mission call opening, or special family event.

Our family has become very large, but he has always focused on us as individuals.

As a young teenager, I was especially touched by this attention.

I was struggling with many things but was feeling especially shaky about my faith.

I was invited to attend general conference, and the minute my grandfather entered the room, his eyes sought me out.

I locked eyes on him and felt his undeniable love and support.

I don't think he explicitly knew that I was struggling, but his gentle dependability was grounding for a young, unsure girl.

I could tangibly feel a solid wave of encouragement,

reminding me that he was proud of me and that he loved me even when I was struggling. My grandfather was also steadfast in his education. His professional education and accomplishments are well known, but his dedication to personal learning, including a lifelong study of various languages, isn’t as well known, though Holland did just say that. During our family calls, he will pause to look at me and say, “Tack så mycket.”

Tack så mycket is Swedish for thank-you. I served my mission in Sweden. Not many 100-year-old men know how to say thank-you in Swedish, or even remember that they have a granddaughter who served a mission in Sweden. It's a small, meaningful way for him to show his love for me in and country that we both cherish. He is dedicated to his family.

He wants to know about our achievements and our struggles. In our struggles,

his advice is profound and thoughtful.

He helps and lifts us from personal failures.

He remembers all our accomplishments, including birthdays, graduations, mission calls, marriages, and everything in between.

He has been and remains steadfast in all things, and I love him for it.

My great-grandfather has a profound respect for women.

I’ve been able to see just how much he loves me, his wife, his daughters, his granddaughters, and all of the women in his life. This respect and esteem for women is the third Century Highlight I love about my grandfather.

The love that my grandfather shares with the women in his family is the same love and respect that he has for all women of the Church and, by extension, the world.

You don't need to be his granddaughter to share his love or to be part of his family. His respect for women is innate.

He has said the heavens are just as open to women as they are to men.

He has taught that the kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women.

He is proud to exclaim that we need women who have the courage and vision of our mother, Eve. He loves and respects men and women equally.

In the novel Les Misérables, Victor Hugo states, “to love another person is to see the face of God.”

This quote exemplifies my grandfather. Because he loves others so deeply, regardless of gender, he is able to love God.

I have been empowered by his love and respect for women. I have never felt less around him. I am grateful for his understanding of the role that we all play, and his understanding of my powerful role as a woman.

It is impossibly hard to encapsulate a man as wonderful as my great-grandfather in such a short tribute,

but I hope you can sense at least a measure of his remarkable character and his huge capacity for love.

He is a truly tremendous man who tenderly cares for and loves each member of this global Church.

I will be forever proud to call him grandfather and to be his baby Ashlyn.

Happy birthday, grandfather. One hundred looks good on you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

[APPLAUSE]