Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Quotes By Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Called in 1994, Elder Jeffery R. Holland currently serves as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Holland has authored many books including, Broken Things to Mend and To Mothers: Carrying the Torch of Faith and Family. Elder Holland is known for his quick wit, his tender approach toward gospel topics, and his extensive knowledge of English literature.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the LDS church

“In times of anxiety we tend to focus pretty much on the ‘Latter-day’ part of our Church’s name. Here I issue a call to you to concentrate on the ‘Saint’ portion of that phrase. That is the element in our Church title that should be demanding our attention. Think of the blessings we enjoy. Think of the remarkable age in which we live. Think of the economic and educational, scientific, and spiritual blessings we have that no other era or people in the history of the world have ever had, and then consider the responsibility we have to live worthily in our moment in time.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | "Broken Things to Mend"

Topics: Discipleship, Last Days

“Pay your tithing as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of your existence…In a society that tells us money is our most important asset, we declare empathically that it is not.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | "Broken Things to Mend"

Topics: Tithing

“You must be your first convert regarding this great message of the restored gospel. Everything you will want for the people with whom you share the gospel, Heavenly Father wants for you…Remember this truth: Everything in the conversion process must happen to you before it can happen to them — everything.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | "Broken Things to Mend"

Topics: Conversion, Missionary Work & Preparation

“Remaining true to our Christian principles is the only way divine influence can help us. The Spirit has a near impossible task to get through to a heart that is filled with hate or anger or vengeance or self-pity.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Topics: Christian, Death, Holy Ghost, Pride, Spiritual Death

“. . . there surely must be someone who yet needs your forgiveness. And please don’t ask if that’s fair – that the injured should have to bear the burden of forgiveness for the offender. Don’t ask if “justice” doesn’t demand that it be the other way around. No, whatever you do, don’t ask for justice. You and I know that what we plead for is mercy – and that is what we must be willing to give.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | “I Stand All Amazed,” Ensign, August 1986, p. 72

Topics: Forgiveness, Justice, Mercy

No, it is not without a recognition of life’s tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the Savior’s power to calm the storm. Always remember in that biblical story that He was out there on the water also, that He faced the worst of it right along with the newest and youngest and most fearful. Only one who has fought against those ominous waves is justified in telling us – as well as the sea – to “be still.” (D&C 101:16) Only one who has taken the full brunt of such adversity could ever be justified in telling us in such times to “be of good cheer.” (John 16:33; D&C 68:6) Such counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking, though positive thinking is much needed in the world. No, Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, November 1999, p. 36

Topics: Faith, Scripture Study

“On this Christmas I send my love to every missionary, every man or woman in the military, every student, and every employee and traveler who won’t ‘be home for Christmas,’ as the carol says. Keep your faith. Look for the good in your situation. Do something kind for someone. Seek Christ devoid of wrapping and tinsel. You will find that despite external circumstances, Christmas — like the kingdom of God — is ‘within you’ (Luke 17:21).”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | "Christmas within You"

Topics: Christmas, Missionary Work & Preparation

“Pray earnestly and fast with purpose and devotion. Some difficulties, like devils, do not come out save by fasting and by prayer. Ask in righteousness and you shall receive. Knock with conviction and it shall be opened unto you.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Topics: Fasting, Prayer

“Leo Tolstoy wrote once of a priest who was criticized by one of his congregants for not living as resolutely as he should, the critic concluding that the principles the erring preacher taught must therefore also be erroneous. In response to that criticism, the priest says: “Look at my life now and compare it to my former life. You will see that I am trying to live out the truth I proclaim.” Unable to live up to the high ideals he taught, the priest admits he has failed. But he cries: Attack me, [if you wish,] I do this myself, but [don’t] attack … the path I follow. … If I know the way home [but] am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?… Do not gleefully shout, ‘Look at him! … There he is crawling into a bog!’ No, do not gloat, but give … your help [to anyone trying to walk the road back to God.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | Be Ye Therefore Perfect — Eventually

Topics: Perfection, Repentance, Weaknesses

“In that most burdensome moment of all human history, with blood appearing at every pore and an anguished cry upon His lips, Christ sought Him whom He had always sought — His Father. ‘Abba,’ he cried, ‘Papa,’ or from the lips of a younger child, something akin to ‘Daddy.’

“This is such a personal moment it almost seems sacrilege to cite it. A Son in unrelieved pain, a Father His only true source of strength, both of them staying the course, making it through the night – together.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | "Broken Things to Mend"

Topics: Atonement, Fathers & Fatherhood