Jeffrey R. Holland

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Jeffrey R. Holland

Jeffrey Roy Holland (b. December 3, 1940) is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Born in St. George, Utah), Holland was ordained an Apostle on June 23, 1994, following the death of Church President Ezra Taft Benson, and sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 1, 1994. Other prominent service in the Church predating his ordination as an Apostle included serving as president of Brigham Young University and as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. As a young man Holland served a mission to England.

Holland was the youngest Apostle in the Church from his ordination by Church President Howard W. Hunter until the sustaining of David A. Bednar ten years later, being eight years younger than Apostles Dallin H. Oaks and Robert D. Hales. In 2002, Holland and Oaks were both sent to preside personally over the Church's area presidencies in foreign countries: Oaks was assigned to the Philippines Area and Holland to the Chile Area of the Church. In an interview, Holland pledged to involve himself deeply in the local congregations that he supervised.

Holland is well known in the Church for his passionate writing and powerful intellect. A graduate of BYU (B.A.) and Yale (M.A. and Ph.D.), he is recognized even from within the Quorum of the Twelve as one of the most outstanding writers among the General Authorities of the Church. His talks demonstrate his abundant enthusiasm for the Gospel and extraordinary desire to share it with others. Known also for his very animated speaking style, many of his talks have become favorites among missionaries and other groups of people inside the church. Links to a few of his most memorable talks are given below.

Holland and his wife, the former Patricia Terry, have three grown children: Matthew, Mary and David.