Adam S. Bennion

Adam Samuel Bennion (December 2, 1886 – February 11, 1958) was a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Born in Taylorsville, Utah Territory, Bennion received degrees from the University of Utah, Columbia University, and the University of California. He also studied at the University of Chicago. He became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 9, 1953, filling a vacancy created by the death of John A. Widtsoe.

Adam S. Bennion
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 9, 1953 (1953-04-09) – February 11, 1958 (1958-02-11)
LDS Church Apostle
April 9, 1953 (1953-04-09) – February 11, 1958 (1958-02-11)
ReasonDeath of John A. Widtsoe
Reorganization
at end of term		Hugh B. Brown ordained
Personal details
BornAdam Samuel Bennion
(1886-12-02)December 2, 1886
Taylorsville, Utah Territory, United States
DiedFebruary 11, 1958(1958-02-11) (aged 71)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting placeSalt Lake City Cemetery
40.777°N 111.858°W / 40.777; -111.858 (Salt Lake City Cemetery)
Spouse(s)Minerva R. Young
Children5
ParentsJoseph B. Bennion
Mary A. Sharp

Bennion served less than five years in the Quorum of the Twelve before his death. He was replaced in the Quorum by Hugh B. Brown.

Biography

Adam S. Bennion was the son of Joseph B. Bennion and his wife, Mary Ann Sharp. Joseph died when Bennion was about two years old. After completing his early education in Taylorsville, Bennion went to study at the University of Utah. After his studies he became a teacher at LDS High School in Salt Lake City.

In 1911, Bennion married Minerva Richards Young, a daughter of Richard W. Young. The couple would eventually have three sons and two daughters.[1] After their marriage, Bennion and his wife headed to New York City, where he completed a master's degree at Columbia University.

Adam S. Bennion 1922

Bennion returned to Salt Lake City and became an English teacher at Granite High School. In 1913, he became the principal of the school. In the summer of 1914, Bennion took a course in Sunday school administration at the University of Chicago. The following year, he was appointed a member of the General Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. About the same time, he joined the faculty of the University of Utah in the department of English. In 1915, Bennion was appointed a member of the Church Board of Education of the LDS Church.

In 1919, Bennion became the Superintendent of LDS Church Schools. From 1921 to 1923, he studied at the University of California–Berkeley and completed a doctorate. He then returned to the LDS Church schools, where he worked until 1927 when he began work for the Utah Power and Light Company (UP&L). During the 1920s, Bennion oversaw the expansion of the LDS Church's seminary program and trained seminary teachers at Brigham Young University's Alpine Summer School.[2]

In 1944, Bennion resigned his employment with UP&L and ran as a Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate. He lost the election to Democrat Elbert D. Thomas. Bennion returned to UP&L; in 1947, he became the director of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.

In 1953, LDS Church president David O. McKay called Bennion as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Bennion served in this capacity until his death.

Grave marker of Adam S. Bennion.

Bennion died in Salt Lake City and was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

References
  1. Flake, Lawrence R. (2001). Prophets and Apostles of the Last Dispensation. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University. pp. 493–95. Archived from the original on 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  2. bio connected with BYU library file of Bennion's papers

Published works
  • Bennion, Adam S (1958). The Candle of the Lord. Deseret Book Company.
  • Looking in on Greatness: Written for L.D.S. Junior Seminaries. Department of Education, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1935.
  • Principles of Teaching. Salt Lake City, Utah: The General Boards of the Auxiliary Organizations of the Church. 1921. p. 173.
  • What It Means to Be a Mormon: Written for the Deseret Sunday School. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Sunday School Union. 1917. p. 176.


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