The lesson of President Holland’s extraordinary example

PHOENIX, Arizona — It felt like a most strange weekend.

President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to take part in leadership training for the North America Southwest Area on Saturday, Jan. 20. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lead some of these meetings recurrently everywhere in the world. I knew others were happening on the very time President Holland was participating in Arizona.

The senior quorum leader offered counsel and direction, spoke of peace and bore powerful testimony of the divinity and reality of Jesus Christ and His restored Church.

The trip to Arizona marked President Holland’s first task outside of Utah because the death of his wife, Sister Patricia Terry Holland, in July 2023 and an prolonged illness.

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Twelve, who visited President Holland while he was within the hospital, wrote in regards to the “divine intervention” that had caused his miraculous recovery.

In the times following his recovery, President Holland spoke on the funeral services for President M. Russell Ballard, who had been acting president of the quorum, on Nov. 17, 2023; rededicated the St. George Utah Temple on Dec. 10, 2023; and has been directing the each day administration of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

And now he was in Arizona, “teaching and blessing” others — because the Savior did — and pressing forward within the on a regular basis work of the Lord.

When I asked him about accomplishing the “strange” work of the Church — despite hardship — he didn’t hesitate. “That is life,” he said. “That is the Savior’s life. It is the prophets’ lives. We have all had challenges and face difficulties.”

We rise up and keep going because we all know, with absolute certainty, the tip of the story, President Holland said. “It is the reverse of most other things we all know in life, where we all know the start but don’t know the tip.” Even in times of discouragement and trouble, “light conquers darkness, good conquers evil, righteousness overcomes transgression.”

And then he clarified a very important distinction. Yes, like him, every member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was somewhere on the earth that very same weekend — teaching, training, speaking, offering a special witness of Jesus Christ.

But the work, he emphasized, is anything but strange. This work, he said, is the best cause on earth — more necessary than any royal event, executive business meeting or congressional discussion. “I feel we’ve got underestimated our gifts,” he said. “I feel we’ve got underestimated our guarantees.”

Every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can rise up every day and press forward with faith in the guarantees God has made, he said.

Recent months have caused President Holland to reflect on this journey. “The sweetest and holiest and most satisfying journey anyone can take,” he said. “We all have challenges and face difficulties.”

He hopes all will “take heart and happiness and belief on this truest of true declarations — that that is the Church and kingdom of God on earth. That that is the work of Almighty God within the lives of His children.”

The Church rolls forth as members exercise an unshakable belief in Him.

It is most extraordinary.

“God keeps His guarantees,” President Holland declared. “The query on this formula is will we.”

— Sarah Jane Weaver is executive editor of the Church News.