He taught the importance of flooding the earth with the book of mormon, warned against the universal sin of pride, and believed that christ was the source of lasting change and true joy. Hinckley on 1 april 1989 during the 159th semiannual lds general conference. President ezra taft benson, then president of the quorum of the twelve apostles, taught how the book of mormon brings people to christ. Eisenhower and as the th president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints from 1985 until his death in 1994. I keep hearing about a talk that ezra taft benson gave in a devotional regarding events leading to the last days. Whether or not you agree with any personal conclusions made by michael quinn, his essay ezra taft benson and mormon political conflicts is the most indepth treatise on the topic and contains a lot of interesting information. Fortunately, we have the lords opinion of the book of mormon to back up president bensons claims of its importance. Top 25 quotes by ezra taft benson of 378 az quotes. President ezra taft benson, president of the council of the twelve. President ezra taft benson 18991994 was called to the quorum of twelve apostles in 1943, and served as the th president of the church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.
Ezra taft benson february 22, 1811 september 3, 1869 commonly referred to as ezra t. Benson was a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints from 1846 to 1869. Lets study the introductory pages of the book of mormon. The power of the word 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. May 07, 2015 chapters nine and ten of the teachings of the presidents of the church. Like a keystone in an arch, if you remove the book of mormon, our whole religion crumbles, wastes away, and cannot stand scrutiny. Bensons greatgrandson, also named ezra taft benson, also became an apostle of the lds church.
In 1985, ezra taft benson became the president of the church. Benson, then prophet of the church, gave a speech that would become the defining characteristic of his presidency. President benson emphasized the importance of reading the book of mormon, missionary work, and strengthening. Benson to distinguish him from his greatgrandson of the same name was an apostle and a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. President nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. My beloved brethren and sisters, today i would like to speak about. Polygamy and mormon church leaders ezra t benson life after. Taft benson, an apostle, who entered the salt lake valley with the first mormon pioneer company in july 1847. Ezra taft benson was ordained and set apart as the thirteenth president of the church on november 10, 1985. Eisenhower and as thirteenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church from 1985 until his death.
Flooding the earth and our lives with the book of mormon. Ash, from a presentation given at bmaf, october 18, 2014 is the book of mormon historically true. The book of mormon is the word of god ezra taft benson. Benson written by admin mormon stuff favorite scriptures and quotes from church leaders and other wise men and women, along with a few of my musings on topics related to mormonism at least in a roundabout way. Ezra taft benson the book of mormon president ezra taft. Ezra taft benson testified of the influence of the book of mormon in bringing the children of men unto christ. Youd think this would elicit a simple yes or no response depending on ones beliefs regarding the prophetic calling of. Licensed to youtube by adrev for a 3rd party on behalf of t c f music publishing, inc, ascap fox music. Jan 20, 2015 the book of mormon is our spiritual taproot. Ezra taft benson church under condemnation for not.
The church under condemnation treated lightly the book of mormon president ezra taft benson my beloved brethren and sisters, for some years now i have been deeply concerned that we are not using the book of mormon as god intends. Benson and the marketing gimmick exploring mormonism. An address given to the brigham young university studeny body. Ezra taft bensons promise of the book of mormon youtube. During his early years as church president, benson brought a renewed emphasis to the distribution and reading of the book of mormon, reaffirming this lds. Benson is the grandfather of ezra taft benson, a past prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints which church is frequently misnamed the mormon church who was also secretary of agriculture in the 1950s. Reconstructing the book of mormon s missing stories don bradley.
Testing ezra taft benson s promise of the book of mormon. His great grandson, also named ezra taft benson, would later serve in that quorum and would eventually become president of the church. Apr 10, 2015 president ezra taft benson delivers a message titled the book of mormonkeystone of our religion. On august 4, 1899, sarah dunkley benson and george taft benson jr. Ezra taft benson mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.
His ancestors were of noble pioneer stock and his grandfather, ezra t. Ezra taft benson s ultraconservative vision made him one of the most polarizing leaders in the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Ezra taft benson august 4, 1899 may 30, 1994 was an american farmer and religious leader, serving as united states secretary of agriculture during both presidential terms of dwight d. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.
My life by gogo goff testimony of the book of mormon. His grateful parents named him for an apostle, his greatgrandfather, who had set a family precedent of devotion to the gospel. Ezra taft benson august 4, 1899 may 30, 1994 was the thirteenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church from 1985 until his death and was united states secretary of agriculture for both terms of the presidency of dwight d. Ezra taft benson was a man who deeply loved the lord. Ezra taft benson was a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints when this devotional address was given at brigham young university on 10 december 1974. They named him ezra taft benson, after his greatgrandfather, elder ezra t. Ezra taft benson, former prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 19851994 president benson was born august 4, 1899, in whitney, idaho, and was the oldest of eleven children. The book of mormon talks about clearing away the branches. In 1973, ezra taft benson became the president of the quorum of the twelve apostles, and in 1985 became the president of the church.
But what president benson may be remembered for most is his strong plea to all the saints to make the book of mormon the center of their lives. As president of the church, president benson pleaded with the saints to immerse themselves in the book of mormon, promising that there is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. The talk was entitled flooding the earth with the book of mormon. He dedicated nine temples and saw great growth in church membership and strength. I am not here today to tickle your ears, to entertain you. Thunder from the right is not a belated condemnation of benson it is an anti mormon book. Benson, at the general conference, great salt lake city, oct.
