President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the age of 85. The church confirmed his death, which occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. while he was surrounded by family. Holland had been hospitalized earlier in the week due to complications from kidney disease.
Holland, who served as the president of Brigham Young University from 1980 to 1989, was called as an apostle in June 1994. He was the second-longest serving member of the Quorum following Dallin H. Oaks. His significant contributions to the church and his eloquent teachings garnered him deep respect within the community. Elder Quentin L. Cook, another senior leader, expressed his admiration, noting Holland’s “enormous spiritual depth” and exceptional teaching abilities.
The passing of Holland leaves a notable gap in church leadership, especially as he was next in line to lead the church under its established succession plan. Following Holland’s death, Henry B. Eyring, who is 92 years old, is now expected to take on the presidency.
Holland’s health had been in decline for some time. In October, he was notably absent from a selection of church events, where he was seen using a wheelchair. His struggles with health issues were a topic of discussion among church observers, particularly when Oaks did not appoint him as a counselor.
Born in St. George, Utah, Holland dedicated much of his career to education before ascending to church leadership. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Holland, who passed away in July 2023, along with their three children, 13 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.
Church leaders and local officials have begun to pay tribute to Holland, highlighting his compassionate leadership and the impact he made throughout his life. His legacy includes a wide array of teachings, noted for their depth and eloquence.
As the church moves forward, the focus will inevitably shift to the leadership structure and how Holland’s passing will influence the future direction of the church in both domestic and international contexts.