Preparation
Ezra Taft Benson was born in Whitney, Idaho, to George T. and Sarah Dunkley Benson.
Ezra (three months old in this photo) was the first of 11 children.
Learn about the example set by Ezra's father, George. 
George Benson left on a mission when Ezra was only 12. 
“Though at the time I did not fully comprehend the depths of my father’s commitment, . . . his willing acceptance of this call was evidence of his great faith.” Ezra followed his father's example of dedicated service and served a mission in Great Britain.
Though Ezra proposed to her after his mission, Flora Amussen insisted on serving a mission herself. She served in the Hawaiian Islands for 20 months, 8 of those months with her mother as her companion. 
Ezra graduated from Oneida Stake Academy in 1917 and from Brigham Young University in 1926. He later received a master's degree from Iowa State College. Ezra married Flora Smith Amussen in the Salt Lake Temple.
Ezra Taft Benson ran a family farm in Whitney, Idaho, and became an influential voice among local and regional farmers. In 1939, he became the executive secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. 
The Bensons raised six children during their years in Idaho, California, Utah, and Washington, D.C. During the 1930s, Ezra Taft Benson became an influential farming leader in addition to helping raise a large family and serving twice as a stake president.
Ministry
Ezra Taft Benson was ordained an Apostle at age 44.
Spencer W. Kimball and Ezra Taft Benson were ordained Apostles on the same day.
Ministry of Ezra Taft Benson: A Mission President in Europe Elder Benson traveled throughout a devastated Europe after WWII, organizing the Church's relief efforts.
Elder Benson's heart was “heavy as [he] drove through towns and cities leveled to the ground as a result of war.”
Elder Benson was sworn in as the secretary of agriculture on January 20, 1953. 
President Eisenhower called upon Elder Benson to open his first cabinet meeting with prayer. Elder Benson served in U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower's cabinet as secretary of agriculture.
Elder Benson supervised the work of the Church in Europe and Asia at different times while he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 
Elder Benson's prominence as a religious and civic leader garnered attention for the Church. 
Ezra Taft Benson was a lifelong Boy Scout. Here he visits with Boy Scouts at the 1977 National Scout Jamboree.
Ezra Taft Benson became President of the Church at age 86. He served for more than eight years (1985–1994).
Nine temples were dedicated during President Benson's administration. 
Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson served as President Benson's counselors.
Teachings
“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. . . . The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”
“I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. . . . I testify that the God of heaven selected and sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government as a prologue to the restoration of the gospel and the second coming of our Savior.”
President Benson spoke frequently on the themes of freedom and government. 
President and Sister Benson greet a group of children circa 1986.
“The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon . . . God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way. We have the Book of Mormon, we have the members, we have the missionaries, we have the resources, and the world has the need. The time is now!”
President Benson often testified of the truthfulness and power of the Book of Mormon. 
President Benson urged Church members to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon.
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson: Pride “Pride is the universal sin, the great vice. The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness. It is the broken heart and contrite spirit. . . . God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. . . . Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.”
Testimony
“I testify to you that a fulness of joy can only come through the atonement of Jesus Christ and by obedience to all of the laws and ordinances of the gospel, which are found only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ”
“I testify that the church and kingdom of God is increasing in strength. Its numbers are growing, as is the faithfulness of its faithful members. It has never been better organized or equipped to perform its divine mission.”
President Benson at general conference in 1982.
Further Readings
“Ezra Taft Benson: Thirteenth President of the Church,” Presidents of the Church Student Manual, (2013), 216–36.
Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 4–7.
Ezra Taft Benson, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” Ensign, May 1986, 4–7.
Ezra Taft Benson, “Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 4–6.
