Ezra Taft Benson

Ezra Taft Benson

1899–1994 (94 years)

Hometown: Whitney, Idaho

Biography

Ezra Taft Benson was the thirteenth President of the LDS Church, serving from 1985 to 1994. Uniquely among church presidents, he served eight years as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower (1953-1961) while simultaneously serving as an apostle—a dual role that raised some concerns about church-state separation.

Born in Whitney, Idaho, Benson was a farmer and agricultural economist who earned degrees from Brigham Young University, Utah State, and Iowa State. He served a mission in Great Britain. After World War II, he led the church’s humanitarian relief efforts in Europe.

Benson was an outspoken political conservative who supported the John Birch Society and warned frequently about communist conspiracies. His political views sometimes created tension within church leadership, and David O. McKay reportedly told him to tone down his rhetoric. His book “An Enemy Hath Done This” promoted conspiracy theories.

As president, Benson emphasized the Book of Mormon above all else, declaring the church was under condemnation for neglecting it. His focus on “flooding the earth” with the Book of Mormon defined his presidency. He also emphasized the importance of pride as a stumbling block.

His final years were marked by severe decline—he became increasingly incapacitated and rarely appeared publicly after 1989, raising questions about leadership during his incapacity. He died in 1994 at age 94.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Heber J. Grant Heber J. Grant 1856–1945 (88 years) George Albert Smith George Albert Smith 1870–1951 (81 years) David O. McKay David O. McKay 1873–1970 (96 years) Joseph Fielding Smith Joseph Fielding Smith 1876–1972 (95 years) Harold B. Lee Harold B. Lee 1899–1973 (74 years) Spencer W. Kimball Spencer W. Kimball 1895–1985 (90 years)

Apostles Who Served During This Presidency

Marion G. Romney Marion G. Romney Howard W. Hunter Howard W. Hunter Gordon B. Hinckley Gordon B. Hinckley Thomas S. Monson Thomas S. Monson Boyd K. Packer Boyd K. Packer Marvin J. Ashton Marvin J. Ashton L. Tom Perry L. Tom Perry David B. Haight David B. Haight James E. Faust James E. Faust Neal A. Maxwell Neal A. Maxwell Russell M. Nelson Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks Dallin H. Oaks M. Russell Ballard M. Russell Ballard Joseph B. Wirthlin Joseph B. Wirthlin Richard G. Scott Richard G. Scott

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Wives (1)

#NameMarriage DateHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1 Flora Smith Amussen Sep 10, 1926 252726

Children (6)

With Flora Smith Amussen (6 children)

  1. Reed Amussen Benson (b. Jan 2, 1928)
  2. Mark Amussen Benson (b. May 2, 1929)
  3. Barbara Amussen Benson (b. Jun 20, 1934)
  4. Beverly Amussen Benson (b. Sep 20, 1937)
  5. Bonnie Amussen Benson
  6. Flora Beth Benson

Related Posts (16)

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Homemaking is the highest, most noble profession to which a woman might aspire. - Ezra Taft Benson, LDS Church President, The Honored Place of Woman, 1981 | wasmormon.org “Young mothers and fathers, with all my heart I counsel you not to postpone having your children... have your children and have them early.” - Ezra Taft Benson, LDS Church President, To the Mothers in Zion, 1987 | wasmormon.org “The counsel of the Church has always been for mothers to spend their full time in the home in rearing and caring for their children.” - Ezra Taft Benson, LDS Church President, To the Mothers in Zion, 1987 | wasmormon.org “Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s place is in the home! I recognize there are voices in our midst which would attempt to convince you that these truths are not applicable to our present-day conditions. If you listen and heed, you will be lured away from your principal obligations. Beguiling voices in the world cry out for "alternative life-styles" for women. They maintain that some women are better suited for careers than for marriage and motherhood. It is a misguided idea that a woman should leave the home.” - Ezra Taft Benson, LDS Church President - As Living Prophet, 1981 | wasmormon.org "Learn to keep your eye on the prophet. He is the Lord’s mouthpiece and the only man who can speak for the Lord today. Let his inspired counsel take precedence. Let his inspired words be a basis for evaluating the counsel of all lesser authorities... This Church is not being directed by the wisdom of men." Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, Chapter 11: Follow the Prophet | wasmormon.org "It seems to us that it ought to be possible to work this situation out without causing any feelings on the part of anybody. If the white sisters feel that they may not sit with them or near them, we feel very sure that if the colored sisters were discreetly approached, they would be happy to sit at one side in the rear or somewhere where they would not wound the sensibilities of the complaining sisters. We will rely upon your tact and discretion to work this out so as not to hurt the feelings on the part of anyone." - Letter to President Ezra T. Benson, Washington D.C. Stake President, From the First Presidency Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay, Dated 23 June 1942 | wasmormon.org "If you allow the people of the church to turn you against the church, then you were not worthy to be in the church in the first place" - Ezra Taft Benson, speaking to Natalie Palmer-Taylor, a black mother upset that her child was a target of a racial epithet from another member, 1988 | wasmormon.org "Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book to expose and combat the falsehoods in socialism, organic evolution, rationalism, humanism, etc. Our missionaries are not as effective unless they are “hissing forth” with it." - Ezra Taft Benson, Church President | wasmormon.org Cartoon representing Two centuries of Book of Mormon Historicity Debates from Sunstone Article. Two Centuries of Book of Mormon Historicity Debates 19th Century: Mormons use Native American and Mesoamerican ruins as evidence of Book of Mormon civilizations. Early 20th Century: Skeptics point out anachronisms in the Book of Mormon such as wheels and horses. Apologists search for archeological evidence of Book of Mormon civilizations. Mid-20th Century: The original Book of Abraham papyrus is discovered to actually be a funerary text, helping to throw more doubt on the ancient origins of the Book of Mormon. Orthodox scholars propose a "limited geography" of the Book of Mormon. Orthodox scholars begin looking for "Old World" parallels to the Book of Mormon. Late 20th Century: The LDS Church disciplines revisionist scholars. President Ezra Taft Benson's focus on the Book of Mormon initiates more scholarly attention and anti-Mormon polemics. FARMS counters attacks on the Book of Mormon. Early 21st Century: DNA studies seem to rule out Israelitish ancestry of Native Americans. The Internet spawns an explosion of critical and apologetic material.