218 - Ezra Taft Benson: Conspiracy Controversies I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

218 - Ezra Taft Benson: Conspiracy Controversies I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

From Church History Matters by Scripture Central

August 28, 2026 · 1h 20m

About this episode

This episode examines the political and religious influence of Ezra Taft Benson after his tenure as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, focusing on his controversial views and leadership in the Church.

After serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ezra Taft Benson returned to full-time service as an Apostle and became one of the most influential—and sometimes controversial—leaders in modern Latter-day Saint history. In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths examine Elder Benson's post-Washington years, including his outspoken warnings about communism during the Cold War, his strong advocacy for constitutional principles and free-market economics, his criticism of government welfare programs, and the debates surrounding his association with conservative political movements such as the John Birch Society. They explore how his political views were received both inside and outside the Church and how Church leaders worked to keep the Church politically neutral despite the personal convictions of individual Apostles. The episode also traces the remarkable transformation of Ezra Taft Benson's public ministry after he became the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather than emphasizing politics, President Benson focused the Church on what he believed mattered most: becoming true…

More episodes of Church History Matters

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Church History Matters podcast page.