Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy offered this prayer at the conclusion of the graveside service of his father, President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in St. George, Utah, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
“Our most loving and gracious Heavenly Father, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, I dedicate and consecrate the burial spot before us as the resting place for the body of Jeffrey Roy Holland until he is brought forth on that glorious morning of the First Resurrection.
“We pray, dear Father, that this spot will remain hallowed, preserved, and protected until it has filled the full measure of its holy purpose. We pray that all who come here will feel and reverently honor the sacredness of it. Let it help them understand and better appreciate the life, the atoning sacrifice, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we note — with more gratitude and joy than we can convey — makes this resting spot only temporary.
“We plead, Father, for a special blessing on the posterity of Jeffrey and Patricia Holland, whose bodies now lie here together. Bless them, Father, that today, and in the coming days and months and years ahead, that they will find peace and comfort. Inspire them to return here regularly to remember and honor all that this noble couple stood for and hoped for for their eternal family, leaving here strengthened and rededicated to the practices and principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
“We ask and say and do all of these things in the sacred name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, amen.”