Monte L. Bean: Naturalist and Benefactor of the BYU Life Science Museum (1899–1982)
Published August 25, 2026 at 7:19 AM

Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
Monte Lafayette Bean (1899–1982) was a naturalist, businessman, and faithful Latter-day Saint whose generosity funded the construction of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum at Brigham Young University, which opened in 1978. He also donated a portion of his own natural-history collection to the museum, giving from his means that the rising generation of the Saints might learn of the creations of God. The museum was remodeled and expanded in 2012–2014 and continues to bear his name. Brother Bean's life is a faith-promoting witness of the faithful Saints who multiply the resources the Lord has blessed them with to build up the Lord's university and reveal the wonders of the Creation.
Sources & References
'Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum,' Intermountain Histories (https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/415); 'Bean, Monte Lafayette (1899-1982),' HistoryLink (https://www.historylink.org/File/10921); 'Monte L. Bean Museum Giving,' BYU Life Sciences; 'BYU's Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum to Re-Open,' LatterDay Saint Magazine.
Every published account is vetted against its sources — read our editorial standards.
Related Miracles
Similar miracle types and stories from the 1970s.
Questions about this account
Who was involved in this account?
When did this account take place?
Where did this account take place?
What kind of miracle is this?
Where does this account come from?
Miracle of the Week
One remarkable, documented account in your inbox every Monday, drawn from the full archive.
