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Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson
The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the Teachings of Presidents of the Church series to help you draw closer to your Heavenly Father and deepen your understanding of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As the Church adds volumes to this series, you will build a collection of gospel reference books for your home. The volumes in this series are designed to be used for personal study and for Sunday instruction. They can also help you prepare other lessons or talks and answer questions about Church doctrine.
This book features the teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from November 10, 1985, to May 30, 1994.
This book features the teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from November 10, 1985, to May 30, 1994.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
103 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 21, 2015
I teach a class of 10 year old children at church, so I can't go to the Relief Society class on Sundays. I have been reading one or two chapters a day from this book. I spend more time thinking how I can change, and implement these teachings into my life. I have been thinking more about how my behavior is being felt by my family members and friends. I have been getting much more out of the lessons this year.
June 20, 2016
Yes, it took me over a year to read this whole book, but I DID! I love the lessons learned from this series of books and the stories that help us to know our church history and more about the church leaders.
August 7, 2018
I appreciate President Benson quite a bit more after reading this excellent colleciton of topics and material. I especially enjoyed reading the chapters about The Book of Mormon, Beware of Pride, and finally A Christ-Centered life.
April 22, 2018
Another amazing book in the series. He had such a wonderful no-nonsense passion about what is important.
January 20, 2016
Ezra Taft Benson was the first prophet that I remember from my childhood. (He became President of the Church when I was 4 years old.) I was really excited to learn more about his life, and I really enjoyed studying this book throughout the year.
It was particularly interesting because of his position as United States Secretary of Agriculture that coincided with his service as an LDS apostle. Prior to reading this book, I hadn't realized that he held both positions at the same time. I had always assumed that his call to the apostleship was after retiring from government. I really enjoyed the stories of him sharing the gospel with heads of state and other influential individuals.
Of course, as with all of the books in this series there were lots of nuggets of wisdom. Here are a few of my favorites:
On Prayer
"If we do not feel like praying, then we should pray until we do feel like praying." p. 52
On Liberty
"Freedom of choice is a God-given eternal principle. The great plan of liberty is the plan of the gospel." p. 61
"We are free to choose, but we are not free to alter the consequences of those choices." p. 63
On obedience
"Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight." p. 63
"Do we realize that happiness here and now consists in freely, lovingly, joyfully acknowledging God's will for us-and doing it in all ways and all affairs big and small?" p. 74
"Unless we do His teachings, we do not demonstrate faith in Him." p. 98
On helping others
"We should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and leave the world a better place for having lived in it." p. 66
On facing trials
"Happiness must be earned from day to day. But it is worth the effort." p. 72
"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you." p. 72
On self improvement
"The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums." p. 78
"If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, we must think Christlike thoughts." p. 299
On Christ
"We may never understand no comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what He did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did." p. 94
"There is no truth or fact of which I am more assured or more confident than the truth of the literal resurrection of our Lord." p. 95
"I testify to you that there is no greater, more thrilling, and more sould-ennobling challenge than to try to learn of Christ and walk in His steps." p. 297
"I know the Lord lives. I know that He loves us. I know that apart from Him no one can succeed, but as a partner with Him no one can fail." p. 298
On Joseph Smith's First Vision of The Savior
"It was the greatest even that has ever happened in this world since the resurrection of the Master. Sometimes I think we are so close to it that we don't fully appreciate its significance and importance and the magnitude of it." p. 105
"If one accepts the testimony of John the Revelator, new revelation and a visitation by a heavenly messenger to earth should be expected." p. 106
On the Book of Mormon
"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book." p. 141
On prophetic guidance
"This church is not being directed by the wisdom of men. I know that. The power and influence of Almighty God are directing His church." p. 149
"The prophet does not have to say, 'Thus saith the Lord' to give us scripture." p. 151
"As we come closer to the Lord's second coming you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them." p. 152
On the temple
"The temple is the nearest place to heaven on mortal earth." p. 169
On pride
"The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren't interested in changing their opinions to agree with God's." p. 232
"Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves." p. 235
It was particularly interesting because of his position as United States Secretary of Agriculture that coincided with his service as an LDS apostle. Prior to reading this book, I hadn't realized that he held both positions at the same time. I had always assumed that his call to the apostleship was after retiring from government. I really enjoyed the stories of him sharing the gospel with heads of state and other influential individuals.
