From ezra taft benson, the book of mormonthe keystone of our religion, ensign november 1986. If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study. Enter your email address to subscribe to the mormon chronicle and receive notifications of. Ezra taft benson, a witness and a warning book of mormon. It was the born of god alma who as a missionary was so able to impart the word that many others were also born of god. Pay attention to its warnings about freedom and government. President ezra taft benson ensign, november 1986, page 7. I am not here today to tickle your ears, to entertain you. Rest assured, however, that unlike the book of mormon,it does not contain thousands of changes in words or meaning. A side note on the use of the inspired etb autopen signature machine and other matters. Twice he served as a stake president and twice as president of the european mission.
The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Each of the major writers of the book of mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. May 09, 2015 overview under the presidencies of joseph fielding smith, harold b. Benson served an lds church mission in britain from 1921 to 1923. All talks by president ezra taft benson giuseppe martinengo.
Over the years since having left mormonism, i have been asked what, if anything, i was able to conclude from my own experiences and observations regarding the socalled special witness of my grandfatherlds church president, ezra taft benson, as well regarding the allegedly unique testimonies of other mormon general authorities. Ezra taft benson the book of mormon president ezra. 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. The 1966 rededication by elder ezra taft benson author james a. The insights into his personal life and character are invaluable. President ezra taft benson, president of the council of the twelve. Ezra taft benson book of mormon notes how deep can you. The concept of a rejected gospel in mormon history, part 1 william shepard. On january 5, 1986, president ezra taft benson presided at a stake conference in annandale, virginia. President ezra taft benson s epic conference talk about his vision regarding the book of mormon. First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. This is the th in a series of books of the teachings of presidents of the church. Ezra taft benson, the book of mormon is the word of glenn pearson a retired byu religion professor tells the. An address given to the brigham young university studeny body.
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. Lessons from the zarahemla churches religious studies center. Impressively, the whole tapestry of the book of mormon con sists of a. He testified that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion introduction to the book of mormon. Ezra taft benson taught that the book of mormon was written for our day. Embracing the power of the book of mormon deseret news. How has the book of mormon brought you nearer to god. Posts about lds mormon president ezra taft bensons prophets talks plan laid out from the beginning by grego written by grego. 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.
Ezra taft benson, 94, head of the mormon church since 1985, secretary of agriculture from 1953 to 1961 and a pugnacious. Despicable behavior on bensons part but an interesting fact nonetheless. It is the tendency of such proceedings volumes, as of any composite work, to be uneven in quality, and this book is no exception. In the october 1986 general conference, president ezra taft benson said. For if the book of prophet, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true, ezra taft benson, the book of mormon is the word of glenn pearson a retired byu religion professor tells the following story. A mormon american leaders support for the jewish state masters thesis. Tonight i have been exploring ezra taft benson s political ideologies. Lds mormon president ezra taft bensons prophets talks. The book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants by president ezra taft benson.
To the children of the church president bensons last given. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to christs coming to america. Teachings of ezra taft benson benson, ezra taft on. This volume is 765 pages and covers first and second nephi. Ezra taft benson august 4, 1899 may 30, 1994 was an american farmer, government. Ezra taft benson mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Kimball, ezra taft bensons promotion of ultraconservative politics went into decline, in part due to more assertive presidents who were opposed to bensons politics, and also due to the demise of the threat of communism. Leather mormon church employee christmas gift edition.
Outside of the mormon world, the name ezra taft benson probably no longer rings many bells. He dedicated nine temples and saw great growth in church membership and strength. The book of mormon is especially applicable to the struggles we face in america today. Book of mormon talk president ezra taft benson 101988 youtube. Mormon, the ancient prophet after whom the book is named, abridged centuries of records. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. A complete list of temples of the church of jesus christ of latter. Jan 01, 1988 the book of mormon is meant for our dayfor us here and now.
