On How We Know | Truman G. Madsen | 1994

How do we know that God exists? Truman G. Madsen poses questions, philosophical truths and “religious undergirding experiences” to explore the topic.
This devotional was given on September 20, 1994.
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A friend of mine who has spoken more than once at this lectern said to me one day, “There are no great speakers, there are only great audiences.” I consider this one of the great audiences in the world, and I’m overwhelmed with a sense of destiny. I believe the world’s future is being made right here.
A little boy, I’m told, wrote a letter to God (this is published in a collection of children’s letters). It said, “Dear God, How do you feel about people who don’t believe in you? A friend of mine wants to know.” Recently I was invited to sit in on a graduate class elsewhere-a group most critical and equipped with jaw-breaking terminology and bone-breaking arguments against religion. At one point I said, “So I’ll know where you’re coming from, would each person here consider: If you had only one question to address to Jesus Christ, what would you ask him?” Well, most of those in the room had a grievance and said that they would ask a kind of “pick-a-fight” question. But one lad, in the corner, didn’t respond, and, having been urged, finally said with a thoughtful smile, “Well, if I had only one question, I would ask, ‘How am I doing?’”
Brothers and sisters, over a period of forty years I have worked in the area of “how one knows.” And I can report, in a comparative mood, that there are really only five main modes that have been appealed to in all the traditions, philosophical or religious: an appeal to reason, an appeal to sense experience, to pragmatic trial and error, to authority-the word of the experts-and, finally, to something a bit ambiguous called “intuition.” I can report, too, that from my judgment those five modes are harmonized and balanced in our living tradition more effectively than in any other tradition I know.
Is there a religious way of knowing? Do these modes leave anything out? To answer that, I want to speak of a religious undergirding experience and not just of religious experiences. Let me tell you that there are evidences now, widely recognized, that religious experiences are far more common than has been observed in the recent past and that they are not simply the projections of infantile regression, which is what some reductive psychological theories say. It is at least possible that the sense of God originates in God himself.
Let me begin with a few quotations from an almost-forgotten poet, historian, and eventually member of the Council of the Twelve-Orson F. Whitney. Listen.
Why are we drawn toward certain persons, and they to us, as if we had always known each other? Is it a fact that we always have? Is there something, after all, in that much abused term “affinity”? . . . At all events, it is just as logical to look back upon fond associations, as it is to look forward to them. We believe that ties formed in this life will be continued in the life to come; then why not believe that we had similar ties before we came into this world, and that some of them, at least, have been resumed in this state of existence?
After meeting someone whom I had never met before on earth, I have wondered why that person’s face seemed so familiar. More than once, upon hearing a noble sentiment expressed, though unable to recall that I had ever heard it until then, I have found myself in sympathy with it, was thrilled by it, and felt as if I had always known it. The same is true of some strains of music [some perhaps heard today]; they are like echoes of eternity. I do not assert pre-acquaintance in all such cases, but as one thought suggests another these queries arise in the mind.
When it comes to the Gospel, I feel more positive. Why did the Savior say: “My sheep know my voice?” Did a sheep ever know the voice of its shepherd if it had never heard that voice before? They who love the Truth, and to whom it most strongly appeals-were they not acquainted with it in a previous life? I think so. I believe we knew the Gospel before we came here, and that is what gives to it a familiar sound...

[@robalatre]

This was the same year (1994) Sister Madsen, as my BofM professor, invited us into her home to hear her husband's testimony of the prophet Joseph and the Book of Mormon. I did not realize just how special occasion this was. I certainly do now.

[@georgestancliffe9204]

The first time I ever heard of Truman G. Madsen was in Spring, 1968, when BYU Education Week came to San Jose, California. I realized that Bro. Madsen was a special man who had a real gift of the Spirit in testifying of Jesus Christ. I was 12 years old at the time and I can still recall how I felt.

[@BenMcrea61]

He lived what he taught which is why he had the Spirit attend his teaching and testifying

[@cokkep]

I miss his powerful insights, questions, and observations. So grateful for modern media which has captured so much. Thank you, Truman.

[@12345678902436]

What a remarkable man! I miss hearing his voice, message and personality. I too am grateful for the technology that allows us to explore the depths of his very solid testimony again and again. Heavenly Father only made one of Truman Madsen.

