Adam S. Bennion

Adam S. Bennion
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 9, 1953 (1953-04-09) – February 11, 1958 (1958-02-11)
Called by	David O. McKay
LDS Church Apostle
April 9, 1953 (1953-04-09) – February 11, 1958 (1958-02-11)
Called by	David O. McKay
Reason	Death of John A. Widtsoe
Reorganization at end of term	Hugh B. Brown ordained
Personal details
Born	Adam Samuel Bennion (1886-12-02)December 2, 1886 Taylorsville, Utah Territory, United States
Died	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery
Spouse(s)	Minerva R. Young
Parents	Joseph B. Bennion Mary A. Sharp

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 caused by the death of John A. Widtsoe.

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. After their marriage, Bennion and his wife headed to New York City, where he completed a masters degree at Columbia University.

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 1919, Bennion was made 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. 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.

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

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

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

Grave marker of Adam S. Bennion.

See also

• Richards–Young family

External links

• Works by Adam S. Bennion at Project Gutenberg
• Adam S. Bennion at Find a Grave

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Preceded by LeGrand Richards	Quorum of the Twelve Apostles April 9, 1953 – February 11, 1958	Succeeded by Richard L. Evans