Thousands of Church members across the continent sang "Happy Birthday" to President Ezra Taft Benson July 30 during a televised birthday program that included tributes from family members, Church leaders and the president of the United States.

The nearly two-hour program commemorating the prophet's 90th birthday on Aug. 4 was beamed live via satellite from the Salt Lake Tabernacle to congregations gathered in more than 2,000 meetinghouses in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. A delayed broadcast was presented later in the evening over KBYU-TV in Provo, Utah.Speeches were delivered by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, who conducted the program; President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency; Margaret Benson Keller, eldest sister of President Benson; and Barbara Benson Walker, his eldest daughter.

U.S. President George Bush delivered a videotaped tribute. (See accompanying article on page 4.)

A new video production, "The Journey of Ezra Taft Benson," was shown.

Music was provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which performed "I Believe in Christ" and "I Need Thee Every Hour," two of President Benson's favorite hymns. The closing hymn by the choir and congregation, "We Ever Pray for Thee," was originally composed by Evan Stephens for the 90th birthday of President Wilford Woodruff in 1897.

Sister Walker sang, "O My Papa," and Mary Benson Richards, a granddaughter, performed a flute solo, "The Lord's Prayer," accompanied by Stephanie Benson Young, another granddaughter.

In a spontaneous act just before the closing hymn, President Hinckley invited congregations in the Tabernacle and elsewhere to sing "Happy Birthday" to the prophet. The entire Tabernacle congregation stood and under the direction of choir conductor Jerold Ottley sang the familiar birthday song. President Benson, standing between his two counselors, gestured his thanks. At the conclusion of the song, President Monson reached over and gave the prophet a hearty squeeze.

In his speech, President Hinckley remarked: "There has been a constancy about President Benson's life. From the days of his boyhood he has been consistently faithful to every calling in the Church. There have been no excuses or alibis, no rationalizing to escape responsibility. He has accepted each call, prayed for the ability to fulfill it, and enthusiastically gone to work."

Prayer has been President Benson's refuge and source of strength, President Hinckley declared. "Only after praying about the matter has he moved forward with a decision or begun a course of action. Once that course has been determined, there has never been back-pedaling, apology or deviation."

Such was the case, President Hinckley said, while then-Elder Benson was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, serving the eight years of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration.

"Many of the secretary's decisions and implementing procedures were unpopular," President Hinckley observed. "But with him it was not a matter of popularity. It was a matter of principle, and regardless of public criticism, he held to his course. Many of those who criticized came to realize that the secretary's decisions were right and based on sound economic principles."

Noting that self-reliance has been the touchstone of President Benson's career, President Hinckley said: "He has pleaded with our people to stay out of debt. Many who have hearkened to his message have been blessed by so doing."

The prophet has been an effective advocate, President Hinckley commented. "Even those who have disagreed with him have admired the clear-cut manner of his message and the persuasive power of his personality."

President Benson never travels without his companion, President Hinckley related.

"Now, with the mantle of age resting upon them, they cannot move as fast as they once did. Tears of emotion come more easily. But there is the same love, the same respect, the same consideration as has existed through all of the many years of their marriage."

President Hinckley said he has heard the prophet pray many times. "His prayers are different," he observed. "He does not ask the Lord for much. But he thanks Him for every blessing. His prayers are primarily expressions of gratitude. . . . He speaks with gratitude for the Church, for the land in which we live, for family, for all the good things of heaven and earth which he has come to know and appreciate."

President Benson's emphasis on the Book of Mormon has motivated thousands to read and re-read the book, President Hinckley noted. "Some of us have seen the letters, the cards, the scrolls of names of those who have expressed their thanks for the motivation he has given them to read and ponder this unique and powerful witness of Christ."

President Monson began his speech by recalling an occasion 20 years ago when he accompanied President Benson to his final meeting as a member of the National Executive Board, Boy Scouts of America. President Monson was to succeed President Benson in that position.

"The ballroom of the hotel was filled with the corporate leaders of America and professional men and women of accomplishment. When President Benson entered the ballroom, every eye instantly turned toward him. In unison all present stood and applauded. Such was and is the respect which others have for our own beloved prophet and president."

President Monson retold the story of President Benson's father responding to a mission call and about his mother reading their father's letters to the children by the light of a coal oil lamp.

"How fitting that Ezra Taft Benson, like the Master, `increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man,' (Luke 2:52)" he remarked.

The priorities of Ezra and Flora Benson remained unchanged from "the sparse years of graduate school to the heady atmosphere of Washington," President Monson said. "The entire Church found justifiable pride in the Edward R. Murrow telecast which featured the Ezra Taft Benson family at home. Mr. Murrow reported that his `fan mail' from this show exceeded all other shows. America was starved to see a righteous family learning and living as a family should."

President Monson mentioned the call that then-Elder Benson received to fill a war-time mission to Europe to attend to the spiritual affairs of the Church, make food, clothing and bedding available to suffering saints, direct the organization of various missions, and prepare for the return of the missionaries.

"From the chaos of war came saints - scattered, battered and in need," he commented. "To them came Ezra Taft Benson, with his superb organizational skills and with the inspiration of Almighty God."

Last October, President Monson said he dedicated a new chapel in Zwickau in the German Democratic Republic. "A devoted man asked that I give his greetings to President Benson, then added, `He saved my life. He gave me food to eat and clothing to wear. He gave me hope. God bless him!' "

President Monson also said he loves to hear the prophet pray. "His petitions are so appropriate in their content and given in a spirit of true humility."

As the prophet nodded appreciatively, President Monson declared: "My overwhelming desire, President Benson, is to stand by your side unflinchingly and to fulfill to the best of my ability each assignment you give to me."

Sister Keller, the prophet's sister, recalled the time the family got its first car. "Ezra T. took his friends for a thrilling ride. He pushed the gas pedal until he was flying at top speed - 25 miles an hour. When he told mother about the adventure she exclaimed, `Ezra T., you could have been killed,' " a remark that brought laughter from the congregation.

As a young mother, Sister Keller said, she was feeling ill at her home in Mink Creek, Idaho, her husband having left for a few days to buy cattle. Frightened, she prayed fervently for help. About 9:30, a knock came at the door.

" `Ezra T. Benson, how did you get up here?' I exclaimed as I opened the door. `I was coming down from an assignment in northern Idaho,' he replied. `When I got to Preston, I felt strongly impressed to drive up here.'

"Oh, the joy and relief I felt! The Lord had heard my prayer. My brother had responded immediately. He gave me a blessing, promised me that all would be well, and advised me to get some rest. He stayed over night and helped with the children. The next morning I was better."

Sister Walker related a memory from each of the six Benson children about her father sharing his time, counsel and companionship.

"Each one of us has been on trips alone with Dad," she related. "He'd take us to his Church and civic talks, and when he testified before congressional committees. It was no accident that he had a child with him at the time he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve and again when he was sworn in as Secretary of Agriculture by the Chief Justice [of the Supreme CourtT in the White House.

The video presentation gave a retrospective on the prophet's life, showing old photographs, scenes from his boyhood home and moments on film from his career in Washington, D.C.

After the birthday tributes had been given, Presidents Hinckley and Monson presented to the prophet a leather-bound book containing expressions from them and from each member of the Council of the Twelve.

The prophet responded: "God bless you and sustain you. I love you, my brethren and sisters, and pray God's blessings upon each of you."

As the postlude music was playing, he waved to the choir, embraced his sister and daughter, and kissed his wife.