Samuel O. Bennion
Born: 9 June 1874
Called to Presidency of the Seventy: 6 April 1933
Died: 8 March 1945
Called to Presidency of the Seventy: 6 April 1933
Died: 8 March 1945
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 3
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Relief Society Magazine, June 1933, President Samuel O. Bennion
Instructor, June 1943, Boyhood Experiences
Improvement Era, April 1945, President Samuel O. Bennion
Improvement Era, April 1945, Passing of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy
Relief Society Magazine, April 1945, Samuel Otis Bennion
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Relief Society Magazine, June 1933, President Samuel O. Bennion
Instructor, June 1943, Boyhood Experiences
Improvement Era, April 1945, President Samuel O. Bennion
Improvement Era, April 1945, Passing of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy
Relief Society Magazine, April 1945, Samuel Otis Bennion
Jenson, Andrew. "Bennion, Samuel O." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 3. pg. 18-19.
BENNION, Samuel Otis, president of the Central States Mission, was born June 9, 1874, at Taylorsville, Salt Lake county, Utah, the son of John R. Bennion and Emma Jane Terry. He was baptized when about eight years old and was later ordained a Deacon and presided over the quorum of Deacons of which he was a member. In due course of time he was ordained an Elder and later a Seventy. In 1898 (August 25th) he married Miss Charlotte Towler of Mill creek Ward, Salt Lake county, Utah. President Bennion received a fairly good education in his younger days and was occupied for many years in the sheep and farming business. He was called on a mission to the Central States and left for his field of labor Nov. 9, 190 4; after laboring as a traveling Elder for six months, he was chosen to preside over the South Texas conference and acted in that capacity until he was selected as secretary of the Mission, in November, 1905. He held that position until he was appointed president of the Central States Mission in October, 1906. In March, 1907, under the direction of President Joseph F. Smith and counselors, he moved the headquarters of the Mission from Kansas City, Mo., to Independence, Mo., which was the first time the Church had an established residence at Independence since the expulsion of the Saints from that county by the mob in 1833. Under the direction of Pres. Bennion the Church has built or bought some splendid meeting houses in different parts of the Central States Mission, notably at Independence, where a fine chapel was erected in 1914; a printing plant building was also erected there in 1915 and a good mission home was built in 1917. In addition to this the Church has purchased a substantial chapel at St. Louis, Mo., and erected a fine school building and a magnificent meeting house at Kelsey, Texas. Another meeting house has been built at Enoch, Texas, and others in different parts of the mission. President Bennion's mission so far has been a most successful one, and the Central States Mission with headquarters at Independence, Jackson county, Mo., is growing rapidly.
BENNION, Samuel Otis, president of the Central States Mission, was born June 9, 1874, at Taylorsville, Salt Lake county, Utah, the son of John R. Bennion and Emma Jane Terry. He was baptized when about eight years old and was later ordained a Deacon and presided over the quorum of Deacons of which he was a member. In due course of time he was ordained an Elder and later a Seventy. In 1898 (August 25th) he married Miss Charlotte Towler of Mill creek Ward, Salt Lake county, Utah. President Bennion received a fairly good education in his younger days and was occupied for many years in the sheep and farming business. He was called on a mission to the Central States and left for his field of labor Nov. 9, 190 4; after laboring as a traveling Elder for six months, he was chosen to preside over the South Texas conference and acted in that capacity until he was selected as secretary of the Mission, in November, 1905. He held that position until he was appointed president of the Central States Mission in October, 1906. In March, 1907, under the direction of President Joseph F. Smith and counselors, he moved the headquarters of the Mission from Kansas City, Mo., to Independence, Mo., which was the first time the Church had an established residence at Independence since the expulsion of the Saints from that county by the mob in 1833. Under the direction of Pres. Bennion the Church has built or bought some splendid meeting houses in different parts of the Central States Mission, notably at Independence, where a fine chapel was erected in 1914; a printing plant building was also erected there in 1915 and a good mission home was built in 1917. In addition to this the Church has purchased a substantial chapel at St. Louis, Mo., and erected a fine school building and a magnificent meeting house at Kelsey, Texas. Another meeting house has been built at Enoch, Texas, and others in different parts of the mission. President Bennion's mission so far has been a most successful one, and the Central States Mission with headquarters at Independence, Jackson county, Mo., is growing rapidly.
