Key Takeaways
- President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was laid to rest in his hometown of St. George, Utah, on January 1, 2026.
- Hundreds of people lined the route to the cemetery to pay their respects, including 250 missionaries from the Utah St. George Mission who sang "Amazing Grace" as the hearse passed by.
- President Holland died on December 27 at the age of 85, and funeral services were held on December 31 in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
- The interment service was attended by the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other leaders and family members, who shared remarks and memories of President Holland’s life and legacy.
Introduction to the Interment Service
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled to southern Utah to attend the interment of President Jeffrey R. Holland, a fellow Apostle and President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The service was held on January 1, 2026, in St. George, Utah, a city that held great significance for President Holland, who was born and raised there. Despite the rain, hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the Church leader, lining the route to the cemetery and waiting to catch a glimpse of the hearse as it passed by.
The Procession and Tributes
As the hearse made its way to the cemetery, it passed by several landmarks that were meaningful to President Holland and his family, including the St. George Utah Temple, the St. George Tabernacle, and his childhood home. The Utah St. George Mission President, Nels Thorderson, led a group of 250 missionaries in singing "Amazing Grace" as the hearse passed by the temple. The missionaries were eager to pay their respects to President Holland, whom they loved and admired greatly. President Thorderson said, "Our missionaries just love [President Holland] so dearly and love this opportunity to pay some respect to him and his family, as well as to the gospel of Jesus Christ."
The Interment Service
The interment service was attended by the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other leaders and family members. President Dallin H. Oaks, accompanied by his wife, Kristen, was in attendance, as were President Henry B. Eyring, President D. Todd Christofferson, and his wife, Katherine. Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Anderson, Gary E. Stevenson, and Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and their wives were also present. Mary Alice McCann, President Holland’s daughter, delivered remarks during the service, sharing stories about her father’s childhood and his commitment to the gospel. She said, "He met a little girl named Patricia. And [he] began a lifetime of gospel study and faith, all on the backs of those family members who came before him and who surround us today in this cemetery."
Personal Tributes and Reflections
Many people who attended the interment service shared their personal tributes and reflections on President Holland’s life and legacy. Jay and Kari Manning, who were visiting from New Mexico, said they had been touched by President Holland’s teachings and wanted to pay their respects. Jay Manning said, "The principles he taught of the gospel of Jesus Christ were some that had a great effect on my life and helped me as I became a bishop and then served in other callings in the Church." Brent Lee, a resident of St. George, said, "We’re just delighted to be a part of it. I think it gives us somewhat of an emotional connection to [President Holland] and his family. And it’s the least we can do to honor him in this moment in time."
Conclusion and Final Resting Place
President Jeffrey R. Holland was laid to rest in the St. George City Cemetery, alongside his late wife, Patricia, who died on July 20, 2023. The interment service was a fitting tribute to a man who had dedicated his life to serving the Lord and His kingdom. As the hearse passed by the temple, the missionaries sang "Amazing Grace," a hymn that reflected President Holland’s commitment to the gospel and his faith in Jesus Christ. The service was a celebration of President Holland’s life and legacy, and a testament to the impact he had on the lives of those who knew him and loved him.