In Memoriam: President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Dies at 85
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in mourning following the passing of President Jeffrey R. Holland, who died early Saturday morning, December 27, 2025. He was 85 years old.
Church officials confirmed that President Holland passed away at approximately 3:15 a.m. while surrounded by his family. His death followed a recent hospitalisation for complications related to kidney disease, a condition he had battled with characteristic resilience for several years. The Church had previously announced his hospitalisation on Christmas Eve, asking for prayers from the global faith community.
President Holland’s passing marks the end of an era for the Church’s senior leadership, coming just months after the death of Church President Russell M. Nelson in September 2025.
A Life of Service and “Consecrated Ministry”
Jeffrey Roy Holland was born on December 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah. Known for his powerful oratory, intellectual depth, and deep compassion, he spent more than three decades as a General Authority, leaving an indelible mark on the faith’s educational and ecclesiastical landscape.
Academic Excellence and Leadership
Before his call to full-time Church service, President Holland was a towering figure in higher education:
- BYU Presidency: He served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University from 1980 to 1989. During his tenure, he was a staunch advocate for combining academic rigor with spiritual faith. He is famously credited with the establishment of the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.
- Educational Commissioner: He served as the Commissioner of the Church Educational System (CES), overseeing the global network of seminaries and institutes.
- Scholarly Background: He held degrees from BYU and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University, often weaving his love for literature and history into his sermons.
Apostolic Ministry
Ordained an Apostle in June 1994, Holland became known as a “special witness of the name of Christ.” His sermons often addressed mental health, the struggles of the youth, and the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
In October 2025, following the reorganization of the First Presidency under President Dallin H. Oaks, Holland was set apart as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest presiding body in the Church.
Legacy of Faith and Family
President Holland’s personal life was a testament to the doctrines he taught. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Terry Holland, who passed away in July 2023. Their partnership was legendary within the Church, often described as a “dual ministry.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook, a longtime friend and missionary companion to Holland in the 1960s, once noted that even as a young man, Holland possessed a “fabulous” talent for teaching. “There was nobody better in the Church at teaching,” Cook remarked.
Family Survivors:
President Holland is survived by his three children:
- Matthew S. Holland (a General Authority Seventy and former UVU President)
- Mary Alice Holland McCann
- David S. Holland
He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
What Happens Next in Church Leadership?
In accordance with long-standing Church protocol, the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will eventually be filled by a new member called by the President of the Church.
The position of President of the Quorum of the Twelve typically falls to the most senior member of the Quorum by date of ordination. With President Holland’s passing, Elder Henry B. Eyring (currently a counselor in the First Presidency) is the most senior Apostle, followed by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
| Leadership Milestones | Year |
| Mission to Great Britain | 1960–1962 |
| Married Patricia Terry | 1963 |
| President of BYU | 1980–1989 |
| Ordained an Apostle | 1994 |
| Acting President of the Twelve | 2023 |
| President of the Twelve | 2025 |
Since the announcement, social media has been flooded with tributes using the hashtag #JeffreyRHolland. Members and world leaders alike have cited his 2013 General Conference address on depression, “Like a Broken Vessel,” as a turning point in how the faith discusses mental health.
“He didn’t just teach the gospel; he made you feel the Savior’s love through his words,” said one local ward member in Salt Lake City.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced but are expected to take place at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in the coming week.
