Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Speaks to Married Couples in Nationwide Broadcast 

“You see my iPad here, this is inseparable to me, like you and that link to these devices, but when you push that magic button, can you see that? (Referring to Sister Holland’s picture on the screen) That’s my screensaver—but more than that, that’s my lifesaver,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as he expressed love and appreciation for his wife, Sister Patricia T. Holland, during the nationwide broadcast for married couples.

Elder Holland, who visited the country to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple, addressed the married couples in a special devotional held at the Cabanatuan Stake (Diocese) Center last Thursday, 17 January 2019.

“The single thing needed by a wife is to be appreciated. The greatest thing a husband needed is to be accepted,” he counseled the couples who attended the event either through live or via satellite broadcast in more than 100 stake and district centers nationwide.

Elder Holland, who is married to his wife for 56 years, taught that there is no other relationship in time or eternity that equals the experience. Intimacy, expression of love and time spent together are essential for marriage.

He also gave emphasis on the Come, Follow Me curriculum and the reason behind its release. Elder Holland explained that the new curriculum is not to shorten the length of Sunday service at Church but to make the time in the home longer because “the Savior is really coming anytime soon, and it is our opportunity as families to work together,” he said.

The father of three children and 13 grandchildren, Elder Holland shared about their Friday dates and the half-a-mile walk around the botanical garden of the campus towards the ice cream place.

“Ice cream cones saved my life,” he said despite referring those date nights as ‘lousy date nights.’ However, he shared what Sister Holland's response about their dates, saying, “It wasn’t about the money or extravagant money, but it was you to love me.” The simple statement helped Elder Holland realized that his wife saved his life.

At the conclusion of Elder Holland’s talk, he left three principles he learned from a philosopher to help couples become emotionally and spiritually healthy. “First is someone to love, second is everybody has a significant thing to do, and, last is everyone needs something to look forward to.”

Elder Evan A. Schmutz, of the Seventy, and Sister Cindy Schmutz, his wife, accompanied Elder Holland in the visit and also spoke to the married couples. Both of them shared about the focus, promises, and blessings they received by going to the temple together consistently.

Like other couples, Elder Schmutz shared that they had gone through plenty of problems, quarrels, and differences throughout their marriage. Nevertheless, he explained that the significance of the doctrine in married life helps them understand and improve their behavior.

Mary Loraine Pascual and Heber Jade Pascual, newlyweds present in the devotional, expressed gratitude for being able to attend. “We are one year married, and the talk of Elder Holland really helps us as a starting couple for a colorful eternal companionship.”

Ruth Ann Santos, also from Cabanatuan Stake, shared her thoughts after the special event. “It was a remarkable experience to be seated on the stand with an apostle of the Lord. I was filled with spirit and love as if the words delivered were intended for me and my husband Arnold,” she said.

During his nine-day visit, Elder Holland has presided over a multi-stake conference, a devotional with returned missionaries, a leadership conference, and a multi-unit sacrament meeting. He has also visited missions in the Urdaneta, Angeles, Cabanatuan areas.