Jeffrey R. Holland, a high-ranking official within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Saturday morning at the age of 85 in Salt Lake City. The church announced his death was due to complications associated with kidney disease. As a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he was positioned in the line of succession for the church presidency.
Church Leadership and Succession
Mr. Holland served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a governing body responsible for establishing church policy and overseeing its global operations and business interests. At the time of his death, he was the longest-tenured member of the Quorum after President Dallin H. Oaks. This seniority positioned him next in line to potentially lead the church under its established succession protocol.
Dallin H. Oaks, 93, assumed the church presidency for its more than 17 million global members in October. Following Mr. Holland's death, Henry B. Eyring, 92, one of President Oaks's counselors, is now next in line for the presidency.
Mr. Holland had been hospitalized during the Christmas holiday due to ongoing health complications. His declining health was noted in October, coinciding with President Oaks not selecting him as a counselor in a senior leadership body. His passing creates a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which President Oaks is expected to fill in the coming months by appointing a new apostle from a lower-tier leadership council. Apostles within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are exclusively male, consistent with the church's all-male priesthood.
Educational Background and Contributions
Born and raised in St. George, Utah, Mr. Holland dedicated many years to education administration prior to his call to church leadership. He served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University (BYU), the church's flagship institution in Utah, from 1980 to 1989. He also held the position of commissioner for the church's global education system.
During his tenure at BYU, efforts were made to enhance interfaith relations, and a satellite campus was established in Jerusalem. For his contributions to fostering understanding between Christian and Jewish communities, Mr. Holland was recognized with the "Torch of Liberty" award from the Anti-Defamation League.
Public Statements and Profile
President Dallin H. Oaks commented on his more than 50 years of friendship and service with Mr. Holland, stating that Mr. Holland "lifted the weary, encouraged the faithful and bore a powerful witness of the Savior — even through seasons of significant personal trials" during his three decades as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Mr. Holland was recognized for his oratorical style, which integrated academic scholarship into his sermons. In 2013, he addressed church members regarding support for individuals with depression and other mental illnesses, sharing personal experiences of feeling "like a broken vessel."
In 2021, Mr. Holland delivered a speech encouraging church members to defend the faith's doctrines concerning same-sex marriage. This address, colloquially known as "the musket fire speech," became mandatory reading for BYU freshmen in 2024. The inclusion of this speech in the curriculum generated concerns among LGBTQ+ students and advocacy groups.
Personal Life
Mr. Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry Holland. He is survived by their three children, 13 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.