Biography
Jeffrey Roy Holland was born on December 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah, a quiet desert town known for red rock cliffs and deep religious roots. He grew up in a home where faith was not an accessory but a way of life. His father, Frank D. Holland, was a convert to the LDS Church, while his mother, Alice Holland, came from generations of devoted Latter-day Saints. That blend of new belief and inherited tradition shaped Jeffrey’s outlook early on.
As a young boy, Holland learned the value of work before he ever learned the weight of leadership. He delivered newspapers, bagged groceries, and worked at a service station. These weren’t glamorous jobs, but they taught him discipline and humility — lessons that quietly followed him for the rest of his life.
He attended Dixie High School, graduating in 1959. Sports played a big role in his teenage years. He helped lead his school to state championships in football and basketball, experiences that built teamwork, resilience, and confidence. These qualities later became visible in how he worked with faculty, students, missionaries, and church members.
After high school, Holland began his college education at Dixie College. Like many young Latter-day Saint men of his era, he paused his studies to serve a mission in Great Britain. That mission became one of the most formative chapters of his life. He learned how to teach, how to listen, and how to speak with conviction — not from a script, but from the heart. One of his missionary companions was Quentin L. Cook, who would later also become a senior church leader.
Upon returning home, Holland transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU). He earned a bachelor’s degree in English, followed by a master’s degree in religious education. Even as a graduate student, he taught religion classes part-time, already blending scholarship with spiritual instruction.
His academic hunger didn’t stop there. Holland went on to Yale University, where he earned a second master’s degree and a PhD in American Studies. At Yale, he studied under respected scholars and wrote a doctoral dissertation examining the religious themes in the writings of Mark Twain a fascinating intersection of literature, faith, and American identity.
From Utah to the Ivy League and back again, Holland’s biography is a reminder that faith and intellect don’t have to live in separate rooms.
Career
Jeffrey R. Holland’s career was like a long, carefully built bridge — one end rooted in education, the other in global religious leadership.
Early Educational Leadership
After completing his doctorate, Holland served as an Institute of Religion teacher and director in several locations, including California and Washington. These roles placed him directly in contact with young adults wrestling with faith, identity, and purpose. He didn’t preach at them; he taught with them.
In 1974, at just 33 years old, Holland was appointed Dean of Religious Education at BYU. This was no small responsibility. During his tenure, he founded the BYU Religious Studies Center, reinforcing the idea that religious scholarship deserved the same academic respect as any other discipline.
Two years later, he became the Commissioner of the Church Educational System (CES). In this role, he oversaw seminaries, institutes, and church-run educational programs worldwide. It was here that Holland proved he could manage large systems without losing sight of individual people.
President of Brigham Young University
In 1980, Holland was appointed the ninth president of Brigham Young University, succeeding Dallin H. Oaks. Some expected controversy. Instead, Holland surprised many by focusing less on buildings and more on people.
He launched a major fundraising campaign called “Excellence in the Eighties”, raising over $100 million to support scholarships, faculty salaries, and academic resources. He emphasized hiring strong faculty and strengthening research libraries rather than rapid campus expansion.
One of his most enduring achievements during this period was the founding of the BYU Jerusalem Center, a symbol of BYU’s global academic vision.
Holland believed BYU should be academically respected and spiritually grounded not one at the expense of the other. He often described the university as a place where faith and intellect walk side by side.
Church Leadership and Apostleship
In 1989, Holland was called as a General Authority and member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, ending his tenure as BYU president. This marked the transition from academic leadership to full-time global church service.
On June 23, 1994, Holland was ordained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the highest leadership bodies in the LDS Church. From that moment until his death, he was sustained by church members as a prophet, seer, and revelator.
Over the next three decades, Holland served in leadership assignments across Europe, South America, Africa, and beyond. He chaired major curriculum initiatives, including work that led to Preach My Gospel, one of the church’s most influential missionary resources.
His sermons were widely known for their emotional depth. He spoke often about grace, endurance, loneliness, and hope — using metaphors that felt more like conversations than lectures. Many listeners described his talks as “a hand on the shoulder during hard times.”
In 2023, following the death of M. Russell Ballard, Holland became Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In October 2025, he was formally set apart as President of the Quorum, serving until his death two months later.
Cause of Death
Jeffrey R. Holland passed away on December 27, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 85.
The confirmed cause of death was kidney disease, a condition he had battled quietly for years. In 2023, the church publicly acknowledged that Holland had been undergoing dialysis and had also faced complications related to COVID-19. These health challenges led him to temporarily reduce his public duties, though he continued serving as his strength allowed.
In the days leading up to his passing, the church announced that Holland had been hospitalized due to ongoing health complications. His death came peacefully, surrounded by care, marking the end of a lifetime of service rather than a sudden tragedy.
For many members of the church, his passing felt like losing a familiar voice — one that had spoken comfort into living rooms, chapels, and hearts around the world.
Personal Life
Behind the public figure was a deeply private man who valued love, loyalty, and consistency.
Jeffrey R. Holland married Patricia Terry on June 7, 1963, in the St. George Temple. Their marriage lasted 60 years, until Patricia’s death in July 2023. Together, they formed one of the most admired partnerships in church leadership.
Holland often spoke of his wife with visible emotion, crediting her as his emotional anchor. He once described their relationship as a shared calling, not a separate one.
Despite his global responsibilities, Holland made intentional efforts to remain present in his home life. Friends and colleagues frequently noted that he spoke of his family not as an obligation, but as a joy.
Family
Jeffrey and Patricia Holland had three children, and family legacy became a natural extension of his life’s work.
- Matthew S. Holland, their oldest son, served as President of Utah Valley University and later became a General Authority of the church.
- David F. Holland, their youngest son, became a respected historian and scholar, serving as Professor of Church History at Harvard Divinity School and later as interim dean.
Rather than pushing his children toward religious careers, Holland encouraged education, integrity, and independent thinking. That encouragement allowed each of them to walk meaningful paths while honoring their upbringing.
Family gatherings, according to those close to them, were filled with conversation, laughter, and reflection — not titles or hierarchy.
Conclusion
Jeffrey R. Holland’s life reads less like a résumé and more like a long conversation thoughtful, passionate, sometimes firm, often tender. He bridged classrooms and pulpits, scholarship and spirituality, leadership and compassion.
He taught that faith wasn’t about perfection but perseverance. That doubt didn’t mean failure. And that love, when paired with truth, could withstand almost anything.
Long after his final sermon, his words continue to echo — not because they were loud, but because they were sincere.
FAQs
Who was Jeffrey R. Holland?
Jeffrey R. Holland was an American religious leader, educator, and senior apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What was Jeffrey R. Holland known for?
He was known for his emotional sermons, academic leadership at BYU, and decades of global service as an LDS apostle.
What caused Jeffrey R. Holland’s death?
He died from complications related to kidney disease on December 27, 2025.
Was Jeffrey R. Holland married?
Yes, he was married to Patricia Terry Holland for 60 years until her death in 2023.
Did Jeffrey R. Holland have children?
Yes, he had three children, including Matthew Holland and David Holland, both notable educators and church leaders.
Peter Charles is a journalist and writer who covers battery-material recycling, urban mining, and the growing use of microreactors in industry. With 10 years of experience in industrial reporting, he explains new technologies and industry changes in clear, simple terms. He holds both a BSc and an MSc in Electrical Engineering, which gives him the technical knowledge to report accurately and insightfully on these topics.
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