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SALT LAKE CITY — Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has been excused from church assignments and meetings for "at least two months" to allow him time for medical treatments.
Elder Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is recovering from symptoms of COVID-19, and is receiving dialysis for a kidney condition, according to a statement released Thursday by the church.
He and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, were both excused from the church's annual general conference over the weekend after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
The statement said Elder Holland and his wife "are very grateful for all the prayers and outpouring of support offered in their behalf at this time."
Shortly after general conference began, Elder Holland said he and his wife would be watching conference "hand-in-hand, at home." In the tweet, he expressed gratitude for the Savior.
"I hope you will join me in recognizing and appreciating that all sins and sorrows, all disappointment and depression, all temptation and all tears may be put behind us through the divinity, atoning sacrifice, and triumphant resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ," Elder Holland said.
On March 21, Elder Holland was at Brigham Young University to announce a new president for the university.
He was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at Southern Utah University's commencement exercises in Cedar City on April 28, but a spokeswoman for the university said Thursday he will not be attending or speaking at the ceremony. She said this change is due to the announcement about his health.
SUU officials held "listening sessions" with students last month after a protest and petition drives were launched from those opposed to Elder Holland being the commencement speaker and from those favoring his invitation.
