A Beacon of Hope

Remembering President Jeffrey R. Holland

A teenage Jeffrey R. Holland had lost track of time and was about to be late for curfew. But there was still a chance to get home on time!

For Jeffrey, there was only one thing to do: he sprinted from one end of St. George, Utah, to the other and made it home just in time.

President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, ran toward the right things his whole life. And nothing was more important to him than running toward the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In his first general conference talk as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Holland said: “My greatest thrill and the most joyful of all realizations is that I have the opportunity, as Nephi phrased it, to ‘talk of Christ, … rejoice in Christ, … preach of Christ, [and] prophesy of Christ’ (2 Nephi 25:26) wherever I may be and with whomever I may find myself until the last breath of my life is gone. Surely there could be no higher purpose or greater privilege.”

Good Things to Come

One theme President Holland kept returning to was to share the hope and encouragement the gospel offers to a world that so often needs it.

“To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope,” he taught, “I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His ‘more excellent ministry’ with a future of ‘better promises.’ He is your ‘high priest of good things to come.’”

President Holland was not afraid to share stories of personal discouragement, but with hope and faith, he always believed the best was yet to come.

“Some blessings come soon,” he taught, “some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of that I personally attest.”

Hope Is Never Lost

In the October 2013 general conference, President Holland acknowledged the many difficulties experienced by those dealing with mental health struggles or emotional illnesses. He shared a time in his own life when he experienced depression while still offering hope.

“Believe in miracles,” he taught. “I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost.”

President Holland with several children from Kenya (in Edinburgh, Scotland, in June 2015).

Room for Everyone

People throughout the world loved to learn from President Holland. He was a master teacher who made everyone feel welcome and valued. He truly wanted everyone to know that they have a place in the Church of Jesus Christ.

“There is room [in the Church] for those who speak different languages, celebrate diverse cultures, and live in a host of locations,” he taught. “There is room for the single, for the married, for large families, and for the childless. There is room for those who once had questions regarding their faith and room for those who still do. There is room for those with differing sexual attractions. In short, there is a place for everyone who loves God and honors His commandments.”

All his life, President Holland ran to anyone who needed a boost or a helping hand, and he never stopped running toward His Savior, Jesus Christ.