President Nelson’s connection with church membersThose first days forged a deep and tender connection between President Nelson and church members around the world. Once, Dennis left President Nelson in charge of the lab while he left on an extended trip overseas. In 1955, President Nelson became first to perform an open-heart operation west of the Mississippi. “I declare my devotion to God our Eternal Father, and to his Son, Jesus Christ,” President Nelson said. “President Nelson, I don’t know how many more rushes we can handle this weekend,” then-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve joked.