Step into the thought-provoking world of hosts John Larsen, Carah Burrell, and John Dehlin as they delve into the life and beliefs of Ezra Taft Benson, an influential figure in Mormonism. Uncovering historical insights, they explore Benson’s views on communism, civil rights, and his perplexing association with conspiracy theories. From dissecting Benson’s rigid authoritarian stance to questioning his understanding of communism, they candidly evaluate the impact of his leadership within the Church.
With engaging discussions on American exceptionalism, the divinity of the Constitution, and the role of women in Benson’s teachings, this episode invites listeners to reflect on how religious leaders can shape doctrines and beliefs. Whether you’re curious about the intersections of religion and politics, the complexity of prophetic claims, or the enduring legacy of influential figures, this enthralling conversation will leave you pondering the relevance of Ezra Taft Benson’s teachings in today’s ever-changing world. Explore the fascinating journey of a man whose beliefs have sparked both admiration and controversy, and join the hosts in exploring the possibility of reconciling past prophecies with present realities.
SHOW NOTES:
- John Larsen Amazon store – buy him farm tools
- John Larsen’s YouTube Channel
- Donate to Mormon Expression
- Nuancehoe Patreon
- NuanceHoe Podcast – YouTube
- NuanceHoe on the Ghost of Eternal Polygamy
- Watchman on the Tower by Matt Harris
- Ezra Taft Benson Talk – A Witness and a warning
- Ezra Taft Benson Talk – Fourteen fundamentalists
- Ezra Taft Benson Talk – to the Mothers in Zion talk
- Reed Smoot Hearings
- David O McKay Biography by Greg Prince
- The Black Hammer by Wes Andrews
- Thurgood Marshall
- White Horse Prophecy
- Sound of Freedom
Carol Lynn Pearson
- Carol Lynn Pearson Pioneer Poem
- My Turn on Earth by Carol Lynn Pearson
- The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy by Carol Lynn Pearson
- Carol Lynn Pearson website
- Goodbye I love you by Carol Lynn Pearson
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- 860-861: Carol Lynn Pearson – The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy
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- 1350: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right (Matt Harris) – Part 1
- 1351: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right (Matt Harris) – Part 2
- 1451: The Doctrine of Cain – John Larsen
- 1787: Sound of Freedom, Tim Ballard & Underground Railroad: Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman of Vice News
- 1640: Boy Scout Abuse and the Mormon Church with Attorney Tim Kosnoff
- 1664: Boy Scouts Bankruptcy and the Mormon Church – An update w/ Tim Kosnoff
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I was raised in Whitney Idaho on a farm close to the Benson farm. My grandfather was around the same age as Ezra Taft. Our family share in-law marriages and a long history in this small farm community. My grandfather was elected to Idaho Senate the year before he died.
Later in my life I attended BYU and had a class from Reed Benson, a son of Ezra Taft. Reed would speak in his lectures about his father’s term as the US Secretary of Agriculture. Ezra Taft had the opportunity to meet with Russia leaders who would tour the US with him to discuss farming practices. Ezra’s sone, Reed, said the these meetings greatly influenced his father about the great sins of communism. It lead Ezra to believe the Russians were of evil design.
Reed was a significant leader in the John Birch Society.
John Larsen needs to apologize to history, not just Carol Lynn Pearson. Julian Wadleigh was a communist inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture who testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee. You can look it up: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Wadleigh
Thank you John L. for pointing out that not everyone in the past generations were racist bigots like ETB. My greatest generation mom who washed my mouth out with soap for saying the N word (that I’d heard somebody else say )was one of them.
It irks me to no end that people who demanded, under the bogus claim of divine authority, our unquestioned obedience can get off the hook by apologists many years later as being “products of their time” -as if that absolves them of responsibility for their horrible teachings.
I, for one, have nothing but contempt for ETB. In the late 1960’s I was recruited by other Mormon member John Birchers to join that political movement. So investigating, I got their literature expecting to lean something about the dangers of communism only to learn to my dismay that they were more about being anti-federal government and racist inclusive of being anti Semite and opposed to the American civil rights movement. But many Mormons in Utah found common cause with those ideas which has led to the extremist right wing positions of many Mormons today. It is one big reason why Mormons found Donald J. Trump’s political views so beguiling. And it was a shame that ETB and his supporters were able to use Church auspices to further those radical views.
My impression of your presentation is you too are a product of the times you live in too.
In the future maybe you will be looked at as the same kind bigots as you now look at ETB.
You miss the truth in a lot of his teachings.
Your self righteousness is impressive.