Jenson, Andrew. "Bennion, Samuel O." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 732.
BENNION, Samuel Otis, one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, was born June 9, 1874, at Taylorsville, Salt Lake Co., Utah, a son of John R. Bennion and Emma Jane Terry. He was baptized when about eight years old and was later ordained a Deacon and presided over the quorum of Deacons of which he was a member. In due course of time he was ordained an Elder and later a Seventy. In 1898 (Aug. 25th) he married Charlotte Towler of Mill Creek Ward, Salt Lake Co., Utah. He received a good education in his younger days, and during part of his life, before he went into the mission field, he was occupied in agriculture, but principally in ranching and sheep raising. He was set apart for a mission to the Central States Nov. 12, 1904, and was chosen as president of the South Texas District after he had been in the mission six months. Later the same year, he was called to the mission headquarters at Independence, Missouri, and after spending ten months as secretary of the mission, he was appointed mission president Oct. 1, 1906. The growth of the mission was sure and steady, and the sound practice established in laying a firm foundation, made the mission, under the direction of the Lord, an important part of the Church. In January, 1931, the Texas Mission was formed out of the states of Texas and Louisiana, which had constituted a part of the Central States Mission. Pres. Bennion remained in the mission field until Jan. 20, 1934. At the April Conference in 1933 he was sustained as one of the First Council of Seventies, and was ordained to that office April 13, 1933, by Pres. Heber J. Grant. On April 1, 1934, Elder Bennion was appointed general manager and vice-president of the "Deseret News", which position he still holds. While Pres. Bennion had charge of the Central States Mission he made it a rule to visit the missionaries from one end of the mission to the other every ninety days, and saw them in their fields of labor, heard their reports, gave them instructions, and as a result saw many thousands of people baptized into the Church. The mission was always self-sustaining financially, and large sums of money were sent to the headquarters of the Church from the tithes of the mission, after the expenses and building programs that were carried on in the mission field itself had been cared for.
BENNION, Samuel Otis, one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, was born June 9, 1874, at Taylorsville, Salt Lake Co., Utah, a son of John R. Bennion and Emma Jane Terry. He was baptized when about eight years old and was later ordained a Deacon and presided over the quorum of Deacons of which he was a member. In due course of time he was ordained an Elder and later a Seventy. In 1898 (Aug. 25th) he married Charlotte Towler of Mill Creek Ward, Salt Lake Co., Utah. He received a good education in his younger days, and during part of his life, before he went into the mission field, he was occupied in agriculture, but principally in ranching and sheep raising. He was set apart for a mission to the Central States Nov. 12, 1904, and was chosen as president of the South Texas District after he had been in the mission six months. Later the same year, he was called to the mission headquarters at Independence, Missouri, and after spending ten months as secretary of the mission, he was appointed mission president Oct. 1, 1906. The growth of the mission was sure and steady, and the sound practice established in laying a firm foundation, made the mission, under the direction of the Lord, an important part of the Church. In January, 1931, the Texas Mission was formed out of the states of Texas and Louisiana, which had constituted a part of the Central States Mission. Pres. Bennion remained in the mission field until Jan. 20, 1934. At the April Conference in 1933 he was sustained as one of the First Council of Seventies, and was ordained to that office April 13, 1933, by Pres. Heber J. Grant. On April 1, 1934, Elder Bennion was appointed general manager and vice-president of the "Deseret News", which position he still holds. While Pres. Bennion had charge of the Central States Mission he made it a rule to visit the missionaries from one end of the mission to the other every ninety days, and saw them in their fields of labor, heard their reports, gave them instructions, and as a result saw many thousands of people baptized into the Church. The mission was always self-sustaining financially, and large sums of money were sent to the headquarters of the Church from the tithes of the mission, after the expenses and building programs that were carried on in the mission field itself had been cared for.
Kimball, Spencer. "President Samuel O. Bennion." Relief Society Magazine. June 1933. pg. 326-329.
