Good evening, dear friends. It is a privilege to occupy this pulpit, though, believe me, I am well aware that those who’ve honored to deliver the Truman G. Madsen Eternal Man Lecture through the years are to a person more qualified than I. But Truman Madsen had an outsized influence in my life. So tonight, I welcome the chance to pay tribute to him and, in particular, to the masterful way he combined depth of scholarship with deep faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and to His prophets.

In connection with Faith Matters, Wheatley Institute sponsored an event at the National Press Club earlier this month titled "The Peacemaker: Exploring the Legacy of President Russell M. Nelson." While acknowledging President Nelson's passing this past week, we re-emphasize his prophetic call to be peacemakers in a polarizing time.

Wheatley Institute sponsored a 2-day BYU conference focused on The Family: a Proclamation to the World in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Speakers included Wheatley Institute Family Initiative Director Jason Carroll and fellows Jenet Erickson, Shima Baradaran Baughman, Brian Willoughby, Loren Marks and Justin Collings.

In the final session of the 2023 Religious Freedom Annual Review, a conference co-sponsored by Wheatley Institute and BYU Law's International Center for Law and Religion Studies, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke on the need for people to be good stewards of religion. His remarks encapsulated the general theme of the event, focusing on the need for all to be courageous in their religiosity. Deseret News and Church News both covered this session.

The "Inside Sources" podcast had three guest speakers: Jonathan Rauch, Anne Snyder, and Russell Moore; that discussed various topics regarding religion, politics, and society. Each person's commentary helped set the stage for their participation in the June 15, 2023 Religious Freedom Annual Review, hosted by Wheatley Institute and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies.

Wheatley Director Paul Edwards Writes Tribute to Pastor in Deseret News