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EspañolEZRA TAFT BENSON
:''This is about the 20th-century church leader and politician. For his great-grandfather, the non-politician leader in the same church, see Ezra T. Benson.''
'Ezra Taft Benson' (August 4, 1899 – May 30, 1994) was the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death. Earlier he served as United States Secretary of Agriculture for both of the administrations of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Born on a farm in Whitney, Idaho, Benson was the oldest of 11 children. Began his academic career at Utah State University, he was a 1926 graduate of Brigham Young University (after serving a church mission in Britain from 1921 to 1923). He received his masters degree from Iowa State University and did preliminary work on a doctorate at the University of California at Berkeley, but never completed this degree. Benson pursued a career in agriculture and later served in many church leadership positions. Just after receiving his masters he returned to Whitney to run the family farm, but later became the county agriculture extension agent.
In 1939, when he was president of the church's Boise, Idaho, stake and working for the University of Idaho Extension Service, he moved to Washington, D.C. to become Executive Secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and became the first president of a new LDS Church stake there.
On October 7 1943, both Benson and Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) became members of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling two vacancies created by the deaths of apostles that summer. Because Kimball was the older of the two, he was given seniority over Benson in the Quorum. Succession to the presidency of the church is by chronological order of ordination to apostleship, allowing Spencer W. Kimball to become president of the church years earlier than Benson. Upon Spencer W. Kimball's death in 1985, Benson became the president of the church.
In 1953, Benson was appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by President Eisenhower. Benson accepted this position with the permission of Church President David O. McKay and therefore served simultaneously in the United States Cabinet and in the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve.
Known for initiating Eisenhower's habit of beginning cabinet meetings with a prayer, Benson cut a controversial figure in politics. Ideologically, he was far to the right of Eisenhower, and he was prone to red-baiting in speeches. Benson opposed the system of government price supports and aid to farmers which he was entrusted by Eisenhower to administer, arguing that it amounted to unacceptable socialism . Nonetheless, he survived in his cabinet position for all eight years of Eisenhower's presidency. He was selected as the administrator-designate of the Emergency Food Agency, part of a secret group created by Eisenhow in 1958 that would serve in the event of a national emergency that became known as the Eisenhower Ten.
Benson succeeded Kimball as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1973, and as President of the Church in 1985. During his early years as Church President, Benson brought a renewed emphasis to the distribution and reading of the ''Book of Mormon'', reaffirming the LDS scripture's importance as "the keystone of [the LDS] religion." He is also remembered for his general conference sermon condemning pride. As Church President, Benson moderated his outspoken right-wing political views.
Benson suffered in the last years of his life from the effects of blood clots in the brain, strokes, and heart attacks. His illness has elicited controversy about the true state of Benson's mental awareness during his final years at the head of the LDS Church. What is not disputed is that during this time, Benson rarely appeared in public, and First Counselor in the First Presidency Gordon B. Hinckley and Second Counselor Thomas S. Monson received legal powers of attorney to act in Benson's behalf in LDS Church corporate affairs. According to precedent, this arrangement allowed ecclesiastical documents to continue to be produced in Benson's name, so that Benson legally continued to act in his official capacity until his death.
Benson died in his Salt Lake City apartment of heart failure on May 30, 1994. He was buried near his birthplace in Whitney, Idaho.
★ Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice, Ezra Taft Benson, , , Deseret Book Company, 1990, ISBN 0-87579-351-7
★ Come Unto Christ, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1983, ISBN 0-87747-997-6
★ The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1986, ISBN 0-87579-216-2
★ Cross Fire: The Eight Years With Eisenhower, —, , , Doubleday, 1976, ISBN 0-8371-8422-3
★ Elect Women of God, —, , , Bookcraft, 1992, ISBN 0-88494-838-2
★ An Enemy Hath Done This, —, , , Bookcraft, 1992, ISBN 0-88494-184-1
★ God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1974, ISBN B0006CF3MC
★ A Labor of Love: The 1946 European Mission of Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1989, ISBN 0-87579-275-8
★ Missionaries to Match Our Message, —, , , Bookcraft, 1990, ISBN 0-88494-779-3
★ So Shall Ye Reap: Selected Addresses of Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1960, ISBN B0007E7BME
★ The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , Bookcraft, 1988, ISBN 0-88494-639-8
★ This Nation Shall Endure, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1977, ISBN 0-87747-658-6
★ The Red Carpet, —, , , Bookcraft, 1962, ISBN B0007F4WJI
★ Sermons and Writings of President Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2003,
★ Title of Liberty, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1964,
★ A Witness and a Warning: A Modern-Day Prophet Testifies of the Book of Mormon, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1988, ISBN 0-87579-153-0
★ President Ezra Taft Benson: A Sure Voice of Faith, Ensign Editor, , , ''Ensign'', July 1994, p. 8
★ President Ezra Taft Benson—A Giant among Men, Monson, Thomas S., , , ''Ensign'', July 1994, p. 35
★ Good-bye to God Benson, Steve
★ A biography of Ezra Taft Benson
★ Ezra Taft Benson's comments on freedom and the U.S. Constitution
★ Ezra Taft Benson's comments on freedom, the U.S. Constitution and the Founding Fathers
★ Some Speeches (audio) of Ezra Taft Benson
★ audio excerpt from “Our Immediate Responsibility.” Devotional Address at Brigham Young University. circa 1968.”
★ To the Elderly in the Church October 1989
★ To the Children of the Church April 1989
★ Beware of Pride April 1989
★ To the Single Adult Sisters of the Church October 1988
★ I Testify October 1988
★ Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon October 1988
★ To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church April 1988
★ The Great Commandment--Love the Lord April 1988
★ Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him April 1988
★ To the Fathers in Israel October 1987
★ Our Divine Constitution October 1987
★ Come unto Christ October 1987
★ To the Home Teachers of the Church April 1987
★ The Savior's Visit to America April 1987
★ The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants April 1987
★ To the Young Women of the Church October 1986
★ The Gift of Modern Revelation October 1986
★ The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion October 1986
★ Godly Characteristics of the Master October 1986
★ To the Youth of the Noble Birthright April 1986
★ The Power of the Word April 1986
★ Cleansing the Inner Vessel April 1986
★ A Sacred Responsibility April 1986
★ Worthy Fathers, Worthy Sons October 1985
★ Born of God October 1985
★ Preparing Yourselves for Missionary Service April 1985
★ Our Responsibility to Share the Gospel April 1985
★ When I Was Called as a Scoutmaster October 1984
★ A New Witness for Christ October 1984
★ Our Commission to Take the Gospel to All the World April 1984
★ Counsel to the Saints April 1984
★ What Manner of Men Ought We to Be? October 1983
★ Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer October 1983
★ A Principle with a Promise April 1983
★ A Call to the Priesthood: Feed My Sheep April 1983
★ Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships October 1982
★ The Honored Place of Woman October 1981
★ Joseph Smith: Prophet to Our Generation October 1981
★ Great Things Required of Their Fathers April 1981
★ Prepare for the Days of Tribulation October 1980
★ Remarks April 1980
★ A Marvelous Work and a Wonder April 1980
★ A Witness and a Warning October 1979
★ This Is a Day of Sacrifice April 1979
★ Church Government through Councils April 1979
★ Worthy of All Acceptation October 1978
★ May the Kingdom of God Go Forth April 1978
★ A Message to the Rising Generation October 1977
★ Prayer April 1977
★ Ministering to Needs through the Lord's Storehouse System April 1977
★ Our Priceless Heritage October 1976
★ The Constitution-- A Glorious Standard April 1976
★ A Message to the World October 1975
★ The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God April 1975
★ Do Not Despair October 1974
★ Missionary Work: A Major Responsibility April 1974
★ Prepare Ye October 1974
★ Watchman, Warn the Wicked April 1973
'Ezra Taft Benson' (August 4, 1899 – May 30, 1994) was the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death. Earlier he served as United States Secretary of Agriculture for both of the administrations of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
| Contents |
| Biography |
| Apostle |
| Political career |
| Church presidency |
| Death |
| Published works |
| References |
| External resources |
| General conference talks |
Biography
Born on a farm in Whitney, Idaho, Benson was the oldest of 11 children. Began his academic career at Utah State University, he was a 1926 graduate of Brigham Young University (after serving a church mission in Britain from 1921 to 1923). He received his masters degree from Iowa State University and did preliminary work on a doctorate at the University of California at Berkeley, but never completed this degree. Benson pursued a career in agriculture and later served in many church leadership positions. Just after receiving his masters he returned to Whitney to run the family farm, but later became the county agriculture extension agent.
