Ezra Taft Benson

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.