REMEMBRANCES OF PAST BIRTHDAYS: PRES. BENSON'S JOURNAL ENTRIES OFFER A GLIMPSE INTO HIS LIFE

PROPHET'S JOURNALS NOTE BIRTHDAY EVENTS: LEADER SAYS HE NEVER PASSES ANNUAL MILESTONE WITHOUT RECALLING BLESSINGS

Through the years, President Ezra Taft Benson has been an avid journal keeper, faithfully recording events of his life and many of his thoughts concerning them.

The journal entries give a glimpse into the life of the prophet, who commemorates his 91st birthday Saturday, Aug. 4. He was born in 1899 in Whitney, Idaho, a small farming community tucked in the southeast corner of the state, only a few miles from the Utah border. He later recorded that he wasn't expected to live after birth, and that fact undoubtedly helped to account for his gratitude for the blessings of life, which he expressed in his journals on several occasions.This year on his birthday, President Benson was to be honored at a reception of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve and their wives in his apartment on Aug. 3, and at a family get-together on Aug. 4.

On his previous birthdays he has participated in such diverse activities as hiking to the top of a mountain in one of the Salt Lake area canyons, speaking to members of the Church in war-torn Poland, and enjoying a dinner at home with his family. His family has always been an important part of his birthday commemorations.

Following are excerpts, taken from his journals, of his activities and feelings on many of his birthdays through the years:Thursday, Aug. 4, 1921, Carlisle, England - (Serving as missionary in England.) Opened birthday packages. Went shopping in morning, purchasing raincoat and derby hat.

Friday, Aug. 4, 1922, Sunderland, England - The last year has meant more to me than any of my life thus far. How I thank the Lord that He has spared my life and permitted me to be engaged in His service.

Saturday, Aug. 4, 1923, Sunderland, England - Intend to hold a baptism in the sea in the morning if all goes well. This is the third birthday I have spent in the mission field.

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1943, Washington D.C. - (Serving as executive secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and had just been called to the Council of the Twelve.) Am 44 years old today but don't feel a bit older than 25. Office all day. Dictated for eight hours and held several conferences.

Friday, Aug. 4, 1944, Salt Lake City, Utah - Cooked our breakfast over the open fire [at Tracy Wigwam in Millcreek CanyonT, hiked to the top of the highest mountain nearby, and returned home at 11 a.m.

Mother and the three daughters were lined up at the door and sang, "Happy Birthday." I had forgotten it is my birthday and I am forty-five today.

Arriving at the office, I found a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the General Authorities, cards, presents, etc.

Sunday, Aug. 4, 1946, Warsaw, Poland - (Serving as president of the European Mission and as such was in charge of the Church's relief efforts in war-torn Europe.) . . . at 9:30 a.m. we left by jeep (There was no other transportation available) for the southern half of East Prussia, which is now Poland, to try and locate and learn of the whereabouts of our members in that area.

We drove hard all day through rough roads and heavy rain. Several times we were directed in error, but finally, at 5:00 p.m., we drove into the little cluster of homes where most of our Saints in the area live along side the church.

The few Saints and children in view flew to cover as the jeep approached. . . . One sister tarried and, when she realized who I was, she exclaimed for joy and kissed my hands. Then she dashed to several homes, and in a few seconds a room full had assembled.

Women and children and the one brother present broke into tears of joy, some of them out loud, so great was their happiness.

We greeted all warmly, and I gave fresh packages of gum to the children, which the children had never seen, sent by my never-failing wife.

Although the Saints had held Sunday School and fast and testimony meeting, they all wanted us to hold one with them. Then they told how they'd fasted and prayed for the "Lord to send the Brethren."

We decided to meet at 6:30 p.m., as there are no lights available in either church or homes. There were 103 Saints and friends in the little church next to the branch president's home, and a sweet spirit prevailed.

While I was speaking, two armed Polish soldiers entered the door at the front of the building in a most authoritative manner. The people were filled with fear, but the fear soon left them as I stopped long enough to motion them to a front seat, which they accepted somewhat reluctantly, as I went on telling of our activities in Europe, conferences with national and military officials in various nations, including Poland, our belief in freedom, liberty and the basic principles of democracy. They were most attentive during my entire talk and also the brief talks of my associates which followed.

The Saints were overjoyed at the outcome, and after the soldiers left, we all sang and prayed, and I gave them some final instructions.

Later in the home of the branch president, after shaking hands with all present, we visited further, and we ate from their scanty store of food augmented somewhat by the food we'd brought with us.

Thursday, Aug. 4, 1949, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Whitney and Preston, Idaho - Spent the morning at the office and at 11:30 a.m., with my daughters and wife, drove to Willow Flat on the Cub River where we cooked lunch, hiked to the head of the river, and saw a parade in Preston.

Friday, Aug. 4, 1950, Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah - I never pass an annual milestone without recalling my rich blessings and the miraculous preservation of my life as I first saw the light of day. Today as in the past, my life and my entrance into mortality have been much in my thoughts. I am grateful beyond adequate expression for the rich favors of my Heavenly Father.

Spent most of the day in Logan visiting relatives with Flora and Beth. At 3:00 p.m. we left for Salt Lake. As we arrived home at 5:30 p.m., the other five children hid themselves in the front room and surprised us by singing "Happy Birthday" to me, with a present from the family and one from the General Authorities. We all enjoyed a lovely dinner with birthday cake, etc., all prepared by the children, and our usual soul-satisfying family prayer together.