The major mission of the book of mormon, as recorded on its title page, is to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nations. The book of mormon warns america ezra taft benson of the quorum of the twelve apostles may 21, 1968 devotional. My beloved brethren and sisters, he said during the october 1984 general conference, for some years now i have been deeply concerned that we are not using the book of. President ezra taft benson delivers a message titled the book of mormonkeystone of our religion. Ezra taft benson, to look after the interests of the kingdom and to uphold the faith. When he was a youth, his father was called on a mission. Early in life, benson was a county agricultural agent and then became involved in various farming enterprises which gave him the experience that lead to his invitation to be the secretary of agriculture in the eisenhower administration. Holzapfel since the early years of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, italy has attracted the attention of church leaders as a proselyting field. 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. In a witness and a warning you will find president benson s counsel, insight, testimony and teachings pertaining to the book of mormon.
Sixty years after the manifesto, ezra taft benson had his living wife meet him at the alter. Kimball, ezra taft benson became president of the church on november 10, 1985, at the age of eightysix. Luckily, treading the hot coals was made more bearable by my experiences in journalism, which. A modernday prophet testifies of the book of mormon susan easton black, finding christ through the book of mormon wade brown, the godinspired language of the book of mormon. Sixty years after the manifesto, ezra taft benson had his. We must make the book of mormon a center focus of our study because it was written for our day. Ezra taft benson urged members of the church to spread the book of mormon across the globe. 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.
During 2015, lds members will be studying the latest manual published by their church, teachings of presidents of the church. The book of mormon pattern for preparing for the second coming president ezra taft benson. In 1952 president dwight david eisenhower appointed ezra taft benson to the cabinet post of secretary of agriculture, temporarilly being released from his duties as an apostle while still serving in this capacity. Teachings of presidents of the church the church of jesus christ. At each site, president benson spoke of the book of mormon.
Toronto and richard neitzel holzapfel f rom the early years of mormon history, italy attracted the attention of the churchs leadership as a proselyting field. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of christ through the book of mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not. The book of mormon is the word of god ezra taft benson. Its a significant change of scenery for someone who is the oldest grandchild of the mormon churchs late prophet, ezra taft benson, and who, for most of his life, was a ramrod straight believer. Looking inside the mind of ezra taft benson through.
Ezra taft benson was ordained and set apart as the thirteenth president of the church on november 10, 1985. Taft benson, first presidency christmas devotional, 7 december 1986. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. Book, get, greatest, men, missions, mormon, reading. If so, then the book of mormon will help us do so more than any other book. Ezra taft bensons character and testimony were shaped on the farm, at home, in the. The first is that the book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. 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. However, the cemetery, sitting on a hillside overlooking the valley farmland that benson loved, is a little hard to find. 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.
President bensons visit to the sacred grove church. When steve spoke out publicly on the church coverup of the actual health of the church president, his grandfather, ezra taft benson, he and his family were harassed by mormon leaders, fliers were circulated at church meetings, and prayers were delivered from church pulpits denouncing his statements. Mar 01, 2009 president ezra taft benson, president of the council of the twelve. On october 4, 1841, he climbed the mount of olives and, in. Reread ezra taft benson chapter 9 or watch the book of mormon keystone of our religion about 30 minutes looking for more ideas. Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to god. It is not just that the book of mormon bears testimony of christ, though it indeed does that, too. Pleasant, mich private press of john cumming, 1986.
Ezra taft benson 18991994 us secretary of agriculture. 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. Ezra taft benson, the book of mormonkeystone of our religion, ensign cr october 1986 21712 in a particularly stressful time, or in the anticipation of a critical event, one can seek for a blessing under the hands of the priesthood. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing today. Michael quinn, ezra taft benson and mormon political conflicts, dialogue. The headline of the post is a bit yellow, imo, a little twisted from the facts. Nov 05, 2017 president ezra taft benson s epic conference talk about his vision regarding the book of mormon. Benson was born in whitney, idaho, in 1899, the eldest of 11 children. The third installment in the book of mormon commentary series is entitled the record of alma.
