Nukuʻalofa, Tonga – President Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the most senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a figure well known to church members in Tonga, has died at the age of 85, the church announced.
He was reported to be next in line to lead the Church.
President Holland, who served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, died on December 27 from complications associated with kidney disease.
The LDS Church is the second-largest Christian denomination in Tonga, with thousands of members across the Kingdom.
President Holland was a familiar and respected figure among Tongan Latter-day Saints, many of whom recall his teachings, conference messages, and emphasis on faith, education, and service.
MP Fane Fituʻafe, who is also a member of the LDS Church, paid tribute to the leader’s death on Facebook.
Known for his powerful oratory and compassionate leadership, President Holland travelled widely during his ministry, teaching and testifying of Jesus Christ to members around the world.
Church leaders said he consistently expressed his belief that the “gospel of Jesus Christ is personally precious, everlastingly hopeful and eternally true.”
An educator by training, President Holland inspired generations of members, including many in the Pacific, through his general conference addresses, devotional talks, missionary messages, and writings. His influence extended beyond the pulpit into education and leadership development within the church.
In addition to nearly three decades of service as an Apostle, President Holland held several senior roles, including General Authority Seventy, the ninth president of Brigham Young University, commissioner of the Church Educational System, and dean of the BYU College of Religious Education. His leadership helped shape church education programs that have benefited many Tongan students and families.
Visa Restrictions Impact
President Holland’s death comes at a time when many Tongan members of the Church are facing uncertainty following visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, which affect visitor, education, and business visas for Tongans.
Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi, an institution operated by the church, has long been a key pathway for higher education for Tongan Latter-day Saint students.
As previously reported by Kaniva News, Professor Tevita Kaʻili of the university said Tongan students make up the second-largest international student group at BYU–Hawaiʻi.
Professor Kaʻili noted that new enrolment figures for the coming academic year show a decline in the number of Tongan students, a trend he attributed to the visa restrictions.
For many Tongan Latter-day Saints, President Holland was closely associated with the church’s emphasis on education, faith, and global inclusion, values that continue to resonate strongly as the community navigates current challenges.
