President Benson Celebrates Ninety-two Years

Family members helped President Ezra Taft Benson celebrate his ninety-second birthday August 4 at a special dinner. He received birthday wishes and congratulations from members throughout the Church.

President Benson was born 4 August 1899 in Whitney, Idaho, a small farming community in the southeastern part of the state, just north of the Utah-Idaho border. He grew up on a farm, studied agriculture, and went on to serve as United States secretary of agriculture during the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Church service has been Ezra Taft Benson’s way of life. He has served as a General Authority for more than half of his lifetime, having been called to the Quorum of the Twelve in October 1943, at age forty-four. He has been President of the Church since November 1985.

President Ezra Taft Benson looks at some of the birthday cards and messages sent by members throughout the Church. (Photo by Jed Clark.)