In 1939, when he was president of the church's Boise, Idaho, stake and working for the University of Idaho Extension Service, he moved to Washington, D.C. to become Executive Secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and became the first president of a new LDS Church stake there.
Apostle
On October 7 1943, both Benson and Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) became members of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling two vacancies created by the deaths of apostles that summer. Because Kimball was the older of the two, he was given seniority over Benson in the Quorum. Succession to the presidency of the church is by chronological order of ordination to apostleship, allowing Spencer W. Kimball to become president of the church years earlier than Benson. Upon Spencer W. Kimball's death in 1985, Benson became the president of the church.
Political career
In 1953, Benson was appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by President Eisenhower. Benson accepted this position with the permission of Church President David O. McKay and therefore served simultaneously in the United States Cabinet and in the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve.
Known for initiating Eisenhower's habit of beginning cabinet meetings with a prayer, Benson cut a controversial figure in politics. Ideologically, he was far to the right of Eisenhower, and he was prone to red-baiting in speeches. Benson opposed the system of government price supports and aid to farmers which he was entrusted by Eisenhower to administer, arguing that it amounted to unacceptable socialism . Nonetheless, he survived in his cabinet position for all eight years of Eisenhower's presidency. He was selected as the administrator-designate of the Emergency Food Agency, part of a secret group created by Eisenhow in 1958 that would serve in the event of a national emergency that became known as the Eisenhower Ten.
Church presidency
Benson succeeded Kimball as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1973, and as President of the Church in 1985. During his early years as Church President, Benson brought a renewed emphasis to the distribution and reading of the ''Book of Mormon'', reaffirming the LDS scripture's importance as "the keystone of [the LDS] religion." He is also remembered for his general conference sermon condemning pride. As Church President, Benson moderated his outspoken right-wing political views.
Benson suffered in the last years of his life from the effects of blood clots in the brain, strokes, and heart attacks. His illness has elicited controversy about the true state of Benson's mental awareness during his final years at the head of the LDS Church. What is not disputed is that during this time, Benson rarely appeared in public, and First Counselor in the First Presidency Gordon B. Hinckley and Second Counselor Thomas S. Monson received legal powers of attorney to act in Benson's behalf in LDS Church corporate affairs. According to precedent, this arrangement allowed ecclesiastical documents to continue to be produced in Benson's name, so that Benson legally continued to act in his official capacity until his death.
Death
Benson died in his Salt Lake City apartment of heart failure on May 30, 1994. He was buried near his birthplace in Whitney, Idaho.
