The world of faith and education woke up to solemn news on Saturday morning as Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025. He was 85. Surrounded by family, his life ended due to complications related to kidney disease, marking the close of an era defined by eloquence, empathy, and fearless testimony of Jesus Christ.

For millions across the globe, President Holland was more than a Church leader. He was a teacher who made faith feel personal, a scholar who blended intellect with belief, and a shepherd who spoke directly to wounded hearts during humanity’s darkest moments — from global conflict to the isolating fear of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Calling That Defined His Life

When President Holland was ordained an Apostle on June 23, 1994, he described the call as overwhelming yet sacred. Standing before reporters at Temple Square, he uttered words that would later become the defining line of his ministry: “My total responsibility is to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.” That witness shaped every sermon, decision, and conversation for more than three decades.

Before that sacred moment, Holland had already lived a remarkable academic and administrative life. He served as president of Brigham Young University from 1980 to 1989, guiding the institution through academic growth, cultural debates, and even athletic triumphs, including BYU’s historic 1984 national football championship. His leadership extended into global education as Commissioner of the Church Educational System and dean of BYU’s College of Religious Education.

A Scholar Who Chose the Classroom Over Comfort

Born on December 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah, Holland grew up in a tight-knit community where values mattered and everyone knew your name. His parents, Frank and Alice Holland, raised him in a home rich with humor, discipline, and unconditional love. Sports filled his early years, and he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track at Dixie High School.

Yet it was his mission to England at age 19 that altered the course of his life forever. That experience deepened his testimony and ignited his love for scripture, particularly the Book of Mormon. Although he later earned advanced degrees from Yale University, including a doctorate in American Studies, Holland turned away from lucrative opportunities to teach the gospel — a decision that defined him.

As Elder Quentin L. Cook, his former missionary companion, once said, Holland possessed an unmatched gift with words and spiritual depth. “There was nobody better in the Church at teaching,” Cook recalled.

A Marriage Built on Faith and Courage

At the center of Holland’s life was his wife, Patricia Terry Holland, who passed away in July 2023. Married in 1963, their partnership was one of mutual sacrifice and unwavering support. Patricia was an accomplished author, vocalist, and speaker, yet her greatest devotion remained her family.

Together, they raised three children — Matthew, Mary Alice, and David — while navigating the demands of Church service and academic leadership. Holland often credited Patricia for anchoring their home during the most demanding years, calling her courage and faith extraordinary.

A Global Voice of Compassion

As an Apostle, President Holland traveled extensively, carrying his message of hope to every corner of the world. One of his most emotional assignments came between 2002 and 2004, when he directed Church affairs in Chile. The experience left an indelible mark on him. “It’s the people,” he once said, reflecting on the bonds formed through service and sacrifice.

His influence also reached beyond religious boundaries. Holland engaged in interfaith dialogue, served on national educational boards, and earned recognition from the Anti-Defamation League for strengthening Christian-Jewish understanding. Conversations with global leaders, including humanitarian discussions at Windsor Castle in London, showcased his rare ability to blend doctrine with diplomacy.

A Voice for the Broken and the Searching

Perhaps President Holland’s most enduring legacy lies in his sermons — raw, poetic, and deeply human. He spoke openly about mental illness, despair, and personal struggle, reminding listeners that faith does not erase pain but provides strength to endure it. During the pandemic, his messages offered reassurance to millions feeling isolated and afraid.

One of his final public addresses to young adults in January 2023 emphasized hope as a living force. Quoting scripture, he urged them to “press forward with a perfect brightness of hope.” It was a message that encapsulated his life’s mission: lifting others, one soul at a time.

A Teacher Who Touched Eternity

President Holland often quoted Doctrine and Covenants 81:5, urging believers to “succor the weak” and “strengthen the feeble knees.” That scripture guided his interactions — whether at the pulpit, in private counseling, or through social media messages shared during moments of global anxiety.

He believed the greatest threat of modern times was spiritual apathy, and his answer was always the same: stay humble, stay prayerful, and keep moving toward the light — even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

As history reflects on his life, one truth stands firm. Jeffrey R. Holland was a teacher in the truest sense — someone whose influence will ripple far beyond his lifetime. As historian Henry Adams once wrote, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

For President Holland, that eternity was anchored in Christ, and his witness now lives on in millions of hearts worldwide.

In a striking example of frequent-flyer dedication, a United Airlines passenger managed to earn MileagePlus Premier Platinum status by taking six flights in a single day, completing an ambitious “status run” that spanned California and Nevada.

The traveler, identified as Stephen, shared his experience on Reddit, a story later reported by the New York Post. A resident of California, Stephen carefully calculated the exact number of flights and miles he needed to requalify for Premier Platinum status before the end of the year.

To meet the requirement of 60,000 miles and approximately $500 in qualifying spend, Stephen flew multiple round trips from San Francisco International Airport to

• Reno Tahoe International Airport
• Sacramento International Airport
• Los Angeles International Airport

All six flights were completed on Wednesday, December 17, in what seasoned travelers refer to as a “status run”—a practice where frequent fliers take extra trips purely to maintain elite airline status.

