Lowell L. Bennion: Teacher, Counselor, Humanitarian

by Mary Lythgoe Bradford

Book by Bradford, Mary Lythgoe

Genres: Biography, Lds, Mormonism, Nonfiction, Religion

410 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1995

Reviews

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a re-read for me after many years. His life is a compelling and inspiring story, and this is gracefully written and carefully documented.

[Greg Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lowell was a legend who left a loving and lasting legacy. As a student at the University of Utah, I was familiar with the community engagement and service-focused activities carried out by the Bennion Center (originally called the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center) and I knew a little about the legend behind the name (this was the late 1990s). Since then I have read as much of Lowell's theological work as I could get my hands on and continue to be impressed with the continuing impact of his teaching tree (think Bill Belichick's coaching tree but for Mormon Studies). He influenced the likes of Leonard Arrington and directly mentored Eugene England. England goes on to influence another favorite author of mine - Terryl Givens, and the ripple effects of Lowell's teaching continue to bear tremendous dividends to this day.

Gandhi once famously stated, "My life is my message." I believe this to be true and it's what makes Lowell's teachings continue to resonate so deeply. He didn't just declare them - he delivered on them - by consistently and authentically doing them. His paraphrase of the Bhagavad-Gita for what became his life's motto is one that will stay with me, "To action alone has thou a right, not to its fruits." He called out the tone-deafness of "prosperity gospel" folklore by getting to the heart of Christ's teachings as a call to ethical actions, regardless of the consequences - providing practical reminders through word and deed that the universe can never be viewed as a cosmic vending machine. We must always strive to do the right thing - for the right reason - regardless of consequences (and Lowell wasn't sheltered from many of these consequences - particularly from his own culture).

Through this lens, he was able to recognize (without being judgmental) the paradox as well as the prejudice - whether it be in his own faith tradition, or country. Again, from Brother Bennion: "What a reflection on a 'Christian' nation that civil rights must be debated and legislated!" In his own words he "wasn't afraid to expose the gospel to thinking" and in the process, delivered a lifelong and timeless sermon that keeps on reverberating in the present. I can't think of a more Christ-like message, a life worthy of reading as well as reflecting on.

[Lowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third of three books I read after completing Eugene England's biography.

Writing is a 3, despite being a 3.5-4 for me personally.

If baby website "The Bump" were to have the final word, the name "Lowell" peaked in popularity at spot #195 in 1924.

By the time I came along, in 1982, it had dropped to #884.

As of 2024, "Lowell" sits at #3,783.

I didn't even know there were 3,782 other names you could give a male child. But it's clear "Lowell" is now a two-person transfer in the Boy Name Nursing Home.

Only going off on this tangent because I believe I received my first name by virtue of Lowell L. Bennion's influence and existence. Discussed with my parents, and they feel comfortable agreeing.

So at 42, I felt it's time to honor being his namesake.

One of his peers is quoted in this book as saying: "I always come away from Dr. Bennion feeling wholesomely bigger than I did when I entered his presence. He doesn’t exactly teach and inform me with facts but with his friendly sympathetic appreciative attitude."

In the only poem of his career he summed up his personal philosophy:

Learn to like what doesn’t cost much.
Learn to like reading, conversation, music.
Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking.
Learn to like field, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills.
Learn to like people, even though some of them may be… different from you.
Learn to like to work and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your job as well as it can be done.
Learn to like the songs of birds, the companionship of dogs.
Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house, and fixing things.
Learn to like the sunrise and sunset, the beating of rain on the roof and windows, and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.
Learn to keep your wants simple and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

Not a bad torch to try and carry, that.

[Lisa Reising · Rating 5 out of 5]

I plucked this off a friend's shelf for two reasons. 1) I remember my mother speaking in reverential tones about Lowell Bennion and I had no clue as to "why" and 2) seven years ago we moved to a new area and met Steve and Marj Bennion. I got up the courage one Sunday to ask him if he was related to Lowell, and he looked at me with a sparkling eye and big smile and said, "He's my dad!" They were back from their most-recent assignment as temple president and matron of the Manhattan temple. What marvelous people they are - we love Steve's distinctive laugh and sense of humor!

The book is meticulously written and documented, so I give high marks for thoroughness and explanation of details that were, honestly, astounding in relation to Lowell's career and writings. It provided enlightenment concerning the time periods spotlighted in SLC, and the evident power struggle among and between LDS educators and leaders. Wow. Much food for thought. I appreciated the thoughts presented about distinctions between church practice and policy versus church doctrine.

I am now anxious to look up some of his books and essays or speeches, because the most inspiring thing about this book is the Christian focus of his life's work. It is remarkable to consider the choices and tendencies of people who learn early the importance of meeting individuals where they are: seeing them, hearing them, and serving them with no other motivation than pure love. This is related - I believe - to his evident ability to open the minds of those he taught - again, wow! I wish I could have known him.

[Peter W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of a man who thought that religion was best expressed through practical service & inclusivity. He wrote manuals for the LDS Church, but his doubting of the LDS Church's racial ban led to some infighting among Church leaders about his piety.

I know a few of the people quoted in here and I attended the Teton ranch that he founded, so it was enjoyable and relevant for me to read.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read about someone who exemplified Christian living in almost every aspect of his long and engaged life, you should read this book. Lowell Bennion was instrumental in the establishment or expansion of three Salt Lake City service institutions: the LDS Institute at the University of Utah, the Community Services Center, and the Lowell Bennion Service Center. The one thing that this book didn't give me was more of the writings and speeches of Lowell Bennion, but the book made want to go out and get those and read them and implement a commitment to Christlike service in my own life.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biography of a remarkable man who founded and led the University of Utah LDS Institute for 27 years, then was Associate Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology at the University of Utah. Bennion was a scholar with a PhD in sociology from the University of Strasbourg who believed in asking and discussing hard questions, but he is known and loved for being a devoted humanitarian dedicated to reaching out to the poor and needy and for founding some of the first food banks and homeless shelters in Salt Lake City. Bennion's early life, including his education, marriage, and family life, was especially interesting to me.

[Mike Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that kept me in Mormonism for longer than I otherwise would have. Lowell Bennion was an example of the type of LDS I thought I might be able to be. The book is a great biography of a great man. It's a shame he was treated so poorly within the higher rankings of the church for not being orthodox in his beliefs to the extreme. But he garners a lot of respect for not compromising his personal integrity in the name of appeasing ecclesiastic leaders.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was particularly struck by Bennion's tremendous love for the downtrodden and his efforts to give service to others in his community. He definitely left us a legacy with his teachings on how to put the gospel into action in our lives and for the benefit of others.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good biography of a good man. It helped me understand more about the intellectual and religious environment in Utah in the 40's and 50's. This is part of research I am helping my husband do to write a history of his grandfather.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Lowell Bennion was a great man who didn't just preach the faith but practiced it by reaching out to others.

[Sharman Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of my Mormon mentors, even though I never had him in a class--his ideas resonate with me like few others.

[Paul Garns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid biography of one of my favorite dudes and Mormon heroes.

[M.J. Sewall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, richly detailed biography of an influential teacher and intellectual.