President ezra taft benson manual
Ezra Taft Benson
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (–)
For the religious leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (–) and great-grandfather of Ezra Taft Benson, see Ezra T. Benson.
| Ezra Taft Benson | |
|---|---|
Benson in | |
| November 10, &#;&#;&#;May 30, | |
| Predecessor | Spencer W. Kimball |
| Successor | Howard W. Hunter |
| December 30, &#;&#;&#;November 10, | |
| Predecessor | Spencer W. Kimball |
| Successor | Marion G. Romney |
| End reason | Became President of the Church |
| October 7, &#;&#;&#;November 10, | |
| Called by | Heber J. Grant |
| End reason | Became President of the Church |
| October 7, &#;&#;&#;May 30, | |
| Called by | Heber J. Grant |
| Reason | Deaths of Sylvester Q. Cannon and Rudger Clawson |
| Reorganization at end of term | Jeffrey R. Holland ordained |
| January 21, &#;&#;&#;January 20, | |
| Predecessor | Charles F. Brannan |
| Successor | Orville Freeman |
| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Political party | Republican |
| Born | Ezra Taft Benson ()August 4, Whitney, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | May 30, () (aged&#;94) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Education | Oneida Stake AcademyUtah State University, Logan Brigham Young University(BS) Iowa State University(MS) University of California, Berkeley |
| Spouse(s) | Flora Amussen &#; &#; (m.&#;; d.&#;)&#; |
| Children | 6, including Reed |
| Signature | &#; |
Ezra Taft Benson (August 4, &#;– May 30, ) was an American farmer, government official, and religious leader who served as the 15th United States Secretary of Agriculture during both presidential terms of Dwight D. Eisenhower and as the 13thpresident of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from until his death in
Early life
Born on a farm in Whitney, Idaho, Benson was the oldest of eleven children. He was the great-grandson of Ezra T. Benson, who was appointed by Brigham Young to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Chapter Ezra Taft Benson: Thirteenth President of the Church,” Presidents of the Church Student Manual (), –31
Highlights In The Life Of Ezra Taft Benson
Age | Events |
|---|---|
He was born 4 August in Whitney, Franklin County, Idaho, to George T. and Sarah Dunkley Benson. | |
12 | His father left to serve in the Northern States Mission (8 Apr. ). |
15 | He began attending Oneida Stake Academy, Preston, Idaho (). |
19 | He attended Utah State Agricultural College (fall, ). |
21–23 | He served in the British Mission (14 July –23). |
26 | He graduated from BYU with a degree in animal husbandry and agronomy (spring, ). |
27 | He married Flora Smith Amussen (10 Sept. ); he graduated from Iowa State College with a master’s degree in agricultural economics (13 June ). |
29 | He became a University of Idaho Extension Service agent (4 Mar. ). |
36 | He received a fellowship award and moved to Berkeley, California, where he began graduate studies (1 Aug. ). |
39 | He was set apart by Elder Melvin J. Ballard as president of the Boise Stake (27 Nov. ); he began serving as executive secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives in Washington, D.C. (15 Apr. ). |
40 | He was set apart as president of the Washington D.C. Stake (30 June ). |
44 | He was ordained an Apostle by President Heber J. Grant (7 Oct. ). |
46–47 | He reopened missionary work and supervised the distribution of welfare supplies in war torn Europe; he served as president of the European Mission (22 Dec. –22 Dec. ). |
49 | He was elected a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, succeeding President George Albert Smith (23 May ). |
53 | He was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (20 Jan. ). |
64 | He was called by President David O. McKay to serve as president of the European Mission (18 Oct. ). |
74 | He became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (30 Dec. ). |
78 | He recei Jesus Christ—Gifts and ExpectationsMy beloved brothers and sisters, humbly and gratefully I stand before you this morning, humbled by your presence, grateful for the gospel that makes this great University possible. I hope I’ll be given the strength today to say what I know the Lord wants me to say. As we enter this Christmas season, a season of getting and giving, I would like to talk to you about a few of the many gifts we have received from our Lord, Jesus Christ, and what we in turn might give to him. Christ Gave Us His Life as a ModelFirst, he gave us the perfect model—himself—after which we are to pattern our lives. He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John ). Not only did he lay down before us the perfect example for earthly living, but for our sake he willingly gave us his life. He went through an agony both in body and spirit, of which we cannot comprehend, to bring to us the glorious blessing of the Atonement and the Resurrection (see D&C –19). Some men are willing to die for their faith but will not fully live for it. Christ both lived and died for us. By walking in his steps and through his atonement we can gain the greatest gift of all—eternal life—which is that kind of life of the great Eternal One, our Father in heaven. Christ asked the question as to what manner of men ought we to be. He answered by saying we ought to be even as he is (see 3 Nephi ). That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely fits the pattern of the Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life. The constant and most recurring question in our minds, touching every thought and deed of our lives, should be “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts ). The answer to that que Chapter 8: The Power of the Word Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, (), –24 During , LDS members will be studying the latest manual published by their church, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson. We will evaluate this book regularly, chapter by chapter, by showing interesting quotes and providing an Evangelical Christian take on this manual. The text that is underlined is from the manual, with our comments following. “The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.” Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life. Before we go any further, it is important to properly define the word “scriptures” as meant by Benson and other LDS teachers. For many Christians who don’t know very much about the Mormon Church and its teachings, the statement above could be joyfully met with open arms. After all, the Christian is thinking that only through the Bible can a person be armed with the Spirit and find joy. However, in Mormonism, the term “scripture” means so much more. According to Mormonism, written scripture is the Bible (King James Version), the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. These four books together are called the standard works. In addition, the inspired words of the living prophet, official church writings, and general conference addresses. As tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith explained, WHAT IS SCRIPTURE? When one of the brethren stands before a congregation of the people today, and the inspiration of the Lord is upon him, he s
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