-- 11 May 1967
Counselor Brown informed a church member in May 1967 that "numerous others" had complained about Benson's continued association with [Billy James] Hargis and the apostle's implied endorsement of his segregationist views. The First Presidency "are taking it to the Twelve as soon as Brother Benson returns from Europe as we prefer to have him present when the matter is discussed." Brown gave the reassurance that Benson's "activities in this connection will be curtained [curtailed]." (1)
[Hugh B. Brown] "We did discuss your letter and numerous others like it on the same subject with the First Presidency and are taking it to the Twelve as soon as Brother Benson returns [from an assignment out of town] … and we prefer to have him present when the matter is discussed. I think you can be assured that something definite will be decided upon and activities in this connection will be curtailed." (2)
-- Sept 22, 1967
David O. McKay: after being asked by Benson for McKay's permission to address the subject of civil rights and communism, McKay recorded: "He briefly talked about the plight of the Negroes in this Civil Rights Issue, and how the Communists are using the Negroes to further their own schemes to foment trouble in the United States. He said that he would talk on this subject from the viewpoint of bringing peace in our country instead of uprisings of the Negroes in riots, etc. I told Brother Benson that under these circumstances, he may go ahead with his subject." (3)
-- 29 Sep 1967
The new administrative position of regional representative of the Twelve was announced, and the first 69 regional representatives were called and given their initial training. (4)
-- 1967, September 29
First Regional Representatives called, to begin January 1, 1968. (5)
-- 29 Sep 1967
At a meeting in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in September 1967 [Benson] said that "the so-called civil rights movement as it exists today is a Communist program for revolution in America." He repeated that assessment in his general conference talk the next month. (6)
-- 05 Oct 1967
Alvin R. Dyer is ordained an Apostle but is not placed in the Quorum of the Twelve. He acts as an additional Counselor in the First Presidency.
-- 1 Nov 1967
Benson's supporters began circulating petitions to place his name on the ballot for the upcoming national election. (7)
-- 1968
A survey of more than 700 Mormons showed that 58 percent regarded the Birch Society as "not supporting Declaration of Independence principles. (8)
-- 8 Feb 1968
Lacking sufficient support from the Republican leadership, Benson had negotiated to become the vice-presidential candidate in George C. Wallace's third-party challenge. Wallace formally announced his third party candidacy on 8 February, but as early as November a vice- president of the John Birch Society's "publishing and distribution arm" had resigned that position "to actively campaign for George Wallace." The Christian Science Monitor reported that Apostle Benson also supported Wallace. (9)
-- George C. Wallace to David O. McKay, 12 Feb. 1968, and David O. McKay to George C. Wallace, 14 Feb. 1968 -- as referenced in D. Michael Quinn, "Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992) and Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3
George Wallace formally writes LDS President David O. McKay for his "permission and blessings" and "a leave of absence" for Apostle Ezra Taft Benson to be Wallace's vice-presidential candidate. Benson had negotiated with Wallace to be his running mate on Wallace's third-party ticket. Two days later McKay sends a "confidential" letter to Wallace denying Benson's request and pointedly tells Wallace that "you no doubt have received word from Ezra Taft Benson as to my decision . . ." (10)
-- February 13, 1968
McKay to George Wallace: "Please be assured that my decision is not political in essence, but one that involves Mr. Benson's calling as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church." (3)
Endnotes:
1 - Brown to Burns S. Hanson, 11 May 1967, carbon copy cross-referenced to "Hargis, Billy James," in "Hugh B. Brown File on the John Birch Society." From D. Michael Quinn, "Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992) also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3
2 - Hugh B. Brown to Burns S. Hanson, Firmage Papers, Box 48, fd. 21 as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)
3 - David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)
4 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
5 - Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Daniel H. Ludlow (editor), New York: Macmillan, 1992, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
6 - Benson address, 29 Sept. 1967, in his Civil Rights: Tool of Communist Deception 3; "Mormon Leaders Heard By 25,000," New York Times, 2 Oct. 1967, 52; Improvement Era 70 (Dec. 1967): 35, softened Benson's restatement of his position about the civil rights movement. However that censored 1967 statement was almost identical to the Deseret News, 14 Dec. 1963, B-5, report of Benson's assessment of civil rights. These are referenced in in D. Michael Quinn, "Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992) and Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3
7 - "Group Acts to Draft Benson in '68 Race," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 1 Nov. 1967 -- as referenced in D. Michael Quinn, "Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992) and Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3
8 - in 1968; Afton Olson Miles, "Mormon Voting Behavior and Political Attitudes," Ph.D. diss., New York University, 1978, 164-65. Broken down by political affiliation, this anti-Birch view was shared by 86 percent of Mormon Democrats, 64 percent of Mormon independents, and 43 percent of Mormon Republicans. These are referenced in in D. Michael Quinn, "Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992) and Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3
9 - Willard S. Voit announcement, 17 Nov. 1967, in The John Birch Society Bulletin (Dec. 1967): 26-28; "Wallace In Race; Will 'Run To Win,'" New York Times, 9 Feb. 1968,1; "Benson Backs Wallace Stand," Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 1968, 3, based on an undated interview with Benson by a reporter with Reuters news service. These are referenced in in D. Michael Quinn, "Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992) and Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3
10 - 12 Feb 1968
LDS History Chronology: Ezra Taft Benson
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Ezra Taft Benson
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
