Reed Amussen Benson (January 2, 1928 – August 24, 2016) was an American academic and professor of religion at Brigham Young University who was the national director of public relations for the John Birch Society.

[2] In 1960, Ezra Taft Benson made a proposition to Brigham Young University president Ernest L. Wilkinson that his son Reed be used as a spy to "find out who the orthodox teachers were and report to his father."

[4] In October 1962, Ezra Taft Benson sought permission from LDS Church President David O. McKay to join the John Birch Society but was denied.

[9] The LDS Church called Ezra Taft Benson on a mission to Europe in late 1963 in the hopes that his political zeal would be tempered.

[11] In 1965, Reed Benson endorsed the claim of Robert W. Welch Jr., that former President Dwight D. Eisenhower had been a Communist agent.

[13] In response, Benson wrote a memorandum to all Birch Society chapters instructing them to spread rumors that the protesters planned violent riots: "It is common knowledge that the Civil Rights Movement is Communist controlled, influenced and dominated.

It is urged that in the coming weeks the Utah Chapters begin a whispering campaign and foster rumors that the Civil Rights groups are going to organize demonstrations in Salt Lake City in connection with the forthcoming LDS conference.

[15][16] Rumors of professional demonstrators and rioters prompted the Utah National Guard to begin riot control maneuvers.