Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a post about how he is coping with the recent death of his beloved wife. He emphasized how he is drawing strength from the support of his family and the hope found in the Plan of Salvation, made possible by the Savior.
The post featured a photo of Elder Holland holding two great-grandchildren.
Here is what Elder Holland wrote:
Most of you will know that my wife Pat passed away last July with complications from Covid and other respiratory problems. I am brokenhearted and lonely, but that is the price we pay for love in the world. I look forward to rejoining her.
But the wonder of life goes on, including for these two great-grandchildren who, with our other family members, were the delight of Pat’s life. Her passing and their arrival are a reminder that both birth and death are a part of the Savior’s plan of happiness. I dearly, deeply miss Pat, but I am grateful for a new generation in our family. This is why we speak of family so much in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for, as President Russell M. Nelson has said, salvation is an individual experience, but exaltation is a family experience.
I bear witness of the beauty of this plan and that all is well if we live for its promises. I am trying to live worthily of those promises and the trust that those living on Pat’s side of the veil have in those of us who have access to the temple where so many of those promises are revealed.
His wife, Sister Patricia Holland, passed away on July 20 at the age of 81. Elder Holland was hospitalized for ongoing health complications in August, though he has since returned home to recuperate.