Of course, as with all of the books in this series there were lots of nuggets of wisdom. Here are a few of my favorites:
On Prayer
"If we do not feel like praying, then we should pray until we do feel like praying." p. 52
On Liberty
"Freedom of choice is a God-given eternal principle. The great plan of liberty is the plan of the gospel." p. 61
"We are free to choose, but we are not free to alter the consequences of those choices." p. 63
On obedience
"Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight." p. 63
"Do we realize that happiness here and now consists in freely, lovingly, joyfully acknowledging God's will for us-and doing it in all ways and all affairs big and small?" p. 74
"Unless we do His teachings, we do not demonstrate faith in Him." p. 98
On helping others
"We should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and leave the world a better place for having lived in it." p. 66
On facing trials
"Happiness must be earned from day to day. But it is worth the effort." p. 72
"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you." p. 72
On self improvement
"The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums." p. 78
"If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, we must think Christlike thoughts." p. 299
On Christ
"We may never understand no comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what He did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did." p. 94
"There is no truth or fact of which I am more assured or more confident than the truth of the literal resurrection of our Lord." p. 95
"I testify to you that there is no greater, more thrilling, and more sould-ennobling challenge than to try to learn of Christ and walk in His steps." p. 297
"I know the Lord lives. I know that He loves us. I know that apart from Him no one can succeed, but as a partner with Him no one can fail." p. 298
On Joseph Smith's First Vision of The Savior
"It was the greatest even that has ever happened in this world since the resurrection of the Master. Sometimes I think we are so close to it that we don't fully appreciate its significance and importance and the magnitude of it." p. 105
"If one accepts the testimony of John the Revelator, new revelation and a visitation by a heavenly messenger to earth should be expected." p. 106
On the Book of Mormon
"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book." p. 141
On prophetic guidance
"This church is not being directed by the wisdom of men. I know that. The power and influence of Almighty God are directing His church." p. 149
"The prophet does not have to say, 'Thus saith the Lord' to give us scripture." p. 151
"As we come closer to the Lord's second coming you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them." p. 152
On the temple
"The temple is the nearest place to heaven on mortal earth." p. 169
On pride
"The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren't interested in changing their opinions to agree with God's." p. 232
"Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves." p. 235
February 15, 2016
It was truly enjoyable reading some of the gospel topics taught by this Prophet of God. A few favorite quotes:
Chapter 4 - "Living Joyfully in Troubled Times" - "We will all have disappointments and discouragements - that is part of life. But if we will have faith, our setbacks will be but a moment and success will come out of our seeming failures.
Chapter 15 - "The Sacred Callings of Fathers and Mothers" - "If you want to find greatness, don't go to the throne, go to the cradle. There is mighty power in a mother."
Chapter 18 - "Beware of Pride" - "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man."
Chapter 24 - "A Christ-Centered Life" - "If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, then we must think Christlike thoughts."
Chapter 4 - "Living Joyfully in Troubled Times" - "We will all have disappointments and discouragements - that is part of life. But if we will have faith, our setbacks will be but a moment and success will come out of our seeming failures.
Chapter 15 - "The Sacred Callings of Fathers and Mothers" - "If you want to find greatness, don't go to the throne, go to the cradle. There is mighty power in a mother."
Chapter 18 - "Beware of Pride" - "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man."
Chapter 24 - "A Christ-Centered Life" - "If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, then we must think Christlike thoughts."
May 27, 2015
Church books can be hard to rate. That being said, I really enjoyed this one. I decided to listen to the entire book earlier in the year (as I usually fizzle out partway through, embarrassingly enough), then I can go back to study them the week of that particular lesson.
I enjoyed the content presented and found it interesting and uplifting. As is often the case, the chapter for that day would somehow apply to my situation that day, making things a little better, or easier for me.
Excited to dig a little deeper into the chapters with my study for RS lessons!
I enjoyed the content presented and found it interesting and uplifting. As is often the case, the chapter for that day would somehow apply to my situation that day, making things a little better, or easier for me.
Excited to dig a little deeper into the chapters with my study for RS lessons!
