First Year in Office Marked for President Benson

On November 10, President Ezra Taft Benson marked his first anniversary as President of the Church. During that year, he has repeatedly stressed the importance of reading and following the counsel found in the Book of Mormon.

In the October general conference, President Benson said, “There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in the witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of our testimony.”

During his first year as Church president, worldwide membership of the Church surpassed the six million mark, the number of full-time missionaries approached 32,000, and new temples were dedicated in Lima, Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Seoul, South Korea; and Denver, Colorado. In addition, ground was broken for temples in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Portland, Oregon.

President Ezra Taft Benson has marked important milestones during his first year as President of the Church. (Photo by Church Photo Services.)