Jon has really enjoyed Truman G. Madsen's lectures about Joseph Smith. I thought I would share the news of him passing away here.
Truman G. Madsen Passes Away
May 28, 2009 - LDS Living Staff
Truman Madsen, well known LDS scholar and educator, died this morning after a long battle with cancer. Madsen, a grandson of Heber J. Grant, was born in 1926 in Salt Lake City. He developed an interest in his Church heritage at a young age and would eventually become a recognized expert on Joseph Smith and one of the most popular lecturers among Church members on LDS topics.
After serving a mission in Canada and studying at the University of Utah and the University of Southern California, Madsen received his Master of art and PhD in history and philosophy of religion from Harvard University. Part of his legacy includes his work with leaders of other religions to better understand Mormonism.
A prolific author, Madsen has written numerous books, including Eternal Man and Christ and the Inner Life. He contributed to the five-volume Macmillan Encyclopedia of Mormonism and served as an editor for the project.
His most recent project took a similar vein his DVDs called On Sacred Ground, with this series devoted to walks in the Holy Land. The DVDs, called The Eternal Christ, include Madsen’s deep insights into and testimony of the Savior’s life. They are scheduled to be released this summer.
He served in the Church as a bishop, stake president, president of the New England Mission, and executive assistant of the Temple Square visitor’s center. Most recently, he served as the patriarch of the Provo Utah Sharon East Stake. He also served previously as director of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.
“Truman Madsen mastered the weighty matters, the themes of eternity, in a far-reaching range of interests: philosophy, scriptures, Jerusalem, Joseph Smith, and temples,” said D. Kelly Ogden, a friend and former associate director of the Jerusalem Center. “He has left deep impressions in ‘lives without number,’ in a worldwide context—as a professor, guest lecturer, commentator and writer, as a stake president, a mission president, as director of BYU's Jerusalem Center, and especially in his key roles as husband and father. The legacy of his brilliant mind and fervent spirit will live on for generations to come.”
Peter Johnson, who worked closely with Madsen on several projects, including On Sacred Ground and the upcoming The Eternal Christ, recalled Truman’s unique traits. “One of the things I will always remember is his humor and compassion. Everyone who knew him thought they were his best friend. And that tremendous love just reached out and touched any individual he had dealings with,” he said. “He was such Christ-like man.”
“Truman really is an amazing man," he concluded. "He is one-of-a-kind a man of tremendous intellect combined with faith and testimony. I’m so thankful that I was privileged to spend the intimate creative time that I did with such a profound thinker and man of God.”
Madsen and his wife, Ann Nicholls Madsen, are the parents of three grown children and a foster son.
I was checking to see if it would fit, it did then, but does not really now. I made the biggest size in the pattern. I guess I will have to think of something else for James.
I love James in overalls. I just think they look cute. I do not know what he is looking at here. Probably some toy in his lap, but I could not get him to look at the camera. Still cute pictures.
James has really started liking to be in the saucer (Thanks Sherri for letting us borrow it). He sat in it for more than an hour the other day. He was enjoying watching out the window. He really liked watching the lawnmower, and now when ever he hears a similar sound out side he looks to see if the lawnmower is there.
Yesterday, we went to the St. Mary's Branch Conference. We left at 7:30 a.m. and did not get home until 5:45 p.m. It was a long day, but fun to travel the entire distance of our Stake (north to south). James did fairly well. He was a little crabby when he was tired, but mostly he was happy. This was the last Unit Conference until mid-September. It will be kind of nice to be able to go to my ward and not have people think I am inactive.
We also went to lunch at the Davis's home in New Bremen, Ohio. Brother Davis is the Stake Young Men President, and he and his wife grew up in Idaho Falls. I actually went to high school with their niece and nephew. Lunch was really good, and nice to have something before driving back home.
And a close up. 
He likes grabbing things now even if it is his own hand.
Jon and James got me a dozen red roses for Mother's Day. I got the carnation from the Young Men in the ward.
James LOVES sweet potatoes. He would eat a whole jar in one sitting if I would let him, but I'm not sure his body could handle that much at once yet.
James did really good. I was the most surprised by that. I was sure he would not like it and let us know, but he slept, 
chewed on my fingers, 
and played.
Here is some of the scenery of the day. A little different from the previous day, but still a little monotonous. 
We did see more cities through Nebraska and Iowa like Lincoln 
and Omaha. 
And we saw a lot of wind power being generated. 
James played again.
though I am not sure how much Kara enjoyed it. 
She did not see to sure about James wanting to hold her hand.
We also got a piece of red raspberry pie for dessert. James was very talkative while we were eating. Shortly after this picture he fell asleep. 
We were sitting next to this wall. 
Check out the Coo Coo Clock, Beer Steins, and Cow Bells. This is the Cheese Factory across the street. 
We were going to check it out too, but it was pouring rain at this time and James was sleeping, so we headed for home.