Benson Quotes & Sayings

The responsibility of a man is to lead his family. — Ezra Taft Benson

When I was 15 years old, my cousin and I formed a singing group called The Altaires. And, because we became the most popular singing group in the Tri-State area, the rest of the group convinced me I should play the guitar - even though I didn't own one! So what happened was, my stepfather actually made my first electric guitar for me for $23! — George Benson

The fact that a book or publication is popular does not necessarily make it of value. — Ezra Taft Benson

It was incredible, she told herself, that this ravening monster, dripping blood from claws and teeth, that had arisen roaring in the night, could be the Humanity that had become her God. She had thought revenge and cruelty and slaughter to be the brood of Christian superstition, dead and buried under the new-born angel of light, and now it seemed that the monsters yet stirred and lived. — Robert Hugh Benson

Are you honest with the Lord in the payment of your tithes? Living this divine law will bring both spiritual and material blessings. — Ezra Taft Benson

Sometimes when you make mistakes, if you learn by your mistakes, by golly, that's when you can really go forward. — Tom Benson

If you really want to receive joy and happiness, then serve others with all your heart. Lift their burden, and your own burden will be lighter. — Ezra Taft Benson

From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord's counsel, wheat should have high priority. Water, of course, is essential. Other basics could include honey or sugar, legumes, milk products or substitutes, and salt or its equivalent. The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah. — Ezra Taft Benson

AddressingAddiction offers a comprehensive alcohol detox at home service in various parts of the UK. Receive treatment from an experienced psychiatrist as well as support specialists like addiction counsellors and auricular acupuncturists. — Alex Benson

If someone wants to marry you outside the temple, whom will you strive to please - God or a mortal? If you insist on a temple marriage, you will be pleasing the Lord and blessing the other party. — Ezra Taft Benson

Have sufficient food, clothing, and fuel on hand to last at least one year. — Ezra Taft Benson

Mindi Scott has a real talent for getting inside her protagonist's head. She sketches out Coley's story in grand swathes, and then paints in all the little details, so that you feel as though you are enmeshed in Coley's brain: thinking her thoughts, feeling her confusion, anger, and, in the end, pain. I just don't think it's possible to read this book and not identify with Coley in some way. — Amber Benson

No matter what they take from me, they can't take away my dignity. — George Benson

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

The United States of America has been great because it has been free. — Ezra Taft Benson

I didn't go to high school, but when I did go to school, I was actually in the group made up of cheerleaders; I just wasn't one of them. But I hung out with a bunch of different kids. — Ashley Benson

Our longing for community seems to be a part of the image of the One Who made us, a part of the divine image whispered into us when we were whispered into being in the first place. — Robert Benson

I am in an extended self-directed course of study. That is, I am in control of my own life. — Amber Benson

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

Years of happiness can be lost in the foolish gratification of a momentary desire for pleasure. — Ezra Taft Benson

I don't know why you would trade a stud pitcher. — Anna Benson

We want to christen every city that Kris has played in during his professional career. — Anna Benson

There is a certain amount which I shan't mention publicly," Elizabeth said. "Things about Lucia which I should never dream of stating openly."
"Those are just the ones I should like to hear about most," said Diva. "Just a few little titbits. — E.F. Benson

God loves us; the devil hates us. God wants us to have a fulness of joy as He has. The devil wants us to be miserable as he is. God gives us commandments to bless us. The devil would have us break these commandments to curse us. — Ezra Taft Benson

We believe in a moral code. Communism denies innate right or wrong. As W. Cleon Skousen has said in his timely book, The Naked Communist: The communist 'has convinced himself that nothing is evil which answers the call of expediency.' This is a most damnable doctrine. People who truly accept such a philosophy have neither conscience nor honor. Force, trickery, lies, broken promises are wholly justified. — Ezra Taft Benson

Pride is the great stumbling block of Zion ... Pride is ugly; it says if you succeed I am a failure ... Pride is basically competitive in nature. When competition ends, pride ends. — Ezra Taft Benson

Because you don't believe it doesn't mean it's impossible. After all, your 'beliefs' are founded only on what you have seen or heard. — King Samuel Benson

One of the first things electric I ever saw was a guitar. I was living in a house with no electricity until, at 7, we moved to a house that had it. It had electric lights, but the previous owners had even taken the light bulbs with them when they moved. — George Benson

