Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Accepts Rare Gift from the Rev. Andrew Teal

 
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By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News
 

Sitting at his desk at Church headquarters, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles turned the pages of a rare King James version of the Bible. He examined the type and looked at the detailed images representing the six days of the creation, copied from metal carvings.

The sacred book, a Charles II Restoration Bible, was printed in the late 1600s after the English Civil War. It was hand carried from England to Salt Lake City by Elder Holland’s “beloved colleague” — the Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal, a chaplain and theologian specializing in Christian church history at Oxford’s Pembroke College.

In passing the book to Elder Holland, the Rev. Teal asked him to think of where it has been.

“It is a Restored Bible for the restored Church,” said the Rev. Teal.

The book came from the special antique theology collection of the Rev. Frances Young, an ordained Methodist minister who taught theology at the University of Birmingham.

She gifted the collection to the Rev. Teal, who brought the book to Elder Holland.

“It is a wonderful edition and rife with history,” said Elder Holland. “What a beautiful book.”

  
Elder Holland first met the Rev. Teal when Elder Holland’s son, Elder Matthew S. Holland, was on sabbatical at Pembroke College. The pair also connected at an event in London organized by Baroness Emma Nicholson for the AMAR Foundation.

Elder Holland deepened his friendship with the Rev. Teal in November of 2018 after accepting the Anglican priest’s invitation to deliver a series of lectures at Oxford — including a Christmas sermon at Pembroke College Chapel.

Also present during the book presentation were Elder Kyle S. McKay, Church historian, and David Checketts, former president of the England London Mission, and his wife, Sister Deborah Checketts.

Elder McKay expressed gratitude for the sacred book of scripture, noting that Latter-day Saints share with the Rev. Teal great joy for the “immeasurable treasure of the word of God.”