Elder Holland relieved of his duties

[pam]

Due to health reasons, Elder Holland has been relieved of all of his duties for a minimum of 2 months.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the following statement:

As announced last weekend, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was excused from general conference due to the fact he and Sister Patricia Holland are both suffering from the effects of Covid. Elder Holland also recently began dialysis for a kidney condition. Consequently, the First Presidency has excused him from all Church assignments and meetings for at least two months to allow his medical treatments and recovery to take full effect. Elder and Sister Holland note that they are very grateful for all the prayers and outpouring of support offered in their behalf at this time.

[Traveler]

This is the first time - that I recall - that an Apostle has been formally (publically) released from their "duties" while still alive.  I recall that President Benson suffered greatly and that his son left the Church because President Benson what unable to fulfill his duties but was not released.

I personally, did not see any problem because a prophet is not a prophet in and of themselves but rather have the mantal of the prophet given to them according to the keys of the priesthood.  That the same keys are held by the quorum of the first presidency and also by the quorum of the 12 Apostles.

I am grateful for all our general authorities that serve at great sacrifice and cost to themselves.  I have been dumbfounded and amazed by those that criticize the brethren and others for their callings – thinking such service is somehow fed by ambition for power and authority and therefore should be enjoyed by all classes of individuals seeking such power and authority.  No oen needs to be called to make sacrifices – especially that of a broken heart and contrite spirit.

 

The Traveler

[NeuroTypical]

Link:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-update-on-elder-hollands-health

[LDSGator]

4 minutes ago, NeuroTypical said:

Link:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-update-on-elder-hollands-health

He is one of my favorites. I’ve given a few of his GC talks to nonmembers

[scottyg]

1 hour ago, Traveler said:

This is the first time - that I recall - that an Apostle has been formally (publically) released from their "duties" while still alive.  I recall that President Benson suffered greatly and that his son left the Church because President Benson what unable to fulfill his duties but was not released.

I personally, did not see any problem because a prophet is not a prophet in and of themselves but rather have the mantal of the prophet given to them according to the keys of the priesthood.  That the same keys are held by the quorum of the first presidency and also by the quorum of the 12 Apostles.

I am grateful for all our general authorities that serve at great sacrifice and cost to themselves.  I have been dumbfounded and amazed by those that criticize the brethren and others for their callings – thinking such service is somehow fed by ambition for power and authority and therefore should be enjoyed by all classes of individuals seeking such power and authority.  No oen needs to be called to make sacrifices – especially that of a broken heart and contrite spirit.

 

The Traveler

Where did it say he was "released" from anything? The statement simply said he is excused from meetings and assignments while he recovers. This happens all the time as the GA's have surgery, family issues, or slow down from advanced age. The only reason a formal announcement was made in this case was because he had several public appearances already planned over the next few months that had previously been announced to the media. In normal cases, we don't hear about their health, and public assignments like speaking at a university commencement, or spiritual ones like dedicating a temple just aren't made.

[LDSGator]

1 hour ago, Traveler said:

I am grateful for all our general authorities that serve at great sacrifice and cost to themselves.

Same. A lot of these guys are vastly talented and walked away from nice careers. 

[scottyg]

2 hours ago, LDSGator said:

Same. A lot of these guys are vastly talented and walked away from nice careers. 

Yep. It would be hard to have built up a nice retirement savings, and to have your golden years all planned out...only to be asked to give it all up for full-time church service until the day you die. 

[LDSGator]

49 minutes ago, scottyg said:

Yep. It would be hard to have built up a nice retirement savings, and to have your golden years all planned out...only to be asked to give it all up for full-time church service until the day you die. 

Oh, agree 100%. 

[pam]

On 4/7/2023 at 10:49 AM, NeuroTypical said:

Link:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-update-on-elder-hollands-health

I think that's what I posted in the OP.     I just made it so people didn't have to click to go somewhere else.