Elder Brent H. Nielson
Presidency of the Seventy
One of the important lessons Elder Brent H. Nielson learned after a family member left the Church for several years is that all of God’s children need the Savior’s love and the healing power of His Atonement.
While studying Luke 15 with his family during this time, Elder Nielson heard the parable of the prodigal son in a new way.
“For some reason, I had always related to the son who stayed home. … That morning, I realized that in some ways I was the prodigal son,” he said. “All of us fall short of the glory of the Father (see Romans 3:23). All of us need the Savior’s Atonement to heal us. All of us are lost and need to be found.”1
Elder Brent Hatch Nielson was sustained as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on October 3, 2020, following the release of Elder L. Whitney Clayton, who was granted emeritus status.
Elder Nielson was born in Burley, Idaho, USA, on December 8, 1954. As a young man he served a full-time mission in Finland. He married Marcia Ann Bradford in June 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of six children.
Elder Nielson received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Brigham Young University in 1978. In 1981 he received a juris doctor degree from the University of Utah. He subsequently worked as an attorney and partner in a law firm in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA, for nearly 30 years.
Elder Nielson has served as a counselor in the Pacific Area and the Philippines Area and as the Philippines Area President. From 2015 to 2020, he served as the Executive Director of the Missionary Department.
Before his call as a General Authority Seventy in April 2009, he served as ward Young Men president, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, and Area Seventy in the Idaho Area.