From the Lives of the Church Presidents

(Adapted from Ezra Taft Benson, A Biography by Sheri L. Dew, pages 42–43.)

Ezra Taft Benson Keeps a Promise

Illustrated by Mike Eagle

As a young man, Ezra Taft Benson (or “T” as he was called) was an assistant Scoutmaster in Whitney Ward in Whitney, Idaho. One of his duties was to prepare a young men’s choir for a stake competition.

Ezra: Tenors, you’re a little bit flat.

They won and moved on to compete against winning groups from six other stakes. It was a big challenge for a small ward, but T knew how to inspire boys.

Ezra: If you win this competition, I’ll take you on a thirty-five-mile hike over the mountains to Bear Lake.

Scout: Hurray!

Scout: Let’s win it!

They sang their hearts out and finished in first place! A promise is a promise, and they met to plan the hike.

A promise is a promise, and they met to plan the hike.

Scout: Mr. Scoutmaster, I’d like to make a motion. We should all clip our hair off so we won’t be bothered with combs and brushes.

The motion passed, which was all right with T—until another Scout spoke up.

Scout: How about the Scoutmasters?

They all went to the barbershop together.

Barber: I’ll tell you what, T. If you and the Scoutmaster will let me shave you bald, I’ll cut everyone’s hair for free.

Twenty-four short-cropped boys with their bald Scoutmaster and his bald assistants had a wonderful time on the hike.

Ezra Taft Benson stayed in touch with those boys his whole life, inspiring them to make right choices.

If you’d like to learn more about President Benson, do the “President Ezra Taft Benson Crossword” on page 5.