The Life of Sister Dantzel White Nelson | An Interview with Marjorie Nelson Lowder

Oct 4, 2025

Marjorie Nelson Lowder, the youngest daughter of President Russell M. Nelson, shares heartfelt insights about her mother, Dantzel White Nelson. She discusses Dantzel’s profound influence on family traditions, her initial musical pursuits, and her choice to prioritize family over a professional career. Marjorie reflects on their large family's dynamics, the joy of shared singing, and how Dantzel navigated trials with resilience. The conversation also highlights Marjorie's book, inspired by a cherished lullaby from her mother, capturing Dantzel's enduring legacy.

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ANECDOTE

Book Inspired By A Lullaby

Marjorie wrote Putting On The Moon based on a lullaby her mother sang to the children nightly.
She illustrated the book herself and turned a family memory into a published board book.

ANECDOTE

Juilliard Scholarship Turned Family

Dantzel White had musical training and earned a full-ride scholarship to Juilliard but chose marriage and motherhood instead.
She taught school and prioritized family over a professional music career.

ANECDOTE

Traditions That Bind Families

Marjorie recalls her mother creating holiday traditions and making family gatherings special and memorable.
Those traditions strengthened family unity and endure across generations.

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This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2024.

Marjorie Nelson Lowder discusses the remarkable life and enduring influence of her mother, Dantzel White Nelson.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Marjorie grew up as the 9th of 10 children of President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Dantzel White Nelson, surrounded by music, books, art, faith and lots of love. She loves to spend time creating, being in nature and gathering with her family and friends. She is an artist, vocalist, and the author/illustrator of a book based on a favorite lullaby her mother used to sing, Pudding on the Moon.

This conversation honors Dantzel’s legacy as a deeply-faithful Latter-day Saint, wife, and mother, emphasizing the principles and traditions she established that created a foundation of unity and spiritual strength for her family.

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Pudding on the Moon
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

In this episode, Kurt interviews Marjorie, the youngest daughter of President Russell M. Nelson, to honor her late mother, Dantzel White Nelson. The conversation explores Dantzel’s life, her influence on the family, and the legacy she left behind, particularly through a children’s book Marjorie authored inspired by a lullaby her mother used to sing.
00:02:55 – Honoring Dantzel White Nelson
Discussion on the life and legacy of President Nelson’s first wife.

00:04:28 – Marjorie’s Book: Putting on the Moon
Introduction to Marjorie’s children’s book inspired by her mother.

00:05:41 – Marjorie’s Early Memories
Marjorie shares her early memories of her mother and family traditions.

00:08:11 – Dantzel’s Background
Details about Dantzel White Nelson’s upbringing and education.

00:09:50 – Courtship of Dantzel and Russell Nelson
The romantic story of how Dantzel and Russell Nelson met and fell in love.

00:10:36 – Family Life and Traditions
Insights into the family dynamics and traditions created by Dantzel.

00:12:32 – Family Olympics and Celebrations
Description of unique family events and celebrations organized by Dantzel.

00:14:19 – Creating Special Memories
Marjorie’s reflections on how her mother made family gatherings memorable.

00:16:26 – Navigating a Large Family
Challenges and dynamics of growing up in a family with many daughters.

00:19:00 – Father’s Medical Career
Insights into the life of being the daughter of a surgeon and its impact on family life.

00:22:26 – Church Callings and Choir
Discussion of Dantzel’s involvement in church callings and her time with the Tabernacle Choir.

00:25:23 – Singing Legacy
Marjorie’s connection to her mother’s musical legacy and family singing traditions.

00:30:11 – Becoming an Apostle
Marjorie’s experience learning about her father’s call to be an apostle.

00:32:04 – Adjusting to New Roles
How Dantzel adapted to her new role as the wife of an apostle.

00:33:31 – Mother-Daughter Relationship
Reflections on Marjorie’s relationship with her mother as a young adult.

00:35:05 – Dantzel’s Calm Demeanor
Stories highlighting Dantzel’s patience and temperament as a mother.

00:39:10 – Coping with Loss
Marjorie’s thoughts on her mother’s sudden passing and the support received.

00:41:44 – Legacy and Remembrance
The importance of sharing stories and memories of Dantzel with others.

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