Hello again, every9one! As confirmed by both the Newsroom and the Church News, President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has passed away. According to the reports, he died at about 3:45 AM this morning. I paid tribute to him earlier this month for his 85th birthday, and will let that tribute speak for itself. The Church News posted this video in his honor. I would just like to note in addition that, although funeral arrangements are still pending, he will likely be laid to rest within the next week.
As the result of President Holland's passing, President Eyring is now the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the next in line of apostolic succession) and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf is now the Acting Quorum President and will be granted again the title "President Uchtdorf". This will also be President Oaks' second apostolic vacancy to fill before his Solemn Assembly sustaining takes place in April. I expect he will act quickly to fill this vacancy as he did a month ago in appointing Elder Caussé.
As far as who might be appointed to fill the vacancy in question, my top predictions are either Eduward Dube of the Presidency of the Seventy, or Elder Michael John U. Teh, a GA Seventy. I expect that will occur in the next month, if not sooner. But I will, of course, support and sustain whomever is called. In any case, Church leadership is going to look a lot different in April.
Aside from that, the already linked tributes, and those that will subsequently be posted in the coming days, there's not much else I can add. I now have several documents to update. Stay tuned here for my end-of-the-year temple construction update, which will be posted on New Year's Eve. I also invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. In the meantime, that does it for now.
All comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post at any time, as long as all such feedback is made per the established guidelines. I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates.
Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
A special editionof the Church News podcast, hosted by Sarah Jane Weaver, Deseret News editor and exectuive editor of the Church News, pays tribute to President Holland. Based on that podcast, I assume President Holland's death was anticipated. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeletePresident Oaks and President Holland reminisced about their ties to BYU-Provo. This report shares their reflections on that. The Church News also shared 16 videos of President Holland. And the Christmas devotional marked President Holland's final public address. My thanks once again to you all.
Delete6 Church News podcasts featured President Holland. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteSee the life of President Holland in photographs. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteHis reunion with loved ones is joyous. Though will be missed in mortality by friends and associates left behind. Working on other side of veil. I thought he was a shoe in to become President. Both Russell M. Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks have lived longer lives though. As far as I know that was what I was saying on last post, the apostles that filled the vacancy caused by the death of the church President I don’t think any lived to be President themselves yet.
DeleteNow for trivia, off the top of my head naming apostles that filled the vacancy caused by the death of the church president. Not sure if it was Ezra T. Benson who filled in when Joseph Smith died, there were multiple apostles called, that was Ezra Taft Bensons great grandfather.
For lengthy interregnums there were apostles that died and multiple apostles called. So I’m not sure off the top off my head for earlier interregnums. Both Orson’s would have been President Hyde and Pratt but were removed from Quorum and down in seniority. In spite of removal repented sincerely and were humble at the end.
But for trivia apostles I can think of that filled the vacancy caused by the death of the President of the church, Hyrum Mack Smith who filled the vacancy caused by the death of Lorenzo Snow, died just before his father and one of the events that led to his fathers revelation on redemption of the dead.
Melvin J. Ballard Russell M. Nelson’s Paternal grandfather. Maternal was Hyrum Mack. He passed away in 1939. Filled vacancy caused by death of Joseph F. Smith.
Matthew Cowley filled vacancy caused by death of Heber J. Grant, didn’t live very long himself.
Marion G. Romney, filed vacancy caused by death of George Albert Smith. Served as counselor to Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball. Went back to twelve upon death of President Kimball. Was President of twelve, though incapacitated. Did die before Ezra Taft Benson, that was when Howard W. Hunter was acting President of twelve.
Boyd K. Packer filled the death caused by the vacancy of David O. McKay. President Monson three years younger than him was ahead of him in seniority. Russell M. Nelson same age lived to be President.
Bruce R. Mcconkie filled death of father in law Joseph Fielding Smith. Died young, last talk when he could barely get out of bed classic though.
L. Tom Perry filled vacancy caused by death of Harold B. Lee and served faithfully for many years, lived long life died third in seniority.
Josh B. Wirthlin older than most apostles when called filled vacancy caused by death of Spencer W. Kimball. Served faithfully for 22 years dying shortly after Gordon B. Hinckley.
Jeffrey R Holland filled vacancy caused by death of Ezra Taft Benson. Served faithfully in spite of recent health challenges. Thinking we could have three ces presidents in a row as President didn’t happen. Harold B. Lee I think said you could just as well bet on horse race as who will be President.
Henry B. Eyring filled vacancy caused by death of Howard W. Hunter. Is heartbeat away from church president himself. Mobility not goo now, so when he goes won’t be totally unexpected, but will still be missed.
D. Todd Christofferson filled vacancy caused by death of Gordon B. Hinckley still serving faithfully. Gerrit W. Gong and Ulises Soares sustained in same day. President Monson was incapacitated when Robert D. Hales dies and Elder Gong tookmElder Hales place amd Elder Soares filled the vacancy caused by the death of President Monson.
Gerald Gausse filled the vacancy caused by the death of President Nelson. Just trivia on who filled the vacancy caused by the death of the church presidents.
There have been websites that had trivia in ga,s not sure if there still up. Mormon wiki.com a positive site has articles on apostles, not to be confused with anti Mormon wik.org. Wikipedia does a table of apostles and history too. So people can get information there. Spencer
Thank you for those clarifications and trivia items. I have used ldsfacts.net to supplement my coverage of apostolic milestones, albeit with a few caveats. That's a good site for data about Church leadership. Wikipedia is good, but lacking in sufficient sources independent of Church leadership. I will have my next apostolic milestones update published here on January 11, 2026. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime, thank you, Spencer, for clarififying what you meant. I appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteChurch President Dallin H. Oaks took to social media to pay tribute to President Holland and recap their lengthy association. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News looked back at this summary of President Holland's remarks at the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. My thanks once again to you all.
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