This article was originally written by Kelsey Berteaux for LDSLiving.com.
One of the most beautiful things about the LDS Church is how it brings people together from different backgrounds, and the pasts of the Brethren leading this church are no different. Find out what unique jobs some general authorities have held before they were called to serve.
NFL Quarterback
Elder S. Gifford Nielsen of the First Quorum of the Seventy was a third-round pick in the NFL draft in 1978. He was selected by the Houston Oilers.
During the first three years of his NFL career, Nielsen’s team was relatively successful. However, after he experienced two shoulder injuries, the fans blamed him for their team’s failure, and he retired after a short six-year career in the NFL.
After retiring from the game, Nielsen went on to work as a sports director for KHOU-TV in Houston until 2009. He was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 6th, 2013.
Cardiothoracic (Heart) Surgeon
Elder Russell M. Nelson, who has three doctorates, first became a full-fledged M.D. at the age of 22. In his illustrous medical career, he is most well-known for working on the team that developed the first heart and lung machine, enabling surgeons to perform more complex procedures during open heart surgery.
As his LDS.org profile says, “Over the years, he literally touched the hearts of thousands of patients, including top Church and civic leaders. In 1972 he performed heart surgery on Elder Spencer W. Kimball. Following the surgery he received a personal witness that his patient would someday become President of the Church.”
Four-star General in the US Air Force
Elder Bruce A. Carlson retired as a General from the United States Air Force on November 21, 2008. As part of his retirement, he also relinquished command of Air Force Material Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He served in the US Air Force for 37 years.
Five months after his retirement, on April 4, 2009, he was sustained a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.
Read Berteaux’s full article at LDSLiving.com.
