Steve Benson actually passed away early this morning in Gilbert Arizona I actually met Steve through exmormon.org in 2005. I had found his testimony on the site in April 2005. As I was preparing the adult gospel doctrine lesson for my Ward. We were told Never to read anything negative about the church Butte. I just clicked on a testimony hit the printer and 74 pages later. The printer stopped and I put the pages in a manila envelope. Two months later, it was like the Jumanji drums calling to me, and I pulled them out and read every word. It all resonated and for the first time I felt I had clarity and justification in the feelings that I’ve had for so many years. That first I was relieved, and I became angry that I’ve been hoodwinked by the Church. I reached out to Steve and because of scheduling in such. We didn’t meet till September at the Dennys at the corner of Val, Vista Road and Warner. We met at 10 o’clock at night because he’s a night owl. We didn’t walk out till 5 o’clock the next morning as the sun was coming out. We has been best friends ever, since. I was so happy for him when you retired a little more than your half ago. And two months after he retired, already had that stroke. He went from being the most visionary, sharp, Wed, caustic at Times, mine in person I’ve ever met to living in a shell, where that incredibly creative mind could no longer create. That sharp witted tongue, could no longer converse in the same way. Steve has been living in a mental prison for a year and a half. He has now free too soar once again. Tears are flowing down my face. Partly because I miss my friend. But probably more because he’s now free. Most people on this board come and stay for a while and work through the challenges that they’re going through and then they move on. Steve was here because he knew that he was needed. I am truly blessed for being able to rub shoulders with this great man. There is a void in the world tonight. And nobody will be able to fill it the way Steve could. I encourage you to search his name and read the amazing insight and perspective that he had. Truly missing him, Brian. I use talk to text, so please forgive sent structure, and, grammar. Steve was always giving me shit because no matter what I wrote. It wasn’t proper, correct?
I did leave the church in 2005. I divorced my wife at the Time that same year. She actually texted me last week. If I had any regrets about my decisions and life and The responded yet. But one thing I know is that I never ever regretted leaving. It’s the best thing that I ever did. I reclaimed my life, and not say, haven’t had challenges, since, felt true Freedom, the day, I decided to leave and ever since.

Thank you for letting us know. Condolences to all those who knew and loved him. He was a wonderful presence on this board for many years, and had an impact on my life when I was leaving the Mormon church 19 years ago.

TG

A wish for Steve:

1. That there is an afterlife ...
2. That said afterlife has nothing to do whatever with the Great Abominable LDS Pseudo-Religion


Safe journey, Steve Benson ...

Brian, can you please tell me where you got this info?

His wife Claire let me know. he’s been under hospice care for quite a while and the only people that could see him was close family. She had just promised to let me know when it happened.

once I know when the memorial service will be, I will post it here.

Thank you Brian. I know he had been on hospice care since March. I am still processing, this is very sad.

Susan I/S Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you Brian. I know he had been on hospice
> care since March. I am still processing, this is
> very sad.

Yes, indeed.

I am so very sorry.

I wish that Steve could have enjoyed the long, blissful retirement he so richly deserved.

Condolences to Claire and to all Steve's family and friends.

Hi Susan. It’s Tom Clark. I spoke with Claire this morning and can confirm Steve’s passing. It’s hard to imagine after 25 years of friendship that I’m looking at a world without Steve in it.

Hi TLC.
Good of you to drop in to confirm.
I can't process him being gone yet. His bravery and cartoons impacted me greatly.

My thoughts are with Claire right now.

Nice to see you TLC. I was just thinking about you the other day while I was going through some old stuff. Wondered how you were getting on. Hope all is well.

I too am torn up about Benson passing. He was such a dynamic guy. So much personality packed into one person and too much energy. He wore me out. Tenacious on issues but never mean or malicious. I always worried for him when it came to his perfectionism. You are one of the few that knew what a kind person he was. He did so many things behind the scenes that he never talked about. I am sure I only know about a fraction of them.

I am glad you had such a long friendship. I know it meant a lot to him.

:o(

RIP Steve. My heart goes out to all who loved him.

I am saddened by this news. I met Steve years ago when he came to Salt Lake with Dan Barker.

This is very sad for us as a group and for truthfully speaking and writing.
Ì hope other(s) carry the torch forward.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2025 10:11PM by GNPE.

Leaving Mormonism was hard enough for me. I can hardly imagine what it was like under the spotlight of being ETB's eldest grandson, and a public figure in his own right thanks to his political cartoons.

I was going to add that calling out Dallin Oaks and BKP as liars was hard too, but on second thought, working at a newspaper, that is an utterly natural reflex. I bet he had no problem doing that.

RIP Steve. You will be missed.

I am very sorry to hear of this. My most sincere condolences to Claire, his family members and close friends. Steve was a consistent and faithful supporter of the exmo community. I loved his cartoons.