[@Steve-O77]

Next level stuff right here. This will take me a year to unpack all the doctrine contained in these thirty minutes. Love it!!

[@Jan-wd1is]

There were so many great speakers at this time. Elder Maxwell, and McConkie, and Madsen are just two, off the top of my head

[@ofelia829]

I cannot get enough from Truman Madsen. So full of the Spirit. What an intelligent heart. Thank you for uploading.

[@HighAltitudeInvesting]

Yup, couldn’t agree more!

[@marcusludwig5]

Bro. Madsen was and is brilliant and sorely missed for his insights he gave and left us. What a giant.

[@pahukolofoou]

Thank you for posting this talk🙏. What a talk!

[@lornaphillips7888]

This is as applicable today (2020) as it was in 1994. What a great man and what a great testimony. 🌸

[@Jan-wd1is]

My experience on discovering the BOM was the same. We can recognize the truth, it speaks to our soul as something we have heard before

[@jojolly1154]

ThankYou Father for helping me through Elder Madsen to know; What I felt was True.

[@besttrick2]

The mount Sinai analogy was something I've never really thought of and now can appreciate that more deeply.

[@rosariakodias_lifestyle]

If we don't receive the Spirit we are in condemnation but If we have the Spirit then we became the light. I love that. Obrigada

[@billmorris8846]

Thank you 🙏

[@jeffraemilia]

Yes. For me, absolutely inspirational.

[@shawndiebold]

This dude was brilliant.

[@hollyodii5969]

Amazing insight into gospel truths! One can really feel the spirit testify of Jesus Christ while pondering the substance of this talk.

[@peggybogar3059]

I wouldn't have a question but would tearfully thank Him.

[@Melybelle]

Love this man! Wish he we're still here to teach us!

[@patriciaklain8980]

He kind of is .

[@nedrasheeley4363]

He comforts me

[@miriammcgee]

Mind blowingly good. Just... wow.

[@TheBackpacker1974]

This feels like a foundational work to Lawrence Corbridge's Stand Forever talk!!

[@carsinruin6102]

thanks for sharing

[@dominicbailin2207]

Insight: scriptures are not an argument for the existence of God; they are the tools of witnesses for His existence. They bear the hope of knowledge of what we've already experienced and it is why the Holy Ghost will bring things to our remembrance.

[@TheMedcoder]

So profound. So true.

[@tatiginattosantana]

Amazing talk!! I’ll sure hear it again while taking notes.

[@celestialartworkmyongceles2518]

Amen.

[@ofelia829]

Wow! This is pure gold. Thank you so much for uploading.🌳

[@glenngarygoodell6352]

very good

[@iRunfastXC]

Dude Madsen was the MAN💪

[@JPBotero717]

Great talk

[@HighAltitudeInvesting]

This speech is awesome

[@devarskinner4268]

For the Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob amen!!!

[@edgarmiranda4917]

You can't say anything, but a big Amen!

[@lisiatepalu7737]

What a awesome talk ‘

[@user-kx5wu8fg9r]

ありがとうございました！

[@thirtywam]

Wow

[@Josh-ey8xm]

Double PhD educated spiritual guy. Yeah...these are the best talks. They get it.

[@johngundaker5655]

What a thought, I was not made from nothing, I was made from something that cannot be made, I have divinity within my soul to cultivate, may I so do everyday of my life, why, because there is a Christ, The Christ, who has shown me that I can and must and should and will, amen.

[@ThomasJDavis]

6:21 _"Did a sheep ever know the voice of a shepherd it had never head before?"_ And based on this logic, a Hindu could justify having known about their beliefs in a pre-Earth life because of how familiar their beliefs are to them.

[@bimhoff7793]

Not sure about that , logic or not.

[@Jan-wd1is]

There is some truth in most religions, look at the Egyptians, they have the temple ceremony, though corrupted. Egyptus, daughter of Ham brought the knowledge to them. Its everywhere, though changed

[@jmoneytheyeeter]

💰💰💰💰💰

[@frizzykk]

What is that mean?

[@Jan-wd1is]

Are those money bags?

[@jessegrant8666]

Not was brilliant is 😊

[@dominicbailin2207]

Insight: scriptures are not an argument for the existence of God; they are the tools of witnesses for His existence. They bear the hope of knowledge of what we've already experienced and it is why the Holy Ghost will bring things to our remembrance.