I hope we can be happy where we are, be grateful for our blessings-now-here, accept the challenge that is ours and make the most of it, and don't be envious of others. God help us to be grateful. — Ezra Taft Benson

I love working for Disney! They are my family. — Jodi Benson

I really like worship music. It settles my soul. Gets me back on track. The lyrics are almost like a prayer, so it's my go-to. — Jodi Benson

Efficient spending and saving will give the family more security, more opportunities, more education, and a higher standard of living. — Ezra Taft Benson

The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God. — Ezra Taft Benson

Scouting teaches a boy to take care of himself and stand on his own two feet. — Ezra Taft Benson

I want to live outside of the box, and I definitely don't want to put God in a box, so I want to be able to dream big and kind of let that go of my small-mindedness. — Jodi Benson

Cardiac depression is very powerful; it's very black; it's very dark. What I've learned to do is get out of my head and get into my heart. And it just sounds like an easy thing - it was difficult at first - to truly recognize moment to moment how fortunate I am. — Robby Benson

The key to life is to set goals and go after those goals, don't hold anything back. — Benson Henderson

This sounds crazy, but my goal is to be nominated for an Oscar. I was the kid who was practicing my acceptance speech when I was ten. — Ashley Benson

When you have something meaningful to say, you lose your desire for much grammar; for only in the incompetence of words does one seek the redeeming power of vocabulary. — King Samuel Benson

General Studies
Question: Redundancy is often an unpleasant and unexpected event in someone's life. Give two examples of unexpected life events.

Answer: 1) death 2) Reincarnation — Richard Benson

It is mother's influence during the crucial formative years that forms a child's basic character. Home is the place where a child learns faith, feels love, and thereby learns from mother's loving example to choose righteousness. — Ezra Taft Benson

There is much reading material that is available which is either time-wasting or corrupting. The best yardstick to use in discerning the worth of true knowledge and learning is to go first and foremost to the words of the Lord's prophets. — Ezra Taft Benson

The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Helaman 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God's great knowledge, their abilities versus God's priesthood power, and their accomplishments against His mighty works. — Ezra Taft Benson

I think I should learn to get along better with people," he explained to Miss Benson one day, when she came upon him in the corridor of the literature building and asked what he was doing wearing a fraternity pledge pin (wearing it on the chest of the new V-neck pullover in which his mother said he looked so collegiate). Miss Benson's response to his proposed scheme for self-improvement was at once so profound and so simply put that Zuckerman went around for days repeating the simple interrogative sentence to himself; like Of Times and the River, it verified something he had known in his bones all along, but in which he could not placed his faith until it had been articulated by someone of indisputable moral prestige and purity : "Why," Caroline Benson asked the seventeen-year-old boy, "should you want to learn a thing like that? — Philip Roth

The greatest events of history are those which affect the greatest number for the longest periods. — Ezra Taft Benson

Everyone wants to look good in photographs, even us trolls who tell jokes. — Doug Benson

I testify to you that God's pay is the best pay that this world or any other world knows anything about. — Ezra Taft Benson

If I had my way, the trip's every moment would be a Moment - ripe with meaning, worthy of at least a sidebar or infographic in my personal history book. I looked back to the road, followed the pavement — Brian Benson

I grew up with 'Cinderella.' So that was my go-to Disney film, definitely. It was princess-related, and coming from a smaller area in Illinois and wanting to do something greater than myself in Broadway, that was a film that I could really relate to. — Jodi Benson

Right and wrong as moral principles do not change. They are applicable and reliable determinants whether the situations with which we deal are simple or complicated. There is always a right and wrong to every question which requires our solution. — Ezra Taft Benson

He lives in the halflights in secret places, free and alone, this mysterious little great being whom his mistress calls, My cat. — Margaret Benson

I decided to try things, and I started to do things that would take me out of my comfort zone, and a lot of the times, that will cause you to either sink or swim. Really, I just lean on my inner circle and my faith to try to continue to encourage me so that I'm never out. I can be down, but I'm never out. — Omar Benson Miller

If you ever go to Las Vegas, and you will, just go for a few days. I was there recently for seven days, seven days in Vegas. After I blew all my money on gambling and prostitution, I had six days to kill. — Doug Benson

