Top 200 Ezra Taft Benson Quotes (2026 Update)
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151. “Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

152. “One of the cardinal sins in our country is profanity – the taking of the name of the Lord in vain.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

153. “I rode horseback three miles each way to get to high school, and in bad weather it was a problem sometimes to make my eight o’clock class on time. Like others, I often missed school to help on the farm, especially in the fall, until after harvest, and in the spring, during planting season.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

154. “Mothers, train up your children in righteousness; do not attempt to save the world and let your own family fall apart.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

155. “Faith is the foundation upon which a godlike character is built. It is a prerequisite for all other virtues.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

156. “Many a man in his hour of trial has turned to the Book of Mormon and been enlightened, enlivened, and comforted. The psalms in the Old Testament have a special food for the soul of one in distress.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

157. “The deepest joys and blessings in life are associated with family, parenthood, and sacrifice.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

158. “The Holy Ghost causes out feelings to be more tender. We feel more charitable and compassionate. We are calmer. We have a greater capacity to love. People want to be around us because our very countenances radiate the influence of the Spirit. We are more godly in character. As a result, we are more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and thus able to comprehend spiritual things.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

159. “To be a successful missionary one must have the Spirit of the Lord. We are also taught that the Spirit will not dwell in unclean tabernacles. Therefore, one of the first things a missionary must do to gain spirituality is to make sure his own personal life is in order.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

160. “Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most widespread of Christ’s modern miracles. If it hasn’t happened to you – it should.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

161. “Personal revelation, consecration of performance, attention to detail, and dependency on God-with these qualities you cannot fail.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

162. “We should confess His hand in all things. Ingratitude is one of our great sins.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

163. “While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and coul the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to allow if you are faithful.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

164. “Communities have a responsibility to assist the family in promoting wholesome entertainment. What a community tolerates will become tomorrow’s standard for today’s youth.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

165. “In the beginning, Adam was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow – not Eve. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s place is in the home!”

— Ezra Taft Benson

166. “Encourage good music and art and literature in your homes. Homes that have a spirit of refinement and beauty will bless the lives of your children forever.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

167. “It is a fundamental truth that the responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

168. “Happy and successful homes cannot be built on immorality.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

169. “I began to realize that when you are at peace with your Maker you can, if not ignore human criticism, at least rise above it.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

170. “We will not know Him, until we become like him.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

171. “Christ wants to lift us to where He is. Do we desire to do the same for others?”

— Ezra Taft Benson

172. “We urge you to do all within your talent and means to build the kingdom of God on Earth. Always strive to sustain, support and do what is best for the kingdom of God.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

173. “Let your minds be filled with the goal of being like the Lord, and you will crowd out depressing thoughts as you anxiously seek to know Him and do His will.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

174. “Unless we do his teachings, we do not demonstrate faith in him.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

175. “The world today speaks a great deal about love, and it is sought by many. But the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. Charity never seeks selfish gratification. The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal growth and joy of others.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

176. “Was it not through pride that the devil became the devil? Christ wanted to serve. The devil wanted to rule. Christ wanted to bring men to where He was. The devil wanted to be above men.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

177. “The Declaration of Independence to which these great men affixed their signatures is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto-revel ation, if you will-declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man’s rights.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

178. “All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized above almost any other advice I have ever received. It has become an integral part of me, an anchor, a constant source of strength and the basis of my knowledge of things divine.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

179. “I have a vision of the whole Church getting nearer to God by abiding by the precepts of the Book of Mormon.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

180. “Now we not only need to say more about the Book of Mormon, but we need to do more with it.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

181. “The body needs the rejuvenation that comes from exercise. Walking in the fresh air can be exhilarating and refreshing. Properly directed running can also have some beneficial effects. Simple sit-ups or sports activities can also be helpful.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

182. “A missionary who is inspired by the Spirit of the Lord must be led by that Spirit to choose the proper approach to be effective. We must not forget that the Lord Himself provided the Book of Mormon as His chief witness. The Book of Mormon is still our most powerful missionary tool. Let us use it.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

183. “The Book of Mormon offers so much that broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

184. “Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?”

— Ezra Taft Benson

185. “Since the beginning, a woman’s first and most important role has been ushering into mortality spirit sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

186. “Daily, constantly, we choose by our desires, our thoughts, and our actions whether we want to be blessed or cursed, happy or miserable.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

187. “Without goals our efforts may be scattered and unproductive.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

188. “Thank God for the joys of family life. I have often said there can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from a good home. The sweetest influences and associations of life are there.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

189. “We cannot do everything at once, but we can do a great deal if we choose our goals well and work diligently to attain them.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

190. “The greatest work in all the world is the building of men and women of character. Without character there is not much that is worthwhile.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

191. “We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, adjusting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

192. “I speak of honor-your honor to God-your honor to country-your honor to self. I sincerely believe it to be the cure to most of our ills, both on a national or individual basis.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

193. “How vital are mother’s influence and teaching in the home-and how apparent when neglected!”

— Ezra Taft Benson

194. “Satan knows that youth is the springtime of life when all things are new and young people are most vulnerable.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

195. “When we set goals we are in command. If we know where we are going, we can judge more accurately where we are now and make effective plans to reach our destination.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

196. “We should understand the Constitution as the founders meant that it should be understood. We can do this by reading their words about it, such as those contained in the Federalist Papers. Such understanding is essential if we are to preserve what God has given us.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

197. “Successful families try to work together toward solutions instead of resorting to criticism and contention.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

198. “Not only must we move forward in a monumental manner more copies of the Book of Mormon, but we must move boldly forward into our own lives and throughout the earth more of its marvelous messages.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

199. “Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through home production and storage, but others as well.”

— Ezra Taft Benson

200. “Freedom can be killed by neglect as well as by direct attack.”

— Ezra Taft Benson