PHOENIX, Arizona — After being called as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, President Jeffrey R. Holland searched the standard works, determined to learn all that was humanly possible about the Savior’s life and mission.
He came away with a deep and powerful understanding that Jesus Christ focused His ministry on two things — teaching and blessing God’s children.
Speaking to priesthood leaders (including Area Seventies, mission presidents, temple presidents and 123 stake presidents) in the Church’s North America Southwest Area on Saturday, Jan. 20, President Holland said they too have been called to teach and to bless in the name of Jesus Christ.
This work, he said, is the greatest cause on earth.
Even in times of discouragement and trouble, “light conquers darkness, good conquers evil, righteousness overcomes transgression.”
President Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was joined in the instruction meeting by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Evan A. Schmutz and Elder Michael A. Dunn, both General Authority Seventies. Elder Schmutz is the Church’s North America Southwest Area president and Elder Dunn is the second counselor in the area presidency.
The trip to Arizona marked President Holland’s first assignment outside of Utah since the loss of his wife, Sister Patricia Terry Holland, in July and an extended illness.
Simply stated, his recovery was a miracle, he said.
President Holland, who missed October 2023 general conference, has resumed a full schedule at Church headquarters — leading the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaking at the funeral services for President M. Russell Ballard on Nov. 17, 2023, and rededicating the St. George Utah Temple on Dec. 10, 2023.
President Holland continued his busy schedule this week, flying to Arizona for the meeting before returning home to set his granddaughter apart as a new missionary.
“I am so excited. I am giddy. I am absolutely giddy with the company I am keeping and the chance to be out with the Saints,” he said. “It is a wonderful group to be with and to teach and to hear from.”
Recent months have caused President Holland to reflect on life’s journey — “the sweetest and holiest and most satisfying journey anyone can take,” he said. “We have all had challenges and face difficulties.”
He hopes all will “take heart and happiness and believe in this truest of true declarations — that this is the Church and kingdom of God on Earth. That this is the work of Almighty God in the lives of His children.”
The Church will roll forth as members exercise an unshakable belief in the Savior Jesus Christ and His promises, he said. “God keeps His promises. The question in this formula is will we?”
Of all the Savior’s canonized names, President Holland said, among his favorites is Alpha and Omega — the Beginning and the End.
Latter-day Saints know who will win the war between good and evil, he said. “It is absolutely certain how this ends. It is the reverse of most other things we know in life, where we know the beginning but don’t know the end.”
The victory is that Jesus is the Christ, “the most certain victory in the history of mankind,” President Holland said.
That is why, in the midst of trials or discouragement, Latter-day Saints can move forward. “We know the final result,” he said.
President Holland invited those in attendance to call down blessings as he has seen blessings called down for him.
Acknowledging the responsibilities of overseeing the work of the Church, he added: “I am not very worried about budgets and buildings anymore. ... I believe in the promises of Alpha and Omega.”
Elder Stevenson spoke about Latter-day Saint youth — members a generation preserved for this time who “stand in holy places,” including the temple. They should be able to participate with other Latter-day Saints and have opportunities to offer their “testimony and their witness,” Elder Stevenson said.
He also spoke of the challenges this generation faces, including screen time. Youth — as well as their parents and grandparents — reach for a phone as soon as they wake up and use the phone last before they go to sleep.
“What we need to do is: the last thing that happens at night before the eyes close is kneeling and praying. And the first thing that happens when the eyes open in the morning is kneeling and praying.”
This year, youth are focusing on becoming disciples of Jesus Christ, he said, referencing the 2024 youth theme.
Elder Stevenson said there is nothing more rewarding than young people focused on becoming disciples of Jesus Christ, “navigating challenges” and staying on the covenant path.
He shared a photograph of a stake conference in Mozambique, where 168 young men were presented to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.
“This is the fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Elder Stevenson.
Sharing closing remarks at the end of the leadership training, Elder Stevenson expressed gratitude for all who are dedicated to and sacrifice for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I offer a special witness to you of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer,” said Elder Stevenson.
In preparation to participate in the meeting, Elder Godoy studied the history of the Church in the greater Phoenix area — where members first settled in 1877, held an official gathering in 1912 and constructed a meetinghouse in 1918. “What a legacy we have to carry on,” he said. “This is His Church. This is His kingdom. He is our Savior. He is there to help us.”
Elder Schmutz spoke of President Russell M. Nelson’s leadership in taking temples closer to Latter-day Saints across the globe. “What a joy to gather as people who know and I testify that I know,” he said, bearing witness of God the Father and of Jesus Christ.
Elder Dunn said he is grateful for President Nelson’s counsel that the “answer is always Jesus Christ.”
“That is what I’ve found,” he said. “That He is ‘the way, the truth and the light’” (John 14:6).