President Samuel O. Bennion By Spencer Kimball IN the elevation of Samuel O. Bennion to become one of the General Authorities of the Church, there is wide spread satisfaction and joy. There are few men in the church better known or more loved than the new President of Seventy who was sustained April 6, 1933, to the place made vacant October 24, 1932, by the passing of President Joseph W. McMurrin. In every city, town and cross road in the Intermountain West including those in the Colonies of Mexico, and the Provinces of Canada—everywhere are men and women who know him personally, have sung and preached with him, and labored in Missionary work under his wise direction. His picture is in thousands of homes, his memory in thousands of hearts, and his influence has enriched the lives of these Missionaries who now preside in Priesthood and Auxiliary work and in wards and stakes throughout the Church. In his years of missionary work, he has seen great numbers made happy by the light of the Gospel brought to them by the young missionaries. His voice has been heard by hundreds of thousands ; countless miles has he traveled in this great work. In his presidency over the Central States Mission, he has directed the work in about one fifth of the area of the U. S. and among about one seventh of the people of the nation. His interest in his numerous family of missionaries has not waned when their releases were signed and sent from the office. Instead, he has been concerned constantly in their further activity and progress. Born in Taylorsville, Utah, June 9, 1874, to pioneer parents, he grew up in a frontier environment. The varied experiences thus gained enriched his life and with the liberal education acquired by him, gave him those splendid qualities of versatility, firmness, yet human kindness, perseverance and ability to meet every emergency and to succeed in his righteous desires. He was ordained a Deacon when a youth and later was sustained as president of the quorum when his grandfather, Samuel Bennion, was bishop. He was later ordained an Elder and afterwards a Seventy, which last ordination made him eligible for the high trust now imposed upon him. His early life was spent on the farm and in the livestock and sheep business ; these lines have held his interest even to the present time. HIS twenty-nine years of missionary work began in March, 1904, when he was called to fill a mission in the Central States. Arriving in Kansas City, Missouri, the mission headquarters, about November 12, he was assigned to labor as a traveling Elder. His outstanding work and leadership brought him to the front, and in July, 1905, he was appointed President of the South Texas District in which capacity he served until November of that year when he was selected by President James G. Duffin to be Secretary of the Mission. In these various positions Elder Bennion displayed in rich abundance the rare qualities of leadership, and the Church authorities, recognizing his ability and worth, in October, 1906, called him to be President of the Central States Mission, which important post he still holds. A few months after his appointment in March, 1907, and under the direction of President Joseph F. Smith, he moved mission headquarters to Independence, from which place the Saints were driven by mob violence a hundred years ago. Under his direction a beautiful mission chapel and mission home have been built. Zion's Printing and Publishing Co. was established and housed in an attractive building constructed near, and of the same material as the chapel. Here has been published the "Liahona" and mission tracts and books in great numbers. Many people of the church have been furnished employment. Many splendid chapels have also been built under his direction in the various branches of the mission. His leadership has also been appreciated in his community where he is now vice-president of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, vice-president of the Independence Boy Scout Council, and an honorary life member of the Independence Kiwanis club. HIS beautiful and talented wife, Sister Charlotte T. Bennion, has worked side by side with her husband and has made a liberal contribution to the success of this great missionary. They were married August 25th, 1898. Their two children,. Dr. B. D. Bennion and Miss Donnetta Bennion, live in Salt Lake. Sister Bennion was perhaps the first woman Mission President of Relief Societies, being appointed in the Fall of 1908. She has served faithfully in that capacity nearly a quarter of a century working her way into the hearts of the women members throughout the mission, as well as winning the love of the hundreds of lady missionaries to whom she has been a real mother. PRESIDENT BENNION has attended Semi-annual Conferences at Salt Lake and kept in constant touch with the fountain head, thus being able to carry to his missionaries enthusiasm and inspiration in the work. During these years of service, he has visited them quarterly, also meeting with the branches very often. All his missionaries have thrilled with the announcement of his coming to visit. Each will cherish the fond memory of the Priesthood Meeting lasting hours wherein each bore testimony, then sat in rapt attention as the beloved president sat among them or stood in the pulpit expounding doctrine, giving advice of a personal nature or explaining mission work. Each has gone forth from his presence, built up in his faith and fired with enthusiasm to carry the Glad Tidings another quarter with increased force and power. In his humility is his greatness. He acknowledges he has absorbed and received much from his missionaries. He says: "It has been my pleasure and privilege to have serve with me some of the choicest men and women that have lived in the world. A great part of my joy has been the privilege of witnessing the spiritual growth and development that has come to these young missionaries through their service in the vineyard of our Lord and Savior. Their testimonies have enriched the spiritual atmosphere that has come to me and has greatly enriched and strengthened me in this great work which I have had the joy of doing for the past twenty-nine and a half years." And when the name of this "Our beloved president" is read in the list of Church Authorities to be sustained in stake and ward throughout the Church, his many saints and missionaries will raise their hands high in joy and pride and satisfaction to know that much deserved and merited advancement has come to this mighty man of valor. |
PRESIDENT SAMUEL O. BENNION
Mrs. Charlotte T. Bennion
|
Bennion, Samuel O. "Boyhood Experiences." Instructor. June 1943. pg. 344.
