“Index,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 309–15 “Index,” Teachings: Ezra Taft Benson, 309–15 Index A Agency an eternal principle 60–61 exercise of, leads to consequences now and in eternity 61–66 B Benson, Ezra Taft becomes President of the Church 29–30 148 243 birth of 2 called as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 28–29 called to preach repentance 77 called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 15–17 childhood of 2–4 59 Church service of, local 6–7 12–14 241 253–55 263–64 287 289 courtship with Flora Amussen 7–8 10–12 death of 1 33 declining health of 33 education of 11 13 encourages a young man preparing for a mission 277 example of, to government associates 37 47–48 extends a call for a less-active man to serve as a leader 253–54 family of 14–15 179 181–82 191 193 full-time mission of 9–10 103–4 275 humility of 229 231 includes prayer in government meetings 47–48 introduces the Church welfare program to his stake 263–64 leadership style of 28–29 115 229 241 243 253–55 learns about the temple from his mother 167 learns to pray from his father 47 love of, for God the Father 38 love of, for Jesus Christ 91 marriage with Flora Smith Amussen 12 179 181 191 203 parents of 4–6 39 59 89 patriotism of 21–25 prayers of, described by Gordon B. Hinckley 48 professional career of 12–14 37 241 289 receives help from government official in answer to prayer 54–55 receives inspiration to call a new stake president 157 service of, as United States secretary of agriculture 22–24 47–48 241 service of, in post–World War II Europe 17–21 54–55 69–70 264 268 speaks to Church members of all ages 32 spends time with family in spite of duties at church and work 193 strengthens young men in their Church activity 6–7 287 testifies of the Book of Mormon 30–31 125 127–28 137–40 testifies of Jesus Christ 25–28 31 89 91 297–98 testifies of Joseph Smith 103–4 testifies of Spencer W. Kimball’s prophetic calling 148 tradition of missionary work in the family of 275 travels on business with family members 181–82 193 visits a Baptist Church in Moscow, Russia 26–28 Benson, Flora Smith Amussen (wife) courtship with Ezra Taft Benson 7–8 10–12 death of 33 full-time mission of 10–11 marriage with Ezra Taft Benson 12 179 181 191 203 Benson, George Taft Jr. (father) faith of 89 full-time mission of 4–5 39 275 leads his family in following the prophet 147 teaches son Ezra to pray 47 Benson, Sarah Dunkley (mother) faith of 89 shows faith when her husband is called on a mission 4–5 teaches son Ezra about the temple 167 Book of Mormon blessings of reading, as a family 130–31 brings us nearer to God 130–31 daily study of 141–42 and the Doctrine and Covenants 132–34 flooding our lives with 142–44 Joseph Smith and 107–8 keystone of Latter-day Saints’ religion 125–34 missionary work using 127 137–39 142–44 282 power of 30–31 141–42 reading, with young children 137–38 should be the center of our study and teaching 127 teaches true doctrine 131–32 testifies of Jesus Christ 129–31 warning about neglecting 125 127–28 written for the latter days 140–41 See also Scripture study Word of God C Change of heart a change from the inside out 77–78 happens gradually 85–87 and repentance 77–78 80–82 Charity 38–39 Chastity brings joy 226–27 law of 217–27 never out of date 217 resisting temptations to break the law of 221–25 standard of, is a commandment from God 219 teaching children about 225–26 Children teaching, about chastity 225–26 teaching, about temples 174–76 Church membership, meaning of 78–79 86–87 Christ See Jesus Christ Conversion See Change of heart Covenants 171–72 D Debt 270–73 Decisions determine our eternal destiny 63 require prayerful effort 64 Delegation 247–49 Doctrine and Covenants 132–34 E Elderly people caring for 210–14 counsel to Church leaders regarding 213–14 finding fulfillment 206–9 215 