Tom Cruise shouldn't try to win Oscars. He should just smile and kick people in the face and leave the acting to Hugh Jackman. Why Hugh Jackman? I dunno; come up with your own example, smart-ass. — Doug Benson

Philosophers have argued about the strongest emotion known to man. Some say 'love', others 'hate', others 'fear'. I am disposed to put 'curiosity' on a level, at least, with these august sensations, just mere simple inquisitiveness. — E.F. Benson

The Law likes to be argued with. Take away words and where is the Law? Silence always annoys it. — Stella Benson

I have a vision of homes alerted, of classes alive, and of pulpits aflame with the spirit of Book of Mormon messages. — Ezra Taft Benson

The great thing about being up early on a Sunday is nothing. — Doug Benson

I actually got discovered in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by a man who worked at a place that sold barbecue sandwiches! — George Benson

The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it. — Ezra Taft Benson

When youre sharing a foxhole with another man, you don't worry about what color he is, just whether or not he will protect your back — Lee Benson

He exhibited three portraits, each a masterpiece, which killed every picture within range. — E.F. Benson

The thing is girls will always say you're lying when you say you had sex with them when you're lying about having sex with them. — Doug Benson

Sometimes I wish that I could sing or dance or paint or compose symphonies or build cathedrals to express somehow what all of this means to me. I wish I were a priest or a robin or a child or a sunset. — Robert Benson

I don't like authority, at least I don't like other people's authority. — A. C. Benson

I study the Bible constantly. I teach the Bible. You know, I'm a Bible conductor, and I have a lot of people studies. But also, I see how small things really help people to get over humps in their life. Gives them direction. — George Benson

Actually, I think I come at things a whole different way from most people, and, you know, sometimes political answers are one way to solve the problem, and sometimes there are better ways to do it. — Craig Benson

The Benson and Hedges Cup was won by McEnroe ... he was as charming as always, which means that he was as charming as a dead mouse in a loaf of bread. — Clive James

She's been, but she's coming back," he said. "I expect her every minute. Ah! there she is."

This was rather stupid of Stephen. He ought to have guessed that Lucia's second appearance was officially intended to be her first. He grasped that when she squeezed her way through the crowd and greeted him as if they had not met before that morning.

"And dearest Adele," she said. "What a crush! Tell me quickly, where are the caricatures of Pepino and me? I'm dying to see them; and when I see them no doubt I shall wish I was dead."

The light of Luciaphilism came into Adele's intelligent eyes... — E.F. Benson

I have been doing voice work my entire life, and I adore it. It is really rewarding stuff. — Robby Benson

To-night the swinging stars shall plumb
The silence of the sky. — Stella Benson

Attractive labels are usually attached to the most dangerous programs, often in the name of public welfare and personal security. — Ezra Taft Benson

The Declaration of Independence ... is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto - revelation, if you will - declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man's rights. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, foresaw over 2,300 years ago that this event would transpire. The colonies he saw would break with Great Britain and that 'the power of the Lord was with [the colonists],' that they 'were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations' (1 Nephi 13:16, 19). The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition - the divine right of kings. At issue was the fundamental question of whether men's rights were God-given or whether these rights were to be dispensed by governments to their subjects. This document proclaimed that all men have certain inalienable rights. In other words, these rights came from God. — Ezra Taft Benson

Young people especially sometimes feel that the standards of the Lord are like fences and chains, blocking them from those activities that seem most enjoyable in life. — Ezra Taft Benson

There are certain basic principles regarding the proper role of government. If principles are correct, then they can be applied to any specific proposal with confidence ... The true statesman values principle above popularity, and works to create popularity for those political principles which are wise and just. — Ezra Taft Benson

Mothers, take time to be a real friend to your children. Listen to your children, really listen. Talk with them, laugh and joke with them, sing with them, cry with them, hug them, honestly praise them. Yes, regularly spend unused one-on-one time with each child. Be a real friend to your children. — Ezra Taft Benson

I hate how all the hip hop bands of today will put crazy sound effects into their songs. You know what I mean, like a police or ambulance siren in a tune? Because I could own the CD, I could listen to it 50 gamillion times in my car - I still fall for it every time. — Doug Benson