Nov 5, 1952 to january 20, 1961 years as secretary of agriculture overview. The book of mormon is the word of god by president ezra taft benson. Reconstructing the book of mormon s missing stories don bradley. It is not just that the book of mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is used for personal study and for melchizedek priesthood and relief. If you have reached this page from an outside source such as an internet search or forum referral, please note that this page the one you just landed on is an archive containing articles on ezra taft benson.
I went to the grove the first time to cover a visit by president ezra taft benson to upstate new york aug. Ezra taft benson manual both focus on the book of mormon and to simplify things for me, im combining both into one blog post. Among the hallmarks of ezra taft bensons tenure as president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints was his stirring summons to reemphasize the book of mormon. Ezra taft benson was the th president of the church of jesus christ of. From reading the article in the link posted below it seems to have caused a bit of contention within the leadership of the church.
When this happens, we will get the bounteous harvest of souls that the lord promised. Going from defender to debunker was a baptism of fire. In 1985, ezra taft benson became the president of the church. I feel certain that if in our homes, parents will read from the book of mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate their homes and all who dwell therein. Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Those people never had the bookit was meant for us. A modernday prophet testifies of the book of mormon. Answering questions with the book of mormon handling. To the children of the church ezra taft benson s last general conference talk as lds church president. My beloved brethren and sisters, today i would like to speak about. President benson said, in the book of mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the second coming. Lds prophet ezra taft benson describes some of the many blessings that come into our lives as we read daily in the book of mormon and obey its precepts.
The book of mormon keystone of our religion chicken. The book of mormon warns america ezra taft benson 16. Ezra taft benson was prepared early on for his professional success, his church service. Ezra taft bensons 1946 mission to europe gary james bergera, 73. In the book of kings we read about a woman who came weeping to elisha, the prophet. Book of mormon talk president ezra taft benson 101988. This website, the mormon curtain is a website that blogs the exmormon world. In april 1849, less than two years after the arrival of the first pioneer companies in salt lake val. President ezra taft benson delivers a message titled the book of mormonkeystone of. Asay and others, the old testa ment and the latterday saints salt lake city.
Within the pages are the actual book of mormon verses, so it is not necessary to switch back and forth between books in order to cross reference the commentary with the book of mormon. Come join our private facebook group different than our fan page discussion on this chapter. Apr 01, 2015 since then, many have flocked to the little cache valley farming community to pay homage to the fairly ordinarylooking headstone of president ezra taft benson, leaving trinkets and small statuettes. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the church. Did ezra taft benson believe he was a prophet of god. Ezra taft benson reading the book of mormon is one of. The 1966 rededication by elder ezra taft benson james a. Ezra taft benson got carried away in his writings and teachings about government, freedom, the book of mormon and secret combinations, etc. Book of mormon central archive ezra taft benson, a witness and a. Thirteenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Ezra taft benson is truly inspiring and lds and nonlds alike would benefit tremendously by learning about his life.
Chapters nine and ten of the teachings of the presidents of the church. For a closer look at some of the political, religious and personal views of one of mormonism s prophets, seers and revelators, quoted below are excerpts from the personal correspondence of ezra taft benson to me, written when he was a member of the quorum of the twelve and later as president of the mormon church. The book of mormonkeystone of our religion youtube. At that time he delivered a statement reiterating the mission of the churchto preach the gospel, perfect the saints, and redeem the deadand reaffirming that the church is led by the lord jesus christ. President ezra taft benson th president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints april 1989 160th annual general conference sunday afternoon session. Reed amussen benson january 2,1928 august 24, 2016 was a retired brigham young university byu professor of religion who at one time was the national director of public relations for the john birch society and is noted for his extreme political conservatism and his advocacy of homeschooling. Brothers and sisters, without reservation i promise you that if you will prayerfully read the book of mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the spirit of the lord. The gift i am thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial. During his administration he emphasized the book of mormon and the theme come unto christ in strethening missionary work and families. Book of mormon commentary is titled i nephi wrote this record. 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. Ezra taft benson the book of mormon is the word of god. Ezra taft benson the book of mormon president ezra taft.
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