PHOENIX, Arizona — It felt like a most ordinary weekend.
President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to participate in leadership training for the North America Southwest Area on Saturday, Jan. 20. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lead these types of meetings regularly all over the world. I knew others were taking place at 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 assignment outside of Utah since the death of his wife, Sister Patricia Terry Holland, in July 2023 and an extended illness.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Twelve, who visited President Holland while he was in the hospital, wrote about the “divine intervention” that had brought about his miraculous recovery.
In the days following his recovery, President Holland spoke at 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 daily administration of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
And now he was in Arizona, “teaching and blessing” others — as the Savior did — and pressing forward in the everyday work of the Lord.
When I asked him about accomplishing the “ordinary” work of the Church — despite hardship — he did not 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 get up and keep going because we know, with absolute certainty, the end of the story, President Holland said. “It is the reverse of most other things we know in life, where we know the beginning but don’t know the end.” Even in times of discouragement and trouble, “light conquers darkness, good conquers evil, righteousness overcomes transgression.”
And then he clarified an important distinction. Yes, like him, every member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was somewhere in the world that same weekend — teaching, training, speaking, offering a special witness of Jesus Christ.
But the work, he emphasized, is anything but ordinary. This work, he said, is the greatest cause on earth — more important than any royal event, executive business meeting or congressional discussion. “I think we have underestimated our gifts,” he said. “I think we have underestimated our promises.”
Every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can get up each day and press forward with faith in the promises 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 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 rolls forth as members exercise an unshakable belief in Him.
It is most extraordinary.
“God keeps His promises,” President Holland declared. “The question in this formula is will we.”
— Sarah Jane Weaver is executive editor of the Church News.