February 8, 2015
I have learned a great deal about living a Christ centered life from reading this book.
May 14, 2020
This book is a compilation of teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ by President Ezra Taft Benson; each chapter is organized topically. My favorite chapters were on marriage, family, the law of chastity, agency, repentance, scripture study and principles of temporal and spiritual welfare. He has clearly a very hard-working, devoted, principled, and inspired man who was bold in proclaiming the truths of the gospel even in the face of a lot of opposition. I know that Ezra Taft Benson was a prophet of God and I am grateful for his life, ministry, example, and teachings. Studying his words helped me learn more of and come unto Jesus Christ.
March 23, 2017
Another excellent study guide in this series. They are all worth reviewing.
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June 25, 2023Subject Themed Quotations.
February 4, 2025
Wonderful stories about president benson.
April 24, 2025
Such a powerful teacher
February 28, 2016
I love President Benson! I grew up listening to his words and being taught his words and teachings by my parents.
It's amazing that you can never meet someone yet feel and know that they love you. Every time I heard him speak as a little girl that is truly how I felt! Now as I was reading his words I felt that again. I felt like I was having a flashback listening to him while reading. I love his words. You can truly feel of his zest for life and his love for everyone and especially for his (and our) Savior, Jesus Christ.
I know that not everyone believes and feels the same as I do but I can say this truthfully and honestly that I KNOW with every fiber of my being and with all my heart and mind that Ezra Taft Benson was and is (even in death) a living and latter day Prophet called by Jesus Christ himself. One cannot read his words and feel of the spirit behind those words and be able to deny that he was inspired by Christ. He bore strong testimonies of Christ and of His gospel and desire for all men to come unto him.
I know that we have living prophets and apostles on the earth now leading and guiding us.
If you haven't had the chance to read this book or any of the other books in this series of the teachings of the prophets then I highly recommend them. You will find very spiritual and strengthening messages of love and of Christ's work within.
Happy Reading!!!
It's amazing that you can never meet someone yet feel and know that they love you. Every time I heard him speak as a little girl that is truly how I felt! Now as I was reading his words I felt that again. I felt like I was having a flashback listening to him while reading. I love his words. You can truly feel of his zest for life and his love for everyone and especially for his (and our) Savior, Jesus Christ.
I know that not everyone believes and feels the same as I do but I can say this truthfully and honestly that I KNOW with every fiber of my being and with all my heart and mind that Ezra Taft Benson was and is (even in death) a living and latter day Prophet called by Jesus Christ himself. One cannot read his words and feel of the spirit behind those words and be able to deny that he was inspired by Christ. He bore strong testimonies of Christ and of His gospel and desire for all men to come unto him.
I know that we have living prophets and apostles on the earth now leading and guiding us.
If you haven't had the chance to read this book or any of the other books in this series of the teachings of the prophets then I highly recommend them. You will find very spiritual and strengthening messages of love and of Christ's work within.
Happy Reading!!!
October 13, 2015
Did you know Ezra weighed a whopping 11 and 3/4 pounds as a baby? That he wasn't breathing when born and some women started dipping him in hot and then cold water until he gasped and took a breath? You would if you read this book.
There is just so much good stuff in here: A sampling:
27: Our Heavenly Father is not far away. He can be very close to us. God lives, I know he lives. He is our father...He will direct all things. Be unafraid, keep his commandments, love one another, pray for peace and all will be well.
53: All things are possible through prayer.
63: Every law kept brings a particular blessing.
72: Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine. ...While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories, and count the blessings that you do have with sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful.
133: Those who carefully and prayerfully search the pages of these books will find comfort, counsel, guidance and the quiet power to improve their lives.
139: When we do the work of the Lord we have his help.
182: No nation ever rises about its homes.
Such a great man. Love him.
There is just so much good stuff in here: A sampling:
27: Our Heavenly Father is not far away. He can be very close to us. God lives, I know he lives. He is our father...He will direct all things. Be unafraid, keep his commandments, love one another, pray for peace and all will be well.
53: All things are possible through prayer.
63: Every law kept brings a particular blessing.
72: Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine. ...While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories, and count the blessings that you do have with sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful.
133: Those who carefully and prayerfully search the pages of these books will find comfort, counsel, guidance and the quiet power to improve their lives.