When he was a youth, his father was called on a mission. Benson came from a large family of eleven children, of whom he was the eldest. Til ezra taft benson wrote the foreword for this race hate. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are often referred to as mormons. Jun 03, 20 unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the doctrine and covenants that the whole church is under condemnation. The book of mormon warns america ezra taft benson 16. Eisenhower and as the th president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church from 1985 until his death in 1994. Ezra taft benson was born into a well established, successful family who had set about gaining employment in everything from farming to politics. We must not forget that the lord himself provided the book of mormon as his chief witness. The teachings of ezra taft benson, bookcraft pubs a missionary who is inspired by the spirit of the lord must be led by that spirit to choose the proper approach to be effective. Nelson gave when he responded to president thomas s. During his administration he emphasized the book of mormon and the theme come unto christ in strethening missionary work and families.
The church under condemnation treated lightly the book of mormon. Ezra taft benson august 4, 1899 may 30, 1994 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. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from god, the devil takes power. Ezra taft benson 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. In a witness and a warning you will find president benson s counsel, insight, testimony and teachings pertaining to the book of mormon. President ezra taft benson delivers a message titled the book of mormonkeystone of. Chapters nine and ten of the teachings of the presidents of the church. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. Teachings of ezra taft benson benson, ezra taft on. This was one of the key sermons, early in his presidency, when he shared the challenge to the church to take better advantage of the gift that book represents. The book of mormonkeystone of our religion youtube.
He built a beautiful home near the current site of temple square and then left it when president brigham young asked him to settle cache valley, where his greatgrandson would grow up. The book of mormonkeystone of our religion president ezra taft benson president of the church conference report, oct. President ezra taft benson delivers a message titled the book of mormon is the word of. Finally, the book of mormon is the keystone of testimony. Like a keystone in an arch, if you remove the book of mormon, our whole religion crumbles, wastes. The church under condemnation treated lightly the book of. He felt that god was not well pleased with the neglect of the book of mormon by the saints and they could not please him until it was used more in missionary work, teaching, preaching, and private. Ezra taft benson in mormonism and politics harris, matthew l on. The book of mormon brings men to christ through two basic.
Jan 01, 1988 the book of mormon is meant for our dayfor us here and now. Mar 22, 2018 president benson had a deep love and appreciation for the book of mormon. The power of the word, teachings of presidents of the church. Ezra taft benson american religious leader britannica. President ezra taft benson on the power of the book of mormon. Ezra taft benson book of mormon there is a power in the book of which will begin to flow into our lives the moment you begin a serious study of the b. My mother was the daughter of eastman and hannah taft, of the county and state aforesaid. Expectations and gifts of jesus christ ezra taft benson. Mar 01, 2009 president ezra taft benson, president of the council of the twelve. Share our testimony of the book of mormon about 30 seconds written for us today about 2 minutes how the book of mormon changed my life. His presence in politics helped the church become accepted throughout the world. During 2015, lds members will be studying the latest manual published by their church, teachings of presidents of the church. Ezra was born in the tworoom farmhouse that his father had built the previous year. This, for me, was a final straw among the final straws.
Benson, who had joined the church in illinois, entered the salt lake valley with the first company of pioneers on 24 july 1847. I the lord give unto you a commandment to be a watchman. I had already determined that the temple ritual was a masonic ripoff, that the book of mormon was a plagiarized 19th century fairy tale and that mormon prophets weren t good at prophesying or at understanding the real world. Ezra taft benson was a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints when this fireside address was given at brigham young university on 4 march 1979. President ezra taft benson my beloved brethren and sisters, for some years now i have been deeply concerned that we are not using the book of mormon as god intends. My brethren and sisters and friends, in keeping with the spirit of the keynote address of our beloved president, i desire, if the lord will bless me, to speak to you about the american heritage of freedoma plan of god. Eisenhower and as the th president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. A gift from the lord my beloved brethren and sisters, today i would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times.
As i participated in the mexico city temple dedication, i received the distinct impression that god is not pleased with our neglect of the book of mormon. The book of mormon, is the key stone of our church, the church of jesus christ of latter day saints, and is true, the words that are printed within the pages of the book of mormon are for our day past, present and future, this book written by then prophet ezra taft benson, is a great read, for members who need a pick up, if they are struggling. The book of mormon brings men to christ through two basic means. P resident e zra t aft b enson t he b ook of m ormon the book of mormon keystone of our religion ezra taft benson ensign, nov.
The teachings of ezra taft benson, bookcraft pubs 4 copy quote when obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment god will endow us with power. Ezra taft benson talks about the last days youtube. It is not just that the book of mormon bears testimony of christ, though it indeed does that, too. Secretary of agriculture in the 1950s and president of the lds church from 1985 to 1994. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious. The child lived, the first of eleven benson children.
Find thousands of lds books, movies, music and more. Prophetic promises of studying the book of mormon scripture. Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book of mormon to expose and combat the falsehoods in socialism, organic evolution, rationalism, humanism, and so forth. He said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, 4. President benson was born august 4, 1899, in the small rural community of whitney, idaho, the oldest of eleven children born to george taft benson, jr. Book of mormon there is a power in the book of which will begin to flow into our lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. Benson, who had served as a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles. The book of mormon offers so much that broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation.
Its an insidious attack on the proamerican, pronationalist, innate. Dec 12, 2019 you can refer to ezra taft bensons a witness and a warning or read the promises president russell m. He spent much of his childhood doing chores on his fathers farm. Peter, i believe you may be referring to a talk that president benson gave at a byu devotional in 1981. Ezra taft benson manual both focus on the book of mormon and to simplify things for me, im combining both into one blog post. Where can i find ezra taft bensons talk about the last days.
355 1368 1289 36 1302 351 1261 745 559 489 47 986 301 1084 1179 1003 874 1027 555 1104 102 1622 1643 191 1591 1612 351 596 177 371 12 515 1129 75 627 906 1123 1499 248 413 831 1103 145 1283