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Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was an American farmer, government official, and religious leader who served as the 15th United States Secretary of Agriculture during both presidentia...view moreEzra Taft Benson (1899-1994) 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. Eisenhower, and as the 13th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1985 until his death in 1994.
Born on August 4, 1899 on a farm in Whitney, Idaho, he was the great-grandson of Ezra T. Benson, who was appointed by Brigham Young a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1846. He began his academic career at Utah State Agricultural College (modern Utah State University), alternating quarters at USAC and working on the family farm. He served as a Mormon missionary in Britain from 1921-1923 before attending Brigham Young University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1926. He earned a master of science degree in agricultural economics in 1927 from Iowa State University.
Benson returned to Whitney to run the family farm and later became the county agriculture extension agent for Oneida County, Idaho. He later was promoted to the supervisor of all county agents and moved to Boise in 1930. In 1939, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he became the first president of a new church stake in Washington. In 1943 he was appointed to the ranks of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, second in rank to the First Presidency. Benson gained national prominence while serving as secretary of agriculture in the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953-1961, and he became the first Mormon to attain Cabinet status.
After returning to the church, Benson ascended to the presidency of the Council of the Twelve Apostles in 1973, and succeeded Spencer Kimball as president of the of the church in 1985.
In August 1989, Benson received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President George H. W. Bush.
Benson died in Salt Lake City on May 30, 1994, aged 94.view less