Mormon leader Jeffrey R Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), has died at the age of 85, the church has said.
In a statement, LDS officials said Holland died at approximately 3:15 a.m. MST on Saturday, December 27, from complications associated with kidney disease. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
Who was Jeffrey R Holland?
Holland was born on December 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah. He earned degrees in English and religious education from Brigham Young University (BYU) and a master’s degree and PhD in American studies from Yale University, according to newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org
Holland’s career combined roles in academia and church leadership. Before his full-time church service, he was a respected educator.
He served as President of Brigham Young University from 1980 until 1989, and he also worked as Church Commissioner of Education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
During his academic career, he participated in several national educational organisations, including serving on the boards of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and as a member of the NCAA Presidents Commission.
After serving as the president of Brigham Young University from 1980-1989, Holland became an Apostle in June 1994, and was its second-longest serving member.
“The miracle that I represent with the restoration of my life is as real as any miracle in the Old Testament or the New Testament or the Doctrine and Covenants or the Book of Mormon. Miracles still exist,” he had said during his first international trip in his new role as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church, according to Desecret.com
Holland received several honours
During his life, he received several honours including the Torch of Liberty award from the Anti-Defamation League for promoting understanding between Christians and Jews.
Holland was also awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout award by the Boy Scouts of America.
Holland’s wife, Terry, died in July 2023. The couple had three children, 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.