BOYHOOD EXPERIENCES
By Samuel O. Bennion
Note: This short article was written as a supplement to Lesson 44, of the First Intermediate Department, part of which is on the same subjects.
"I was baptized in the Jordan River, at Taylorsville," Elder Samuel O. Bennion related in response to a request for recollections of his childhood.
"I remember clearly what we boys did in Taylorsville, when I became a deacon. I was the secretary of the Deacons' Quorum and later president. The men who supervised our quorums were Archie Frame, John Webster and William H. Haig.
"We deacons were the Boy Scouts of our day. There were no Boy Scouts then. It was the Aaronic Priesthood who did the "good turns" for others when I was a boy. For instance, we cut a field of hay for a widow, raked it, hauled it, and stacked it for her.
"We worked around the meetinghouse. We kept it clean, weeded the lot, swept the meetinghouse and dusted the benches. We cut the wood for the stoves to heat the place in the winter time.
"I learned to read when I was quite young. I read the Bible and the Book of Mormon and made rapid progress. It was always easy for me to memorize. We did a lot of it when I was young. Many, many passages of scripture which I learned as a boy, I remember to this day. They have served me all my life, and especially in the mission field.
BOYHOOD EXPERIENCES
By Samuel O. Bennion
Note: This short article was written as a supplement to Lesson 44, of the First Intermediate Department, part of which is on the same subjects.
"I was baptized in the Jordan River, at Taylorsville," Elder Samuel O. Bennion related in response to a request for recollections of his childhood.
"I remember clearly what we boys did in Taylorsville, when I became a deacon. I was the secretary of the Deacons' Quorum and later president. The men who supervised our quorums were Archie Frame, John Webster and William H. Haig.
"We deacons were the Boy Scouts of our day. There were no Boy Scouts then. It was the Aaronic Priesthood who did the "good turns" for others when I was a boy. For instance, we cut a field of hay for a widow, raked it, hauled it, and stacked it for her.
"We worked around the meetinghouse. We kept it clean, weeded the lot, swept the meetinghouse and dusted the benches. We cut the wood for the stoves to heat the place in the winter time.
"I learned to read when I was quite young. I read the Bible and the Book of Mormon and made rapid progress. It was always easy for me to memorize. We did a lot of it when I was young. Many, many passages of scripture which I learned as a boy, I remember to this day. They have served me all my life, and especially in the mission field.
"President Samuel O. Bennion." Improvement Era. April 1945. pg. 183, 211.
