Truman Madsen Dies.

[_Eyepatch]

I agree with the prior post...these guys shouldn't receive accolades, but rather crickets chirping.

It was his phony/emotional vocal delivery that bothered me the most. He captured the "if I'm speaking in a hushed voice it will convey the idea that I'm a spiritual giant" way of speaking perfectly. This sing-song, crybaby way of speaking marks most of Mormonisms top brass and makes conference unwatchable.

I hope he's rotting in hell for the crime of furthering Mormonism.

[_DaniteDan]

Beware of those who speak softly because they will hit you with a big stick.

[_Morrissey]

I took a Philosophy course from Madsen my freshman year at BYU. He was a good teacher and a decent person.

In my wide-eyed freshman naïvété, I thought Madsen to be an intellectual giant. He may have been, probably was, but my respect for his intellect diminished over the years once I became more acquainted with his gushing, sycophantic, hagiographic treatment of Joseph Smith and Mormonism in general.

I also remember well a talk he gave, which I listened to ad nauseum during my mission, called (I think) "Every Member a Birddogger." He told wonderful stories about his own hyper-aggressive missionary tactics that always seemed to pay off with conversions and uplifting spiritual experiences. In retrospect, I doubt such tactics work with any kind of frequency--they certainly never did for me or for anyone else I've ever known. Still, he was entertaining.

RIP Truman.

[_Ray A]

While not a fan of Madsen's apologetics, I have read several of his books, including Four Essays on Love, The Highest In Us, Eternal Man, and the one I liked the most, Christ and the Inner Life.

For those who haven't read his Introduction to Nibley on the Timely and the Timeless, I consider this, by far, his best piece of short writing. It also gives us a glimpse into "Nibley the eccentric".

Foreword to the First Edition,Truman G. Madsen. (From Hugh Nibley, Nibley on the Timely and the Timeless: Classic Essays of Hugh W. Nibley, 2nd ed. [Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004], xxix-xxxviii.)

[_Gazelam]

A great little video has been produced in honor of Brother Madsen. I found it very enjoyable. A number of my favorite people show up in it, including Brother Holland, Sheri Dew, and Robert Millet.

Truman Madsen Video