including, in family activities 212 the Lord’s love for 205–6 relationships with 212–13 remaining strong in times of illness 210 responsibilities of 205–6 strength of 205 Europe, Ezra Taft Benson’s mission in 17–21 54–55 69–70 264 268 Example, leading by 243–44 F Faith expressed by farmers in Idaho 70 expressed by Saints in post–World War II Europe 69–70 includes following Jesus Christ 97–99 leads to optimism and peace 71–73 precedes repentance 79 Family eternal 173 179 188–89 importance of, in time and eternity 182 prayer in 50–52 relationships with the elderly in 210–13 strengthening 183–86 191 193 teaching the gospel in 187–88 See also Fathers Grandparents Home Marriage Mothers Parents Family history 173–74 Family home evening 147–48 188 Family prayer 50–52 Fathers counsel to, for providing spiritual leadership 194–96 eternal calling of 194 See also Parents Mothers Fellowship in the Church 26 253–60 Finances 270–73 First Vision 104–5 Food storage 267–70 Forgiveness promise of 86–87 for sexual transgressions 225 Future, living for 86 G God the Father See Heavenly Father Grandparents Ezra and Flora Benson as 203 205 relationships with 210–13 See also Family Great Depression 263–64 H Happiness Christlike life leads to 99–100 Heavenly Father wants us to experience 73–74 in spite of trials 69–70 plan of, is the gospel plan 78–79 requires effort 72–73 a result of faith in God 72 Heavenly Father answers prayers 53–56 appeared to Joseph Smith 104–5 belief in 98–99 blessings of turning life over to 42–43 commandments of 38–44 78–79 following the will of 73–74 improving our communication with 52–53 is always near 47 is anxious to help us change our lives 83–84 love for 37–44 love of, for us 43 never forces us to live the gospel 61 wants us to be happy 73–74 Holy Ghost abides with us as we obey God’s laws 164–65 communicates through feelings 160 companionship of 158–60 guidance of, is essential in the Lord’s work 157–58 missionary work and 283 obtaining, through prayer and fasting 161 obtaining, through scripture study 162–64 Home as a sanctuary from the world 181 sweetest experiences of life in 181–82 See also Family Marriage Parents Hope 84–87 Humility Ezra Taft Benson’s example of 229 231 in leadership 244 in missionary work 283 pride versus 229 231 238–39 See also Pride J Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith 104–5 Atonement of 91–94 attributes of 300–303 in the Book of Mormon 129–31 changes us so we can change the world 77–78 Church of 86–87 comforts us and lifts us up 303–5 Crucifixion of 93–94 Ezra Taft Benson’s love for 91 faith in 79 97–99 following the example of 97–100 243 247–48 256–58 297–305 is anxious to help us change our lives 83–84 looking to, in every thought 299 love of, for us 38–39 92 mission of 91–94 Resurrection of 94–95 as Savior 89–100 298–99 seeking to become like 84–87 99–100 valiant in the testimony of 95–97 Joseph Smith See Smith, Joseph L Leadership and building others 249–50 delegation in 247–49 Ezra Taft Benson’s example of 28–29 115 229 241 243 253–55 following the Savior’s example in 243 247–48 importance of example in 243–44 qualities of effective 244–47 Less-active Church members, reaching out to 253–60 Love for God 37–44 at home 179 181–82 in leadership 246–47 for “lost sheep” 253–60 in missionary work 277 284 M Marriage covenant 183–85 of Ezra and Flora Benson 179 181 203 happiness in 183–85 nurturing 179 181 See also Family Home Parents Ministering to less-active Church members 253–60 Missionary work in all stages of life 279–81 to all the world 278–79 Ezra Taft Benson’s enthusiasm for 275 277 humility and 283 influence of the Holy Ghost in 283 joy of 277 love in 277 284 preparing youth for 279–80 seniors and 206–7 280 success in 283–84 tradition of, in Ezra Taft Benson’s family 275 using the Book of Mormon in 127 137–39 142–44 282 work in 284 young men