[4][5] Nelson earned his BS in agricultural economics from Brigham Young University and his JD from J. Reuben Clark Law School.

[8] [16] Nelson worked for law firm Kirton McConkie[17] which represents the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[18] based out of Salt Lake City, Utah.

In this capacity, one of his duties was receiving phone calls from ecclesiastical leaders through a helpline to give legal advice regarding sensitive situations.

[19] Nelson was named in a lawsuit brought against the church, alleging that he gave legal advice to two Bishops not to report a case of sexual abuse of children to law enforcement or child protective services.

[20] Section 13-3620 of the Arizona Code allows clergy members (like Bishops) to choose whether reporting abuse disclosed in a confession is in the best interests of the parties involved.