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Truman G. Madsen

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Truman Grant Madsen
File:Truman Madsen.jpg
Born(1926-12-13)December 13, 1926
DiedMay 28, 2009(2009-05-28) (aged 82)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarvard University (Ph.D.)
University of Utah
University of Southern California
Occupation(s)Philosopher, historian, speaker, author, professor
Websitehttp://trumanmadsen.com/

Truman Grant Madsen (13 December 1926 – 28 May 2009)[1] was an emeritus professor of religion and philosophy at Brigham Young University and director of the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. He was a prolific author, a recognized authority on Joseph Smith, and a popular lecturer among Latter-day Saints. [citation needed] At one point Madsen was an instructor at the LDS Institute of Religion in Berkeley, California.

Biography

Madsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a grandson of Heber J. Grant.[2]

Madsen served as a missionary in the New England Mission with S. Dilworth Young as his mission president. After his marriage and the start of his academic career, he was called in 1961 to serve as president of the New England Mission.[3] He served in this position until he was replaced by Boyd K. Packer in 1965.[4]

Madsen received his Ph.D. from Harvard University.[5] He also studied at the University of Utah and the University of Southern California.

Madsen wrote several philosophical theses, including Four Essays on Love.[6] He also wrote a paper Are Christians Mormon?,[7] as well as a biography of B. H. Roberts.

While at Brigham Young University, Madsen held the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding for over 20 years.[8] He also for a time served as the director of the BYU Jerusalem Center.

Madsen most recently served in the LDS Church as the patriarch of the Provo Utah Sharon East Stake.

He died at his home on the morning of 28 May 2009 from bone cancer.[9]

References

  1. ^ Truman G. Madsen, LDS author and scholar, died Thursday
  2. ^ Bio of Madsen on his web site
  3. ^ TrumanMadsen.com :: Biography
  4. ^ Tate, Lucille C., Boyd K. Packer: A Watchman on the Tower (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1995) p. 140
  5. ^ Truman G. Madsen
  6. ^ ISBN 0-88494-333-X
  7. ^ Truman G. Madsen's "Are Christians Mormon?"
  8. ^ Truman Madsen - his life and thought (Flash Video). The Wheatley Institution of Brigham Young University, the Talk Story Foundation. May 30, 2009. Event occurs at 14:06. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  9. ^ De Groote, Michael (June 3, 2009). "'Love and blessings' to Truman G. Madsen". MormonTimes. Retrieved 2009-06-03.