Standard of Truth
Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
The purpose of this podcast is to help Latter-Day Saints better understand their history and increase their faith. The podcast hosted by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 1, 2023 • 59min
S3E22 Happiness Part 2
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the “Happiness Letter” and how it came to be regarded as an authentic teaching of the prophet Joseph Smith. Gerrit also answers an emailer’s question about a person being sealed to more than one spouse in the most unsatisfying way possible.
Link to The Deseret News “Happiness” article published on December 12, 1855 - https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/desnews1/id/3090/rec/11
Gerrit’s article on the “Happiness Letter” - https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jmormhist.42.3.0094
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If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
May 25, 2023 • 53min
S3E21 Happiness Part 1
We begin a discussion about one of the most well-known documents in Latter-day Saint history and its provenance. We get to bag on one of the great villains of Latter-day Saint history, John C. Bennett.
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If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
May 18, 2023 • 53min
S3E20 Dreadful Resurrection
In this episode, we answer a listener's question about an obscure Joseph Smith quote that was once related in General Conference. Richard barely contains his hope that the Lakers make the NBA finals.
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Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
May 11, 2023 • 1h 18min
S3E19 Did Joseph Smith Really Use A Seer Stone?
In this episode, we hear from a longsuffering listener and member in Wisconsin, who take a brief break from constantly filling baptismal fonts to let us know there are members still in Wisconsin. We discuss a rising trend/movement among Church members to adamantly reject that Joseph Smith used seer stones placed into a hat (in order to block out the light) to translate the Book of Mormon. We discuss the multiple Church publications and statements on the topic.
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Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
May 4, 2023 • 58min
S3E18 D&C 4 and 5 (formerly premium content from HPFOP)
As it is the season when many missionaries receive their callings, we want to help provide additional resources for mission prep. In this episode, we replay a premium episode from Holy Places from Our Past (#CrinklingLeaves) that discusses the historical context around D&C Sections 4 and 5 which include the miraculous events that led to Joseph Smith meeting Oliver Cowdery.
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If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Apr 27, 2023 • 1h 12min
S3E17 The Beginnings of the Apostasy (formerly premium content from JSR)
As it is the season when many missionaries receive their callings, we want to help provide additional resources for mission prep. In this episode, we replay a premium episode from Joseph Smith and the Restoration that discusses the Great Apostasy. We talk about the immediate problems that arise for Paul as the Gospel spreads to the Gentiles. To understand the restoration, we need to gain an understanding of what was lost and what is being restored.
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Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Apr 20, 2023 • 55min
S3E16 Missionary Extravaganza
In this episode, we discuss some of the topics that are important to study as you prepare to serve a mission. Gerrit also shares several stories of early missionary work in the Church. If you would like the links to the episodes that discuss the missionary preparation topics, please sign up for the newsletter. The link is below:
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Apr 13, 2023 • 1h 3min
S3E15 Bad Sources and Animal Sacrifice
In this episode, we answer a missionary's inquiry about antagonistic claims that Joseph Smith and his family performed animal sacrifices. Richard also gets fact-checked on his NCAA tournament sports picks.
Join us on the Standard of Truth Tour (a few slots still available): Monday, June 5th through Sunday, June 11th - https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Apr 6, 2023 • 1h 8min
S3E14 Free Will or Fate
We respond to a listener's question about a sacred ordinance and another listener's question about whether or not we are truly free to act if God has omniscience.
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Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Mar 30, 2023 • 60min
S3E13 What Documents Should the Church Keep Private?
In this episode, we discuss the documents that the Church chooses to make public versus those they decide to keep private. Yup, archive talk. If that doesn't do it for you, we also lovely make fun of Canada.
Join us on the Standard of Truth Tour (a few slots still available): Monday, June 5th through Sunday, June 11th - https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
