Reed Benson

Reed Amussen Benson (January 2,1928 – August 24, 2016) was a retired Brigham Young University (BYU) professor of religion who at one time was the national director of public relations for the John Birch Society and is noted for his extreme political conservatism and his advocacy of homeschooling.[1]

Early years

Benson was the son of Ezra Taft Benson and his wife, the former Flora Amussen. Benson was born in Salt Lake City but raised in Whitney and Boise, Idaho, and in Washington, D.C. He began his studies as a student at BYU in 1945. From 1947 to 1949 he served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Great Britain.

Benson was an LDS Chaplain during the Korean War.[2]

Anti-Communism activism

In 1960, Ezra Taft Benson made a proposition to Brigham Young University president Ernest L. Wilkinson that his son Reed be used as a spy to "find out who the orthodox teachers were and report to his father." Reed had targeted LDS bishop and political scientist J. D. Williams for surveillance. Wilkinson declined the offer, stating "neither Brother Lee nor I want espionage of that character."[3] Later in the 1960s and 1970s, members and advocates of the John Birch Society did conduct espionage at BYU.[4]

In October 1962, Ezra Taft Benson sought permission from LDS Church President David O. McKay to join the John Birch Society but was denied. Shortly afterwards, Reed joined the society and was appointed Utah coordinator with McKay's tepid approval.[5] In 1963, Reed was appointed coordinator for the southern counties of Idaho. In 1964, he became the Birch Society coordinator in Washington, D.C., and eventually the national director of public relations.[6]

Benson's activities within the Birch Society came under the scrutiny of the First Presidency of the LDS Church for using its meeting houses for recruiting and political meetings, issuing a statement in January 1963 directly condemning the activities of the Birch Society.[7] Ezra Taft Benson complained to McKay that the statement seemed to be directed against him, and "his son, Reed, and Brother Skousen," McKay confirmed that it was.[8] Apostle Hugh B. Brown, Assistant to the Twelve Henry D. Taylor, and apostle Henry D. Moyle were all critical of Benson's activities.[9]

The LDS Church called Ezra Taft Benson on a mission to Europe in late 1963 in the hopes that his political zeal would be tempered.[10] At the Ezra Taft Benson's farewell address on 14 December 1963, Reed Benson said that his father had been "stabbed in the back".[11]

In 1965 Reed Benson endorsed the claim of Robert W. Welch Jr., that former President Dwight D. Eisenhower had been a Communist agent.[12]

Civil rights movement opposition

Benson was critical of the civil rights movement, which he felt was being controlled by communists. In July 1965, the NAACP called for all Third World nations to refuse to grant visa to missionaries of the LDS Church for its "doctrine of non-white inferiority," and planned to protest the churches October general conference.[13] In response, Benson wrote a memorandum to all Birch Society chapters instructing them to spread rumors that the protesters planned violent riots:

"It is common knowledge that the Civil Rights Movement is Communist controlled, influenced and dominated. ... when necessary we must adopt the communist technique in our ever present battle against Godless Communism. It is urged that in the coming weeks the Utah Chapters begin a whispering campaign and foster rumors that the Civil Rights groups are going to organize demonstrations in Salt Lake City in connection with the forthcoming LDS conference. ... A few well placed comments will soon mushroom out of control and before the conference begins there will be such a feeling of unrest and distrust that the populace will hardly know who to believe. The news media will play it to the very hilt. No matter what the Civil Rights leaders may try to say to deny it the seed will have been sown and again the Civil Rights movement will suffer a telling blow."[14]

Soon a near-hysteria was created in Utah over imminence of feared upcoming riots.[15][16] Rumors of professional demonstrators and rioters prompted the Utah National Guard to begin riot control maneuvers.[17] The NAACP issued a statement in an effort to calm fears that they were planning a riot, stating, "The NAACP deplores the malicious and totally irresponsible rumors circulating in many sections of the state to the effect that Negroes are planning a riot at the LDS conference."[18][19][20] There were no riots or demonstrations at the 1965 general conference, and the Birch Society's role in creating the rumors created resentment among many in the LDS Church.[21]

Homeschooling activism and later life

Benson wrote his 1981 Ed.D. dissertation at BYU on the development of a home school. This was one of the first doctoral dissertations written in the United States on the subject of homeschooling.[22]

From 1975 to 1978, Benson served as president of the Louisville Kentucky Mission of the LDS Church.[23]

Benson lived in the Pleasant View neighborhood of Provo, Utah.

