Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) was an American farmer, government official, and religious leader who served as the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death.
Born in Whitney, Idaho, Benson served a mission to Great Britain and later earned degrees in agriculture. He served as United States Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961, the only Cabinet member to serve all eight years of that administration.
He taught that God uses people of the earth, especially good people, to accomplish His purposes—a principle reflected throughout history and continuing today. His presidency emphasized the Book of Mormon and its role in bringing people to Christ.