

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

Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 6min
S3E39 Baptism Required for Salvation
In this episode, we discuss the claim made by the pastor at Alvin Smith’s funeral that Alvin was in hell because he wasn’t baptized. We go on to discuss the role that baptism plays for other Christians and Latter-day Saints.
If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
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

Sep 21, 2023 • 46min
S3E38 Colonizing the Holy Land
In this episode, we discuss the bizarre conclusion to George Adam's attempts to found a Church prepared for the Second Coming and Richard learns that at least one 13-year-old listens just for his sports references.
If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
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

Sep 14, 2023 • 1h 12min
S3E37 Apostles, Apostates, and Apothecaries: George Adams
In this week’s episode, a listener's question about the Council of Fifty leads us to a discussion of George Adams and a blistering letter from his brother Elias over the James Strang controversy.
If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
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

Sep 8, 2023 • 11min
S3B4 Okay, Let’s Try That Again
We were so excited to launch our Standard of Truth Tours for 2024...and then our credit card processor (Square) crashed. We talk about a couple of funny things that happened and read several funny responses that we received.
We are sorry for the issue. It appears to be fixed and if you ran into issues yesterday we hope that today you will have a better experience
If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

Sep 7, 2023 • 16min
S3B3 Standard of Truth Tours 2024
We are excited to announce two tours in 2024. Please click on the link for additional details https://standardoftruth.com/tours/

Sep 7, 2023 • 50min
S3E36 Questioning Richard’s Understanding of Authority
In this week’s episode, a listener takes Richard to the woodshed because she believes his discussion of what constitutes a "general authority" is incorrect. We discuss the historical beginnings of the term.
Difference between Area Authority Seventy and General Authority Seventy
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/4/1/23264989/what-is-a-general-authority-area-seventy-general-officer-area-presidency-church-organization
If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
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 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
Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/
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.