The First Presidency released the following statement on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Jeffrey R. Holland has been called to serve as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received the official appointment and was set apart by Church President Russell M. Nelson on November 15, 2023, succeeding the late Acting President M. Russell Ballard, who died on November 12, 2023.
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church. In addition to their primary responsibility to be special witnesses of the name of Christ throughout the world, these Apostles have significant administrative responsibilities in overseeing the operation and development of a global Church. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency, which includes the Church President and two counselors.
It is the Church’s practice that the senior member by date of assignment to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes quorum president. President Holland, like President Ballard before him, is designated “Acting President” because President Dallin H. Oaks, who is senior in apostolic service, currently serves as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, a St. George, Utah, native, was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on June 23, 1994. Known for his powerful speaking style, President Holland has continued to serve with faith and vigor as he faced the death of his wife and multiple health challenges throughout 2023.
In his first personal message to Church members on social media since July, President Holland discussed what the past few months have been like and shared a powerful testimony in early October.
He wrote:
Most of you will know that my wife Pat passed away last July with complications from Covid and other respiratory problems. I am brokenhearted and lonely, but that is the price we pay for love in the world. I look forward to rejoining her.
But the wonder of life goes on, including for these two great-grandchildren who, with our other family members, were the delight of Pat’s life. Her passing and their arrival are a reminder that both birth and death are a part of the Savior’s plan of happiness. I dearly, deeply miss Pat, but I am grateful for a new generation in our family. This is why we speak of family so much in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for, as President Russell M. Nelson has said, salvation is an individual experience, but exaltation is a family experience.
I bear witness of the beauty of this plan and that all is well if we live for its promises. I am trying to live worthily of those promises and the trust that those living on Pat’s side of the veil have in those of us who have access to the temple where so many of those promises are revealed.
You can learn more about President Holland here.
