-- Mar 7, 1947
[David O. McKay] Elder Ezra T. Benson of the Council of the Twelve called from Washington D.C. and reported that there is a vacancy in the U.S. Court of Claims. There are five judges in this Court, and only four are now serving'these all are Democrats. Marvin Jones had been nominated by the President to serve as Chief Justice.
Brother Benson then stated that he has been urged by Senator Watkins, and others to see Marvin Jones in behalf of David Wilson's nomination for this vacancy. David Wilson is in Washington at the present time. Brother Benson said that there are 30 senators who have pledged support, and they feel if Jones would recommend Wilson to the President that the President would possibly nominate Wilson as the only Republican on the 5-man court.
Brother Benson stated that there is one other Republican bidding for the post'a fellow by the name of Clark from New Jersey. He is known to be quite radical. He made some freak decision while in New Jersey, and fought the prohibition amendment to the constitution. It is not felt that he will get much support from the Senate. ...
Brother Benson said that they want him to see Marvin Jones personally and tell him that we know Wilson, and that he is a man of good reputation, and that he would be an honor to the Court. Brother Benson said that he did not know Wilson well enough to do that.
I told Brother Benson that I know Dave Wilson well ... and that I know of nothing that would cause Brother Benson to hesitate to speak personally to Mr. Jones recommending Wilson.
Brother Benson said that he wanted to find out whether it was all right with the Church for him to make this recommendation to Jones, and that if it would not embarrass the Church in any way, then he would make an appointment to see Jones. He said if there is any change of thought on this, he could be reached either at the Statler Hotel or at Brother Marriott's home in Washington. (1)
-- Apr 2, 1947
[Minutes of the Meeting of the General Authorities with the Mission Presidents] The opening prayer was offered by Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve.
[General mission advice such as president counselors, pay, expenses, lodging, missionaries, ...] (2)
-- Apr 10, 1947
Eldred G. Smith is ordained patriarch to the church, fourteen years after Quorum of Twelve recommended him. (3)
Henry D. Moyle is ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, replacing Charles A. Callis, who had passed away.
-- Jul 29, 1947
Quorum of Twelve letter to general Relief Society presidency states that women should seek blessings of health from priesthood leaders and not from other women. This officially ends more than a century of women's anointing and sealing blessings of health on other women and sometimes on men. (3)
Endnotes:
1 - David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010
2 - 'Minutes of the Meeting of the General Authorities with the Mission Presidents Held in the Salt Lake Temple, April 2, 1947, at 8:30 a.m.', as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
LDS History Chronology: Ezra Taft Benson
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Ezra Taft Benson
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