Published works
★ Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice, Ezra Taft Benson, , , Deseret Book Company, 1990, ISBN 0-87579-351-7
★ Come Unto Christ, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1983, ISBN 0-87747-997-6
★ The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1986, ISBN 0-87579-216-2
★ Cross Fire: The Eight Years With Eisenhower, —, , , Doubleday, 1976, ISBN 0-8371-8422-3
★ Elect Women of God, —, , , Bookcraft, 1992, ISBN 0-88494-838-2
★ An Enemy Hath Done This, —, , , Bookcraft, 1992, ISBN 0-88494-184-1
★ God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1974, ISBN B0006CF3MC
★ A Labor of Love: The 1946 European Mission of Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1989, ISBN 0-87579-275-8
★ Missionaries to Match Our Message, —, , , Bookcraft, 1990, ISBN 0-88494-779-3
★ So Shall Ye Reap: Selected Addresses of Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1960, ISBN B0007E7BME
★ The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , Bookcraft, 1988, ISBN 0-88494-639-8
★ This Nation Shall Endure, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1977, ISBN 0-87747-658-6
★ The Red Carpet, —, , , Bookcraft, 1962, ISBN B0007F4WJI
★ Sermons and Writings of President Ezra Taft Benson, —, , , The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2003,
★ Title of Liberty, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1964,
★ A Witness and a Warning: A Modern-Day Prophet Testifies of the Book of Mormon, —, , , Deseret Book Company, 1988, ISBN 0-87579-153-0
References
★ President Ezra Taft Benson: A Sure Voice of Faith, Ensign Editor, , , ''Ensign'', July 1994, p. 8
★ President Ezra Taft Benson—A Giant among Men, Monson, Thomas S., , , ''Ensign'', July 1994, p. 35
★ Good-bye to God Benson, Steve
External resources
★ A biography of Ezra Taft Benson
★ Ezra Taft Benson's comments on freedom and the U.S. Constitution
★ Ezra Taft Benson's comments on freedom, the U.S. Constitution and the Founding Fathers
★ Some Speeches (audio) of Ezra Taft Benson
★ audio excerpt from “Our Immediate Responsibility.” Devotional Address at Brigham Young University. circa 1968.”
General conference talks
★ To the Elderly in the Church October 1989
★ To the Children of the Church April 1989
★ Beware of Pride April 1989
★ To the Single Adult Sisters of the Church October 1988
★ I Testify October 1988
★ Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon October 1988
★ To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church April 1988
★ The Great Commandment--Love the Lord April 1988
★ Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him April 1988
★ To the Fathers in Israel October 1987
★ Our Divine Constitution October 1987
★ Come unto Christ October 1987
★ To the Home Teachers of the Church April 1987
★ The Savior's Visit to America April 1987
★ The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants April 1987
★ To the Young Women of the Church October 1986
★ The Gift of Modern Revelation October 1986
★ The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion October 1986
★ Godly Characteristics of the Master October 1986
★ To the Youth of the Noble Birthright April 1986
★ The Power of the Word April 1986
★ Cleansing the Inner Vessel April 1986
★ A Sacred Responsibility April 1986
★ Worthy Fathers, Worthy Sons October 1985
★ Born of God October 1985
★ Preparing Yourselves for Missionary Service April 1985
★ Our Responsibility to Share the Gospel April 1985
★ When I Was Called as a Scoutmaster October 1984
★ A New Witness for Christ October 1984
★ Our Commission to Take the Gospel to All the World April 1984
★ Counsel to the Saints April 1984
★ What Manner of Men Ought We to Be? October 1983
★ Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer October 1983
★ A Principle with a Promise April 1983
★ A Call to the Priesthood: Feed My Sheep April 1983
★ Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships October 1982
★ The Honored Place of Woman October 1981
★ Joseph Smith: Prophet to Our Generation October 1981
★ Great Things Required of Their Fathers April 1981
★ Prepare for the Days of Tribulation October 1980
★ Remarks April 1980
★ A Marvelous Work and a Wonder April 1980
★ A Witness and a Warning October 1979
★ This Is a Day of Sacrifice April 1979
★ Church Government through Councils April 1979
★ Worthy of All Acceptation October 1978
★ May the Kingdom of God Go Forth April 1978
★ A Message to the Rising Generation October 1977
★ Prayer April 1977
★ Ministering to Needs through the Lord's Storehouse System April 1977
★ Our Priceless Heritage October 1976
★ The Constitution-- A Glorious Standard April 1976
★ A Message to the World October 1975
★ The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God April 1975
★ Do Not Despair October 1974
★ Missionary Work: A Major Responsibility April 1974
★ Prepare Ye October 1974
★ Watchman, Warn the Wicked April 1973
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