Reed Benson was born January 2, 1928, in Salt Lake City to former President Ezra Taft Benson and Flora Smith Amussen Benson. In his youth Reed developed a passionate love for scouting, ping-pong and poetry. He became an Eagle Scout at age 15. He graduated from East High School and went on to be freshman class president at Brigham Young University where he was voted “Friendliest Man on Campus.” He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He later earned a master’s in Communications and a doctorate in Education, also from BYU. He wrote one of the nation’s first dissertations on homeschooling and was a determined advocate for and pioneer of the homeschool movement. Reed was devoted to God, country, and family. As a young man Reed served a mission in the British Isles then extended to serve with his brother, Mark in the Eastern States Mission. He further served in capacities all over the world, including as a member of the Oxford, England Branch Presidency, as a member of the Jerusalem, Israel District Presidency, as President of the Washington D.C. Stake Mission, as the Northern Virginia Director of Seminaries and Institutes, and as President of the Kentucky Louisville Mission. When asked what words of wisdom he would offer, Reed responded simply, “Keep the faith!” Reed was an Air Force Chaplain during the Korean War. He was also appointed Confidential Assistant to the National Veterans’ Administrator. He spent many years writing for national news magazines, lecturing widely on civic and political matters, and giving numerous television interviews and press conferences.
Reed spent his career doing what he loved most: teaching. He was a professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU for 25 years and had the privilege to teach approximately 30,000 students. Through his work Reed was able to share his profound devotion to the Gospel, his passion for the Book of Mormon and his love for his students. He was a gifted teacher, a lover of truth and the world’s best teller of jokes. When asked how he was doing, Reed always responded that he was “better now that you’re here.” Those who knew him felt the same. Reed was married to his sweetheart, Mary May Hinckley, for 58 years. They are the parents of nine children. He passed away on August 24, 2016.