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. Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/ezra-taft-benson-w-john-larsen Dabbler Farm Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3NLB9AD9VMFPQ Chapters 00:00:00 Beginning 00:03:12 Announcements - farm equipment 00:05:36 Reading the Letter from Carol Lynn Pearson 00:11:38 Carol Lynn Pearson’s Pioneers Poem 00:15:10 Disclaimer about communism 00:20:28 Ezra Taft Benson’s life 00:24:35 Cold War 00:32:00 Gaddianton Robbers 00:37:33 John Birch Society - anti communist, right winged group 00:38:25 Fascism definition 00:43:30 Ten world views and doctrinal themes in Benson's talks 00:43:40 The first is about the Book of Mormon - it was written for our time 00:48:33 Second was Atheism and Godless 00:49:45 Third is communism, no difference between socialist and communist 00:55:58 Monroe Doctrine 00:59:53 Communism as the False Church 01:02:45 The Gadianton/Cain Conspiracy and Infiltration 01:13:02 Ezra Taft Benson on education and corporal punishment 01:15:33 The divinity of the constitution 01:21:35 American exceptionalism,it’s special and God blessed 01:24:25 Politics - righteous engagement and it’s our moral duty to engage 01:27:14 Moral Machiavellianism 01:29:20 The necessity of the submission to authority and accepting your lower status 01:37:55 The poor health of Ezra Tafton Benson as the prophet 01:39:30 Steven Benson talked about the health of his grandfather 01:01:41:12 Benson quote on food stamps 01:45:30 He never talks about women, the Equal Rights Amendment, etc. It’s almost like women don’t exist for him. Women should be in the home 01:49:40 What does it mean to be a prophet, seer and revelator? 01:55:35 There are two possibilities, this mind f*ckery is God’s plan for us, OR this is all a load of horse poo and these guys are just products of their times 01:58:35 To say they are a product of their times is an insult of the times 02:02:55 He is the grandfather or conspiracy theory mormon believers 02:07:20 The church has a requirement to repent from this stuff, the church needs to drink its own medicine, it is corrupt ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 #MormonStories #Mormon #lds