

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

Aug 31, 2023 • 1h 8min
S3E35 The Final Charge to the Twelve
We discuss the final charge of Joseph Smith to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wherein Joseph gave all of the keys he possessed to the Twelve collectively shortly before he was murdered.
Wilford Woodruff Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NjANSFISFY
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
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Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com

Aug 24, 2023 • 1h 6min
S3E34 The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected
Disclaimer: Halfway through the episode Richard’s mic stopped working. You’re welcome. In this episode, we answer a thoughtful listener's question about the origin of the oft-quoted missionary stanza (and our podcast's namesake) The Standard of Truth.
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com

Aug 17, 2023 • 1h 9min
S3E33 Why Me?
In this episode, we finally get to a persistent listener’s email. We didn’t come close to answering his question, but by reading a portion of his email we felt that we met him halfway. Gerrit and Richard answer a listener's question about the awkward phrasing of "the Ohio" in the Doctrine and Covenants. They then focus on a question from a listener about the sometimes overwhelming thought that some of us have found the Restored Gospel while so many billions have not.
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

Aug 10, 2023 • 1h 14min
S3E32 ”Mormon Hell”
The hosts discuss Mormon Hell, comparing it to Jehovah Witness beliefs and exploring its significance in Latter-day Saint theology. They also delve into the concept of suffering and punishment, the role of baptism in salvation, and the broader belief in humanity's salvation.

Aug 3, 2023 • 1h 2min
S3E31 Building Temples
We answer a few listeners’ questions about the Joseph Smith Papers and then about the building of temples for Latter-day Saints in the last days.
Rex’s Elder’s Quorum President should begin listening at the 17th minute
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com

Jul 27, 2023 • 1h 1min
S3E30 Speaking in Tongues in the Early Church
Rex’s Elder’s Quorum President should begin listening at the 8th minute
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com

Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 4min
S3E29 Joseph Smith’s Public Rebuke of Brigham Young
In this episode, we discuss the well-known story of Brigham Young being publicly rebuked by Joseph and its origin. We also discuss who really was the first postmaster of Quebec...the answer may surprise you.
Truman Madsen’s speech referencing Brigham Young’s rebuking: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/truman-g-madsen/joseph-smith-teacher-speaker-counselor/
Reference to Brigham Young speaking about Joseph Smith in the first Church conference after he was murdered (beginning on page 672): https://www.latterdaytruth.org/pdf/100150.pdf
Rex’s Elder’s Quorum President should begin listening at the 13th minute
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com

Jul 13, 2023 • 57min
S3E28 Getting ”Bogged” Down by Alleged Prophecy Part 2
Gerrit and Richard continue discussing John C. Bennett's role in claiming Joseph Smith ordered Porter Rockwell to murder Boggs and put up a reward for it. They examine what Joseph did say about Boggs and then discuss the California settlement of both the Saints and Boggs and the likely origin of the rumored prophecy...Gerrit can't help himself and mentions the Compromise of 1850 and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and goes on a tangent about a scheme to make a Mega Giant California when it first became a state.
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

Jul 6, 2023 • 57min
S3E27 Getting ”Bogged” Down By Alleged Prophecy Part 1
In this two-part conversation, Richard and Gerrit discuss a listener's inquiry about a rumored Joseph Smith prophecy about the death and grave of former Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs, of Extermination Order infamy. Gerrit discusses some of the background surrounding Boggs and of course gets angry about what happened in Missouri. He gets more angry when they start talking about John C. Bennett.
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

Jul 4, 2023 • 1h 4min
S3B2 Rerelease of the 4th of July Extravaganza
We wanted to rerelease our 4th of July Extravaganza episode. What better way to celebrate our nation's independence than rereleasing an episode that talks about how we didn't celebrate the 4th of July in 1845. We think the saints were pretty justified.
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