Abstract
Within the emergent study of the complex relations between the State of Israel and American Christianity is a little-known story of a Mormon-American leader whose friendship with the nascent Jewish State spanned nearly five decades. Ezra Taft Benson, apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as Mormons) from 1943-1994, also served as Secretary of Agriculture in President Dwight D. Eisenhower's cabinet from 1953-1961. During that time, and thereafter, he proclaimed his assurance, both to his Mormon followers and to the world, of the State of Israel's miraculous fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Likewise, through his political leadership he created lasting friendships with early Israeli leaders, particularly David Ben Gurion. His interest in the fate of the Jewish people was relatively representative of his Latter-day Saint heritage, but his relationship with Israeli leaders, as well as his consistently zealous message of religious-based support for the State of Israel, made him distinctive among both religious and political leaders of his day.