139: When we do the work of the Lord we have his help.
182: No nation ever rises about its homes.
Such a great man. Love him.
November 24, 2015
A collection of the teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from November 10, 1985, to May 30, 1994. Used as a resource for teaching and personal study. It also includes a brief history of President Benson, who also served as the Secretary of Agriculture for a time.
I have read many of these books over the years of collections of teachings of different latter-day prophets, but this is the first time I can say that I completed the whole book, and I am so glad I did. Inspiring and insightful, it is full of wonderful teachings, and if we follow them, we will find that we will lead happier and fuller lives. I loved studying the teachings, as well as learning more about President Benson's life. A fantastic book.
I have read many of these books over the years of collections of teachings of different latter-day prophets, but this is the first time I can say that I completed the whole book, and I am so glad I did. Inspiring and insightful, it is full of wonderful teachings, and if we follow them, we will find that we will lead happier and fuller lives. I loved studying the teachings, as well as learning more about President Benson's life. A fantastic book.
December 16, 2015
I read this with the Relief Society lessons this year, so two chapters a month. My favorite chapter was chapter 7 "Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord". This was my first time keeping up with the R.S. lessons, and it helped me do better at participating during the lessons. But stretching it across an entire year made it difficult to retain what I read; so I'm thinking with Howard W. Hunter I'll read it on my own at the beginning of the year and then review the chapter the week of that lesson throughout the year and see how that goes.
November 30, 2015
This was a good manual used in Priesthood and Relief Society for instruction about the life and teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. I really liked President Benson. I was a married adult during his tenure. He was a stalwart and gave good advice. I met him once before he was the President of the Church. It was at a stake conference in Kearns. We shook hands. This was around 1983.
Also, my grandfather Harvey Merrill grew sugar beets on a farm in Weston, ID, and Ezra as an agricultural agent, inspected his beets.
I read all the lessons in this book.
Also, my grandfather Harvey Merrill grew sugar beets on a farm in Weston, ID, and Ezra as an agricultural agent, inspected his beets.
I read all the lessons in this book.
September 18, 2016
From Chapter 18: Beware of Pride Pres. Benson quotes C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” Of all the chapters, this chapter was for me the most notable and most likely to be read again and again.
December 20, 2015
I always enjoy reading the "Teachings of Presidents of the Church" manuals each year. I feel like I get to know each prophet more through reading about their life and teachings. President Benson is the first prophet I really remember. He was the prophet of my youth. I especially love the emphasis he placed on reading the Scriptures: especially the Book of Mormon.
July 4, 2015
As always with the Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, President Benson gives sound teachings and advice with regard to our relationship with the Saviour and our responsibilities while in this part of our eternal existence.
December 17, 2015
This has been a year in the reading and experiencing this book. My husband and I have read 2 chapters a month al year long, and what a pleasure it has been to get to know President Ezra Taft Benson, his family, his service, his teachings, and his example. It's been a great year of learning!
July 29, 2015
As always, the works in this series are deeply and thoughtfully researched and compiled. It's really awesome to be studying the teachings of a prophet who I can actually remember. I love President Benson.
September 8, 2015
Great Book. A philosophy to live by.
A great book. A wonderful philosophy to live by. The words in this book are God inspired. A testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel. 5 stars for sure.
A great book. A wonderful philosophy to live by. The words in this book are God inspired. A testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel. 5 stars for sure.
October 26, 2015
I finished the book today and enjoyed the teachings which President Benson provided for the church during his lifetime. He was definitely a prophet of God. Some of the chapters spoke to me so loudly that I am sure they were written for me specifically.
November 14, 2015
President Benson was the prophet when I was transitioning into an adult and his talks and teachings had great sway with me. This book reminded me of the good man that he was and the good he inspired in me.
March 23, 2016
I'm ashamed to say that this was the first time I've read the entire manual. It was awesome and I'm glad I did it. It helped that President Benson is a powerful and gifted speaker/writer. Love him!!!
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November 4, 2016President Benson as a man with the highest character a person can have. The teachings in this book validate that statement. There is enough truth in this book to change the entire world, or at least the lives of any who will read it and take it seriously.
December 31, 2014
Inspirational!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews