Adam S. Bennion
Born: 2 December 1886
Called to the Quorum of the Twelve: 9 April 1953
Died: 11 February 1958
Called to the Quorum of the Twelve: 9 April 1953
Died: 11 February 1958
Biographical Articles
Improvement Era, October 1919, New Head of Church Schools
Improvement Era, May 1953, Adam S. Bennion--New Apostle
Relief Society Magazine, June 1953, Adam S. Bennion Appointed to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, April 1958, Church Members Saddened by the Death of Elder Adam S. Bennion
Instructor, April 1958, He Touched More Hearts
Relief Society Magazine, April 1958, In Memoriam Adam S. Bennion 1886-1958
My own research and opinion
Improvement Era, May 1953, Adam S. Bennion--New Apostle
Relief Society Magazine, June 1953, Adam S. Bennion Appointed to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, April 1958, Church Members Saddened by the Death of Elder Adam S. Bennion
Instructor, April 1958, He Touched More Hearts
Relief Society Magazine, April 1958, In Memoriam Adam S. Bennion 1886-1958
My own research and opinion
"New Head of Church Schools." Improvement Era. October 1919. pg. 1065-1066.
New Head of Church Schools Professor Adam S. Bennion, one of the leading educators of the state, who was appointed superintendent of the Latter-day Saints Church school system on July 1, 1919, was born at Taylorsville, Salt Lake county, December 2, 1886. His father died when the boy was only two years old, and his training, therefore, devolved upon his mother, Mary Ann Bennion, to whose tender love and devoted sacrifice, he says, he owes his all. Through her inspiration, young Bennion was prompted to travel eleven miles to and from the University of Utah, for seven years while a student there. During the worst weather, he was taken to the car at Murray, in the morning, and met there at night, so as not to miss a day's schooling, but generally he walked the two miles to the car line. In this way perseverance and punctuality were vividly impressed upon his mind. Elder Bennion has the advantages of a thorough education. He first attended the public schools of Salt Lake county, and then passed through the high school, and afterwards studied in the University of Utah, where he received the degree of A. B. in 1908. In 1912, he obtained the degree of A. M. at the Columbia University, New York. During the summer of 1916, he studied in Chicago, and during 1917-18 he attended the University of Utah Law School, while doing work as a teacher in the University. He has also taken a correspondence course in business administration, from the Lasalle University. Elder Bennion has filled several positions in the Church. From 1904 to 1907 he was a member of the superintendency of the Taylorsville Sunday school, and teacher in the Y. M. M. I. A. From 1907 to 1915, except during the time he spent in the East, he served in the superintendency of the Granite stake Sunday schools. In 1915, he became a member of the General Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union, and in 1919, of the General Board of Religion classes. He has also had a wonderful experience as a teacher. From 1908 to 1911, he was connected with the Latter-day Saints high school, and the following five years, was principal of the Granite high school. From 1917 to 1919 he served as assistant professor of English at the University of Utah. Elder Bennion, while a teacher in the Latter-day Saints University, married Minerva Young, a charming daughter of General and Mrs. Richard W. Young. They have been blessed with three winsome children, Phyllis, Adam, and Richard. The literature of Utah has been enriched with several contributions from Professor Bennion's facile pen. The best known of these is, What It Means to be a "Mormon." No doubt the services of Elder Bennion will result in great advancement to the Church schools, and his many friends, and the Saints generally wish him joy and satisfaction in the important work before him, in all of which the editors of the Era heartily join. |
ADAM S. BENNION, A. M.
Whose appointment recently to the Superintendence of the Church Schools, marks an epoch in the progress of these important educational institutions. |
"Adam S. Bennion--New Apostle." Improvement Era. May 1953. pg. 307.
Adam S. Bennion--New Apostle Assembled in the 123rd annual general conference of the Church, Monday, April 6, 1953, the Saints sustained Dr. Adam Samuel Bennion to fill the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve that had existed since the passing of Dr. John A. Widtsoe November 29, 1952. Elder Bennion, a longtime friend of the youth of the Church, has accomplished much in his record of service. Born at Taylorsville, Utah, December 2, 1886, the son of Joseph Bushell and Mary Ann Sharp Bennion, he was soon to learn the meaning of being a widow's son because his father died when Elder Bennion was a year and a half old. He attended the public schools of the county and was graduated in 1908 from the University of Utah with a bachelor of arts' degree. From 1909 to 1911 he was an instructor in English at the L.D.S. High School. The following year he received his master of arts' degree at Columbia University, New York City. Returning to Utah, he became head of the English department at the Granite High School. Then from 1913 to 1917 he was principal of that institution. From 1917 to 1919, he was an assistant professor of English at the University of Utah. In 1919 Elder Bennion became superintendent of Church schools, which position he retained until 1927. During this time he served for two years, 1920 and 1921, as professor of education at Brigham Young University serving here in the summer school until 1927. He also completed requirements for his doctor of philosophy degree, which was granted by the University of Chicago in 1923. His long service in the Church began in the Taylorsville Ward, where he served in the superintendency of the Sunday School from 1904 to 1907, and taught in the ward M.I.A. From 1907 to 1915, except during his absence for educational purposes, he was a member of the Granite Stake Sunday School superintendency, and in 1915, he was called to the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. Here he still serves, as senior member of that board, in point of service. For many years he has held membership on the Church board of education, of which he is an executive committee member. He is also on the executive board of the Brigham Young University board of trustees and the Church seminary system. Elder Bennion is a vice president of the Utah Power and Light Company, in charge of public relations. He is widely known throughout the Church as a speaker of ability and power. Yet, in coming to the Tabernacle pulpit to answer this call to the Apostleship, he said: I am honored but humbled. For years I have been going up and down the land preaching—but in the hour of this greatest call I have no preachment. His pen, like his voice and his life, has long been active in furthering the work of the Church. His books and manuals include: What It Means to be a Mormon, Fundamental Problems in Teaching, An Appreciation of the Book of Mormon, On Becoming a Teacher, Gleaning, Facing Life, Problems of Youth, and Looking in on Greatness. The last two works were collaborations. He married Minerva Young in the Salt Lake Temple, September 14, 1911. They are the parents of five children: Mrs. Ralph (Phyllis) Stohl of Arlington, Va.; Adam Y. Bennion of Los Angeles; Richard Y. Bennion of Salt Lake City; Mrs. Wallace W. (Marion) Rogers of Salt Lake City; and Edmund Y. Bennion of Ogden. |
ELDER ADAM S. BENNION
Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Council of the Twelve with members of the family
living in Salt Lake City. Left to right, Mrs. Wallace (Marion) Rogers, Edmund Y. Bennion, Richard Y. Bennion, and Mrs. Bennion. Another daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Phyllis) Stohl, resides in the East, and another son, Adam Y. Bennion, lives in Los Angeles. |
Moyle, Henry D. "Adam S. Bennion Appointed to the Council of the Twelve." Relief Society Magazine. June 1953. pg. 370-373.
Adam S. Bennion Appointed to the Council of the Twelve Elder Henry D. Moyle Of the Council of the Twelve ADAM S. Bennion has been publicly acclaimed as an educator, executive, public speaker, and churchman. By a host of friends throughout the nation he is known as "Ad." This rather intimate abbreviation of his name carries with it an element of intimate friendship, but more than that, of great respect. Those whose lives he has touched in the great service which he has rendered his friends, have in every instance been inspired to greater works, better lives, and above all, to a greater respect for their friend Adam. No one challenges his integrity, his devotion to that which is right. Although he has risen to heights, great heights, indeed, in the educational, business, civic, and social world, and to the most exalted position to which the Church can call him, he has never lost the sense of value and appreciation for the humbler things of life. In this respect he has retained the virtues of his humble beginning, of which he is justly very proud. In his acceptance of the high call which has come to him, he said: Often during the last twenty-five years I have had opportunity to bring eastern people to Temple Square. I always take them to the log cabin in the southeast corner of the Square. I show them the little log cabin and ask them to behold it, and then turn from the cabin to the temple. I want them to understand the poverty of the pioneers who lived in log cabins, but still dreamed dreams of a temple. Elder Bennion lived early enough in the history of the state to know from his own experience some of the problems of the pioneers. He was born in Taylorsville in Salt Lake County, during the lifetime of many of the original settlers. He learned keenly to appreciate the hardships the pioneers suffered. He loved to hear the stories of their forced exodus from Nauvoo, their journey across the plains, and their settlement in the valleys of the mountains. Among these pioneers were his forebears. His father died when he was but a year and a half old. Two of the other children died in their infancy while the family were living in Rush Valley, where medical attention was not available. Adam was one of five children raised to maturity by their widowed mother, through her own efforts. From the standpoint of the Relief Society, it is interesting to note that although Ad's mother had this great responsibility of rearing her family alone, nevertheless she found time to serve for thirty years as a Relief Society worker and teacher in her ward. The service rendered others during this long period can never be fully appraised. She always had time to help a neighbor. She lived to enjoy her family and her friends until after she was seventyeight years of age. Ad recognized and appreciated the help of his mother during the twenty-five years he lived under her roof. No doubt in Ad's life of accomplishment is seen the reflection of his mother's teachings, culture, and ideals exemplified in her life, her devotion to duty, her love of family, her faith in God. From his family, community, and Church, Elder Bennion received the most wonderful heritage of all: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. WITH these priceless endowments Adam began life. We look now for a moment at his accomplishments, comparable in a way with the comparison he himself drew between the log cabin as the beginning, and the temple as the ultimate achievement. Adam earned a degree of Doctor of Philosophy conferred upon him by the University of California, culminating years of study and teaching. He received high recognition in his appointment to the Executive Committee of the Brigham Young University, the Church Board of Education, and as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Utah. Were he asked what his choicest service had been, he would instantly say, thirty-eight years of intensive effort as a member of the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. This is work which has brought him close to the hearts of thousands of young people whom he has wisely counseled and helped. His intimate association with young men and women continued throughout the years during which he served the Church as Commissioner of Education, in charge of all the Church seminaries and institutes and colleges. From the field of education he was called into another great field of public service, a business service upon which the welfare of the city and state depends. His efforts in business have now added to his previous host of friends, the patrons served, the stockholders, the management, and fellow employees with whom he has been associated. Indeed, he has assisted since 1934 in building a great public service corporation. Herein he has gained the respect, admiration, confidence, and affection of all with whom he has worked. They have consistently bestowed high honors upon him. He has risen to the office of vice-president of the Utah Power and Light Company. The recognition accorded him is national in its scope, and his influence has been extended likewise. Among his other accomplishments, he is a musician. He loves music. For fifteen years he has taken time out from his business and his other activities, to preside over the Salt Lake Oratorio Society. Tens of thousands have appreciated the society's rendition of the Messiah on New Year's Day during all of this period of his leadership. He has unselfishly played his part politically. He is a great patriot with the highest ideals. In his latest public utterance he proclaimed: “I love this country, its inspired institutions and its great Constitution." This declaration has been made to thousands by Adam S. Bennion in practically every state in the Union. His profound faith has accompanied him in his loveliest accomplishment of all—his family. Blessed with the wife of his choice, a beautiful daughter of a most distinguished family, Minerva Young; three manly sons and two lovely daughters. The sons are pursuing in their father's footsteps, succeeding in their chosen callings, the daughters establishing homes for themselves and their worthy husbands, following the pattern set by their mother. Into this home came the inspiration and blessings of the homes from which Adam and Minerva came. What could be more fitting than the lovely compliment he paid his family—"Three lovely women who have enriched my life, my mother, my wife, and my wife's mother." These quotations from Elder Bennion's acceptance of his high call indicate eloquently his innermost thoughts and feelings and emotions, and point unerringly to the interests which have been paramount throughout his life. With all these and many unmentioned achievements in life, he brings to his present calling a most unusual background of rich experience, a life of devoted service. He is a true son of a noble mother. To Adam the Church comes first. The testimony he bore when accepting his call to the Apostleship bears eloquent testimony of the depths of his rich spiritual life: If these brethren think I can respond to this call, I will give it my heart and my energy. My life is anchored with the testimony I have that God lives and that Jesus Christ is his Son. I know that this Church was instituted by revelation, and that Joseph Smith and all his successors were men of God, inspired to build this great institution. President McKay, I give you my life, my service. I will go where you want me to go, I will give my best in an attempt to do what you and he would want me to do. I dedicate myself to this service. The numerous friends of Adam S. Bennion now come forward as one to acclaim their approval of the high calling which is now his— a special witness to the world of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. |
ELDER ADAM S. BENNION
ELDER ADAM S. BENNION AND SOME OF HIS FAMILY
Elder Bennion is seated at the left, and with him, left to right, are some of his children and grandchildren: Edmund Y. Bennion and his wife Betty Jean Lusty Bennion; Marian Bennion Rogers; Richard Y. Bennion and his wife, Lucy Jensen Bennion, holding their son, William Farr Bennion; Elder Bennion's wife, Minerva Young Bennion; Mrs. Richard W. Young, mother of Mrs. Bennion. The grandchildren in front, at the right, are: Ann Bennion, Adam Scott Bennion, and Richard Bennion. Two other children, Phyllis Bennion Stohl, of Arlington, Virginia, and Adam Y. Bennion, Los Angeles, California, and others of the eighteen grandchildren were not present when this photograph was taken. |
Zobell, Albert L., Jr. "Church Members Saddened by the Death of Elder Adam S. Bennion." Improvement Era. April 1958. pg. 240-241, 264, 266-267.
Church members saddened by the death of Elder Adam S. Bennion by Albert L. Zobell, Jr., Research Editor Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Council of the Twelve, first and foremost a champion of youth and skilled in the problems of the young people, died Tuesday morning, February 11, 1958, at 8:35, following a cerebral hemorrhage. Called as a member of the Council of the Twelve at the April 1953 general conference, Elder Bennion had filled that high and important calling with the happy combination of the vibrant outlook of youth and the wisdom of his mature years. He was seventy-one at his death. Certainly one of the many highlights of his ministry was his tour of ten mission fields in Europe between April 22, 1956, and September 24, 1956. He traveled thirty-one thousand miles on this tour, listening to the testimonies of 1056 missionaries, meeting with the Saints and with LDS servicemen stationed in Europe. He loved them, and they returned that love. He summed up his trip with, ". . . those five months have been the most enriching and inspiring months of my life." When he was sustained a member of the Council of the Twelve five years ago this April conference, he said: "I am honored but humbled. For years I have been going up and down the land preaching—but. in the hour of this greatest call I have no preachment." He went on to recall: "I love this Church and its people. In the fall of 1847 my grandfather came across the plains and lived in a log cabin such as is in the southeast corner of this [Salt Lake Temple] block. For a quarter of a century now it has been my privilege to bring men from all parts of the country to this block, and in tribute to our pioneers I always take them to one spot. ... If you'll go yonder to the southeast corner and stand with one eye on their early abode, the log cabin, and the other eye turned a little to the northwest, you will realize that while they lived in a log cabin they dreamed dreams of a temple. . . . The men who come from New York marvel as they turn from the log cabin and its hint of poverty to the temple that took forty years to build and required four million dollars that they did not have. They were real people." Elder Bennion was stricken Wednesday evening, February 5, 1958, while at home. That previous week end, February 1 and 2, he had filled his stake conference assignment in East Mill Creek Stake. Elder Bennion was born at Taylorsville, Utah, December 2, 1886, the son of Joseph Bushnell and Mary Ann Sharp Bennion. There were also five sisters in the family. He was soon to learn the meaning of being a widow's son, since his father died when Adam Samuel Bennion was but a year and a half old. He came up through the public schools and was graduated from the University of Utah in 1908 with a bachelor of arts degree. From 1909 to 1911 he was an English instructor at the LDS high school in Salt Lake City. The following year he received his master of arts degree at Columbia University, New York City. He returned to Utah to become head of the English department and later principal of Granite High School. From 1917 to 1919, he served as an assistant professor at the University of Utah. He was a teacher in the finest sense of the word. He left the university faculty in 1919 to become superintendent of Church schools, retaining that position until 1928. During this time he served as professor of education at Brigham Young University for two years, also teaching classes in religion at that institution. He was affiliated with their summer school faculty until released from the Church position. After studying in Chicago and the University of California, he received his doctor of philosophy degree. Several years ago Elder Bennion was asked by the Church historian's office to complete a biographical blank which asked for "Missions Filled, When and Where." Elder Bennion wrote, "No formal call, but active in New York 1911-1912, Chicago 1916, Berkeley 1922-23." In his early youth Elder Bennion was active in sports and frequently took part in track competition, in which he excelled. His long service in the Church began in the Taylorsville Ward, where he served in the superintendency of the Sunday School from 1904 to 1907 and taught in the ward MIA. From 1907 to 1915, except during his absence for educational purposes, he was a member of the Granite Stake Sunday School superintendency. He was called to the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union in 1915. In April 1953, when he was sustained a member of the Council of the Twelve, as he interviewed the mem- of the Sunday School board, in point of service. Since 1953, he has given valuable service to the Sunday School as adviser to that organization. As he served on the various committees of the Council of the Twelve, as he interviewed the members who came in to see him concerning some phase of Church work, his office literally became a crossroads. Finding a moment of relaxation during the busy times, he would often step out into the hall, saying, "These are great days." In 1928 Elder Bennion began a long service with the Utah Power and Light Company. Elder Bennion had given much service to civic affairs. He was a past chairman of the Salt Lake County Chapter, American Red Cross, and the Salt Lake Community Chest; a past vice-president of the Utah State Symphony organization; and a former member of the University of Utah board of regents, as well as being active in other civic groups. His pen, like his voice and his life, had long been active in furthering the work of the Church and the community. He married Minerva Young in the Salt Lake Temple September 14, 1911. They are the parents of five children: Mrs. Ralph (Phyllis) Stohl; Adam Y. Bennion; Richard Y. Bennion; Mrs. Wallace (Marian) Rogers; and Edmund Y. Bennion. Also surviving are twenty-one grandchildren and two sisters. Elder Harold B. Lee, one of the speakers at the funeral, said, in part: "He was constantly teaching us by his sermons and his teachings how to give the best to life and how to get the best out of life. 'Happiness,' he defined, 'was something within each of us and was not to be found in anything external.' . . . Brother Adam gave us a recipe for happiness which consisted of five ingredients that I shall only speak of in headlines. . . . "His first in his recipe of happiness was a sense of achievement. He declared, 'The door of opportunity is wide open if you are prepared.' He had his defeats in life—spiritually, scholastically, politically, and otherwise, but he came to know that when God closes one door he opens two others. "His second in this recipe was to learn to enjoy the heritage that has been left to us. 'Be interested in cultural things,' he said, 'be familiar with the best thought in the world,' always stressing the four greatest books in all the world, the standard Church works, about which he said, 'after reading, you will never thereafter be the same.' . . . "The third of his recipe for happiness was the building of a home. 'Real happiness,' he declared, 'centers around the hearthstone.' He was saying that to all of us as well as you, his family treasures—Phyllis, Bud, Dick, Marian, and Ned. 'Remember that where family life ends, child delinquency begins.' . . . "The fourth of his list was: 'Strive to make others happy. The person who is thinking and doing for others is happy. Happiness lies in that little kindness we do when we expect nothing in return.' . . . "And finally he said, If all other things are gone that make for happiness, there is one thing that no one can take from you—your spiritual reaching out towards God.' . . . "Perhaps the crowning experience of his life was his visit in 1956 to the Holy Land. . . . The guide . . . led him to the tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathaea in the days when Jesus lived and in which Jesus, our Savior, was entombed after the crucifixion. As the guide stood there he said, turning to the group of sightseers, among whom was Brother Bennion, "There are many tombs of great men to be found all over the earth, but this one is different from any of the others— this one is empty!' And Brother Bennion said, as he expressed how profoundly touched he was that, 'It was worth all my effort in visiting the Holy Land to hear that one statement and a declaration of that profound truth, this tomb is different from all others in the earth! this tomb is empty.'" President David O. McKay was the other speaker, saying: ". . . It has been truly said, that 'the masses of men worry themselves into nameless graves, while here and there a great, unselfish soul forgets himself into eternity.' Our departed brother was one of those great, unselfish souls who forget themselves for others and win immortality. He was rich in inheritance, . . . superior in achievement, loyal in friendship, indefatigable in service, true and devoted as husband and father, faithful to every duty and appointment of the Lord Jesus Christ. How thrilled he was, as he filled those appointments, was evidenced every week when he came back and gave his report to the Presidency and the Twelve, radiating a satisfaction in service that seemed to have no bounds. . . . "The desire to bless others came to Brother Bennion by inheritance, and he manifested that desire continually throughout a long and useful life. . . . "That is the testimony—our brother is alive. He is mingling with other spirits who died before him. That is a glorious fact and a great comfort to sorrowing hearts today, and hearts are sorrowing because Adam's going came so suddenly. . . . "Sister Bennion, your choice and blessed sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, in the words of a poet, 'Your beloved husband and father is not dead. He is just away.' . . . May we follow his example; improve our lives as he has improved his and make us worthy, as he is, to answer 'present' when death comes, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." |
"He Touched More Hearts." Instructor. April 1958. pg. 106-107.
He Touched More Hearts “IN no work did his great ability show forth more clearly or reach more souls, or touch more hearts, than did his work among the youth of the community, the Church and the land. Thousands have been led into better ways of life; they all will call him blessed." Thus wrote the First Presidency concerning an adviser to the Deseret Sunday School Union, Elder Adam S. Bennion on his demise, Feb. 11, 1958. That he was a great man, eflFective in changing for the better those with whom he associated, is attested by these observations made by a few who were touched by Elder Bennion. His Was a Magnetic Personality FORTY-ONE years ago Adam S. Bennion walked into my life. A young teacher of music, languages and religion at Murdock Academy in Beaver, Utah, I had not yet begun my college training. He, about thirty, a teacher of English at the University of Utah, had come to encourage our students to continue their formal schooling beyond high school graduation. I can still see him. There he stood, the embodiment of all that I had ever dreamed of becoming: a scholar, a gentleman, a churchman, a powerful and persuasive public speaker, an influence for all that is good in life. Right then and there he kindled in my innermost soul an unquenchable fire and enthusiasm. I resolved that day to study relentlessly and to go academically as far as my talents and mental equipment would permit; to give my church and country a full measure of loyalty and service; in short, to live the abundant life the Saviour had preached; and that I would gladly make any apparent sacrifices necessary to obtain these goals. I can still feel his spirit. What a teacher he was in every contact he made! Blessed be his memory! —Gerrit de Jong, Jr., Deseret Sunday School Union General Board and dean of the College of Fine Arts, Brigham Young University. He Kindled Minds ALL if us who attended the classes taught by Adam S. Bennion during the five-weeks "Leadership Week" in 1919, and since, were inspired by the man who kindled minds while imparting knowledge. That this inspiration was effective, is evidenced by the fact that from the many classes which he taught at various times and places, have come leaders in Church and state, including congressmen, governors and senators, as well as bishops, presidents of stakes and members of the General Authorities. In referring to my own notebook I find many of his maxims or proverbs. Some were original and others quoted from his favorite authors. Perhaps to read a few of them would help other teachers to understand the man and follow his example. The following chosen at random seem to give an index to his life, for he was what he taught: "The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." And again, speaking to a teacher training class, he said, "God releases their [the students'] energy — we must help them to control and direct it. We are dealing with a power greater than atomic energy, the power of the human soul — a part of and related to the power of God." Again he was heard to say, "The teacher, who is attempting to teach without inspiring the people with a desire to learn, is hammering on cold iron." And he often said to his students and his associates, "Our preaching must have the effect of dynamite, not opium." Referring to the vicissitudes of life and the need for valor as well as vim he said, "Circumstance does not make the man, it reveals him to himself." The above not only sounds like Adam S. Bennion, but they are an index to the life of the man. —Elder Hugh B. Brown, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. He Impressed Others for Good ADAM S. BENNION in all probability appeared before more civic and industrial groups during his lifetime than anyone in Western United States. His every appearance before the public left the same impression upon his audience — a great man with a memorable message. The impression left by Dr. Bennion on his audience so stirred a businessman from a neighboring state that he wrote me upon hearing of the death of Elder Bennion as follows: "No one can measure the effects of his constant stressing upon business people of the need for fair dealings with employees and customers, with their [the business people's] responsibilities as community leaders, and with the need for practicing in our daily lives the old-fashioned virtues of thrift and honesty." This statement is based on a speech delivered in 1935. No greater testimonial in my opinion could be given of the lasting impression this great man had upon people. A similar indelible impression was made upon the minds of thousands of young people of this area in whom he was especially interested. —Gus P. Backman, Secretary of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. He Recognized Service IT was at a Granite High School graduation exercise that I gained insight into what made Adam S. Bennion a popular and beloved person. His understanding and appreciation were superb. At this occasion, awards were being presented to those who had lettered in football, basketball and track. Those making the school play, debating team and others were also recognized. Then it happened: A special award was to be made for devoted, untiring, unselfish service, he said. The young lady who was to receive this acknowledgment had been responsible for the success of banquets and other such social functions for the school. Quietly and untiringly, without regard to time, she had planned, prepared and executed these activities. In appreciation of her dependability and assistance given without reservation, Granite High School was proud to present to her a gold medal for distinguished service, Principal Bennion explained. The audience was thrilled and pleased. He had emphasized that quiet service counts and should be recognized. —Marie F. Felt, Deseret Sunday School Union General Board. He Was Faithful ELDER ADAM S. BENNION told, shortly after he was called into the Council of the Twelve, of an incident which he had experienced: "I was brought low, and I lay for five days unable to move. I have had pains in my life, but I think these were a little more excruciating than anything I had known. For the first time in my life, I was wholly unable to move." He called in, from among his associates, elders holding the priesthood, who administered and blessed him that he might live to fulfill his mission. "I am a living witness to you today and bear my testimony humbly and gratefully; the next morning, after a night's peaceful rest, I arose and walked." This testimony he has declared to the world and has said further: "I bear you my witness that God still administers in the affairs of men, and his servants bearing the priesthood are our greatest physicians." Yes, he was an ordinary man in many respects though he held many high and responsible positions. He placed his reliance upon the simple truths, the power of the priesthood and service to his friends. —Lynn S. Richards, Second Assistant General Superintendent, Deseret Sunday School Union General Board. He Made Others Better ONE of the very important privileges of my life has been to attend a series of lectures given by Dr. Adam S. Bennion on the values of great literature. Particular reference was made to the sacred scriptures. I was profoundly stirred by feeling the appreciation and respect that Dr. Bennion had for great ideas and ideals. Certainly he was one of the most devoted followers of the admonition of Jesus to ". . . Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; . . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118.) It was in the important role of promoting a love of learning in others that Adam S. Bennion made one of his most significant contributions. He believed "that poverty and riches alike are largely of the spirit." His spirit was in a sense "radio active," and everywhere he went there was an intellectual and spiritual "fallout" that made others better. To pay my tribute to his memory, I would like to borrow words from Thomas Curtis Clark who expressed the feeling of many thousands toward Elder Adam S. Bennion when he said: "I saw him once, he stood a moment there He spoke a word that laid his spirit bare He clasped my hand, then passed beyond my ken But what I was, I shall not be, again." -T.C.C. —Elder Sterling W. Sill, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. He Taught by Example THE career of Adam S. Bennion was well advanced when I first met him in 1917 in an advanced English composition class at the University of Utah. He, as teacher, let us know that being in sophomore composition he would engage the presumption that we had met the course prerequisites and that he would expect superior performance. Then he set before us brilliant examples of essay writing with gaiety and good humor that quickened in us the ambition to imitate. There is no point in detailing the failures we suffered, except to affirm that he used them to encourage us by assurances that we could do better. His vivid and sparkling commendation, when we earned it, written on the returned, daily theme was better than a pay check and thus the best of motivation. To teach by example was natural for him. We learned our most abiding lessons by imitating Adam Bennion, This early association fixed for life my appreciation and expectation of him. I remember a brilliant Sunday School convention program of the early 1920s for which he developed a teaching demonstration on the temptations of Jesus. Members of the general board carried this throughout the Church and repeated it many times for the inspiration of Sunday School teachers of a quarter of a century ago. It set a vivid and useful pattern which has been fruitful for thousands for years. To have the privilege of working with him on committees, conventions and conferences was a constantly refreshing liberal education. —A. Hamer Reiser, Assistant Secretary to the First Presidency, ADAM S. BENNION ELDER ADAM SAMUEL BENNION of the Council of the Twelve was known throughout the United States for his achievements in education, business, public speaking, and civic work. In the part of Salt Lake County known as Taylorsville, he was born Dec. 2, 1886, to Joseph B. and Mary Ann Sharp Bennion. The family of Adam and Minerva Young Bennion numbers five children and 21 grandchildren. Elder Bennion obtained a B.A. degree at the University of Utah. After experience as a teacher at the Latter-day Saint College from 1908-1909, he earned the M.A. degree at Columbia University. Advanced work for his Ph.D. degree was done at the University of Chicago and the University of California. He has served the cause of education in the Church in several capacities, notably as superintendent of Church schools. He served as a member of the Sunday School general board from 1915 until his call to the Council of the Twelve on Apr. 6, 1953. He then became adviser to the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union along with Elder Matthew Cowley. Elder Bennion was still acting in this capacity at the time of his death, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1958. Elder Bennion for many years was one of the top executives of Utah Power and Light Company, serving as vice president at the time of his call to be one of the General Authorities. The American Red Cross, the Community Chest, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Regional Wage Stabilization Board, and local music societies have been recipients of his leadership and wisdom. He was a member of the board of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. In the interests of education, Elder Bennion was a member of the boards of the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. He has served with distinction as chairman of the Utah Public Survey Commission. He has also served on national committees studying school programs such as the Utah White House Conference Commission on Education where he was chairman in 1955. After three terms as president of the University of Utah Alumni Association, he became an ex officio member of the board of regents. Elder Bennion's publications include several volumes on teaching and religious themes, including one of the Sunday School's teacher training texts, Principles of Teaching. Elder Bennion's voice and pen were most active in furthering the betterment of education and expanding the work of the Church. |
ELDER ADAM S. BENNION
None can measure the effects of his work. |
Lee, Harold B. "In Memoriam Adam S. Bennion 1886-1958." Relief Society Magazine. April 1958. pg. 216-218.
In Memoriam Adam S. Bennion 1886-1938 Elder Harold B. Lee Of the Council of the Twelve "He lives best, who in his passing, takes up most hearts with him." ON Tuesday, February 11, 1958, when the news of the death of Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Council of the Twelve Apostles was flashed to the world by public press and radio, there was only one heart in the Church, in business circles, among educators and civic leaders, and, as was said at his funeral services, that heart was sad. In a truly remarkable way he had the rare gift of impressing his personality upon everyone with whom he came in contact. Somehow he seemed to have in the wide sweep of his understanding soul, that quality which made him seemingly akin to all the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the young and the old. Among all these, today, there is a great void because our beloved Adam, friend and brother, father and husband, business executive, educator, devoted servant and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ has gone home to "that God who gave him life." Indeed we feel, as was aptly said of another great soul, that when he went down it was as though a mighty cedar, green with boughs, went down with a great shout upon the hills, and left a lonesome place against the sky. In this brief writing in memoriam to his illustrious name, I have only a brief space to document but a few of the superb traits in his character which have so endeared him to us and to all who knew him. He had a vision of man's possibilities which few men possess. One day he took some prominent visitors to Temple Square and led them to the southeast corner where there has been preserved one of the earliest pioneer homes, a humble one roomed log cabin. Standing there with his visitors, he pointed up to the lofty and majestic towers of the Salt Lake Temple and said with impressive reverence: "These were the hardy pioneers, who, while living in log cabins and mud shanties, dreamed of a temple." There you catch a glimpse of the nobility that was in him, a product of one of those log-cabin pioneer families. Reared in a family of five, west of Jordan, by a widowed mother in a humble but hallowed home, he never ceased to dream of a temple for in him was a never-ending thirst for knowledge in order to achieve and to become serviceable in the world of men. His life was an eloquent answer to the defeatist who whines and whimpers at the lack of opportunity or a chance to "make good." He had a genuine, sincere love for all men. It has been well said that "it is only the souls who do not love who go empty in this world and that the heart sometimes finds out things that reason cannot" (R. H. Benson ) . He seemed to have almost a divine quality of feeling another's heartaches and sorrows as though they were his own. Whether it was a friend wrongfully accused, or a business associate suffering from a stark tragedy, or an intimate colleague nursing a deep wound, or an unloved child, it was all the same. In him was an intuitive urge to do something about it and not to just feel sorry — and he did it. Nowhere was this quality of love more beautifully demonstrated than in his own family. His grandchildren will remember their grandfather's "Magic." His athletic sons will recall his cheering them in their contests to give their topmost best and, above all, to be real men. His daughters will ever remember the pattern of their parental home and h'" admonitions for them to be like their mother. Most of all his beloved companion, the mother of his children and the sweetheart of all his days, will never forget their lifetime of "oneness" together, nor that last caress when, with voice scarcely audible while his life slowly ebbed away, he murmured his parting endearments. Thank God that bond of love does not end with death, for love never dies. "They do not love who do not show their love." Every waking hour it seemed that his joy of life was full because of the loving service he rendered to others. His philosophy of life was rooted in a sublime faith in God and in the mission of the Savior as the Redeemer of the world. To him, America was established upon a foundation of divine principles of freedom set forth in the Constitution by God-inspired men. He subscribed wholeheartedly to the dictum of Benjamin Franklin that "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." I have often wondered at his popularity as a speaker at conventions of businessmen, bankers, civic leaders, and insurance executives. I believe I found my answer in a profound statement made by the dean of the Harvard School of Business, which to me was in summary the core of this noble man's admonitions to men of high secular attainments: "A man's personal philosophy, his way of looking at the world, and the men and women around him, determine his success as a manager of things and people more than any other factor. His basic attitudes are far more significant than the techniques he uses. ... In short, the time may come when an evil man or one who has no clear sense of values simply cannot be an effective administrator." The Master's high standard of greatness: ''But he that is greatest . . . shall be your servant" was ever his watchword; and the Lord's injunctions: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers (leaders) of men” were the essence of his preachments to men of worldly attainments. Big men delighted to follow a man who never became so mighty in worldly things that he forgot God. As an apostle, a special witness of the Lord and Savior of the world, Adam S. Bennion rose to his highest spiritual excellence. Never, I pray, will those who listened to him forget the sublime and soul-stirring declaration of his faith with which he closed his mortal life: 'I know with all my soul that Jesus Christ was the Redeemer of the world, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the first fruits of them that slept in their graves." |
ELDER ADAM S. BENNION
|
Adam S. Bennion
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the
way which thou shalt go…" –Psalms 32:8
way which thou shalt go…" –Psalms 32:8
Ordained: 9 April 1953 at age 66 by David O. McKay
Biography
Adam "Ad" Samuel Bennion was born 2 December 1886 in Taylorsville, Utah, to Joseph Bushell Bennion and Mary Ann Sharp. His father died when Ad was only a year and a half old. His mother continued to raise her five living children in faith and testimony, which never left his heart.
Ad's mother was concerned about her son's education. He recalled her advice to him before beginning his studies.
I wish I had the magic to give to the teachers of our own schools, and to all others, the precious formula that was given to me when first we went east to go on with advanced training. My mother, who had had none of it, said, "All right son, get all of it you can." Then she gave me a farewell message that has rung in my ears ever since: "Get all the learning you can, son, but don't ever let it destroy your faith." God bless her for that admonition. (Bennion 1955, 117)
Ad studied at the University of Utah, traveling eleven miles every day to and from the school for the seven years he was a student there and graduated in 1908 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During this time he served in his ward superintendency of the Sunday School and taught in the ward Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. He then taught English at the LDS High School for two years. He was also involved in sports and competed in track.
He married Minerva Richards Young 14 September 1911. They were blessed with five children.
Then in 1912, he received his Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Upon his return to Utah, he became the head of the English department at Granite High School. The following year, he became the principal of the high school.
There are many heart-warming stories told by the students who attended the school while he was principal. He took an interest in the students' personal lives and wanted all of them to do well. One such story was told by Lynn S. Richards as follows:
I know a little fellow who was "high tailing" it up three flights of stairs in the main building of Granite High School. He was taking two at a time and dropping sand from his pockets around each newel post. Off the center flight was the principal's office. When the door was open, he could see the stairway from his chair beside a desk.
As this thin freshman came up the second flight, the principal "spied" him and called him into his office. I was the freshman; Adam S. Bennion, the principal. I was apprehensive of what he would say concerning my conduct. He immediately disarmed me with a big, wide smile showing a full row of white teeth. He grasped me by the hand, called me by name, asked me to sit by him, and then we chatted. I have loved him ever since. He was kind, cheerful, on my level and talked to me about what the school could offer me, and what I could do for the school as "frosh prexy." There was never a minute that I did not feel he was on my side, working for the things I would want.
This was not the last. For years after as I ran into him on the street, he would come over, put on that radiant smile again, grasp me by the hand and ask, "Lynn, how are things going with you? I've been following your activities." You know a fellow like that just get so close to your heart, you always want to choose him first for your teacher. (Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man 1953, 136-137)
His teaching style was one which brought the subject to life for the students. As a teacher, he was described by student Inez Whitbeck as follows:
"He was my teacher." Many times in a group conversation I have boastfully and proudly made this assertion.
He had an inate [sic] love of literature and taught a class in Literature Appreciation though he was the high school principal. It was the most popular class in the school, and I was among those fortunate to be in it.
I remember how he made us love Les Miserables, and on the flyleaf of the small, leather-bound copy I own I wrote, "This is the best class I have ever had," I ran across this little book the other day and reread my inscription.
When we studied the Bible as a literary gem. Dr. Bennion made the characters in it live for us. He gave to us a vital, deep appreciation of its beauty and significance. He made its message so understandable and so interesting that his students came to love it more, because of his interpretation of it. We "caught" his love and enthusiasm for it.
No matter what the text. Dr. Bennion, through his distinctive artistry, could add the sparkle, the friendly touch, the glow which made every class session so interesting and appealing.
All of his students loved him in a way that is akin to worship.
"Many teachers will be forgotten.
Some will he remembered,
A few will be cherished."
For me. Dr. Adam S. Bennion will be a cherished one. (Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man 1953, 144)
While working as principal of Granite High School, Ad also served in the stake Sunday School superintendency of the Granite Stake. In 1915 he was called to the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union, a position he served in for most of his life, and one which he considered the choicest service he gave. As a member of the General Sunday School Board, Dr. Bennion advocated more spirituality in Sunday School classes, regardless of the age of the students.
Then, in 1917 he became assistant professor of English at the University of Utah.
One of his college students described his teaching style as follows:
The career of Adam S. Bennion was well advanced when I first met him in 1917 in an advanced English composition class at the University of Utah.
He, as teacher, let us know that being in sophomore composition he would engage the presumption that we had met the course prerequisites and that he would expect superior performance. Then he set before us brilliant examples of essay writing with gaiety and good humor that quickened in us the ambition to imitate.
There is no point in detailing the failures we suffered, except to affirm that he used them to encourage us by assurances that we could do better. His vivid and sparkling commendation, when we earned it, written on the returned, daily theme was better than a pay check and thus the best of motivation.
To teach by example was natural for him. We learned our most abiding lessons by imitating Adam Bennion, This early association fixed for life my appreciation and expectation of him. (He Touched More Hearts (Memorial to Elder Adam S. Bennion) 1958, 107)
In 1919, Ad became the superintendent of Church schools, a position in which he served until 1927. He worked as professor of education at Brigham Young University in 1920 and 1921, continuing on in summer school while working on his doctor of philosophy at the Universities of Chicago and California in the school year, which was finished in 1923.
Dr. Bennion served on the Church board of education for many years as well as the executive board of the Brigham Young University board of trustees and the Church seminary program.
He worked as a vice president of the Utah Power and Light Company in charge of public relations. He also served on a variety of boards in the civic community: chairman of the Utah Public School Survey Commission, member of the D. & R. G. Western Railroad Co. board of directors as well as executive positions in the Red Cross Community Chest, Utah Symphony, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Country Club and Salt Lake Oratorio Society.
He was highly respected in all his business dealings. It was said of him, "No one can measure the effects of his constant stressing upon business people of the need for fair dealings with employees and customers, with their responsibilities as community leaders, and with the need for practicing in our daily lives the old-fashioned virtues of thrift and honesty." (He Touched More Hearts (Memorial to Elder Adam S. Bennion) 1958, 106)
Dr. Bennion wrote several books in his day including: What It Means to be a Mormon, Fundamental Problems in Teaching, An Appreciation of the Book of Mormon, On Becoming a Teacher, Gleaning, Facing Life, Problems of Youth and Looking in on Greatness. He also wrote scores of articles for various Church publications, mostly about improving teaching methods.
Adam S. Bennion was called as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles on 6 April 1953.
The call came unexpectedly to Dr. Bennion. At the time of his call, he said:
No man who has not been through this experience can appreciate what it means. I am honored but humbled. For years I have been going up and down the land preaching, but in the hour of this greatest call I have no preachment. With your faith and prayers and with the sustaining influence of our Father in heaven, I should like to give you in a few brief minutes my personal witness. (Bennion 1953, 113)
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Bennion continued his work in the Sunday School, this time as an advisor to the organization.
A year after his call, Elder Bennion described his experience as an Apostle as follows:
Tomorrow I shall officially celebrate my first birthday. The only thing now I can tell you for sure is that one year does not make much difference in your feelings as you face this undertaking. But it has been a wonderful year—the most challenging, the most enriching, the most satisfying year in my life. I come to you with a new witness, blessed beyond any hope I ever had. I come to you with the assurance that leaves no doubt in the soul.
Each week end we have gone out to some stake to meet the people who constitute the membership of this Church. It is a singular thing that you are not in a stake thirty minutes but you feel as if you might have been born there—as if you had lived there all your life. The people of this Church are a wonderful people, and I express my gratitude for their thoughtfulness, their hospitality, their friendliness, and their kindliness. I am grateful, too, that we are remembered in their prayers, and I want to assure them that they are remembered in ours. (Bennion 1954, 96)
In April of 1956, Elder Bennion took a five month tour of the mission fields of Europe, traveling 31,000 miles, listened to the testimonies of 1,056 missionaries and met with the Saints and servicemen stationed in Europe. He described the trip as "the most enriching and inspiring months of my life." (Albert L. Zobell 1958, 240)
He also never ceased to express his gratitude for his wife.
I must not sit down without expressing gratitude that Sister Bennion, the companion of my life through forty-five wonderful years, could go along. Her companionship blessed me, her faith not only sustained me, but with God's help healed me. (Bennion 1956, 34)
Elder Adam S. Bennion died unexpectedly 11 February 1958 at the age of 71 of a stroke. Ten days previous to his death he had filled a stake conference assignment. His service as an Apostle only lasted a short five years.
Quotes
Elder Bennion's speaking style was always extremely organized. He taught in a linear fashion, tying one topic in with the previous and next one. He sometimes repeated himself in the way of good teachers. He loved to quote from great literature and poetry. He made the gospel easy for everyone to understand. He didn't speak very often because he didn't serve very long before his death, so there were no discernible recurring themes or topics. Each talk seemed to stand alone and didn't repeat anything that had already been said.
This testimony was from his first conference address, yet it was the strongest statement he made, indicating that his testimony was very strong his entire life.
My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ grows with the years. It is stronger as I gain more experience. I am more grateful every day that I live that I belong to this Church. I find such evidence of its truth and its divinity that I am proud, though proud in humility, for my membership in it; and, like the brethren who have preceded me, I have been a member in it all of my life. I was born into it and therefore cannot claim the distinction that attaches to conversion, but the longer I am in it the more grateful I am for my membership. (Bennion 1925, 45)
Elder Bennion expressed his love for his mother, his wife and his mother-in-law as follows:
I think that perhaps nobody in this congregation came from humbler circumstances than I, and for that I am grateful. I do not recall my father at all because he died when I was a year and a half old, but like you I had a wonderful mother. As a matter of fact, my life has been enriched by three wonderful women: the mother who bore me and nurtured me through the privations of those days when with five little ones she made ends meet somehow; the companion of my life who for forty-one years has sustained me with an unfailing devotion; and a mother-in-law who has none of the attributes that we so familiarly attach to the name, Sister Richard W. Young, with her ninety years of benediction. (Bennion 1953, 113-114)
The following are a few examples of his teaching style. The first one was a spontaneous talk given in 1925. Since he didn't know he was to speak, he couldn't have been completely prepared, yet his talk sounds like something that took weeks to plan. He spoke of the O's of the Church: origin, organization, obligation—opportunity and outcome.
The men on the faculty of the University of California used to make the observation frequently that in view of the fact that I had come from Utah perhaps I knew something about the Mormons, and when I said, yes, I was from Utah, and made the second revelation to them that I was also a Mormon, without an exception, when they heard that word they used to exclaim, "O—, O, you are a Mormon!" It has been exclaimed so many times that it began to get into the center of my interest. Just last summer, as we climbed up Timpanogos, a visiting teacher, who was giving work in the Alpine summer school, took occasion to make an observation with reference to God and his concept of Him, and as he explained that his idea of God, of course, was an intangible sort of being, not a being at all, for that matter a great universal force—he looked up and caught the expression, I suppose, on my face, and said, "O, I suppose I should not have said that to you, because you are a Mormon." As I thought of those "O's" so many times I decided that I would work out a little answer, and so now, when any of my friends say, "O, you are a Mormon?" I say, "O, yes, I am." And I am going to leave you, if I may enjoy the spirit of this gathering, a few of the O's which go into my little scheme of answer. (Bennion 1925, 45-46)
This talk came as a consequence of a lecture tour he gave with representatives from multiple Christian denominations. It was his final conference address, and it seemed as if he was trying to get as much information into this talk as possible.
One of the most meaningful questions ever put to me was this one in one of the universities: "Mr. Bennion, what has your Church given to America that America didn't already have?" I have been thinking about that question ever since, and one day I hope to have a complete answer.
When it was first put to me, I offered five simple answers. Today I should like to do something I have not done in a conference here before. You good people who sit out there by your radios, I hope you have a pencil handy, because I am going to violate all the rules of psychology. The psychologists say we ought to limit ourselves to three ideas, or to five, at most. I am going to take you to a score of them today, and I am sure you cannot remember them all, but if you will jot them down, my thought is that it is a wonderful thing to get the whole scope of the gospel, to run it through in its entirety as best we can in these few minutes. …
In humble gratitude I give you my witness that in these twenty-three distinctive features we have the completest program for life—here and hereafter—that I have been able to discover. (Bennion 1957, 115-116, 118)
The following story was told and retold about Elder Bennion. He never forgot his pioneer heritage.
