William H. Bennett (Mormon)

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William Hunter Bennett (November 5, 1910 – July 23, 1980) was an LDS Church general authority from 1970 until his death. He was born in Taber, Alberta, Canada. He studied agriculture, earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Utah State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He worked as a professor of agronomy at Utah State University. Bennett married Patricia June Christensen, and they had six children. He was also a strong amateur athlete and tried out for Canada’s Olympic team in shot put and discus in 1936.

In 1970, Bennett was called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and served as a general authority. In 1976, when the position of Assistant to the Twelve was abolished, he became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and served there until 1978, then became an emeritus general authority.

While serving as an assistant, he worked on church matters in Africa and helped address a baptism issue for Black South Africans, given the church’s priesthood restrictions at the time. After consulting with church leaders, he indicated that baptisms should not proceed at that time. This policy remained in place until the 1978 revelation that opened the priesthood to men of all races.

Bennett died at his home in Bountiful, Utah, at age 69.