and 279–80 young women and 280 Modesty 223 Mothers counsel for, in spending time with children 197–200 role of, ordained by God 197 See also Fathers Parents O Obedience blessings through 42–44 78–79 164–65 as the great test of life 38 44 Optimism 71 P Parents honoring 210–12 roles of 194–200 should teach children about chastity 225–26 should teach children about the temple 174–76 unity between 200–201 See also Family Fathers Home Marriage Mothers Past, not living in 86 Patriotism 21–25 Plan of happiness, understanding of, leads to repentance 78–79 Pornography 221–22 Prayer answers to 53–56 of the Benson family, for Ezra Taft Benson 48–49 constant 49–50 71 despite feeling unworthy 84 in families 50–52 improving our efforts in 52–53 pattern of, taught by Jesus 49–50 to receive the Holy Ghost 161 to resist temptation 222–23 President of the Church blessings from following 147–48 152–54 is the most important prophet for us 149–50 receives revelation for the Church 148–50 tells us what we need to hear 151–52 will never lead the Church astray 153 Pride antidote for, is humility 238–39 consequences of 233–37 enmity toward God and others 232–33 fear of man’s judgment rather than God’s 233–35 limits progression 236–37 the Lord warns of 231–32 manifestations of 235–36 versus humility 229 231 238–39 See also Humility Priesthood fulness of, available only in the temple 170–71 power of, seals families through temple ordinances 173 Prophet See President of the Church R Repentance and change of heart 77–78 80–82 follows faith in Christ 79 godly sorrow leads to 82–83 and hope 84–87 is more than a reformation of behavior 79 for sexual sin 225 Restoration 108–9 Revelation through the Holy Ghost 160 through the living prophet 148–49 through temple attendance 176–77 S Satan hatred of, for us 43 lies of 78 84 Scripture study blessings of 116–22 invites the Spirit 162–64 leads to increased Church activity 118–20 value of 122–23 See also Book of Mormon Word of God Self-reliance 263–73 Service in the Church 249–50 to the elderly 213–14 in marriage 183–85 Sexual transgression dangers of 220–21 forgiveness for 225 resisting temptation 221–25 Smith, Joseph angelic visitations to 105–6 and the Book of Mormon 107–8 faithfulness of 109–10 First Vision of 104–5 foreordination of 110–11 God’s kingdom on the earth reestablished through 108–9 as the head of the last dispensation 110–12 martyrdom of 109–10 prayer of, influenced millions 64 revelations to 105–6 Sorrow, godly, leads to repentance 82–83 Spirit See Holy Ghost Stakes of Zion Ezra Taft Benson’s leadership in 14 241 253–55 263–64 287 289 purposes of 290–94 T Temple covenants made in 170–71 Ezra Taft Benson learns about, from mother 167 fulness of the priesthood available only in 170–71 protection and guidance in 171–72 receiving ordinances of 170–71 receiving revelation in 176–77 serving ancestors in 173–74 as a symbol 169–70 teaching children about 174–76 Temptation avoiding 223 resisting 221–25 Thoughts, clean 221–22 Trials 69–71 72 116–18 U Unity effective leaders demonstrate 245 in families 50–52 185–86 humility is necessary for 236–37 in marriage 183–85 in parenthood 200–201 W War in heaven 60–61 Weakness, overcoming 83–84 Welfare, principles of temporal and spiritual 263–73 Welfare program of the Church Ezra Taft Benson introduces, to his stake 263–64 influence of, in post–World War II Europe 17–21 54–55 264 primary purpose of 266 provides opportunities to work 267 Wickedness never was happiness 63 79 221 of the world 116–18 Word of God blessings of studying 121–22 diligent study of, leads to faithfulness 118–20 fortifies us against challenges of the day 116–18 includes scriptures and words of living prophets and personal revelation 118 not to be treated lightly 122–23 See also Book of Mormon Scripture study Work leads to success 59 in missionary efforts 284 value of 266–67