Book contains lifetime of gospel teachings
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Three years later on Nov. 4, while holding one of the first copies off the presses of The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, the prophet declared that his injunction was still true today. The purpose of the book is to increase faith and testimony among the members of the Church, he said.
"It tells of my experiences," the prophet explained. "I shed tears of joy when I read it."
As he looked through the completed volume, President Benson related that he had never expected his speeches to be compiled into one volume.
"It's hard to believe that they would want to print up what I have spoken," the prophet said sincerely. "But I'm glad it's here."
President Benson's wife, Flora, who was sitting at his side as he looked through the book, added: "I think it's great, but the man is greater."
Contained in the book are the prophet's thoughts and counsel on subjects ranging from the Book of Mormon to peace for the world. Excerpts are taken from his first speeches as an apostle in 1943, from his general conference addresses as the prophet at this year's April conference and from almost every other major speech in the intervening 45 years.
The book is divided into five parts: "Gospel Principles and Doctrines," "The Church," "The Gospel in Our Lives," "Family and Home" and "Country." Each of these parts is broken down into chapters and specific topics.
"The book includes an exhaustive table of contents," said Cory Maxwell of Bookcraft, Inc., which published the 733-page book. "I think it's going to be an excellent resource for Church leaders and students of the gospel."
The book also contains an expanded index. The first part of the index allows the reader to find what has been said on each subject. The second half includes a scripture index in which the reader can find what President Benson has said in relation to specific scriptures from the standard works.
