“Imagine a popular speaker who never took a speech class; an avid—almost obsessive—reader who never reads a bestseller; a top-notch ski salesman who has never been on skis; an athlete who once lettered in basketball, football, baseball, and track but now has to be prodded even to jog.
Envision a small-town teenager, caught up with the idea of building and racing hot rods for a living, one day graduating from college with highest honors, obtaining a master’s degree with distinction, and then receiving his Ph.D. at Yale University. Or picture the high-school “funny man”—uninterested in going on a mission—finding himself becoming an institute teacher, then Dean of Religious Instruction, then Commissioner of Church Education, and finally president of the world’s largest church-owned university while still in his thirties.” That would be Elder Holland!
Elder Jeffrey Roy Holland was born on December 3, 1940 in St. George, Utah. His father was an Irish immigrant. In high school, he was actively involved in student leadership and sports. While in high school, Elder Holland met Patricia Terry who was a cheerleader. They later married on June 7, 1963, in the St. George temple. They have 3 children and 12 grandchildren.
From 1960-62, Elder Holland served a mission to the British Isles, where he served as a missionary companion to Elder Cook, also of the Quorum of the Twelve. Additionally, Elder Holland’s parents served in the same mission at the same time. Elder Holland claimed to be the only missionary who said goodbye to his parents at both the start and end of his mission.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 23, 1994. At the time of this call, Elder Holland was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he had been called on April 1, 1989. He declared,“I pledge everything I have and everything I know how to give to witnessing and reaffirming the divinity of the Savior’s life and the restoration of his gospel,” he said. “My greatest joy and my solemn obligation is to testify of Jesus Christ wherever I may go and with whomever I may be for as long as I shall live.”
It was a long and wonderful day of meetings when Elder Holland visited. He tirelessly spoke at our area devotional, a press conference announcing the launch of the new African LDS website www.mormonnewsroom.co.za and a missionary multi-zone conference. By the way, Chuck and I were featured on the news section at the launch of the new site. That was a fun surprise! See us here: http://www.mormonnewsroom.co.za/article/career-planning-workship-held-in-swaziland. During the media event, Elder Holland pronounced a blessing upon this land and those present. He said [that Jesus said] to “love him and love each other and everything else will work out . . . however long the march and however difficult the course . . . I bless you that the honesty of your heart and the goodness of your intent will be recorded in heaven and answered on earth. And some of that can come today and some of it can start this very hour.” His remarks were tender, powerful and seemed to touch every heart.
As the official photographer, I took lots of photos and enjoyed being in close proximity to this beloved apostle. His comments to those he greeted were positive and uplifting. He was personable and tender-hearted. He was firm and pointed in his admonition to missionaries to remain faithful both during and after their missions. He reiterated the policy that every young man should serve a mission and every young woman may serve –affirming the priesthood responsibility for the preaching of the gospel. However, he said with great emphases that he wanted every one of his granddaughters to serve a mission. He mentioned that his oldest granddaughter had just received a mission call. Her example influenced her little sister to want to follow in her footsteps. He emphasised that missionary service blesses you all of your life. He assured both the young and senior missionaries that the greatest gift you can give to your posterity is to serve a mission.
The same blessings can be said about my own mission served in my youth. When the inspiration came to serve a mission and “do it now,” I followed that prompting and my life was forever changed for the better. Against many obstacles, I reaped the blessings of full-time missionary service in ways I could not possibly have understood at the time. As I endured the prejudices of the people toward the color of my skin and my “yellow” hair, I learned to love unconditionally. As I lived 24/7 with markedly different companions, I learned to appreciate our individual uniqueness as children of God. As I served with faithful elders, I witnessed the power of the priesthood. As I taught and testified of the life, mission, atonement and resurrection of the Savior and read the book, “Jesus is the Christ,” I forged a friendship with my divine redeemer. As I sought to live by the Spirit, I felt enveloped in God’s love. My life was preserved on numerous occasions when the angel of death could have become my escort into the next life. As I prayed for hearts to heal and soften, I witnessed lives change and joy embraced. As I sacrificed and served, a heaven full of tender mercies was not restrained and I felt immersed in the blessings of the Lord.
Even forty-six years after that life-changing missionary service, I continue to glean blessings from that experience. I still keep in touch with companions and hope to enjoy eternal friendships. My Mission President’s wife (“Mom”) and her daughter travelled well over 100 miles to to see us before we left to come to Africa. She expressed joy in our current calling and said that she was proud of us for serving another mission. We have corresponded every one of the past 46 years since the mission. We attended their golden wedding anniversary celebration many years ago on their Nevada ranch. Our lives are richer far for serving the Lord. The best blessing that came from being in the right place at the right time was, of course, meeting my beloved eternal companion, Elder Basso. Children that Heavenly Father sent to us continued the tradition of service and blessings resulted, power increased and talents magnified.
As Elder Holland and the Claytons were leaving I thought of how I had taken photos all day long of so many people with the Lord’s apostle but had not had an opportunity to be on the other side of the camera with him. I positioned myself by the gate, near the exit to take the final photo of the day as they drove away. Surprisingly, when the vehicle was full and ready to drive away, the doors flew up and out jumped Elder Clayton. He was followed by Elder Holland who exited the van after finally getting to collapse in a comfortable seat at the end of a long, arduous day. Elder Holland warmly shook our hands and gave me a big hug. Elder Clayton said, “Give me your camera!” He took a picture of Chuck and I with Elder Holland and then looked at the image. With furrowed brow he said, “It’s crooked. Can you fix that?” I assured him that I could, retrieved my camera and paused in the shock of what just happened. My spirit soared through tears of joy. An apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ had embraced me with the warmth of God’s love and I would never be the same. Truly, sacrifice and service bring forth the blessings of heaven.
cool experience. we just heard from e. holland today at our stk conf through a SLC broadcast. It was statewide, since we have over 90 stakes in the state! he was just there and now here in a week. they must be weary of flying.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they are supported on the "wings" of angels at times. It must be exhausting but so appreciated by all. Even the non-members attending the media event were visibly moved by the spirit they felt and the man that delivered the message and blessings. They expressed regret at not being able to spend more time with Elder Holland.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Glad you were able to enjoy Stake Conference. ♥ U