Historian Shares Insights from Writing President Holland's Biography

Church historian Matt Grow discusses the challenge of capturing the life of Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 4:23am

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Church historian Matt Grow was tasked with writing a biography of Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland, who asked Grow to take on the project after a health crisis in 2023. Grow, who is used to writing about historical figures who have passed away, found the challenge of capturing the life of a living Apostle to be entirely new. In a recent podcast, Grow discussed the process with fellow Church leader biographer Sheri Dew, sharing insights he gained about Holland's life and legacy.

Why it matters

As a current Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Holland's life and teachings hold great significance for members of the Church. Grow's biography provides a rare, in-depth look at the life and character of a living Church leader, offering unique insights that can inspire and guide readers.

The details

Grow was presented with the opportunity to write Holland's biography after the Apostle experienced a health crisis in 2023. Though Grow was used to writing about historical figures, capturing the life of a living Apostle was a new challenge. Over the course of two and a half years, Grow conducted numerous interviews with Holland, gaining a deeper understanding of the Apostle's life, faith, and the role of vulnerability and hope in Jesus Christ.

  • In 2023, Holland experienced a health crisis that prompted him to ask Grow to write his biography.
  • Grow spent two and a half years interviewing Holland and working on the biography project.

The players

Matt Grow

A Church historian who was tasked with writing a biography of Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland.

Jeffrey R. Holland

A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who asked Grow to write his biography after a health crisis in 2023.

Sheri Dew

A fellow Church leader biographer and the executive vice president of the Deseret Management Corp., who joined Grow on a podcast to discuss the biography project.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, an amazing opportunity, but how do you capture the life of someone like him?”

— Matt Grow, Church historian (Church News podcast)

The takeaway

Grow's work on the biography of Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland provides a rare, in-depth look at the life and character of a living Church leader, offering unique insights that can inspire and guide readers in their own faith journeys.