This document provides biographical information about Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, including details about his birthplace, education, career history, callings in the LDS Church, and experiences as a father. It discusses his involvement in sports as a youth, his courtship of and marriage to his wife Patricia, and examples of how he prioritized time with his family while serving in prominent Church leadership positions. Excerpts from his children highlight his devotion to family and efforts to teach gospel principles at home.

1. Jeffrey R.
Holland
Beki Call, Matthew
Jackson, Lehi
Thomas, Kattie
Howald, Lorin Lockridge

2. Biographical Information
 Birth Date and Place:
 December 3, 1940
 St. George, UT
 Current Age:
 71
 Raised in:
 St. George, UT
 Served a mission in the British Isles
 Education:
 Dixie College
 BYU: Bachelor‟s Degree in English Education
(1965), Master‟s Degree in Religious Education (1966)
 Yale: Master‟s degree and PHD in American Studies

3. Prior to Becoming an Apostle
 In 1972, Elder Holland taught briefly at the Salt Lake Institute
 In 1974, he was appointed as Dean of Religious Education at BYU.
 In 1976, he was appointed as Church Commissioner of
Education.
 From 1980-1989, he served as
the 9th president of BYU.
 Elder Holland helped with
the establishment of the BYU
Jerusalem Center in Israel.
 Previous Callings:
 Church Commissioner
of Education
 Bishop
 Counselor in Stake
Presidency
 Regional representative
Elder Holland (Far Right) with
Elder James E. Faust and
President Howard W. Hunter

4. Elder Holland‟s Hobbies
“The central joy of my life while I was growing up was
sports,” Elder Holland reflects. “I played on every kind
of team that could have been assembled.” He was
a member of Dixie High School‟s state championship
football and basketball teams in 1958 and lettered in
football, basketball, track, and baseball. After his
mission, he was the co-captain of the Dixie College
basketball team that won its conference
championship.

5. Basketball Leads to Love
Playing sports in high school was
definitely to the benefit of Elder
Holland in many ways. One
benefit of his high school
involvement in athletics was that it
kept him close to the young
woman who would later become
his wife. Patricia Terry was a
cheerleader who had moved to
St. George just as she entered
high school. She and Jeff dated
for two years before his mission.
Elder Holland and Patricia got
married on June 7, 1963 in the St.
George Temple. After 49 years of
marriage, they now have 3
children and 12 grandchildren.

6. Examples From His Personal Life
Returning from an exploring trip on back -country
roads, Matthew Holland (Elder Holland’s oldest son) and his
father came to an unexpected fork in the road and could not
remember which road to take. It was late in the day, and they
knew darkness would be enveloping them in unfamiliar
territory. Seizing a teaching moment, Jeffrey Holland asked
his son to pray for direction. Afterward, he asked his son what
he felt, and Matt replied that he felt strongly they should go to
the left. Replying that he had felt the same way, his father
turned the truck to the left. Ten minutes later, they came to a
dead end and returned to take the other route.
Matt thought for a time and then asked his father why
they would get that kind of answer to a prayer. Elder Holland
replied that with the sun going down, that was undoubtedly
the quickest way for the Lord to give them information—in
this case, which one was the wrong road. Now, though the
other road might not be familiar and could be difficult in
places, they could proceed confidently, knowing it was the
right one, even in the dark.

7. Family First
Throughout those years, the
Holland children felt their father
was available whenever they
needed him. Mary Alice (Elder
Holland‟s daughter) said she felt
free to call him at any time if she
had a problem or a need. When
one of his children had a
play, recital, or other important
activity, he would make the effort
to be there.
He‟s the type of
father”, Mary says, who carefully
planned daddy-daughter activities
he knew she would enjoy, even
though they might not be his
preference. And he strengthened
her immensely while she was
growing up by helping her
understand what an honor it is to
be a woman and what a privilege
it would be to be a mother.

8. A Father‟s Devotion
David Holland recalls his father‟s willingness to
sacrifice for his children. Once, when the rest of
the family was away, Jeffrey Holland took several
days out of his BYU schedule for a one-on-one trip
to southern Utah with his younger son.
Later, when the family
prepared to move after
Elder Holland was called
as a General Authority,
he drove an hour or
more out of his way
each day for nearly
two months to take
David to football
practices at his new
high school.

9. Love at Home
Matt Holland says his “fondest memories
from childhood are at the dinner table. Every
night was a kind of family home evening filled
with
laughter, compliments, encouragement, interes
ting conversation, testimony, teaching, and
expressions of love. You always knew Dad was
happiest when he was at home with his family.”

10. As Parents
“We can bless one another and
especially those who need our
protection the most—the children.
As parents we can hold life together
the way it is always held together—
with love and faith, passed on to the
next generation, one child at a
time.” - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. “A
Prayer For the Children “ General
Conference April 2003.
Elder Holland and his
son, Matt, sing together during a
meeting in the Salt Lake
tabernacle

11. Example
From the accounts of his children, I have learned
a lot from the example of Elder Holland as a Father and
as a Family man. Learning of how he always put his
family first and how he consistently made it a priority to
spend quality time with each of his children and his
family members despite his work and callings and other
church responsibilities is remarkable in my mind. I love
that during the one-on-one time he had with his
children, he took the time to teach them gospel
principles which would help them develop and
strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. It is
my greatest desire that I can follow the example of Elder
Holland and for my wife and children to know that I am
„happiest when at home with my family‟ and that they
are my number one priority.
 – Lorin Lochridge

12. Lessons Learned
“We Are All Enlisted” October 2011 Priesthood Session

13. Lessons Learned
This talk that was given was one that really
stuck out to me! I am the type of person that is a
little more quite and reserve. I do not talk very
much so when I read this talk I made a
commitment to open my mouth more and to be
able to talk with anyone even if I do not know
them. I hope that I will be able to not have my
tongue bound and that I will share what the lord
has given me. I am so grateful for the gospel and
for the words of Elder Holland‟s to stand up and
share what you know. I hope we will all do this!
 -Matthew Jackson