God, Family, Country
By Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson, a former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and later the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), wrote God, Family, Country as a collection of speeches and writings centered on patriotism, faith, morality, and the preservation of constitutional principles. Published in 1974, the book reflects Benson’s deep concerns about the decline of religious and moral values, the dangers of socialism and government overreach, and the importance of individual responsibility in safeguarding freedom.
Core Themes of the Book
Benson’s book is structured around three central pillars:
God: The Foundation of a Moral Society
- The Role of Religion in America – Benson argues that America was founded on Christian principles and that drifting away from faith leads to moral decay.
- Divine Law Over Man’s Law – He warns against secularism, asserting that God’s law is superior to human legislation, and when nations abandon divine principles, they collapse.
- The War Against Faith – He critiques atheistic ideologies, especially communism and socialism, for undermining religious freedom.
Family: The Heart of a Strong Nation
- Traditional Family Values – Benson believes that the family is the fundamental unit of society, and weakening it leads to societal destruction.
- The Role of Parents – He emphasizes the duty of parents to raise children with faith, integrity, and a sense of duty.
- Moral Responsibility – The book stresses the importance of personal virtue, chastity, and self-discipline in maintaining a healthy family structure.
Country: The Defense of Freedom and the Constitution
- The Constitution as a Divine Document – Benson argues that the U.S. Constitution was inspired by God, and defending it is a sacred duty.
- The Dangers of Big Government – He warns against socialism, welfare dependency, and government overreach, stating that they erode personal liberty.
- American Exceptionalism – Benson believes America has a divine mission to lead the world in freedom and righteousness.
Warnings Against Socialism and Communism
Benson was an outspoken critic of socialism, calling it a tool to destroy liberty by making people dependent on the state. He believed:
- Socialism replaces God with government – When the state provides everything, people no longer rely on divine providence.
- It weakens personal responsibility – Welfare programs encourage idleness and break the family unit.
- It is a slippery slope to tyranny – Economic control leads to political control, and eventually, loss of freedom.
He frequently referenced warnings from the Founding Fathers about government expansion and compared modern trends to historical collapses of free societies.
Call to Action: Defending Faith, Family, and Freedom
Benson doesn’t just diagnose problems—he calls on individuals to take action:
- Return to God – Strengthen faith through prayer, scripture study, and moral living.
- Strengthen Families – Teach children traditional values, self-reliance, and patriotism.
- Defend the Constitution – Be politically active, resist big government, and educate others about American principles.
- Reject Socialism – Promote free enterprise, self-sufficiency, and individual responsibility.
He also emphasizes that each generation must actively fight to preserve freedom, as liberty is always under threat.
Relevance Today
Though written decades ago, God, Family, Country remains relevant because it addresses issues still debated today:
- The decline of traditional values in favor of secularism.
- The growing influence of socialism and government dependency.
- Attacks on religious freedom and free speech.
- The increasing political divide over constitutional rights.
Benson’s message is clear: only through faith in God, strong families, and unwavering patriotism can America remain free and strong.
Conclusion
God, Family, Country is a powerful call to return to moral principles, protect the family unit, and defend constitutional freedoms. Ezra Taft Benson’s passionate warnings about government overreach, moral decay, and the erosion of personal responsibility serve as a reminder that freedom is never guaranteed—it must be actively preserved.
For those who believe in traditional values, limited government, and faith-based living, Benson’s book remains an essential read.