Happy and successful homes cannot be built on immorality. — Ezra Taft Benson

Truly a man does not live by bread alone. A good name is still to be preferred over great riches. Especially is it to be preferred to the appearance of riches, acquired with nothing down and nothing to pay for two months. — Ezra Taft Benson

There must be a renewal of the spirit of our forefathers, an
appreciation of the American way of life, a strengthening of muscle and sinew and the character of the nation. America needs guts as well as guns.
National character is the core of national defense. — Ezra Taft Benson

I think that the insane desire one has sometimes to bang and kick grumblers and peevish persons is a Divine instinct. — Robert Hugh Benson

We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men. Satan would have us cast away that anchor. — Ezra Taft Benson

Be right, and then be easy to live with, if possible, but in that order. — Ezra Taft Benson

Vermouth always makes me brilliant unless it makes me idiotic. — E.F. Benson

While friendship itself has an air of eternity about it, seeming to transcend all natural limits, there is hardly any emotion so utterly at the mercy of time. We form friendships, and grow out of them. It might almost be said that we cannot retain the faculty of friendship unless we are continually making new friends. — Robert Hugh Benson

I don't think anyone's pushing for spending limits in the campaign. — Craig Benson

We will not know Him, until we become like him. — Ezra Taft Benson

There is no reason to suppose that taste is in any way a lower sense than the other four; a fine palate is as much a gift as an eye that discerns beauty or an ear that appreciates and enjoys subtle harmonies of sound, and we are quite right to value the pleasures that all our senses give us and educate their perceptions. — E.F. Benson

It is my firm belief that the God of Heaven raised up the founding fathers and inspired them to establish the Constitution of this land. This is part of my religious faith. To me this is not just another nation. It is a great and glorious nation with a divine mission to perform for liberty-loving people everywhere. — Ezra Taft Benson

What is this Charity, this clinking of money between strangers, and when did Charity cease to be a comforting and secret thing between one friend and another? Does Love make her voice heard through a committee, does Love employ an almoner to convey her message to her neighbor? ... The real Love knows her neighbor face to face, and laughs with him and weeps with him, and eats and drinks with him, so that at last, when his black day dawns, she may share with him, not what she can spare, but all that she has. — Stella Benson

Our desires, be they spiritual or temporal, should be rooted in a love of the Lord. — Ezra Taft Benson

Eric and Susan Benson didn't come to Amazon alone every day - they brought their dog Rufus, a Welsh corgi. — Brad Stone

Yes, as we travel through this topsy-turvy, sinful world, filled with temptations and problems, we are humbled by the expectancy of death, the uncertainty of life, and the power and love of God. Sadness comes to all of us in the loss of loved ones.
But there is gratitude also. Gratitude for the assurance we have that life is eternal. Gratitude for the great gospel plan, given freely to all of us. Gratitude for the life, teachings, and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose resurrection we will commemorate in the immediate days ahead — Ezra Taft Benson

Sometimes I think there are two kinds of people - the autobiographists and the biographists. — Stella Benson

A missionary should never permit himself to see a movie or (read) cheap literature, or hear music that tends to interfere with or which dampens the spirit of missionary work. There is ample evidence that rock music is offensive to the Spirit and affects adversely the spirituality of the missionaries and thus the success of the proselyting work. — Ezra Taft Benson

One of the standards on which your happiness is based, now and in your future, is moral purity. — Ezra Taft Benson

Youth leaders, are you holding aloft our standards, or have you compromised them for the lowest common denominator in order to appease the deceived or vile within the Church? Are the dances and music in your cultural halls virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report (Articles of Faith 13), or do they represent a modern Sodom with short skirts, loud beat, strobe lights, and darkness? — Ezra Taft Benson

If there is one word that describes the meaning of character, it is the word honor. Without honor, civilization would not long exist. Without honor, there could be no dependable contracts, no lasting marriages, no trust or happiness. What does the word honor mean to you? To me, honor is summarized in this expression by the poet Tennyson, "Man's word [of honor] is God in man." — Ezra Taft Benson

I never enter a new company without the hope that I may discover a friend, perhaps the friend, sitting there with an expectant smile. That hope survives a thousand disappointments. — A. C. Benson

We're building our own fucking cubicles. — Thor Benson