Defending President Benson

Below are comments & reply's I made on a post that in their words is a,

"condensed (and admittedly cherry-picked) summary of the reactions and interactions of Elder Benson with his church leaders on the topic of politics"

Included in the article were quotes from people who were not "his church leaders" (President McKay's son), and insinuations drawn from church statements, among other obscure notes & letters. The article was biased and cherry picked to justify dismissing the things President Benson taught that conflicts with their political views.

"...my investigations and studies lead me to reject Benson’s politics,"

My First comment;

For those who are interested in reading a non-cherry picked, well-researched article about the doctrine that President Benson taught, using church materials (Scriptures, Conference reports, Ensign, Church News, Sunday school books, etc.) Ie. doctrine that is part of the church.

Read here; http://ndbf.blogspot.com/2015/04/enemies.html

Here are a couple of other great articles on President Benson, from the same author; 

http://ndbf.blogspot.com/2015/01/prepared.html 

http://ndbf.blogspot.com/2015/01/keep-still.html

http://ndbf.blogspot.com/2015/02/snubbing-benson.html

These are not my articles, just ones that I have enjoyed. I would encourage everyone to read these with an open mind & spirit, regardless of your political views.

To this I received comments again dismissing what President Benson taught, and others...

"please stop using the political remarks of Pres. Ezra T. Benson as a cultural litmus test for belonging"

"use this thinking to mark other church members as unworthy or unwelcome"

My Second comment;

I’m sorry if anyone feels unworthy, unwelcome, or uncomfortable because of what President Benson taught. However the facts remain;

1. Only the First Presidency and Twelve may legitimately chastise publicly one of their own and, in the case of Ezra Taft Benson, that never happened.

2. There is still an abundance of President Bensons teachings on LDS.org, and gospel library app, unlike the obscure letters, and notes referenced in this article. For example.Teachings of Presidents, Ezra Taft Benson, ch9, sec 3, (this years manual)

“The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.”

3. If one were to research any modern day prophet to a similar extent as this article, they would find similar results.

For this one, I recieved comments like these;

"...Furthermore, I don’t think it’s of sound reason to conclude that ‘if it’s on lds.org, it must be true.’ Wow"

"...because 'in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.' That’s not what we have. What we have is one man..."

My Third comment;

Yes, I believe in and try to live by everything found under "teachings" on LDS.org, and I encourage everyone to do the same, doing so will bring blessings and joy.

I am not promoting a political party or candidate, I'm also not dismissing any teachings. I do not apply any "litmus test", or judgement against any member of the church. I do stand up for truth, and defend it where I can.

I believe one of many reasons that the Church does not "endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms" is this;

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." (D&C 58:26) 

Another reason is that we are part of a Global Church, not just an 'American' church. We as members should study ALL of the prophets words, starting with the living prophet, then, as in proverbs, we will not depart from truth (Prov. 22:6). Then, we are advised to support the political candidates, ideas, policies, etc. that most closely align with revealed truth, in whatever country we are.

Your statement about two or three witnesses,

"...That's not what we have. What we have is one man"

Is false! President Benson was one of many conservative voices. I will list some of them.

Harold B. Lee, & J. Reuben Clark, Jr.:

Harold B. Lee: "I once had a young university student of political science voice to me his vigorous disagreement with President Clark's lecture in 1952 before an audience sponsored at the University of Utah by the Institute of Government on the subject 'Our Dwindling Sovereignty' 

In this lecture, President Clark had declared that he was 'pro-Constitution, pro-Government, as it was established under the Constitution, pro-freedom, pro-full and complete independence and sovereignty, pro-local self-government, and pro-everything else that has made us the free country we had grown to be in the first 130 years of our national existence.'

In the domestic field, he had also declared in this lecture: 'I am anti-socialist, anti-Communist, anti-Welfare State, etc.'

I replied to this youthful budding political science student critic perhaps somewhat sharply, 'Yes, I suppose it would be difficult for a pigmy to get the viewpoint of a giant. When I go to hear world authority on some subject as I did the other night with you and many others at the University of Utah, in listening to President Clark on the subject of international affairs where he is a recognized authority, I go to learn and not to criticize. It would be well if you would do more listening to men of his stature and less criticizing." (The Improvement Era, Sept. 1961, p.632) 

 Jeffrey R. Holland:

"Now, lest I be accused of proposing quixotic global social programs or of endorsing panhandling as a growth industry, I reassure you that my reverence for principles of industry, thrift, self-reliance, and ambition is as strong as that of any man or woman alive. We are always expected to help ourselves before we seek help from others." (Oct. 2014 Are We Not All Beggars?)

Marion G. Romney:

"Many programs have been set up by well-meaning individuals to aid those who are in need. However, many of these programs are designed with the shortsighted objective of “helping people,” as opposed to “helping people help themselves.” Our efforts must always be directed toward making able-bodied people self-reliant." (Oct. 1982 The Celestial Nature of Self-reliance)

David B. Haight:

"It is significant to note that about this same time, when the Lord established his way of caring for those in need, the “world,” or government, introduced its form of dole assistance—a counterfeit alternative to the Lord’s way. In most instances, the world’s way dismissed the principle of individual work and family responsibility and adopted the philosophy that “the government will take care of our needs” or “the government owes us a living.” Individual and family initiative was supplanted by government handouts. The true spirit of love for our neighbor and concern for others as taught by the Savior had been generally ignored." (Oct. 1978 The Stake President's Role in Welfare Services)

On 3 July 1936, the First Presidency published this warning to Church members:

“Communism is not a political party nor a political plan under the Constitution; it is a system of government that is the opposite of our Constitutional government. … “Since Communism, established, would destroy our American Constitutional government, to support Communism is treasonable to our free institutions, and no patriotic American citizen may become either a Communist or supporter of Communism. … “We call upon all Church members completely to eschew [shun] Communism. The safety of our divinely inspired Constitutional government and the welfare of our Church imperatively demand that Communism shall have no place in America” (signed: Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay, The First Presidency, in Deseret News, 3 July 1936) 

Regarding secret combinations;

Hel. 7:5; Ether 8:9, 16, 22-23; Moses 5:31.

And there are more...

Let me say again, we should study ALL of the prophets words, then follow it.

President Harold B. Lee:

“You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may conflict with your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. … Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow. … Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church.” (Conference Report, October 1970, p. 152–153.)