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 29, 2023 • 57min
S3E26 Apostles and Apostates Part 1 (the Calling of the Twelve Apostles)
The podcast discusses the calling of the Twelve Apostles, their selection process, and the dynamics within the church hierarchy. They also share their experiences from recent tours and plans for future ones, including a historical tour and a church history tour. They provide insights into attending church services during their mission and offer humorous anecdotes along the way.
Jun 22, 2023 • 55min
S3E25 Standard of Truth Tour: Recorded Live Before a Studio Audience
In this episode, we take a swing at recording the podcast in front of a studio audience while on the Standard of Truth Tour's maiden voyage. We talk about the relationship between Joseph and Emma and the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
We wanted to give a special thanks to everyone who joined us on the tour. Usually, we crack a joke here, but we are sincerely grateful for such a wonderful group of people.
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If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 10min
S3E24 The History and Doctrine of Baptism for the Dead
We answer a listener’s question about the actual burial location of Seymour Brunson. It was during his funeral sermon that Joseph Smith first taught the doctrine of baptism for the dead. We discuss how this doctrine was received by Saints then and how it is viewed by other Christians today.
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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
Jun 8, 2023 • 51min
S3E23 Joseph Smith Stepping Down As Prophet
We answer a listener’s question about something he heard from a political science professor about Joseph Smith supposedly becoming so frustrated with the administrative headaches of the Church, that he resigned as Prophet and put Hyrum in charge. The idea of resigning from a Church calling intrigues Richard, especially after Ward Council.
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
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
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
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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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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
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
