Bennett was an avid sportsman and in 1936 tried out for the Canadian Summer Olympics team in the shot put and discus throw.

While an assistant, Bennett was assigned to deal with work in Africa, and was involved in an ordeal in which missionaries were confused as to whether they were to baptize a number of black South Africans who wished to join the Church, despite the restrictions on blacks in holding the priesthood at that time.

Bennett and other officials approved baptisal, but the missionaries had concerns that such a move would anger the South African government, which they believed had reached a tacit agreement with the Church in the past stipulating that Mormon missionaries could preach in the country provided that they did not proselytize black South Africans.

After consulting with Marion G. Romney, Bennet wrote back to a missionary saying "It appears that we have received direction from the Brethren that this is not the time for us to move ahead with a program for baptizing the Bantus in South Africa."

This policy stood in place until the 1978 Revelation opened the priesthood to men of all races.