Tom Bennett is a recent convert to the Mormon fundamentalist group called Centennial Park. It’s the first time I’ve been able to interview someone from this group. We’ll discuss his conversion to Protestantism to LDS and to Centennial Park. What attracted him to Mormon fundamentalism? We’ll discuss his Protestant conversion, LDS conversion & mission, faith crisis and spiritual reawakening in Centennial Park. We’ll dive into Centennial Park history & doctrine. Check out our conversation…
Tom Bennett’s Background and Conversion
Rick & Tom Bennett share a last name but they are not related. Tom lives in St. George,Utah, and recently converted to Centennial Park. Tom grew up in Georgia, where his family did not practice any religion. Tom began reading the King James Bible and eventually joined the Baptist Church. He recounts his exposure to Christianity in Georgia, where he attended a Baptist church. He describes his experience of being saved at a Baptist church altar call at age 15. He mentions his involvement in juvenile delinquency, including drug use and dropping out of school.
Tom’s Journey to LDS Church
Tom explains how he came across the LDS Church through a commercial for the Lamb of God videos. He describes his initial studies with LDS missionaries and his decision to join the LDS Church. He was baptized. He describes his interactions with members of the stake presidency who conducted advanced Sunday school lessons that contained some fundamentalist themes. He decided to serve a mission. He discusses his family’s reaction to his decision to become a missionary and the financial challenges he faced.
Tom’s Mission & Intro to Fundamentalism
Tom details his missionary service in the Ogden Utah mission, where he was excited to learn more about the gospel. Tom shares his exposure to advanced LDS doctrine, including the Adam-God theory and the King Follett discourse. He recounts his experience of reading the Journal of Discourses and being reprimanded for reading Truth Magazine.
Tom’s Departure from LDS Church
Tom describes his encounter with a Salt Lake Temple sealer in Bountiful, Utah who was practicing plural marriage and offered his daughters to Tom. Tom explains how this encounter led to a significant loss of the Spirit. The event happened at the end of his mission. After he left his mission, he quit going to church and began riotous living. He mentions his return to Utah and his 20 years of inactivity in the LDS church.
Tom’s Reconnection with Religion and Discovery of Centennial Park
Tom shares how his daughter’s request to pray rekindled his spiritual interest. He describes his involvement in various philosophies and religious studies, including Tibetan Buddhism and occult traditions. He became interested in Mormonism again and discovered Centennial Park. He recounts his initial contact with a member of the priesthood council and his positive experiences with the community. He met an apostle following a concert. Tom is a country singer & gave a concert in the Centennial Park/Short Creek area.
View on LDS Church
Rick asked Tom about how they view the LDS Church. Is the LDS Church essential a JV team while Centennial Park is the varsity? Tom agreed with that characterization and expressed his belief that the LDS Church has turned away from many original doctrines: polygamy, Adam-God, etc. Rick asked about other groups like FLDS (which Centennial Park split from in 1984.) Tom felt other polygamist groups did not have as much authority as Centennial Park.
High Priest Apostles/Council of Friends
Tom discusses the concept of high priest apostles and the Council of Friends, tracing it back to Joseph Smith’s early restoration efforts. Tom explains the patriarchal covenant and the work of Abraham, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and priesthood. He elaborates on the celestial laws of plural marriage and the united order, essential for creating the millennial Zion.
Tom Bennett’s Personal Journey and Centennial Park
Tom shares his personal journey to Centennial Park, emphasizing his commitment to the fullness of the gospel and priesthood authority. He explains the process of plural marriage in Centennial Park, where women seek revelation from their Heavenly Father before marriage. Women propose marriage to men, not the other way around. Tom discusses his non-member wife’s commitment to support him in his faith journey, despite not being baptized yet. He describes the celebratory nature of Centennial Park, including social gatherings and events like the New Year’s Eve dance, which is very different from the FLDS Church that has banned dancing.
What do you think of Tom’s story? Do you have any interactions with Mormon fundamentalists?
Wheat & Tares 
I have a difficult time believing that a temple sealer was secretly practicing polygamy and that he offered his daughter to Tom as a bride. I find this implausible. I know and have worked with people in the Centennial Park group though, and they are good people.
I truly believe that the Fundamentalists are carrying out an important work in the restoration. I believe I and embrace the fullness of the Gospel while sustaining the “Mother Church” as the rightful Church. I am grateful for the Fundamentalists who keep certain Priesthood keys alive. I just find it so discouraging that there are so many splinter groups and break offs. The Restoration is very fragmented! I hope the Lord Jesus will set His house in order by bringing all Mormons together!