-- 2 Dec 1971
Marvin J. Ashton is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (1)
-- April 1972
Elder Benson preached 'This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people." "And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking," says Moroni, "and also the destruction of the people of Nephi." (Eth. 8:21.) Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations, just as the Church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God's work, but it has singled out the greatest threat as the great conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon –it is a conspiracy fact. And along this line I would highly recommend to you the book None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen."'
Note: Book recommendation added during talk upon discovering a Russian delegation in attendance. Allen was a member of the Birch Society. (2)
-- 14 Apr 1972
Benson's [conference advice to purchase 'None Dare Call It Conspiracy'] appeared in the report of his conference address by the Mormon-Birch Utah Independent, but the First Presidency deleted that recommendation from the official report of Benson's sermon. (3)
-- May 13,1972
May Presidency letter that "fluoridation of public water supplies to prevent tooth decay" is one of the "non-moral issues" that Mormons should vote on "according to their honest convictions." John Birch Society, which Apostle Ezra Taft Benson and many other Mormons support, is condemning fluoridation as a Communist "plot." (4)
-- 30 Jun 1972
The Mormon-Birch Utah Independent announced Benson's addresses at Boston ... where all the other speakers were either staff members of the Birch Society's American Opinion or long-time authors of its articles. (5)
-- 2 Jul 1972
Joseph Fielding Smith dies. (6)
-- 7 Jul 1972
The First Presidency is reorganized, with Harold B. Lee President, N. Eldon Tanner First Counselor, and Marion G. Romney Second Counselor. Spencer W. Kimball becomes President of the Quorum. (6)
-- August 1, 1972
Benson promotes Skousen's "The Naked Capitalist," "The Great and Abominable Church of the Devil" by Verlan Anderson and "None Dare Call it Conspiracy." [Ezra Taft Benson to Elder Bremer, August 1, 1972, Council of Twelve letterhead (7)
-- 12 Oct 1972
Bruce R. McConkie ordained. (6)
-- November 14, 1972
Benson notes "There have always been shades-of-gray members, down to the blackest Judas." He also promotes the book "None Dare Call it Conspiracy," and says the book "Prophets Principles and National Survial" shows "where the Prophets stand regarding freedom." (8)
-- 01 May 1973
Elder Ezra Taft Benson, Brigham Young University President Dallin H. Oaks, and newly appointed dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Rex E. Lee, participate in the groundbreaking ceremonies for the law school.
-- Between July 1972 and Dec 1973
While Harold B. Lee was in the presidency, he evidently even gave an embarrassing rebuke to Apostle Benson during a meeting of general authorities in the Salt Lake Temple. As reported by Henry D. Taylor, an Assistant to the Twelve, individual apostles were delivering formal presentations on various subjects to the assistants. Benson's assigned topic was the church's youth program, but he began presenting charts and quotes to show Communist influence in America and the need to teach anti- Communism to Mormon youth. Lee walked out while Benson was speaking, soon followed by the other apostles. Taylor and the other Assistants to the Twelve were the only ones who remained seated during Benson's presentation. (9)
Endnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
2 - Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1972
3 - Benson, "Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints," Utah Independent, 14 Apr. 1972, 4; compare with censored version in Deseret News "Church News," 8 Apr. 1972, 12, and Ensign 2 (July 1972): 59-61. 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
4 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power
5 - "Benson Is Guest of Honor," Utah Independent, 30 June 1972, 8 -- 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
6 - Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)
7 - Ezra Taft Benson (provided by Joe Geisner)
8 - Ezra Taft Benson to Brother Anderberg, November 14, 1972, Council of Twelve letterhead (provided by Joe Geisner)
9 - Statement of Henry D. Taylor to his friend Mark K. Allen as reported in Allen interview, 3 May 1984, by Alison Bethke Gayek -- 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
LDS History Chronology: Ezra Taft Benson
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Ezra Taft Benson
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
