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By Aliss Higham
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Mormon leader Jeffrey R. Holland, president of President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), has died, the church has said.
In a statement, LDS officials said Holland, 85, died at approximately 3:15 a.m. MST on Saturday from complications associated with kidney disease. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
The church had announced on Christmas Eve that Holland had recently been hospitalized.
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"President Holland and his family express gratitude for the many prayers offered on his behalf and extend greetings of faith and peace during this season that commemorates the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ," a statement from LDS issued on Christmas Eve reads.
Holland was born on December 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah, to Frank D. Holland and Alice Bentley, and graduated from Dixie High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and later a master’s degree in religious education from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He went on to receive a second master’s degree and a PhD in American studies from Yale University
He spent nearly a decade as president of BYU from 1980 to 1989. He also served as commissioner of the Church Educational System and as dean of Religious Education at BYU.
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Holland had served as an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since June 1994. Prior to that, he was a member of the church’s First Quorum of the Seventy, a leadership body responsible for overseeing church work in specific geographic areas, beginning in April 1989.
Holland held several leadership roles in higher education, including president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, service on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and membership on the NCAA Presidents Commission.
Holland had several health issues in recent years. In April 2023, church leaders announced he would be excused from church meetings and assignments for “at least two months” while recovering from coronavirus and receiving dialysis for a kidney condition. In August, officials said he had been hospitalized “for observation and treatment of ongoing health complications.”
Holland was married to Patricia Terry Holland, who died on July 20, 2023. They are survived by their three children, 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Update 12/27/25, 9:41 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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