In 2001 Benson and his wife, May Hinckley Benson, were honored with the Elijah Award for their contribution to the advancement of homeschooling. Benson fathered nine children, all of whom were home schooled.[24]

Bibliography
  • Prince&Wright (2014). David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism.
  • Dew, Sheri L. (1987). Ezra Taft Benson: A Biography. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. ISBN 978-0875791104.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

References
  1. Obituary Salt Lake Tribune, https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4295026&itype=cmsid
  2. Obituary Deseret News https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/deseretnews/181209519
  3. Ernest L. Wilkinson diary, 29 Nov. 1960. Gary James Bergera and Ronald Priddis, Brigham Young University: A House of Faith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1985), 203
  4. Quinn, D. M. (2017). The Mormon hierarchy: extensions of power. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates. e-book location 3157 of 29417
  5. McKay said, "I have heard about the John Birch Society, and everything so far has been negative, so it is up to you [Ezra Taft Benson] and Reed as to whether or not this position [of Utah coordinator] is accepted. Prince, G. A., & Wright, W. R. (2014). David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. e-book location 6730 of 12104
  6. Bringhurst, N. G., & Foster, C. L. (2011). The Mormon quest for the presidency: from Joseph Smith to Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Independence, MO: John Whitmer Books. Page 143-144
  7. Harris, M. L. (2019). Thunder from the right: Ezra Taft Benson in Mormonism and politics. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. Location 1887 of 6448
  8. The statement said, "We deplore the presumption of some politicians, especially officers, coordinators and members of the John Birch Society, who undertake to align the Church or its leadership with their political views." Prince, G. A., & Wright, W. R. (2014). David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. e-book location 6767, 6777 of 12104
  9. Hugh B. Brown wrote "It is certainly regrettable," that Reed Benson "is permitted to continue to peddle his bunk in our Church houses." Henry D. Taylor said in his judgement, "[Reed] Benson was the laughing stock of Salt Lake." Henry D. Moyle stated in a stake conference, that he, "denounced tactics of Reed Benson." Quinn, D. M. (2017). The Mormon hierarchy: extensions of power. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates. e-book location 3474 of 29417
  10. Joseph Fielding Smith said, "I am glad to report to you that it will be some time before we hear anything from Brother Benson, who is now on his way to Great Britain where I suppose he will be, at least for the next two years. When he returns I hope his blood will be purified". Joseph Fielding Smith to Congressman Ralph Harding, 23 Dec. 1963.
  11. Quinn, D. M. (2017). The Mormon hierarchy: extensions of power. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates. e-book location 3157 of 29417
  12. "Reed Benson Says Welch Was Correct in Calling Eisenhower Communist," Provo Daily Herald, 22 Apr. 1965, 2.
  13. Quinn, D. M. (2017). The Mormon hierarchy: extensions of power. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates. e-book location 3603 of 29417
  14. Quinn, D. M. (2017). The Mormon hierarchy: extensions of power. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates. e-book location 3603 of 29417
  15. David Leslie Brewer, "Utah Elites and Utah Racial Norms," Ph.D. diss., University of Utah, 1966, 143
  16. L. Brent Goates, Harold B. Lee: Prophet & Seer (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1985), 378.
  17. "Race Riots in Utah?" Daily Utah Chronicle, 28 Sept. 1965, 5.
  18. "NAACP Chapter Claims Riot Report 'Malicious'" Ogden Standard-Examiner, 28 Sept. 1965, A-6.
  19. "Rumors of Riot Hit by Area NAACP," Deseret News, 28 Sept. 1965, B-1;
  20. "NAACP Assails Rumors of Protest at LDS Meet," Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Sept. 1965, 18.
  21. Quinn, D. M. (2017). The Mormon hierarchy: extensions of power. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates. e-book location 3636 of 29417
  22. "Benson, Reed Amussen. "The development of a home school." Brigham Young University, Ed.D. (1981), 196" (PDF).
  23. Obituary Deseret News https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/deseretnews/181209519
  24. "Elijah Award, 2001: Dr. Reed A. Benson and May Hinckley Benson".
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