“Elder Brent H. Nielson,” Liahona, May 2009, 135
Elder Brent H. Nielson
Of the Seventy
Elder Brent Hatch Nielson of the Seventy says his family’s motto has been the Savior’s admonition, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
He says the scripture “defines how we feel about our lives. When you do these things first, everything else seems to work out.”
When he was 27, Elder Nielson was called to be a bishop. At age 30, he was called into the stake presidency, and he served in stake presidency positions for 20 years as his six children grew up.
“Our greatest love is our children,” says Marcia Ann Bradford Nielson, Elder Nielson’s wife. “In addition to the gospel, our children give us the greatest happiness.”
Sister Nielson says that even though her husband had many responsibilities, he has been an incredible father. He always took time to be with their children, she says. Some of their family’s favorite activities have been traveling and boating.
She and Elder Nielson were married in June 1978, in the Salt Lake Temple. The family has lived in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA, for 30 years.
Elder Nielson was born to Norman and Lucille Nielson in Burley, Idaho, on December 8, 1954. “I was raised by wonderful parents,” Elder Nielson says.
Prior to his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Nielson served as a full-time missionary in Finland, a ward Young Men president, a high councilor, and an Area Seventy in the Idaho Area.
Elder Nielson received a bachelor of arts degree in English at Brigham Young University in 1978. In 1981 he received a juris doctor degree from the University of Utah. Since 1985 he has been an attorney and partner in a law firm.