Samuel O. Bennion of the First Council of the Seventy ON the day of Brother Hardy's passing, Elder Samuel O. Bennion of the First Council of the Seventy was at the office, pursuing his customary duties, and ably reporting his labors in a weekly report meeting of his brethren. Before the sun had come up on another day, he had joined Brother Hardy in death. The Church had lost another of its able and trusted leaders. Some of the facts of Brother Bennion's Church and civic career are included on this page. Also, at funeral services conducted by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in the Assembly Hall, Monday, March 12, 1945, appraisals of and tributes to his sterling character were given, excerpts from which follow. President Clark prefaced the service with this statement, and read a telegram from the vice president of the United States: "Within the week we have been called on to lay away two great missionaries who have done valiant service here; and who, I am sure, are called hence to do valiant service beyond the veil. Brother Bennion was a great missionary, great in his industry, great in his integrity, a man of strict honor, fearless, of great faith, with a living testimony and an actual knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ and that the Prophet Joseph was called to usher in the last dispensation. He lived a life that was exemplary. He has led thousands of missionaries in the great cause of bringing souls to a knowledge of the truth. "President Grant wished me to express to Sister Bennion and her family his personal sorrow at the passing of Brother Bennion, whom he characterized as a choice spirit. President Grant loved him and honored him for his great service. "We have an unusual tribute today. The vice president of the United States, the Honorable Harry S. Truman with whom President Samuel O. Bennion had an acquaintance while in the mission field, has wired to Sister Bennion and the family as follows: “Just heard of Mr. Bennion's death. I have lost a friend and Utah has lost one of her great men. You have my sincere sympathy.' " President David O. McKay of the First Presidency, voiced these comments in the course of his address "We pay tribute today to a man who truly served his Lord by serving his fellow men. . . . "President Bennion was a man of high principles; clean in thought and in act. He was upright, straightforward, ever ready to defend the right, and equally prompt to denounce the wrong. Dependable in business, sincere in religion, consistent, considerate, and affectionate in his home; a loyal friend, a worthy, progressive citizen, a true Latter-day Saint. I believe that of him it can truly be said: 'Never once did the breath of scandal touch him.' He and such as he, are a true asset to society, and a credit to the nation. . . . "Today we know that death cannot touch President Samuel O. Bennion either. He lives the same wholesome, friendly, self-sacrificing man, energetic, desirous of blessing the world he is living in there as he did here, just the same lovable nature. The inspiration of his noble deeds performed throughout his active life had its source in his unwavering faith in God and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. To him loyalty to his God was fundamental." President George Albert Smith, in both personal and official tribute, gave also this high estimate of character: "The vice president of the United States is only one of the great characters of our nation who knew Samuel O. Bennion and held him in esteem. . . . "Brother Bennion not only had the gift of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ so people could understand it, but he had an excellent business judgment. . . . "He loved the missionary work. It was easy for him because he loved it, and wherever he went the doors of the people were open to him. He saw the Central States Mission grow from a small mission to a great organization. . . . "When I first became acquainted with him in the mission field I learned that he had no end of energy, he seemed to never tire. He could go all day and apparently nearly all night, and I marvel that he lived as long as he did without breakdown. . . . "He was in a rather difficult field, one of the most difficult that we have in the Church. But he made friends of those who were unfriendly, and he was recognized in civic affairs and in their club organizations." From President Antoine R. Ivins, associate of Brother Bennion in the First Council, and close friend: "Many, many women and men passed under his tutelage but I promise you that everyone of them had proper schooling in his work and proper teaching to establish him in his faith and had the love of a real father given to him from President Bennion. ... "During the twenty-seven years which he presided over the Central States Mission, it was his custom to visit every conference in it four times a year, and that alone is enough to wear down a cast-iron constitution, but he stood up under it and under the additional work which a printing press and a mission magazine required of him. He had a wonderful ability, a wonderful physique, and a wonderful endurance, and had it not been for that, likely he would have laid down the burdens of this life earlier than he did. "We mourn for ourselves, we mourn with his family because of the close association that we have all had with him, and we shall miss him, and many will be the time, I am sure, when in memory I shall go back over the trails that he and I have traveled together in our conversations, and I will see him with his sheep and with his cattle and with his hired help, with his missionaries, and in his civic work, and I will always be proud of the things he did and of our association with him. I dare say that there are many others who will do likewise, and all will love his memory, all will revere him, and all who came under the spell of his personality will rejoice that they know him and will be able to think of helpful things that he has done for them. I do not know whether I can pay him a greater tribute than that." More could be said, but it would not add to the good works of Brother Bennion, which are many and great—nor to his eternal happiness, which is assured. He lives in the hearts and thoughts of thousands of missionaries and men and women whose lives have been touched for good. May God bless his memory and give comfort to those who will most miss him in the days to come. |
SAMUEL O. BENNION
June 9, 1874— Born at Taylorsville, Salt Lake County. Utah, the son of John R. Bennion and Emma Jane Terry August 25, 1898— Married Charlotte Towler November 9. 1904—Left for the Central States Mission 1905—Presided over the South Texas Conference October 1906—Appointed president of the Central States Mission March 1907— Under the direction of President Joseph F. Smith moved the mission headquarters from Kansas City to Independence, Missouri, which was the first time the Church had established residence in Independence since the expulsion of the Saints in 1833. During his presidency he developed a policy of touring the mission field four times a year April 6, 1933— Sustained as a member of the First Council of the Seventy. April 14, 1933— Set apart as a member of the First Council of the Seventy by President Heber J. Grant January 20, 1934—Released as president of the Central States Mission March 3-4, 1945—Attended the quarterly conference of the Pasadena (California) Stake, and returned to his duties in Salt Lake City March 8, 1945—Died at 5 a.m., following a heart attack, twenty-eight hours after his associate. Elder Rufus K. Hardy of the First Council of the Seventy March 12, 1945—Funeral held at the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City |
"Passing of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy." Improvement Era. April 1945. pg. 196.
