171. Matthew Harris on Ezra Taft Benson (Part 1/2)

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Matthew Harris to discuss his book Watchman on the Tower: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right. Who was President Ezra Taft Benson, what were some of his teachings, and why do they matter today? From the White Horse Prophecy to the John Birch Society, from almost being on two Presidential tickets to his conflict with fellow Elder Hugh B. Brown – Dr. Harris takes us through some of the highlights, teachings, impact, and then the “remaking” of this controversial LDS Apostle who became the thirteenth Prophet-President of the LDS Church. Ezra Taft Benson was an author and speaker, firmly believing in “secret combinations” (that is, conspiracies) - and who frequently mixed his devotion to both Joseph Smith and Adam Smith. Listen in as Dr. Harris takes us through how to best understand and distinguish between Benson’s authoritative influence, and his broader influence today all along the Mormon corridor.Book: Watchman on the Tower: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon RightRelated resource: Thunder From the Right: Ezra Taft Benson in Mormonism and PoliticsSome other resources by Dr. Harris:Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial EqualityThe Mormon Church and Blacks: A Documentary History (edited with Newell Bringhurst)Zebulon Pike, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West (edited with Jay Buckley)“Joseph Fielding Smith’s Evolving Views on Race: The Odyssey of a Mormon Apostle-President”“Mormons and Lineage: The Complicated History of Blacks and Patriarchal Blessings, 1830-2018”Some resources from Ezra Taft Benson (et al):Sample: D&C 98; 101.77-80; 134 and Ether 8Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson“The LDS Church and Politics”“The American Heritage of Freedom”“A Race Against Time”“Be Not Deceived”“Not Commanded in All Things”“Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh”“The Book of Mormon Warns America”“The Proper Role of Government”“Life is Eternal”“Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints” (audio)“Prepare Ye”“The Constitution: A Glorious Standard”“Our Priceless Heritage”“Freedom and Free Enterprise”“Fourteen Fundamentals of Following the Prophet”“Prepare Yourselves for the Great Day of the Lord”As President of the Church:“The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner”“Our Divine Constitution”“I Testify”“Beware of Pride”The Moral Basis of a Free Society; The Great and Abominable Church of the Devil; Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen; The Book of Mormon and the Constitution by H. Verlan AndersenStand Fast By Our Constitution by J. Reuben ClarkThe Naked Communist; The Naked Capitalist; Prophecy and Modern Times by Cleon SkousenOther resources:Mosiah Lyman Hancock AutobiographyPresident Brigham Young: JD 2.182; 7:13, 8.321; 12.121, 12.204President John Taylor: JD 21.8, 21.31; 22.143-44; 23.63; 26.38-39Elder George Q. Cannon: JD 23.104; 23.122President Joseph F. Smith; Elder Joseph Fielding Smith (Oct. 1918 General Conference)President George Albert Smith“The Profile of a Prophet”; “God is the Gardener” by Elder Hugh B. Brown“Overcome the World and Find Rest” by President Russell M. Nelson“Church Statement on White Horse Prophecy and Political Neutrality”Elder Statesman: A Biography of J. Reuben Clark; “Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts” by D. Michael Quinn“Edwin Rushton as the Source of the White Horse Prophecy” by Don L. PenrodThe Lie That Will Not Die: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion by Hadassa Ben-IttoThe Pope and Mussolini; The Pope at War by David Kertzer