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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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
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
