Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died early Saturday morning, Dec. 27, at age 85, following complications associated with kidney disease. His death marks the end of a ministry that spanned more than half a century and reached millions across continents, classrooms, and congregations.
Widely regarded as one of the Church’s most influential modern voices, President Holland was known for his eloquence, emotional candor, and unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. News of his passing prompted an immediate outpouring of tributes from Church members, educators, and interfaith leaders worldwide, many of whom described his teachings as both intellectually rigorous and deeply human.
“President Holland taught doctrine with heart,” said one Latter-day Saint educator in Utah. “He made faith feel personal, urgent, and hopeful—especially in moments of doubt.”
Born in St. George, Utah, on Dec. 3, 1940, Holland often described himself as a “southern Utah boy through and through,” shaped by pioneer grit and a culture of hard work. That ethic carried him from modest beginnings to the presidency of Brigham Young University, where he oversaw major academic and spiritual expansion, including the establishment of the BYU Jerusalem Center—an initiative that strengthened interfaith and international academic dialogue.
Before becoming an Apostle in 1994, Holland served as a General Authority Seventy, commissioner of the Church Educational System, and dean of BYU’s College of Religious Education. His leadership combined scholarship with pastoral sensitivity, a balance that later defined his nearly three decades in the Quorum of the Twelve.
In recent years, President Holland spoke openly about his health struggles, including neuropathy, kidney failure requiring regular dialysis, and a life-threatening bout with COVID-19. In a 2023 media interview, he credited prayer—offered by Church members around the world—for sustaining his life. “Those prayers are proof,” he said, “that God often answers prayers through other people.”
His resilience became a defining feature of his final ministry. During April 2024 general conference, Holland reflected on surviving a serious illness that brought him, in his words, to the “edge of eternity.” The experience, he said, renewed his urgency to teach with greater consecration and focus on Christ.
Beyond the pulpit, Holland was remembered as a devoted husband to his wife of 60 years, Patricia Terry Holland, who died in July 2023. Together they raised three children and frequently spoke publicly about faith, loss, and perseverance, offering rare vulnerability from senior Church leadership. Their partnership—often affectionately referred to by BYU students as “the Jeff and Pat show”—modeled an integrated life of intellect, service, and love.
Church leaders and members alike note that President Holland’s impact extended beyond Latter-day Saint circles. His interfaith work earned recognition from Jewish organizations, and his writings on faith and endurance continue to circulate widely on social media, particularly among younger believers navigating uncertainty.
As the global Church mourns his passing, many are returning to his words—especially his assurance that faith, though tested, is never wasted. In an era of rapid change and spiritual questioning, President Jeffrey R. Holland leaves behind a legacy rooted not only in doctrine, but in empathy, courage, and enduring hope.