Richard Benson

1816 - 1895

Happy Birthday Grandpa Benson!

                                  Birth:    29 March 1816, Wrightington, Lancashire, England  

                                  Died:      2 August 1895 Parowan, Iron, Utah, USA   

   Richard Benson started doing missionary work at New Castle, England, a city on the Tyne River, 6 Nov 1840.  During this mission he baptized 47 converts, the last one being baptized on 14 Sep 1842.  During this mission he met and baptized his future wife, Phoebe Forrester.  He also baptized Phoebe's sister, Ann.  During his mission, there was a meeting of the Council of the Twelve in Manchester, England.  

At that meeting, Richard was ordained an Elder.  Here is some of the transcript:

p 332  “The Council of the Twelve assembled at Manchester, in Carpenter's Hall, on the 6th day of April, 1841, for the first time to transact business as a quorum in the presence of the Church, in a foreign land; being the first day of the 12th year of the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nine of the quorum were present; viz., Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, John Taylor and Geo. A. Smith, President Young having called the meeting to order, and organized, the conference then opened by prayer. Elder Thomas Ward was chosen Clerk. The President then made some introductory remarks relative to the organization of the Church in the House of the Lord in America, in reference to the different quorums in their respective orders and authorities in the Church.”

“The representation of the churches and conferences throughout the kingdom was then called for.”

“Scattering members were then represented, consisting of nearly fifty, not included in any of the above branches.”

p 333 “President Young then proceeded to make some remarks on the office of Patriarch, and concluded by moving that Elder John Albertson 1 be ordained to that office. Seconded by Elder Kimball, and carried unanimously….” 

“Resolved: That the following persons be ordained Elders—William Miller, William Leach, John Sands, William Moon, William Hardman, William Black, John Goodfellow, Joseph Brotherton, Richard Benson, Theophilus Brotherton, John McIlwick, and William Green.”

p 334  "... it was directed that the High Priests who were present should retire to the vestry, with those who were to be ordained Elders, and there ordain them at the same time that the ordinations of the High Priest were proceeding.  These things been accomplished, several appropriate discourses were delivered by different members of the High Council."

(http://gospelink.com/library/document/3765, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 4, Chapter 17, p 332-333, by Joseph Smith, B. H. Roberts.  See also: The Latter-day Saints Millennial Star, Volume I (http://lib.byu.edu/dlib/mpntc/   Specifically see: http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/MStar&CISOPTR=150&REC=1), Manchester , England.  Printed By W. Shackleton and Son, Ducie Place.  Richard Benson.  Priesthood Ordination -- Elder.)