In the fall of 1847 my grandfather came across the plains and lived in a log cabin such as is in the southeast corner of this block. For a quarter of a century now it has been my privilege to bring men from all parts of the country to this block, and in tribute to our pioneers I always take them to one spot. If you haven't seen it, I commend it to you. If you'll go yonder to the southeast corner and stand with one eye on their early abode, the log cabin, and the other eye turned a little to the northwest, you will realize that while they lived in the log cabin they dreamed dreams of a temple. A hundred years ago this year they laid the foundation. The men who come from New York marvel as they turn from the log cabin and its hint of poverty to the temple that took forty years to build and required four million dollars that they did not have. They were real people. (Bennion 1953, 113)
Several times while serving as Apostle, Elder Bennion suffered health problems and was healed by the power of the priesthood. He told the following stories about them:
I should be ungrateful and ungracious if I did not express appreciation for the blessings of the last six months. In a varied career, these months have been rich beyond compare with anything else in my life. The kindliness of friends has kept a lump in my throat most of the time, and in the spirit of what Brother Cowley has just said, I am here today, thanks to the answer to prayer. It is an inspiring thing to be ordained to this office by the President of this Church—prophet, seer, and revelator. That day I shall never forget.
But in the complications that attached to trying to leave one job and under the pressure that attaches to this one, I was brought low, and I lay for five days unable to move. I have had pains in my life, but I think these were a little more excruciating than anything I had known. For the first time in my life, I was wholly unable to move. Now if Brother Lee will pardon this personal mention: he, with these other brethren, are men of God. He was good enough to come into my home. He could bear you witness of my helplessness, and in part, of my pain. I asked him for a blessing, which he gave in the power that is his. I am a living witness to you today, and I bear my testimony humbly and gratefully, the next morning, after a night's peaceful rest, I arose and walked. I bear you my witness that God still administers in the affairs of men, and his servants bearing the priesthood are our greatest physicians. (A. S. Bennion 1953, 109-110)
I am doubly grateful to be here today because last October I missed this conference. Recently out of the hospital, I was convalescing at home. But that experience has brought me something that perhaps I could have had in no other way. I stand here today grateful for the blessings of our Father in heaven and his goodness. I bring you my witness to the power of the priesthood, because under the hands of these my good brethren, I have been blessed back to health and strength. I know the power of healing is in this priesthood, and I give you my witness that it is. (Bennion 1955, 108)
He took delight in telling stories of his tour of the European missions.
While I do not want to indulge in a travelog, I hope you will give me the liberty of saying three things about our impressions. I have mentioned the beauty of Europe. It is lovely country.
The second thing I want to say about Europe is that they are making such an heroic recovery. The cities that once were bombed and blasted—I know there are a few stark and empty buildings standing like scarecrows on the horizon of civilization—but city after city is now being built in a newness, a modernity, a richness that bespeaks the sacrifice of those people.
The third thing I want to say about Europe—I had fun in the British Isles because I said if there's anything the matter with us Americans you have to take part of the responsibility—because we are your grandchildren. It is a wonderful thing to walk where your grandfather once walked, and I had the gracious privilege, thanks to the courtesy of these same wonderful people, to be where my people have been and from which lands they came, Wales on my father's side, and Scotland on my mother's. I turn to President McKay because all the time we were in Scotland they honored him with the name of McKay, and they love you. I bring the greetings of all the people we met to these grand folk among whom it is my privilege to labor. (Bennion 1956, 31-32)
I wish you could have sat in Berlin the Sunday we had 840 people gathered together. You would have thrilled, too, when the Saints from the West sector said to the people of the East, who came from out yonder, "You have been hiding in basements long enough. You go upstairs with the brethren, where you can see and hear them, and this morning we will go downstairs."
Then, before the meeting was over, the Saints from the East had the graciousness to say, "Brother Bennion, we do not feel good about this. Are you too tired to meet with the people who went into the basement if they would come back tonight?"
In the morning session I asked how many of those people had lost loved ones, and half the hands went up. Did you ever talk to an audience when half the hands went up to tell you that part of the family isn't along? You make inquiry of them and discover from fine young people that they do not know where their parents are, then have them come up and shake your hand and tell you, "It's the gospel that took us through." That's what this gospel can do for people! (Bennion 1956, 33-34)
His son, Richard Y. Bennion, said this of him:
Many is the time friends, casual acquaintances, even strangers have remarked, "Your dad is my ideal." Each admires him for some quality of character: his integrity, his graciousness, his wisdom, his understanding, his gentility, his humility, his abiding faith.
The appeal is universal; he is all things good to all people. And through it all he remains uncompromisingly true in thoughts, words and actions, to his own high standards.
If you think he is a fine man, you should be in my place. What a father! He magnifies all that the word connotes: a leader, counselor, companion, an inspiration. Five devoted children and 18 worshipping grandchildren bear testimony that all good things said of him are not only appropriate and true but need repetition to give proper emphasis. Coupled with a charming and capable wife, he has led a life of service.
Of him I say, "He is the most complete man I know." (Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man 1953, 137)
Elder Harold B. Lee described him at his funeral as follows:
He had a genuine, sincere love for all men. It has been well said that "it is only the souls who do not love who go empty in this world and that the heart sometimes finds out things that reason cannot" (R. H. Benson). He seemed to have almost a divine quality of feeling another's heartaches and sorrows as though they were his own. Whether it was a friend wrongfully accused, or a business associate suffering from a stark tragedy, or an intimate colleague nursing a deep wound, or an unloved child, it was all the same. In him was an intuitive urge to do something about it and not to just feel sorry — and he did it. Nowhere was this quality of love more beautifully demonstrated than in his own family. His grandchildren will remember their grandfather's "Magic." His athletic sons will recall his cheering them in their contests to give their topmost best and, above all, to be real men. His daughters will ever remember the pattern of their parental home and his admonitions for them to be like their mother. Most of all his beloved companion, the mother of his children and the sweetheart of all his days, will never forget their lifetime of "oneness" together, nor that last caress when, with voice scarcely audible while his life slowly ebbed away, he murmured his parting endearments. Thank God that bond of love does not end with death, for love never dies. "They do not love who do not show their love." Every waking hour it seemed that his joy of life was full because of the loving service he rendered to others. (Lee 1958, 217)
Conclusion
What kind of a man was Adam S. Bennion? He was a passionate, masterful teacher. He had a true passion for learning and was able to convey that most effectively to his many students over the years. He was eloquent in an understandable way which made him a very effective speaker and writer.
His life was full of good works, yet when his call to the apostleship came, it was as if a light turned on in his life that he hadn't known existed. Suddenly his enthusiasm for the work and his testimony seemed to increase 100 fold. The Lord truly lifted him up and made him equal to his calling. He was a skillful teacher and helped countless people.
Albert L. Zobell, Jr. 1958. "Church members saddened by death of Elder Adam S. Bennion." The Improvement Era, April: 240-241, 264, 266-267.
Bennion, Adam S. 1925. Ninety-Sixth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 45-51.
—. 1953. One Hundred Twenty-third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 113-114.
—. 1954. One Hundred Twenty-fourth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 96-101.
—. 1955. One Hundred Twenty-fifth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 108-112.
—. 1955. One Hundred Twenty-sixth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 116-120.
—. 1956. One Hundred Twenty-seventh Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 30-35.
—. 1957. One Hundred Twenty-seventh Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 115-118.
—. 1953. One Hundred Twenty-fourth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 109-115.
Bennion, Adam. 1915. "Spirituality in Sunday School Class Work." The Juvenile Instructor, March: 147-149.
Lee, Harold B. 1958. "In Memoriam--Adam S. Bennion." The Relief Society Magazine, April: 216-218.
Moyle, Henry D. 1953. "Adam S. Bennion Appointed to the Council of the Twelve." The Relief Society Magazine, June: 370-373.
The Improvement Era. 1953. "Adam S. Bennion, New Apostle." May: 307.
The Improvement Era. 1919. "New Head of Church Schools." October: 1065-1066.
The Instructor. 1953. "Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man." May: 136-137, 139, 144.
The Instructor. 1958. "He Touched More Hearts (Memorial to Elder Adam S. Bennion)." April: 106-107.
Biography
Adam "Ad" Samuel Bennion was born 2 December 1886 in Taylorsville, Utah, to Joseph Bushell Bennion and Mary Ann Sharp. His father died when Ad was only a year and a half old. His mother continued to raise her five living children in faith and testimony, which never left his heart.
Ad's mother was concerned about her son's education. He recalled her advice to him before beginning his studies.
I wish I had the magic to give to the teachers of our own schools, and to all others, the precious formula that was given to me when first we went east to go on with advanced training. My mother, who had had none of it, said, "All right son, get all of it you can." Then she gave me a farewell message that has rung in my ears ever since: "Get all the learning you can, son, but don't ever let it destroy your faith." God bless her for that admonition. (Bennion 1955, 117)
Ad studied at the University of Utah, traveling eleven miles every day to and from the school for the seven years he was a student there and graduated in 1908 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During this time he served in his ward superintendency of the Sunday School and taught in the ward Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. He then taught English at the LDS High School for two years. He was also involved in sports and competed in track.
He married Minerva Richards Young 14 September 1911. They were blessed with five children.
Then in 1912, he received his Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Upon his return to Utah, he became the head of the English department at Granite High School. The following year, he became the principal of the high school.