The Passing of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy
Twice within two days the summons of death was answered by two of our brethren of the General Authorities of the Church. In the passing of Elders Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy, both of the First Council of the Seventy, two lives of long and conspicuous service in the Lord's Latter-day cause have closed their records here—both to take up their labors elsewhere—and both blessed with a certainty of conviction that the Master whom they served here will have work for them to do in the kingdom of our Father.
While greatly different in many ways, these two men met on the common ground of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both of them set aside their chosen work and their personal ambitions, and gave up whatever else it was necessary to give up, to respond to the calls of service that came to them—as young men and likewise during their later years. Before either of them was called to a place in the presiding councils of the Church, Brother Hardy had been three times to New Zealand as a missionary, and Brother Bennion had served twenty-nine years in the Central States Mission. Each of them had demonstrated his willingness to respond to calls of duty, whenever they came—and wherever such calls took them. Both of them traveled up and down the Church energetically, not sparing of themselves, their strength, nor their time, and not permitting the work to be retarded by their other interests.
Not within a hundred years has the Church lost by death two of its General Authorities in so short a space of time. But that the purposes of God have been the determining factor in their passing is no more to be doubted than it is that they served faithfully in life. And that there is work to be done in the kingdom of our Father in the heavens is no more to be doubted than that there is more work here to be done than there are willing hands to do it.
Families bereaved, friends sorrowed by their loss, and the Church deprived of their service—these undeniable facts are alleviated by an abiding faith that the Lord God overrules in all things in earth as he does in heaven, and by the certainty of the personal continuance of all men, under conditions which assure unto us in the resurrection "whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life."
To Sister Bennion and Sister Hardy, and their bereaved families, we extend our love and sympathy in this hour of trial for them. That time will relieve the acuteness of their sorrow by the comforting spirit of our Father, we know by the experience of others. We pray that they will have quiet pleasure in memories, and the assurance of a glorious reunion in a time to be determined by our Father in heaven.
For us, we acknowledge our loss, knowing that greater devotion to the Lord's work in the earth will be difficult to find. May peace be with these, our brethren, whom death has taken, and with those who are left to mourn; and may the labors of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy continue to be felt for good, now and in the generations to come, through the countless thousands of lives their ministry has influenced.
The Passing of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy
Twice within two days the summons of death was answered by two of our brethren of the General Authorities of the Church. In the passing of Elders Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy, both of the First Council of the Seventy, two lives of long and conspicuous service in the Lord's Latter-day cause have closed their records here—both to take up their labors elsewhere—and both blessed with a certainty of conviction that the Master whom they served here will have work for them to do in the kingdom of our Father.
While greatly different in many ways, these two men met on the common ground of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both of them set aside their chosen work and their personal ambitions, and gave up whatever else it was necessary to give up, to respond to the calls of service that came to them—as young men and likewise during their later years. Before either of them was called to a place in the presiding councils of the Church, Brother Hardy had been three times to New Zealand as a missionary, and Brother Bennion had served twenty-nine years in the Central States Mission. Each of them had demonstrated his willingness to respond to calls of duty, whenever they came—and wherever such calls took them. Both of them traveled up and down the Church energetically, not sparing of themselves, their strength, nor their time, and not permitting the work to be retarded by their other interests.
Not within a hundred years has the Church lost by death two of its General Authorities in so short a space of time. But that the purposes of God have been the determining factor in their passing is no more to be doubted than it is that they served faithfully in life. And that there is work to be done in the kingdom of our Father in the heavens is no more to be doubted than that there is more work here to be done than there are willing hands to do it.
