Richmond/

Benson Stake

Table of Contents

History

Benson Stake Presidents

Richmond Stake Presidents

Stake Patriarchs

Relief Society Presidents

Phote Gallary

About

The Benson, Utah Stake was created on May 1, 1901 and was renamed to the Richmond, Utah Stake in 1978. The Richmond, Utah Stake, also known as the Richmond Stake, covers only the wards of Richmond, Utah: Richmond 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Cherry Creek, City Creek, and High Creek.

History

The Richmond Ward was created on November 15, 1859 by Orson Hyde and Ezra Taft Benson, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Richmond Ward was in the Cache Stake, the first stake in Cache Valley. In 1901, the Benson, Utah Stake was organized, and by persuasion of Apostle, and Richmond citizen, Marriner W. Merrill, was centered in Richmond. William H. Lewis was called as the President of the Benson Stake. The Benson stake did not have an official Stake Center until the Richmond Tabernacle was constructed in 1906.

When the Richmond Stake was organized, it contained the following wards: Amalga, Clarkston, Cronish, Cove, Lewiston 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Newton, Richmond North, Richmond South, Smithfield 1st, 2nd, and Trenton. The Tabernacle served as the Stake Center until 1962, when it was damaged by the Cache Valley Earthquake. While a new building was being constructed, the Lewiston, Utah, churchhouse was made a temporary Stake Center. The Richmond Stake Center was constructed in 1964.

On May 7, 1978, the Benson Stake was divided into the Richmond and Benson Stakes.1 Depending on records and historians, some suggest that the Benson Stake was renamed to the Richmond Stake, and the Benson Stake that is located in Benson, Utah is an entirely different Stake, while others suggest that the Richmond Stake is a new Stake. After the divide, the Richmond Stake consisted of only Richmond, Cove, and Lewiston.

In 2018, it was announced that the High Creek Ward would be created and all existing ward boundaries would be redrawn. All Bishoprics, except the City Creek Bishopric, were released, and 5 new bishoprics were called.

In 2023, it was announced that a new stake would be organized between the Benson, Utah Stake and the Richmond, Utah Stake. The Lewiston, Utah Stake was organized on Sep 24, 2023, taking all Lewiston wards and the Cove. The Richmond Stake only covers Richmond.

14 April 1909 • Wednesday

"I attended regular council meeting from 10 A.M. to 2:35 P.M. Received appointment with Elder Hyrum M. Smith to the Benson Stake Conference to be held at Richmond Cache Co. Utah next Saturday and Sunday."

16 April 1909 • Friday

"I did a few errends and returned home & made ready to leave on 3:55 P.M. train for Richmond where I attend Benson Stake Conference. Pres. Alma Merrill met Elder Hyrum M. Smith and me at the Ry. Station and took us to his home where we made our home while in Richmond."

17 April 1909 • Saturday

"Weather pleasant. My health good

"I attended 10 A.M. Conference meeting Present 201. Speakers wer[e] Pres. Wm Waddoups, Elder Hyrum M. Smith and myself. I occupied 25 minutes, Generality.

"At 2 P.M. meeting attendance 311. The Speakers were in order as follows, Brigham A. Hendricks of the Stake Presidency Elder Price, myself & Elder H. M. Smith. My subject, Dan 2: Restoration 35 minutes.

"After afternoon meeting we drove to Lewiston and held meeting in the evening. We divided the Lewiston First ward & made a new ward & called [p. 84] it Lewiston 3rd ward. Installed the following bishopric. Thomas S. Karren Bp., Philo W. Auston 1st Counselor and Loren W. Marler second counselor.

"I ordained & set apart the bishop & second Counselor & Elder Smith set apart the first Counselor. Elder Smith occupied about 30 or 40 minutes. I talked about 20 minutes. We returned home after meeting reaching Richmond about 11.30 P.M"

18 April 1909 • Saturday

"Attended Sunday School at 9 A.M. and spoke. Subject, obedience.

"At 10 AM meeting attendance 631 I occupied 25 minutes Subject obedience.

"At 2 P.M. meeting held in Tabernacle Attendance 911 I occupied about 35 or 40 minutes Text Rev. 14:6, 7

8 P.M. Conjoint Mutual in meeting house. Bro. Smith & I each spoke.

"My subject was The Eternity of the marriage covenant."

April 1909, The Journal of George F. Richards, accessed February 25, 2024 https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/george-f-richards/1900s/1909/1909-04?lang=eng&highlight=richmond#:~:text=16%20April%201909,the%20marriage%20covenant