Career Timeline of Jeffrey R. Holland: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jeffrey R. Holland, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jeffrey R. Holland is a prominent American religious leader and educator. He served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University (BYU) and currently holds the position of acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this role, he is recognized by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. He is currently the third most senior apostle in the church's hierarchy.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1966: Received Master of Arts Degree

In 1966, Holland received a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with a thesis on selected changes to the text of the Book of Mormon.

1972: Received PhD from Yale University

In 1972, Holland received a PhD in American studies at Yale University, where he wrote a dissertation on the religious sense of Mark Twain.

1974: Appointed Dean of Religious Education at BYU

In 1974, Holland was appointed BYU's dean of religious education.

1976: Appointed Commissioner of the Church Educational System

In 1976, Holland became the eleventh commissioner of the Church Educational System (CES), replacing Neal A. Maxwell.

1980: Appointed BYU's Ninth President

In 1980, Holland became BYU's ninth president, replacing Dallin H. Oaks.

1980: Served on the board of directors

In 1980, Holland served on the board of directors of both LDS Hospital and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

1982: Launched "Excellence in the Eighties" Fundraiser

In 1982, Holland launched a fundraiser called "Excellence in the Eighties" to raise $100 million by 1987.

1987: "Excellence in the Eighties" Fundraiser Concluded

By 1987, Holland's "Excellence in the Eighties" fundraiser was to have concluded, raising funds for student scholarships, academic programs, faculty salaries, and extension programs.

April 1, 1989: Called as a General Authority

On April 1, 1989, Holland was called as a general authority and member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, concluding his term as BYU's president.

1990: Counselor in the Young Men Organization

From 1989 to 1990, Holland was a counselor in the general presidency of the church's Young Men organization.

1990: Moved to Solihull, England

From 1990 to 1993, Holland and his wife lived in Solihull, England, where he served as president of the church's Europe North Area.

1993: Ended service in Solihull, England

From 1990 to 1993, Holland and his wife lived in Solihull, England, where he served as president of the church's Europe North Area.

June 23, 1994: Called and Ordained as Apostle

On June 23, 1994, Holland was called and ordained as an apostle by Howard W. Hunter, the new church president, filling the vacancy created by the death of Ezra Taft Benson. He also met with the media on the day of his ordination.

October 1994: Call to Apostleship Ratified

In October 1994, Holland's call to the apostleship was ratified by the church during the October 1994 General Conference.

2000: Chair of Missionary Curriculum Task Force

In 2000, Holland became the chair of the Missionary Curriculum Task Force, which worked to develop Preach My Gospel.

2002: President of Chile Area

From 2002 to 2004, Holland lived in Santiago and served as president of the church's Chile Area.

2004: Ended service as president of Chile Area

From 2002 to 2004, Holland lived in Santiago and served as president of the church's Chile Area.

2007: General Conference Sermon

In the fall of 2007, Holland gave a sermon at a general conference that directly answered accusations that Latter-day Saints are not Christians.

2008: General Conference Sermon

In the spring of 2008, Holland gave a sermon at a general conference that directly answered accusations that Latter-day Saints are not Christians.

April 2009: Gave Sermon on Crucifixion

At the April 2009 general conference, Holland gave a sermon about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the importance of Christ's statement, "my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me".

August 2009: Crucifixion Talk Viewed Online

By August 2009, Holland's reformatted crucifixion talk, with music, had been viewed over 500,000 times on a church website.

March 12, 2012: "Mormonism 101" at Harvard Law School

On March 12, 2012, Holland was hosted by Harvard Law School for a "Mormonism 101" series.

December 2012: Organized 3,000th LDS Church Stake

In December 2012, Holland organized the LDS Church's 3,000th stake, located in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

June 10, 2015: Addressed UK Parliament

On June 10, 2015, Holland addressed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Foreign Affairs in the House of Lords at the UK Parliament.

2015: Served on Church Boards

From 2015 to 2023, Holland served on the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees.

2016: Keynote Speaker at Boy Scouts of America Breakfast

In 2016, Holland was the keynote speaker at the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) Duty to God breakfast, as part of his assignment as the LDS Church's chief BSA representative.

January 2018: Chairman of the Board's Executive Committee

From January 2018 to May 2023, Holland served as chairman of the Board's Executive Committee.

November 2018: Spoke at Oxford University and Met with Theresa May

In November 2018, Holland spoke at a major inter-religious conference at Oxford University and met with Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

January 2019: Presided at Groundbreaking in Philippines

In January 2019, Holland presided at the groundbreaking for the church's Urdaneta Philippines Temple and spoke at a multi-stake conference in the Philippines.

2020: Announced Appointment of BYU-Hawaii President

In 2020, as chairman of the executive committee of the BYU-Hawaii board of trustees, Holland announced the appointment of John S. K. Kauwe III as the institution's new president.

August 2021: Spoke at BYU Conference

In August 2021, Holland's speech at BYU's annual conference for faculty and staff, where he asked the faculty to defend the doctrine of the LDS Church with metaphorical "musket fire," sparked controversy within the LGBTQ+ community.

May 2023: End Chairman of the Board's Executive Committee

Holland served as chairman of the Board's Executive Committee from January 2018 to May 2023.

November 15, 2023: Appointed Acting President of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Following the death of M. Russell Ballard, Holland was appointed and set apart as the acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on November 15, 2023.