Elder Ezra Taft Benson's Impossible Journey Through Postwar Europe (1946)

In December 1945, President George Albert Smith called Ezra Taft Benson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, to lead a mission to war-ravaged Europe to reestablish contact with Latter-day Saints and distribute much-needed welfare supplies. This was an extraordinary assignment: Benson had been an apostle for only two years and had the largest and youngest family of anyone in the Twelve.

Frederick W. Babbel, a young man who had previously served in the German-Austrian Mission (1936–1939) and in the U.S. armed forces, was called as Benson's secretary. Before departing, they were set apart and blessed by the First Presidency—George Albert Smith and his counselors J. Reuben Clark Jr. and David O. McKay. In his blessing, President Smith promised: "your influence [will] be felt for good by all you come in contact with, and . . . you and they [will] be made to feel that there is a power and spirit accompanying you not of man."

What followed was a remarkable series of miracles as President Benson and Brother Babbel attempted to accomplish what military officials deemed impossible.

**THE IMPOSSIBLE BEGINNING:**

When they arrived in Paris and approached a U.S. Army colonel about their plan to travel through all four military zones in Germany and Austria and into Czechoslovakia, the colonel was astounded: "Mr. Benson, are you crazy? Don't you realize there has been a war here and that to date no civilian travelers have been permitted to enter these military areas to conduct the kind of work you suggest?"

The military had no provisions for civilian visitors; all food, accommodations, and travel were restricted for military use. No automobiles were being sold to civilians, and no gasoline was available to them. When the exasperated colonel insisted these things were "impossible," President Benson simply said, "Let's get busy!"

**THE FIRST MIRACLE—ACQUIRING TRANSPORTATION:**

Within a single day, President Benson had:

1. Purchased an army truck from the Army Liquidation Commission

2. Visited thirty French government officials and industrial executives and secured two new French Citroen automobiles

3. Arranged for the French government to provide a limited supply of gasoline

The stunned colonel who had insisted everything was impossible now approved military orders allowing them to enter the American Zone of Germany and pass through the French Zone. Babbel wrote: "What a glorious demonstration of the power of the Lord! A few days previously, all of these developments were considered to be impossibilities, humanly speaking. Today they had become realities."

They became the first Americans not on government assignment to enter these war zones after World War II.

**THE SECOND MIRACLE—THE FOUR-STAR GENERAL:**

When President Benson and Brother Babbel reached Frankfurt to meet with four-star General McNarney (commander of all American forces in Europe), even the colonel was skeptical that the general would see them. The general's aide tried to prevent the meeting, and when the general finally saw them, he was dismissive and anxious to end the interview quickly.

But President Benson, with what Babbel described as "gentleness and power," shook the general's hand and looked intently into his eyes while speaking with deep feeling and conviction. Babbel wrote: "This was a crucial moment. So much of our future success seemed to hang on the outcome of this interview."

As President Benson spoke, the general's eyes became moist with tears. His "cold militaristic manner gave way to a warm, spirited expression" as he said: "Mr. Benson, there's something about you that I like. I want to help you in every way that I can!"

The general then agreed to alter military regulations to accommodate Church relief supplies. When President Benson informed him that they had ninety large welfare storehouses bulging with food and clothing ready for shipment within twenty-four hours, the general was astonished. He gave written authorization for the Church to make its own distribution through its own channels—something never before permitted.

**THE DIVINE POWER ATTENDING THE MISSION:**

One Latter-day Saint chaplain who witnessed these events told President Benson: "President Benson, you have more influence, more power and authority with government officials, than any general in the United States Army!"

Babbel testified: "I certainly felt to concur with this remark. With each passing day the evidence continued to mount and assure us that the Lord was truly with this dedicated servant and his watchcare was over us daily."

This remarkable 1946 mission became a powerful demonstration of divine power in the modern era, showing how one man's faith and the Lord's blessing could accomplish what military officials and government authorities deemed humanly impossible. The relief supplies distributed through President Benson's efforts sustained thousands of Latter-day Saints in Europe during the most desperate period after World War II.