Six Flights, One Day, 12 Hours

Stephen’s tightly planned itinerary began with a departure at 8:40 a.m. and concluded at 8:29 p.m., wrapping up the entire journey in just under 12 hours. Despite the ambitious schedule, he reported that all flights ran smoothly, with only minor delays and no major disruptions.

One particularly brief stop saw Stephen spend just 15 minutes in Reno before boarding his return flight back to San Francisco.

Reflecting on the experience, Stephen said he genuinely enjoyed the day-long journey:

“While many people see airports as a hassle, I genuinely love the experience — the logistics, the engineering and the perspective you only get from 30,000 feet.”

Why Premier Platinum Was Worth the Effort

Stephen explained that earlier in the year he had already accumulated a significant number of miles due to long-haul work trips and frequent flights to Florida. When he realized he was just six flights short of Premier Platinum, he decided not to let the opportunity slip away.

The timing also aligned with upcoming personal travel plans. Stephen and his wife are planning a trip to Europe next year, where the perks of Platinum status—especially complimentary upgrades and priority services—could more than justify the effort and cost of the status run.

Interestingly, Stephen also revealed that Google’s AI assistant Gemini helped him finalize the most efficient itinerary. His original plan involved flying via Palm Springs and Las Vegas, but Gemini instead recommended the Reno–Sacramento–Los Angeles loop as the fastest and most practical option.

What MileagePlus Premier Platinum Status Offers

According to United Airlines, MileagePlus Premier Platinum is one of the carrier’s most valuable elite tiers, offering a wide range of benefits, including:

• 9x award miles on United and United Express flights
• Complimentary Economy Plus seating at booking for the member and up to eight companions
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades beginning up to 72 hours before departure
• Group 1 priority boarding
• Priority check-in and security screening (where available)
• Up to three free checked bags on eligible fares
• Confirmed flight changes within 24 hours at no extra cost
• $100 discount on United Club All Access membership

Platinum members also receive a 75% Premier Bonus Miles on select partner airlines, including Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and others.

A Modern Take on Loyalty Travel

Stephen’s one-day, six-flight journey highlights how airline loyalty programs continue to inspire creative — and sometimes extreme — travel strategies. While not for everyone, his story underscores how, for frequent fliers, elite status can be worth a long day in the air.

The United States is preparing for one of the biggest shake-ups in the H-1B visa program in decades — a change that could dramatically alter who gets selected and who gets left behind. Under a new rule announced this week, the long-criticised random lottery system will be replaced by a weighted, wage-based selection process, prioritising applicants with higher skills and higher salaries.

The reform is being rolled out by the administration of US President Donald Trump, marking another step in a broader push to tighten immigration controls, including legal work visas heavily used by the technology and engineering sectors.

What exactly is changing in the H-1B system?

Until now, H-1B visas were allocated through a lottery, regardless of salary level or seniority. Each applicant had an equal chance of selection once registered, even though demand far exceeded supply.

That system is now coming to an end.

On December 23, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that it is revising the H-1B selection rules to favour higher-paid and higher-skilled workers, citing the need to protect American wages and reduce abuse of the program.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said the new rule will officially take effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season.

How many H-1B visas are issued each year?

The United States currently issues:

• 65,000 H-1B visas under the regular cap
• 20,000 additional visas for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutions

Indian professionals continue to represent the largest share of H-1B holders, making the policy shift particularly significant for India-origin applicants.

How the new wage-based selection works

The revised system relies on government wage data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Jobs are classified into four wage levels:

• Level I – Entry-level roles
• Level II – Early career professionals
• Level III – Experienced roles
• Level IV – Senior and fully specialised positions

Under the new rule, applications will enter the selection pool as follows:

• Level IV: 4 entries
• Level III: 3 entries
• Level II: 2 entries
• Level I: 1 entry

In simple terms, higher salary = higher probability of selection.

USCIS stated:

“The rule implements a weighted selection process that will favour allocating H-1B visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens while maintaining opportunities at all wage levels.”

Who benefits — and who faces setbacks?

Who gets priority:

• Senior professionals
• High-paying tech and engineering roles
• Specialised positions that clearly require advanced skills

Who may struggle:

• Entry-level applicants
• Lower-paid roles often used for bulk hiring
• Employers relying on large volumes of low-wage H-1B filings

While entry-level applicants can still apply, the odds are no longer equal — a major departure from the lottery era.

Why the lottery system was scrapped

The H-1B lottery has long been criticised as arbitrary and outdated. Government officials argue it allowed companies to flood the system with low-wage applications, undermining the original purpose of the visa — to attract specialised talent.

The DHS says the new framework aims to:

• Encourage better pay
• Reduce misuse of visas for low-skilled roles
• Protect American workers’ wages and job opportunities

Part of a wider immigration crackdown

The H-1B overhaul is part of a broader immigration tightening strategy. One of the most controversial proposals currently under legal challenge includes a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B workers recruited from outside the US.

The timing is also crucial. The regulation takes effect just weeks before the annual spring H-1B registration window — a critical hiring cycle for US tech companies, startups, and multinational firms dependent on skilled foreign labour.

The bottom line

The era of equal chances in the H-1B lottery is over. In its place is a system that rewards pay, seniority and skill, fundamentally reshaping how foreign professionals access one of America’s most sought-after work visas.

For many applicants, especially from India, the message is clear: higher salary offers now matter more than ever.