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.
DeleteThe Church News has also shared the text of the message that will be given tomorrow by Brother Derrick Porter in this week's episode of "Music & the Spoken Word". My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnother Church News video pays tribute to President Holland. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, roughly onehour ago, the Church formally announced funeral arrangements for President Jeffrey R. Holland. Apparently, there will be no public viewing for President Holland. His funeral services will be held on New Year's Eve from 11:00 AM to noon in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. With Church President Dallin H. Oaks presiding, Elder Quentin L. Cook, President Holland's former senior missionary companion, will conduct those services, which will feature remarks by members of the Holland family. Though not explicitly stated, I'm sure the service will also include remarks by at least a couple of apostles, with President Oaks or President Eyring as the concluding speaker.
ReplyDeleteWith those arrangements now set, it wouldn't shock me if we hear word on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday that Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf have been set apart in their new roles (President Eyring as the new President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Uchtdorf as Acting President of that Quorum). The announcement of who will fill the apostolic vacancy could come next week. Whatever might happen in that regard, I am glad these arrangements were announced today.
The top 10 developments reported by the Church News within the last week were recapped in the latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review<"/a>, And theChurch's charitable humanitarian and welfare contributions for 2025 were also recapped. Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen shares his thoughts on building a testimony. An artist who has been painting Old Testament women for 25 years and counting shares what she's learned from that process. And the Church News has shared one additional video in memory of President Holland. My thanks once again to you all.
This week's "Come, Follow Me" study will introduce the Old Testament as the new year begins. See what Church leaders have taught about that scriptural volume. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOne other Church News report speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this, the final Monday in 2025, I don't know whether or not to anticipate a final major temple construction announcement to cap off the year of temple news. So I will be staying tuned during the 2:00 PM MDT hour for any word on that. In the interim, the Church News has introduced 5 types of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament from a married couple who are both professors of Ancient Scripture at BYU. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAs the Church News continues to provide a look back at the major developments in 2025, a new article reflects on the acceleration of missionary work this year, including new MTCs, 55 new missions going into effect next year, recrod-breaking convert baptisms, and the age change for young women who desire to serve missions. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteNo new major temple construction announcements today either. I assume that's both because it's the end of the year and because the Church is still in the aftermath of President Holland passing away. That being said, I am cautiously optimistic that either tomorrow, Wednesday (prior to or after the funeral), or Friday, we will hear that Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf have been set apart in their new roles. If that happens this week, I could see the Church naming a new apostle either next week or the week after. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared one other report that speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Tuesday, thus far, the Church News has posted one new report that speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe latest edition of the Church News podcast features Deseret News editors Doug Wilks and Sarah Jane Weaver looking back at the year in review. Meanwhile, a new articles from Church News writer Scott Taylor features his reflections on a significantly powerful address on missionary work by then-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd there have been templeconstruction updates noted, but I will defer those for inclusion with my year-end 2026 templeconstruction review. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd on this New Year's Eve, it is also the birthday of Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman. The Church News has posted this tribute in her honor. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteChurch News editor Jon Ryan Jensen posted this tribute to President Holland, and, in the closing hours of 2025, the Church News looked back on the best episodes of theirweekly podcast. And with just a short time to go until President Holland's funeral, the Church News shares how to follow it. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared this summary of President Holland's funeral. I am gathering my thoughts on those services and will share them here later today in some form. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News posted this summary of remarks given by President Oaks during today's funeral services. I think I will att this point share that I was surprised that the two counselors in the First Presidency were asked to offer the prayers at the funeral, and that I was touched by how much was shared by the three children of President Holland. And President Oaks' concluding message was similarly touching. It all amounted to a fitting funeral honoring a valiant servant of the Lord.
DeleteI will also say that, as I've noted, if I had a favorite apostle, President Holland was it for me. I related in some way to everything I ever heard him say. So on a personal note, I am struggling with the loss of this spiritual giant. I am grateful he is now reunited with his wife, and so many of his apostolic colleagues who preceded him in death. As much as I missed him in 2023 when he was absent from his ministry for a year from his ministry to tend to his health, the loss I feel now doesn't compare in any way to that. I will miss his energy, his enthusiasm, his sure and certain witness of the gospel, and his faithful and dedicated service. I will miss hearing his speak in General Conference.
I know that another will, in due course, fill the apostolic vacancy resulting from his deaht, and I will continue to sustain the 15 apostles in their divinely appointed roles, but I will never forget and will greatly miss the man who , as Abraham Lincoln once said of others, "gave the last full measure of devotion." I pray for the blessings of heaven to rest upon the Holland family in the days, weeks, and months ahead as they adjust to this loss. And I take comofort in knowing that there is great joy in heaven at the return of the valiant and faithful servant of the Lord to "that God who gave him life." I am grateful we have modern technology that will allow me and everyone else who wishes to do so to hear his voice and still glean insights from his life and teachings. And I know that theLord has prepared the exact right person tofill the resultingvacancy.
Given that we haven't yet heard anything on this, I assume that President Oaks will set apart Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf in their new roles at some point either on Friday, over the weekend, or early next week. And in a week or two following that, I trust we will hear of the new apostle, whomever that may be, at some point either later nextweek or earlyin the week following that. I will be sure to post official reports on all of that here as I become aware thereof. My thanks once again to you all.
The Newsroom has also summarized the funeral service for President Holland. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd the Church Temples site has shared a summary of temple developments in 2025 on the front page of that website. Look for my 2025 temple construction review to be posted here in about 10 hours. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has released a new video summarizing the highlights of today's funeral for President Jeffrey R. Holland. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI wanted to comment here to share my known blog projects for next year. There are other things I anticipate as well, such as the regular weekly temple announcements and the continuing coverage of breaking news in whatever form it may come. It is also worth noting that I am anticipating the call of the newest apostle early next year, and will of course have a birthday post published for whomever it is on their special day. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDelete