Introduction
Among the presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ezra Taft Benson stands out as my favorite. His unwavering stance against communism, his commitment to morality, and his firm defense of constitutional principles make him not only a great religious leader but also a champion of freedom and righteousness. Benson, who served as the 13th president of the LDS Church from 1985 to 1994, was more than just a spiritual guide—he was a warrior against the forces of evil that sought to erode faith, family, and freedom.
Benson’s Crusade Against Communism
Few leaders in the LDS Church’s history have been as outspoken against communism as Ezra Taft Benson. Having served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961, Benson saw firsthand how socialist policies threatened American prosperity and individual liberty. He repeatedly warned that communism was not just an economic system but an insidious ideology that sought to undermine faith in God and destroy traditional moral values.
Benson’s book, An Enemy Hath Done This, published in 1969, is one of the greatest indictments of communism from a Christian perspective. In it, he declared:
"Communism is Satan’s counterfeit for the gospel plan, and it is implemented by that master counterfeiter himself."
He further warned that communist infiltration was occurring not just in governments but in schools, media, and even churches. His address, “Stand Up for Freedom,” delivered in 1966, highlighted the dangers of leftist ideology creeping into American society, urging Latter-day Saints and all Christians to resist Marxist influences.
Benson saw socialism as an assault on agency—one of the fundamental principles of God’s plan. He understood that the collectivist policies of Marxism, which promise equality through state control, ultimately lead to oppression and spiritual decay. He often cited The Naked Communist by Cleon Skousen, a former FBI agent and fellow LDS member, as an essential book for understanding how communism aimed to subvert America from within.
Benson’s Defense of Morality and the Family
Benson was equally outspoken in his fight against the moral decline that accompanied leftist ideology. He saw how the promotion of sexual immorality, the breakdown of the family unit, and the rise of secular humanism were all linked to a Marxist effort to weaken the foundations of Christian civilization.
One of his most powerful addresses, “To the Mothers in Zion,” delivered in 1987, emphasized the divine role of mothers and the sacred duty of raising righteous children. He saw feminism, particularly the radical second-wave feminism of the 1960s and 70s, as a tool used by leftists to pull women away from their primary calling as nurturers in the home. Benson stated:
"The homemaker is the ultimate career for which all others exist."
He also warned against the dangers of pornography, abortion, and the normalization of immorality in American society. His teachings aligned closely with conservative Christian values, advocating for a return to biblical morality as the only way to preserve civilization.
Benson’s Love for the U.S. Constitution
Ezra Taft Benson was one of the strongest defenders of the U.S. Constitution in LDS history. He saw the Constitution as a divinely inspired document and frequently quoted the Founding Fathers in his talks. He urged Latter-day Saints to study and defend the Constitution against any attempt to dilute its principles.
In his landmark speech, “Our Divine Constitution” (1987), he declared:
"I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval upon it."
Benson rejected any attempt to reinterpret the Constitution to justify socialist policies, emphasizing that government intervention should be minimal and that personal responsibility was the key to a strong nation.
Why Benson’s Teachings Are More Relevant Than Ever
In today’s world, where Marxist ideology is infiltrating Western institutions and where traditional morality is under constant attack, Ezra Taft Benson’s warnings remain prophetic. The dangers he identified—government overreach, moral decay, and the loss of personal freedoms—are unfolding before our eyes.
His call for Latter-day Saints to reject socialism, uphold biblical values, and defend the Constitution is more urgent now than it was in his lifetime. Those who ignore his teachings are doomed to repeat the mistakes of history.
Conclusion
Ezra Taft Benson was not just a great president of the LDS Church—he was a prophet who saw the dangers of communism and immorality long before many others did. His boldness in speaking truth, even when it was unpopular, is an inspiration to me as an Iranian-American Christian conservative.
In a time when many religious leaders shy away from politics, Benson stood firm, knowing that true discipleship required standing against evil in all its forms. His teachings continue to inspire those who love freedom, uphold traditional values, and seek to preserve the principles upon which America was founded.
The world needs more men like Ezra Taft Benson—leaders who are unafraid to call out Marxism, defend the Constitution, and uphold Christian morality in an age of apostasy and deceit.
Citations
- Benson, Ezra Taft. An Enemy Hath Done This. Bookcraft, 1969.
- Benson, Ezra Taft. “Stand Up for Freedom.” Speech, Salt Lake City, UT, 1966.
- Benson, Ezra Taft. “To the Mothers in Zion.” Address to LDS mothers, 1987.
- Benson, Ezra Taft. “Our Divine Constitution.” General Conference, October 1987.
- Skousen, W. Cleon. The Naked Communist. Ensign Publishing, 1958.
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