I am saddened by this news. Steve was a person of integrity. He could of had a comfortable life since he was born in Mormon royalty. The sons of general authorities and those who marry into Mormon royalty get lucrative positions inside and outside of the church. Steve chose to tell the truth instead. His writings have helped thousands. I plan to create an archive of his posts which will be more easily discoverable. I wish the best for Claire.

100%

To be remembered as a person of integrity is to have achieved true success.

Oh, no...RIP, Steve.

I haven't been on this board in a decade but 20 years ago I was on here a lot and interacted with Steve quite a bit.

Steve shined light into the dark places of our shared religion. I can't imagine the pressure he received from so much of his family. I appreciate his commitment to truth.

So many in the post Mormon community have been standing on his shoulders for many years. RIP

Terribly sad. RIP Steve. Your views have been and will be missed. Condolences to Claire and other loved ones.

I went on several Motorcycle rides with Steve great guy and a friend to all. RIP Steve

Thank you everyone.

As you can probably imagine I’m numb right now.

There will be zoom link to the memorial, which I’ll share with you when I have it. I’ll be meeting with them today.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2025 11:10AM by Claire Ferguson Benson.

Thinking of you, Claire. We're so sorry to hear your sad news. I had high hopes for a better outcome. Steve seemed indestructible.

Thank you in advance for the zoom link - I will definitely be there.

Take care of yourself.

And may Steve rest in well deserved peace.

I am so sorry Claire. I am just heartbroken about Steve passing. I don't want to bother you with mail but if there is anything Eric and I can do just let me know. Know our hearts are with you and we are thinking of you.

Take care of yourself during this terribly hard time. Hugz and tea.

Thank you Steve for lifting the curtain for so many of us. It was a great service. And thanks for all the art.

I haven’t posted here on rfm in years but I came back because I heard Steve passed. He was a great man. His posts here were a big help to me during my early years of deconstruction after waking up from the cult. He spoke his truth and lived with the consequences. He was an exmo pioneer who blazed a blazed a trail that helped a lot of people.

Steve Benson will be missed.

He spoke truth to power to both the political system and the Mormon establishment.

Wow! I go away from the Board for a couple of days and come back to find...

While I was thankfully never LDS, some of Steve Benson's posts--particularly a story I read about how his grandfather treated animals--helped to convince me that I'd better stay away from attempting to date the LDS woman I was considering dating at the time.

RIP Steve Benson! And, condolences to Clare and all who knew him personally.

I was on the board back in 2004 - 2006 and navigating my faith journey out of the church at that time. I recall a get together was planned but unfortunately I never made it to that one or else I would have had the opportunity to meet Steve. I did get to meet Shummy and John The Fred back then for a few lunches. Both had met Steve and parlayed his ability to pick apart the church in what we all would recognize as Steve’s brilliance and cut throat humor.

I am so sorry, Claire. I'm glad he found you. He did so much for those of us leaving mormonism. Some of his posts were mind blowing! When you find out what these men were really like, etc. I will also be watching.

Here is an article in the Mirror:

https://azmirror.com/2025/07/08/pulitzer-winning-political-cartoonist-steve-benson-dies-at-71/

Jim Small, the editor-in-chief, said in part:

“I will forever remember Steve for his giant heart, his unending kindness, his creativity, his piercing sense of humor and his moral certainty in the face of injustice.”


We could all wish for such a wonderful epitaph.

As Eric K put it, Steve could have had a cushy life and found ways to rationalize it.

Instead he prioritized moral courage, and paid the price.

Sadly, there simply aren’t enough people like him in the world.

I am so very sorry to hear of Steve's death. He was a remarkable, talented, intelligent, and wonderful guy. Many of us exmo's owe him a huge debt.

RIP.

HH =-(

I was so saddened to learn of his death, though it was expected. He was my first exmo hero, as well as a tell-it-like-is political commentator. I really appreciated his well-thought-out posts and research about mormon history. He is loved and missed by many. Farewell, Steve Benson



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2025 01:04PM by BrightAqua.

My most sincere condolences to Claire. Steve shed light on things I knew nothing about in Mormonisn having walked away 50+ years ago. Blessings to all that knew and loved him.

Steve and I traded a few messages while I was navigating my own journey out of my belief system of origin. He understood it was a complicated process, and that each of us had to follow our own timeline.

Thus spake Mujun.

I first discovered this board about2003 and now rarely check it. Maybe 1-2 times per year.

In the early days it was validating to discover that someone from such prominent Mormon royalty and such a clear thinker was treading the same path. A man of integrity.

It was sad to hear of his deterioration and sad again to hear of his passing. Condolences to all who knew and loved him.

Oh, steve.

I never met Steve, but feel almost like I know him, given his lengthy posts, cartoons, and a couple of email exhchanges years ago. He was a heavy hitter in this community, and will be missed.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, family, friends and loved ones.

Rest in peace, Steve.

My most heartfelt condolences, dear Claire.