There are many heart-warming stories told by the students who attended the school while he was principal. He took an interest in the students' personal lives and wanted all of them to do well. One such story was told by Lynn S. Richards as follows:
I know a little fellow who was "high tailing" it up three flights of stairs in the main building of Granite High School. He was taking two at a time and dropping sand from his pockets around each newel post. Off the center flight was the principal's office. When the door was open, he could see the stairway from his chair beside a desk.
As this thin freshman came up the second flight, the principal "spied" him and called him into his office. I was the freshman; Adam S. Bennion, the principal. I was apprehensive of what he would say concerning my conduct. He immediately disarmed me with a big, wide smile showing a full row of white teeth. He grasped me by the hand, called me by name, asked me to sit by him, and then we chatted. I have loved him ever since. He was kind, cheerful, on my level and talked to me about what the school could offer me, and what I could do for the school as "frosh prexy." There was never a minute that I did not feel he was on my side, working for the things I would want.
This was not the last. For years after as I ran into him on the street, he would come over, put on that radiant smile again, grasp me by the hand and ask, "Lynn, how are things going with you? I've been following your activities." You know a fellow like that just get so close to your heart, you always want to choose him first for your teacher. (Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man 1953, 136-137)
His teaching style was one which brought the subject to life for the students. As a teacher, he was described by student Inez Whitbeck as follows:
"He was my teacher." Many times in a group conversation I have boastfully and proudly made this assertion.
He had an inate [sic] love of literature and taught a class in Literature Appreciation though he was the high school principal. It was the most popular class in the school, and I was among those fortunate to be in it.
I remember how he made us love Les Miserables, and on the flyleaf of the small, leather-bound copy I own I wrote, "This is the best class I have ever had," I ran across this little book the other day and reread my inscription.
When we studied the Bible as a literary gem. Dr. Bennion made the characters in it live for us. He gave to us a vital, deep appreciation of its beauty and significance. He made its message so understandable and so interesting that his students came to love it more, because of his interpretation of it. We "caught" his love and enthusiasm for it.
No matter what the text. Dr. Bennion, through his distinctive artistry, could add the sparkle, the friendly touch, the glow which made every class session so interesting and appealing.
All of his students loved him in a way that is akin to worship.
"Many teachers will be forgotten.
Some will he remembered,
A few will be cherished."
For me. Dr. Adam S. Bennion will be a cherished one. (Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man 1953, 144)
While working as principal of Granite High School, Ad also served in the stake Sunday School superintendency of the Granite Stake. In 1915 he was called to the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union, a position he served in for most of his life, and one which he considered the choicest service he gave. As a member of the General Sunday School Board, Dr. Bennion advocated more spirituality in Sunday School classes, regardless of the age of the students.
Then, in 1917 he became assistant professor of English at the University of Utah.
One of his college students described his teaching style as follows:
The career of Adam S. Bennion was well advanced when I first met him in 1917 in an advanced English composition class at the University of Utah.
He, as teacher, let us know that being in sophomore composition he would engage the presumption that we had met the course prerequisites and that he would expect superior performance. Then he set before us brilliant examples of essay writing with gaiety and good humor that quickened in us the ambition to imitate.
There is no point in detailing the failures we suffered, except to affirm that he used them to encourage us by assurances that we could do better. His vivid and sparkling commendation, when we earned it, written on the returned, daily theme was better than a pay check and thus the best of motivation.
To teach by example was natural for him. We learned our most abiding lessons by imitating Adam Bennion, This early association fixed for life my appreciation and expectation of him. (He Touched More Hearts (Memorial to Elder Adam S. Bennion) 1958, 107)
In 1919, Ad became the superintendent of Church schools, a position in which he served until 1927. He worked as professor of education at Brigham Young University in 1920 and 1921, continuing on in summer school while working on his doctor of philosophy at the Universities of Chicago and California in the school year, which was finished in 1923.
Dr. Bennion served on the Church board of education for many years as well as the executive board of the Brigham Young University board of trustees and the Church seminary program.
He worked as a vice president of the Utah Power and Light Company in charge of public relations. He also served on a variety of boards in the civic community: chairman of the Utah Public School Survey Commission, member of the D. & R. G. Western Railroad Co. board of directors as well as executive positions in the Red Cross Community Chest, Utah Symphony, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Country Club and Salt Lake Oratorio Society.
He was highly respected in all his business dealings. It was said of him, "No one can measure the effects of his constant stressing upon business people of the need for fair dealings with employees and customers, with their responsibilities as community leaders, and with the need for practicing in our daily lives the old-fashioned virtues of thrift and honesty." (He Touched More Hearts (Memorial to Elder Adam S. Bennion) 1958, 106)
Dr. Bennion wrote several books in his day including: What It Means to be a Mormon, Fundamental Problems in Teaching, An Appreciation of the Book of Mormon, On Becoming a Teacher, Gleaning, Facing Life, Problems of Youth and Looking in on Greatness. He also wrote scores of articles for various Church publications, mostly about improving teaching methods.
Adam S. Bennion was called as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles on 6 April 1953.
The call came unexpectedly to Dr. Bennion. At the time of his call, he said:
No man who has not been through this experience can appreciate what it means. I am honored but humbled. For years I have been going up and down the land preaching, but in the hour of this greatest call I have no preachment. With your faith and prayers and with the sustaining influence of our Father in heaven, I should like to give you in a few brief minutes my personal witness. (Bennion 1953, 113)
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Bennion continued his work in the Sunday School, this time as an advisor to the organization.
A year after his call, Elder Bennion described his experience as an Apostle as follows:
Tomorrow I shall officially celebrate my first birthday. The only thing now I can tell you for sure is that one year does not make much difference in your feelings as you face this undertaking. But it has been a wonderful year—the most challenging, the most enriching, the most satisfying year in my life. I come to you with a new witness, blessed beyond any hope I ever had. I come to you with the assurance that leaves no doubt in the soul.
Each week end we have gone out to some stake to meet the people who constitute the membership of this Church. It is a singular thing that you are not in a stake thirty minutes but you feel as if you might have been born there—as if you had lived there all your life. The people of this Church are a wonderful people, and I express my gratitude for their thoughtfulness, their hospitality, their friendliness, and their kindliness. I am grateful, too, that we are remembered in their prayers, and I want to assure them that they are remembered in ours. (Bennion 1954, 96)
In April of 1956, Elder Bennion took a five month tour of the mission fields of Europe, traveling 31,000 miles, listened to the testimonies of 1,056 missionaries and met with the Saints and servicemen stationed in Europe. He described the trip as "the most enriching and inspiring months of my life." (Albert L. Zobell 1958, 240)
He also never ceased to express his gratitude for his wife.
I must not sit down without expressing gratitude that Sister Bennion, the companion of my life through forty-five wonderful years, could go along. Her companionship blessed me, her faith not only sustained me, but with God's help healed me. (Bennion 1956, 34)
Elder Adam S. Bennion died unexpectedly 11 February 1958 at the age of 71 of a stroke. Ten days previous to his death he had filled a stake conference assignment. His service as an Apostle only lasted a short five years.
Quotes
Elder Bennion's speaking style was always extremely organized. He taught in a linear fashion, tying one topic in with the previous and next one. He sometimes repeated himself in the way of good teachers. He loved to quote from great literature and poetry. He made the gospel easy for everyone to understand. He didn't speak very often because he didn't serve very long before his death, so there were no discernible recurring themes or topics. Each talk seemed to stand alone and didn't repeat anything that had already been said.
This testimony was from his first conference address, yet it was the strongest statement he made, indicating that his testimony was very strong his entire life.
My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ grows with the years. It is stronger as I gain more experience. I am more grateful every day that I live that I belong to this Church. I find such evidence of its truth and its divinity that I am proud, though proud in humility, for my membership in it; and, like the brethren who have preceded me, I have been a member in it all of my life. I was born into it and therefore cannot claim the distinction that attaches to conversion, but the longer I am in it the more grateful I am for my membership. (Bennion 1925, 45)
Elder Bennion expressed his love for his mother, his wife and his mother-in-law as follows:
I think that perhaps nobody in this congregation came from humbler circumstances than I, and for that I am grateful. I do not recall my father at all because he died when I was a year and a half old, but like you I had a wonderful mother. As a matter of fact, my life has been enriched by three wonderful women: the mother who bore me and nurtured me through the privations of those days when with five little ones she made ends meet somehow; the companion of my life who for forty-one years has sustained me with an unfailing devotion; and a mother-in-law who has none of the attributes that we so familiarly attach to the name, Sister Richard W. Young, with her ninety years of benediction. (Bennion 1953, 113-114)
The following are a few examples of his teaching style. The first one was a spontaneous talk given in 1925. Since he didn't know he was to speak, he couldn't have been completely prepared, yet his talk sounds like something that took weeks to plan. He spoke of the O's of the Church: origin, organization, obligation—opportunity and outcome.
The men on the faculty of the University of California used to make the observation frequently that in view of the fact that I had come from Utah perhaps I knew something about the Mormons, and when I said, yes, I was from Utah, and made the second revelation to them that I was also a Mormon, without an exception, when they heard that word they used to exclaim, "O—, O, you are a Mormon!" It has been exclaimed so many times that it began to get into the center of my interest. Just last summer, as we climbed up Timpanogos, a visiting teacher, who was giving work in the Alpine summer school, took occasion to make an observation with reference to God and his concept of Him, and as he explained that his idea of God, of course, was an intangible sort of being, not a being at all, for that matter a great universal force—he looked up and caught the expression, I suppose, on my face, and said, "O, I suppose I should not have said that to you, because you are a Mormon." As I thought of those "O's" so many times I decided that I would work out a little answer, and so now, when any of my friends say, "O, you are a Mormon?" I say, "O, yes, I am." And I am going to leave you, if I may enjoy the spirit of this gathering, a few of the O's which go into my little scheme of answer. (Bennion 1925, 45-46)
This talk came as a consequence of a lecture tour he gave with representatives from multiple Christian denominations. It was his final conference address, and it seemed as if he was trying to get as much information into this talk as possible.
