tributes to lowell Bennion
Perhaps the most important thing I did at the university was going every day to one or more classes at the LDS Institute of Religion. At that time, there were only two teachers, and we met in the old university chapel. One teacher was Brother Lowell Bennion, whom I took a special liking to. He was the one who started the first university Institute in the Church, under the direction of the brethren. Now it’s grown to more than 2000 university campuses over the country. Brother Bennion was a very pleasant person with a happy attitude and a constant smile. When I left for my mission, he was a speaker at my farewell. The reason these Institute classes were the most important thing is because they taught me about the purpose of life and gave me direction and answers to challenges which came hot and furious from some of the U of U professors. -- from the personal journal of Richard Stucki
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Bennion was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Milton Bennion and Cora Lindsay Bennion. In 1928, Bennion graduated from the University of Utah, married Merle Colton and then left to serve in the Swiss–German Mission of the LDS Church.[1] Bennion spent much of his mission in Zürich, where he served as branch president.[2] After serving two and a half years as a missionary Bennion began studies towards his Ph.D. at the University of Strasbourg. His wife came to France to live with him at about this point.
After earning his Ph.D. in sociology in 1933, Bennion returned to Utah and founded the Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah in 1934. Bennion later founded Teton Valley Boys Ranch and served as its director for many years. He served as a bishop in the LDS Church. The first food bank and homeless shelters in Utah were founded by Bennion. |
Lowell Bennion - Basic Facts
Whenever I hear the name of Lowell Bennion, I do so with profound respect and admiration for this man who influenced many young people for the better, including me. I met him at the MTC before my mission |
