Jeffrey R. Holland, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — and the church leader next in line to become its president under the faith’s seniority-based succession system — died early Saturday at age 85, the church announced on Saturday morning.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Holland died at approximately 3:15 a.m. Mountain Standard Time from complications associated with kidney disease while surrounded by family, according to the church’s announcement and affiliated reporting.

Role and succession

Holland served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the governing body that helps set church policy and oversees the church’s global operations. Because the church follows a long-established rule of succession based on apostolic seniority, Holland — who was the next-longest serving apostle after President Dallin H. Oaks — was in line to lead the church if the First Presidency were to be reorganized again, a reality that made his health and leadership particularly consequential for church governance.

Health and recent events

The church said Holland had been hospitalized over the Christmas holiday for treatment related to ongoing health complications tied to kidney disease. Observers noted his declining health in recent months after Holland appeared in a wheelchair at several church events and was not chosen as a counselor when the First Presidency was reorganized in October, a move experts interpreted as reflecting concerns about his ability to serve in the most demanding roles.

Career and public life

An educator before his full-time church service, Holland served in top leadership positions across church-affiliated educational institutions, including as president of Brigham Young University earlier in his career, where he worked on initiatives to strengthen interfaith relations and expand educational offerings, including a satellite presence in Jerusalem.

Holland was widely known both inside and outside the faith for his forceful public addresses. In 2021 he delivered a speech that came to be known as the “musket fire” talk, urging church members to defend church teachings; the address drew controversy and became a focal point in conversations about the church’s stance on social issues and LGBTQ+ rights.

Legacy and reactions

Church leaders and members quickly released public statements mourning Holland’s death and recalling his decades of service as a teacher, administrator and apostle. Religious leaders outside the LDS community and civil-rights groups had at times praised his interfaith work while criticizing some of his stances on social issues.

Holland is remembered for a distinctive blend of scholarly background and devout rhetoric that shaped his public ministry and influence within the church. He leaves behind three children, 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry Holland, according to church statements and news reporting.

What comes next

Under LDS Church practice, the First Presidency will be reorganized by the remaining senior leaders in the days and weeks ahead. With Holland’s passing, Henry B. Eyring, one of President Oaks’ counselors, becomes next in line by seniority to the presidency of the church, according to reporting on church succession customs.

Context

Jeffrey R. Holland’s death comes amid a period of transition for the LDS Church. Following prior leadership changes and recent reorganization of the First Presidency, Holland’s role as president of the Quorum of the Twelve had been prominent; his passing will shape who assumes the church’s top leadership posts under a succession system that prioritizes length of service among the Twelve Apostles.