One of the most meaningful questions ever put to me was this one in one of the universities: "Mr. Bennion, what has your Church given to America that America didn't already have?" I have been thinking about that question ever since, and one day I hope to have a complete answer.
When it was first put to me, I offered five simple answers. Today I should like to do something I have not done in a conference here before. You good people who sit out there by your radios, I hope you have a pencil handy, because I am going to violate all the rules of psychology. The psychologists say we ought to limit ourselves to three ideas, or to five, at most. I am going to take you to a score of them today, and I am sure you cannot remember them all, but if you will jot them down, my thought is that it is a wonderful thing to get the whole scope of the gospel, to run it through in its entirety as best we can in these few minutes. …
In humble gratitude I give you my witness that in these twenty-three distinctive features we have the completest program for life—here and hereafter—that I have been able to discover. (Bennion 1957, 115-116, 118)
The following story was told and retold about Elder Bennion. He never forgot his pioneer heritage.
In the fall of 1847 my grandfather came across the plains and lived in a log cabin such as is in the southeast corner of this block. For a quarter of a century now it has been my privilege to bring men from all parts of the country to this block, and in tribute to our pioneers I always take them to one spot. If you haven't seen it, I commend it to you. If you'll go yonder to the southeast corner and stand with one eye on their early abode, the log cabin, and the other eye turned a little to the northwest, you will realize that while they lived in the log cabin they dreamed dreams of a temple. A hundred years ago this year they laid the foundation. The men who come from New York marvel as they turn from the log cabin and its hint of poverty to the temple that took forty years to build and required four million dollars that they did not have. They were real people. (Bennion 1953, 113)
Several times while serving as Apostle, Elder Bennion suffered health problems and was healed by the power of the priesthood. He told the following stories about them:
I should be ungrateful and ungracious if I did not express appreciation for the blessings of the last six months. In a varied career, these months have been rich beyond compare with anything else in my life. The kindliness of friends has kept a lump in my throat most of the time, and in the spirit of what Brother Cowley has just said, I am here today, thanks to the answer to prayer. It is an inspiring thing to be ordained to this office by the President of this Church—prophet, seer, and revelator. That day I shall never forget.
But in the complications that attached to trying to leave one job and under the pressure that attaches to this one, I was brought low, and I lay for five days unable to move. I have had pains in my life, but I think these were a little more excruciating than anything I had known. For the first time in my life, I was wholly unable to move. Now if Brother Lee will pardon this personal mention: he, with these other brethren, are men of God. He was good enough to come into my home. He could bear you witness of my helplessness, and in part, of my pain. I asked him for a blessing, which he gave in the power that is his. I am a living witness to you today, and I bear my testimony humbly and gratefully, the next morning, after a night's peaceful rest, I arose and walked. I bear you my witness that God still administers in the affairs of men, and his servants bearing the priesthood are our greatest physicians. (A. S. Bennion 1953, 109-110)
I am doubly grateful to be here today because last October I missed this conference. Recently out of the hospital, I was convalescing at home. But that experience has brought me something that perhaps I could have had in no other way. I stand here today grateful for the blessings of our Father in heaven and his goodness. I bring you my witness to the power of the priesthood, because under the hands of these my good brethren, I have been blessed back to health and strength. I know the power of healing is in this priesthood, and I give you my witness that it is. (Bennion 1955, 108)
He took delight in telling stories of his tour of the European missions.
While I do not want to indulge in a travelog, I hope you will give me the liberty of saying three things about our impressions. I have mentioned the beauty of Europe. It is lovely country.
The second thing I want to say about Europe is that they are making such an heroic recovery. The cities that once were bombed and blasted—I know there are a few stark and empty buildings standing like scarecrows on the horizon of civilization—but city after city is now being built in a newness, a modernity, a richness that bespeaks the sacrifice of those people.
The third thing I want to say about Europe—I had fun in the British Isles because I said if there's anything the matter with us Americans you have to take part of the responsibility—because we are your grandchildren. It is a wonderful thing to walk where your grandfather once walked, and I had the gracious privilege, thanks to the courtesy of these same wonderful people, to be where my people have been and from which lands they came, Wales on my father's side, and Scotland on my mother's. I turn to President McKay because all the time we were in Scotland they honored him with the name of McKay, and they love you. I bring the greetings of all the people we met to these grand folk among whom it is my privilege to labor. (Bennion 1956, 31-32)
I wish you could have sat in Berlin the Sunday we had 840 people gathered together. You would have thrilled, too, when the Saints from the West sector said to the people of the East, who came from out yonder, "You have been hiding in basements long enough. You go upstairs with the brethren, where you can see and hear them, and this morning we will go downstairs."
Then, before the meeting was over, the Saints from the East had the graciousness to say, "Brother Bennion, we do not feel good about this. Are you too tired to meet with the people who went into the basement if they would come back tonight?"
In the morning session I asked how many of those people had lost loved ones, and half the hands went up. Did you ever talk to an audience when half the hands went up to tell you that part of the family isn't along? You make inquiry of them and discover from fine young people that they do not know where their parents are, then have them come up and shake your hand and tell you, "It's the gospel that took us through." That's what this gospel can do for people! (Bennion 1956, 33-34)
His son, Richard Y. Bennion, said this of him:
Many is the time friends, casual acquaintances, even strangers have remarked, "Your dad is my ideal." Each admires him for some quality of character: his integrity, his graciousness, his wisdom, his understanding, his gentility, his humility, his abiding faith.
The appeal is universal; he is all things good to all people. And through it all he remains uncompromisingly true in thoughts, words and actions, to his own high standards.
If you think he is a fine man, you should be in my place. What a father! He magnifies all that the word connotes: a leader, counselor, companion, an inspiration. Five devoted children and 18 worshipping grandchildren bear testimony that all good things said of him are not only appropriate and true but need repetition to give proper emphasis. Coupled with a charming and capable wife, he has led a life of service.
Of him I say, "He is the most complete man I know." (Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man 1953, 137)
Elder Harold B. Lee described him at his funeral as follows:
He had a genuine, sincere love for all men. It has been well said that "it is only the souls who do not love who go empty in this world and that the heart sometimes finds out things that reason cannot" (R. H. Benson). He seemed to have almost a divine quality of feeling another's heartaches and sorrows as though they were his own. Whether it was a friend wrongfully accused, or a business associate suffering from a stark tragedy, or an intimate colleague nursing a deep wound, or an unloved child, it was all the same. In him was an intuitive urge to do something about it and not to just feel sorry — and he did it. Nowhere was this quality of love more beautifully demonstrated than in his own family. His grandchildren will remember their grandfather's "Magic." His athletic sons will recall his cheering them in their contests to give their topmost best and, above all, to be real men. His daughters will ever remember the pattern of their parental home and his admonitions for them to be like their mother. Most of all his beloved companion, the mother of his children and the sweetheart of all his days, will never forget their lifetime of "oneness" together, nor that last caress when, with voice scarcely audible while his life slowly ebbed away, he murmured his parting endearments. Thank God that bond of love does not end with death, for love never dies. "They do not love who do not show their love." Every waking hour it seemed that his joy of life was full because of the loving service he rendered to others. (Lee 1958, 217)
Conclusion
What kind of a man was Adam S. Bennion? He was a passionate, masterful teacher. He had a true passion for learning and was able to convey that most effectively to his many students over the years. He was eloquent in an understandable way which made him a very effective speaker and writer.
His life was full of good works, yet when his call to the apostleship came, it was as if a light turned on in his life that he hadn't known existed. Suddenly his enthusiasm for the work and his testimony seemed to increase 100 fold. The Lord truly lifted him up and made him equal to his calling. He was a skillful teacher and helped countless people.
Albert L. Zobell, Jr. 1958. "Church members saddened by death of Elder Adam S. Bennion." The Improvement Era, April: 240-241, 264, 266-267.
Bennion, Adam S. 1925. Ninety-Sixth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 45-51.
—. 1953. One Hundred Twenty-third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 113-114.
—. 1954. One Hundred Twenty-fourth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 96-101.
—. 1955. One Hundred Twenty-fifth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 108-112.
—. 1955. One Hundred Twenty-sixth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 116-120.
—. 1956. One Hundred Twenty-seventh Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 30-35.
—. 1957. One Hundred Twenty-seventh Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 115-118.
—. 1953. One Hundred Twenty-fourth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 109-115.
Bennion, Adam. 1915. "Spirituality in Sunday School Class Work." The Juvenile Instructor, March: 147-149.
Lee, Harold B. 1958. "In Memoriam--Adam S. Bennion." The Relief Society Magazine, April: 216-218.
Moyle, Henry D. 1953. "Adam S. Bennion Appointed to the Council of the Twelve." The Relief Society Magazine, June: 370-373.
The Improvement Era. 1953. "Adam S. Bennion, New Apostle." May: 307.
The Improvement Era. 1919. "New Head of Church Schools." October: 1065-1066.
The Instructor. 1953. "Elder Adam S. Bennion--A Complete Man." May: 136-137, 139, 144.
The Instructor. 1958. "He Touched More Hearts (Memorial to Elder Adam S. Bennion)." April: 106-107.