President Jeffrey R. Holland has been called to serve as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church announced Thursday.

The church said President Russell M. Nelson appointed President Holland to the position on Wednesday. President M. Russell Ballard had served as the acting president. He died Sunday night at the age of 95 after serving as a member of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 36 years.

The position of president of the quorum is given based on seniority by date of assignment to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, according to church practice. Currently, President Dallin H. Oaks, who serves as first counselor in the First Presidency, is the senior apostle, so President Holland, who is next in seniority, received the calling to be acting president.

President Holland was called as an apostle on June 23, 1994, over 29 years ago.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest body in the church’s leadership, following the First Presidency.

“In addition to their primary responsibility to be special witnesses of the name of Christ throughout the world, these apostles have significant administrative responsibilities in overseeing the operation and development of a global church,” a church press release said.