Monday, Aug. 4, 1952, Whitney, Idaho - With Flora and the girls we drove to Willow Flat in Cub River Canyon where the Whitney Ward held their annual reunion on my birthday in my honor. I spoke at the meeting, played ball, but most of all had a good visit with the wonderful people, my former neighbors and associates.

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1954, Washington D.C. - (Serving as Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower Administration.) I enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner at home today with all of the family. Flora, as usual, had the table adorned with beautiful flowers and a lovely turkey dinner, which she had prepared. I think I have never enjoyed a birthday so much with my family. They had a recording arranged as a complete surprise for me, and it was played back to me while we were all seated at the table. Each child had made a special statement and some nice remark and had taken part on the program which I listened to intensely, which included readings, piano solo, vocal solos, etc. It is something I shall cherish for many years to come.

Monday, Aug. 4, 1958, Washington D.C. - This has been a most enjoyable birthday. It is hard for me to believe I am 59 years of age but according to the records it must be so. . . .

In the evening approximately 120 members of the Church from the Hawaiian Islands and western States called to serenade me in the backyard. A group of Hawaiian entertainers provided instrumental and vocal music. Later we served them refreshments in the house as they filed through and viewed the family portrait. After they left we visited together as a family group for a most delightful two or three hours before retiring for the night.

I think I never enjoyed a happier birthday.

Thursday, Aug. 4, 1960, Bonn, Germany and The Hague, The Netherlands - We arose at 5:00 a.m. and at 6:00 a.m. departed for the airport [in BonnT. . . .

At 12:15 Ambassador [PhilT Young and I left The Hague for Floriade, the great International Horticulture Show, where I spoke at a luncheon attended by approximately 200 guests. According to the unusual custom, the speech was given between the main course and the dessert. It was really an impressive affair. Since it is my birthday the American press, with Claude Mahoney as spokesman, presented a little speech and a big cake and all joined in singing "Happy Birthday." Later the entire audience arose and sang vigorously, in Dutch, with arm movements, a birthday greeting. All in all it was a very nice occasion.

Immediately following, I held a press conference which had a very large attendance and went off very satisfactorily. Following this, we made a quick tour by foot from Ahoy Hall to the American Exhibit at which point Flora and Beth joined me. We then drove back to The Hague.

That evening a large steak dinner was given by the Minister of Agriculture in my honor. It was truly a lush affair. During the dinner, the Minister and I exchanged gifts.

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1965, Frankfurt, Germany - (Serving as president of the European Mission.) Cards, presents, etc., added to the joy of my sixty-sixth anniversary. Can't believe I am that old. The years have been full and happy, filled with the rich blessings of my Heavenly Father for which I am most grateful.

Sunday, Aug. 4, 1974, Midway, Utah - . . . all of our children, the six of them, with their companions, met in the cottage following Church service. . . . All of the children responded in tribute to their parents. It was really an inspirational occasion. I think we have never shed so many tears of gratitude and joy and love as we did during the three hours we were together. At the end of the evening, they presented me, quite by surprise, with a lovely painting of George Washington kneeling in the snow by his horse, in prayer, at Valley Forge, done by Arnold Friberg. . . . The happiest hours of my life have been spent with my family.

Saturday, July 31, 1976, Preston, Idaho (Ezra Taft Benson Day, held four days before his 77th birthday) - . . . We . . . stood for two hours shaking hands with people - hundreds of them - who had come from all over the valley and as far away as New Jersey to pay their respects.

. . . The parade was to start at 4 p.m. I was to be grand marshall and ride a horse which they had brought up from Pasadena, California, together with two police officers with guns at their sides, who followed me in the parade. It was the greatest parade, so they said, that's ever been held in Cache Valley. It lasted almost two hours. The horse was a beautiful Palomino quarter horse rigged up with all the finery. He was high spirited and I enjoyed riding him, although I came away from the [motelT room in such a hurry I forgot to bring any gloves, so my hands got skinned a bit.

Monday, Aug. 4, 1986, Washington D.C. - (First birthday after being sustained as president of the Church.) This being my eighty-seventh birthday, we took a drive around some of the old landmarks of our memories in Washington D.C. We drove past the temple, proceeded through Rock Creek Park, saw our old home on Quincy Street where we lived during my tenure as Secretary of Agriculture, past the old Washington Chapel, and stopped briefly in front of the home we built in 100 days on Egdemoor Lane in Bethesda.

. . . arrangements for a special birthday luncheon for the family [were madeT, and we had a delightful time together opening gifts, blowing out birthday candles, and sharing a pleasant few hours together.

Friday, Aug. 4, 1989, Salt Lake City, Utah - With friends and family I have celebrated my 90th birthday. I have thought often today of the expression I made less than a year ago at general conference: "I am getting older and less vigorous and am so grateful for your prayers and for the support of my younger Brethren. I thank the Lord for renewing my body from time to time so that I can still build His kingdom. I do not know fully why God has preserved my life to this age, but I do know this: That for the present hour He has revealed to me the absolute need for us to move the Book of Mormon forward now in a marvelous manner."

I rejoice that the Lord has allowed me to participate for 90 glorious years in building up His kingdom here upon the earth. I am grateful beyond measure for my Brethren, for my devoted wife and family, and for faithful members of the Church everywhere who have enriched these precious years.