Posted by:
Reed Smith
(
)
Date: August 30, 2016 01:02PM
As Reed Benson's senior missionary Assistant for almost a year, I got to know him well, and had a number of experiences that reflected his unique personality. Here are a few of my favorites:
Once we all (my companion, Reed, his wife May, and several of the kids) went to an "Up With People" (UWP) concert. As usual, I sat next to RB in case he needed me to do anything for him.
Anyway, UWP began singing a song, called "What Color Is God's Skin," intended to emphasize that He had no color and was God for all people of color. The seemingly endless refrain, "What Color Is God's Skin" was repeated over and over again, ad nausea. Finally, RB leaned over to me, and with his characteristic smirk, whispered, "White."
On another occasion, once my companion lost his wallet, which resulted in a thorough search of the mission office without success. The next day we were all kneeling in the usual morning prayer at the mission office. I was asked to give the prayer, and gave what I thought was a very good, humble, and thorough prayer. However, when we all started to get up afterword, RB stayed down and without lifting his head, said, "Elder Smith, Why don't you add a little P.S. about Sheldon's wallet? So we all went down again, and I added the P.S.
Finally, just before I left the mission field, a new Assistant was called in, who I was supposed to train. He was very nervous about his new calling, and wanted to please RB, who came across as gruff and formal to those who did not know him. So, at one point, I asked this new Assistant take another missionary and pick up RB at the airport. He parked the car at the Airport and he and his companion went in to meet RB. In the meantime, my companion and I followed and while he was in the Airport, we used our car key to set the radio to a hard rock station, such that when the car was turned on it would blast rock music automatically, music which, of course, RB hated and disallowed. The trick worked. The Assistant, of course, was embarrassed and tried to "explain" his innocence. Back at the office we confessed. RB thought the joke was hilarious, as I knew he would.
I could go on and on.
As is often the case with such people, underneath the bigotry and narrow-mindedness, RB was a person of great personal charm, kindness, humor, and yes, humility. Being a left-wing liberal even back then, I always distained his politics and social positions. Nonetheless, I could not resist liking him.
May he rest in peace.