Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead LDS Church, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland, 85, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and next in line under the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ succession rules to lead the church, died early Saturday in Salt Lake City from complications of kidney disease after being hospitalized over the Christmas holiday. A former president of Brigham Young University known for establishing BYU’s Jerusalem Center and for notable sermons on mental health and church teachings, Holland is survived by three children, 13 grandchildren and several great‑grandchildren; his death creates a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve that President Dallin H. Oaks will fill and makes Henry B. Eyring the new next in line.
📌 Key Facts
- Jeffrey R. Holland, 85, died early Saturday morning in Salt Lake City from complications associated with kidney disease after being hospitalized over the Christmas holiday.
- He was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and, as the longest-tenured apostle after President Dallin H. Oaks, was next in line to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under its succession rules.
- His death creates a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve that President Oaks will fill in the coming months, almost certainly by selecting someone from a lower-tier leadership council.
- Henry B. Eyring, 92, one of Oaks' two top counselors, is now next in line for the church presidency.
- Experts had noted Holland’s declining health in October when Oaks did not select him as a counselor, signalling concerns about his recent fragility.
- Holland served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University (1980–1989), helped establish BYU’s Jerusalem Center, and received the Anti-Defamation League's 'Torch of Liberty' award for interfaith work.
- He was known for significant speeches, including a 2013 sermon addressing depression and mental illness and a 2021 'musket fire' speech defending church teachings against same-sex marriage; the latter was later made required reading for BYU freshmen in 2024.
- President Oaks paid tribute, saying Holland 'lifted the weary, encouraged the faithful and bore a powerful witness of the Savior — even through seasons of significant personal trials.'
- Holland is survived by three children, 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
📊 Relevant Data
In a 2024 survey, 18% of former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints identified as LGBTQ, compared to 4% of current members.
Who is leaving the LDS church? 8 key survey findings — Religion News Service
Sexual and gender minority Latter-day Saints reported adverse mental health outcomes and decreased or nuanced faith as a result of clergy counsel, according to a 2025 study.
The varying effects of clergy counsel on religiousness and health among sexual and gender minority Latter-day Saints — Archive for the Psychology of Religion
According to a 2024 survey, the top reasons for leaving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include inability to reconcile personal values with those of the church (38%) and stopping belief in one true church (37%).
Reasons for leaving the LDS church, a scientific survey — Facebook (group post citing survey)
As of December 31, 2024, the global membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was 17,509,781, with 308,682 converts baptized in 2024.
2024 statistical report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — The Church News
📰 Sources (2)
- Confirms Holland died early Saturday morning in Salt Lake City from complications associated with kidney disease, after being hospitalized over the Christmas holiday.
- Details that he was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and, as the longest-tenured apostle after President Dallin H. Oaks, was next in line to lead the church under its succession rules.
- Clarifies that Henry B. Eyring, age 92 and one of Oaks’ two top counselors, is now next in line for the presidency.
- Notes experts had pointed to Holland’s declining health in October when Oaks did not select him as a counselor.
- Explains that his death creates a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve that President Oaks will fill in coming months, almost certainly from a lower-tier leadership council.
- Provides biographical detail on Holland’s tenure as the ninth president of Brigham Young University (1980–1989), his role establishing BYU’s Jerusalem Center, and his ADL "Torch of Liberty" award for interfaith work.
- Highlights significant speeches, including his 2013 sermon addressing depression and mental illness and his 2021 ‘musket fire’ speech defending church teachings against same-sex marriage, later made required reading for BYU freshmen in 2024.
- Includes a tribute quote from President Oaks, saying Holland 'lifted the weary, encouraged the faithful and bore a powerful witness of the Savior — even through seasons of significant personal trials.'
- Lists immediate family survivors: three children, 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.