Families bereaved, friends sorrowed by their loss, and the Church deprived of their service—these undeniable facts are alleviated by an abiding faith that the Lord God overrules in all things in earth as he does in heaven, and by the certainty of the personal continuance of all men, under conditions which assure unto us in the resurrection "whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life."
To Sister Bennion and Sister Hardy, and their bereaved families, we extend our love and sympathy in this hour of trial for them. That time will relieve the acuteness of their sorrow by the comforting spirit of our Father, we know by the experience of others. We pray that they will have quiet pleasure in memories, and the assurance of a glorious reunion in a time to be determined by our Father in heaven.
For us, we acknowledge our loss, knowing that greater devotion to the Lord's work in the earth will be difficult to find. May peace be with these, our brethren, whom death has taken, and with those who are left to mourn; and may the labors of Samuel O. Bennion and Rufus K. Hardy continue to be felt for good, now and in the generations to come, through the countless thousands of lives their ministry has influenced.
"Samuel Otis Bennion." Relief Society Magazine. April 1945. pg. 201.
Samuel Otis Bennion
President Antoine R. Ivins
Of the First Council of the Seventy
IN the death of Samuel O. Bennion the Church has lost one of its most valued and valiant servants. He leaves behind a vast multitude of friends. While we knew he had been laboring under the handicap of an uncertain heart for some time, none of us expected him to leave us when he did.
Practically all of his mature years have been devoted to the missionary work of the Church, for it was soon after his marriage that he accepted a call to the Central States Mission where he spent the next twenty-eight years of his life, presiding over the mission for twenty-six of them. Upon that mission he stamped his personality, and to an even greater extent he leaves his mark upon the Church through the many men and women who worked under his direction in spreading the 'glad tidings of great joy" to the world. He taught them faith in God and humility, honesty, devotion, integrity, industry, and the other virtues which characterize true Latter-day Saints.
From the Central States Mission he came to the First Council of the Seventy which gave him another wide field of activity. Here he came into closer touch with the presiding officers of the Church, in its general offices, and throughout the wards and stakes, and widened the circle of his influence.
While at Independence he had the Liahona and printing plant to manage which experience qualified him to direct The Deseret News when he moved to Salt Lake City.
President Bennion's parents were sturdy pioneers and he gained from them a physical and intellectual endowment which qualified him for life, under the rigorous conditions of our beloved West. He was equally at home as a stockman and farmer, a business man or a preacher of the restored gospel.
Almost seventy-one years was the measure of his mortal life, and they were filled with acts of kindness and helpfulness.
Our prayer is that God will give strength and courage, confidence and solace to his good wife who through all of these experiences stood by him.
Samuel Otis Bennion
President Antoine R. Ivins
Of the First Council of the Seventy
IN the death of Samuel O. Bennion the Church has lost one of its most valued and valiant servants. He leaves behind a vast multitude of friends. While we knew he had been laboring under the handicap of an uncertain heart for some time, none of us expected him to leave us when he did.
Practically all of his mature years have been devoted to the missionary work of the Church, for it was soon after his marriage that he accepted a call to the Central States Mission where he spent the next twenty-eight years of his life, presiding over the mission for twenty-six of them. Upon that mission he stamped his personality, and to an even greater extent he leaves his mark upon the Church through the many men and women who worked under his direction in spreading the 'glad tidings of great joy" to the world. He taught them faith in God and humility, honesty, devotion, integrity, industry, and the other virtues which characterize true Latter-day Saints.
From the Central States Mission he came to the First Council of the Seventy which gave him another wide field of activity. Here he came into closer touch with the presiding officers of the Church, in its general offices, and throughout the wards and stakes, and widened the circle of his influence.
While at Independence he had the Liahona and printing plant to manage which experience qualified him to direct The Deseret News when he moved to Salt Lake City.
President Bennion's parents were sturdy pioneers and he gained from them a physical and intellectual endowment which qualified him for life, under the rigorous conditions of our beloved West. He was equally at home as a stockman and farmer, a business man or a preacher of the restored gospel.
Almost seventy-one years was the measure of his mortal life, and they were filled with acts of kindness and helpfulness.
Our prayer is that God will give strength and courage, confidence and solace to his good wife who through all of these experiences stood by him.