Standard of Truth

We begin the episode with Richard recounting a personal spiritual experience at a sacrament meeting in Fruita, Colorado… home of Mike the Headless Chicken. We then answer a litner’s question: Was Hyrum Smith an apostle? We discuss Hyrum’s unique role in the Church, drawing from Doctrine & Covenants 124 and the Council of Fifty minutes. Gerrit walks through the complexity of 19th-century Church leadership structure, why modern categories like “apostle” don’t always cleanly map to early Church roles, and why Hyrum’s spiritual authority was second only to Joseph’s. Finally, Gerrit shares a powerful, little-known sermon from Hyrum Smith delivered just months before his death, where Hyrum tells the Council of Fifty to stop worrying about how God’s work will be done, and start believing that He will do it.   Mike the Headless Chicken: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34198390   Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): The Lord chastens Richard (D&C 58:4 and D&C 3:1)    Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th through June 20th – 3 spots left   Sign up for our free monthly email (almost never monthly): ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠   If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

The discussion opens with a humorous take on potential podcast sponsors and mishaps with chilling Yoohoo. They dive into cultural challenges within Mormonism and the historical significance of seer stones, inspiring deep reflections on faith crises. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional struggles of supporting loved ones navigating doubt, emphasizing compassion and genuine connections. The hosts balance serious themes with playful banter, creating a relatable environment that explores the complexities of belief and personal growth.

Revisit this classic episode, now rereleased as a bonus, for a reminder that even in the Restoration's earliest years, the gospel was already colliding with the religious fringe. We go back to early 1831 and unpack one of the most unusual revelations in the D&C 49. Directed to the now all-but-extinct Shaker community, this revelation responds directly to a faith group that believed Jesus had already returned… as a woman. What begins as a historical tour through a radical offshoot of Quakerism becomes a broader exploration of how early Latter-day Saints navigated wildly different theological worlds. Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th through June 20th – 12 spots remaining Palmyra/Kirtland – June 21st through June 27th – SOLD OUT Palmyra/Kirtland – July 12th through July 18th – SOLD OUT Sweetwater Rescue Temple Project: Helping the Saints of Lithuania get to the Helsinki, Finland Temple https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/current If you would like to donate, please click on the link: https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/donate Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

The hosts tackle a variety of intriguing topics, from the quirky nature of Yoo-hoo to childhood meal nostalgia. They share humorous anecdotes about their experiences with missionaries and dive deep into the complexities of faith and privilege. A critical discussion on anti-Mormon sentiments highlights the impact of social media on historical narratives, specifically addressing claims about sex trafficking. Additionally, the fascinating context of women's rights in 1860s Utah is explored, challenging common misconceptions and societal biases.

Listeners will enjoy a heartfelt tribute to Elder Crum and his companions while diving into the inclusive nature of Latter-day Saint worship services. The conversation highlights the unique embrace of all attendees, even those with differing backgrounds. Humorous insights on NBA dynamics provide a light-hearted interlude, and whimsical tales of fabric-making stitches together themes of friendship and sacrifice. A deep exploration of God's omnipotence sparks a philosophical discussion on creation beliefs, blending humor with complex theology.

A lively battle of identity kicks off with lighthearted banter about a biochemist doppelgänger. From NBA heartbreak to quirky papal betting odds, humor reigns supreme, especially regarding Calvinism and sports rivalries. The discussion deepens with reflections on the phrase 'stand in holy places' and its significance in faith. Witness testimonies from early church members challenge skeptics, while amusing name quirks add to the mix. Ultimately, the conversation navigates the complexities of visionary experiences and their historical implications.

The discussion dives into the concept of grace, revealing unique perspectives from Latter-day Saints compared to other Christians. Amidst theological insights, a humorous debate unfolds over the pronunciation of 'pecan' and lighthearted jabs about parenting blunders. They also share amusing anecdotes about supporting missionaries and upcoming travel plans, creating a blend of humor and heart. Additionally, there's a reflective exploration of the personal impacts of grace, emphasizing the balance between faith and personal effort in spiritual growth.

In this episode, we review General Conference 2 weeks late with a segment we like to call “Fun with General Conference”. Gerrit answers a litner question about how the Book of Mormon was distributed and Joseph and Hyrum’s preaching to the Native Americans. Richard’s dander is way up after reading a question about Mary Magdalene. Gerrit provides the history of the genesis of Mary’s bad reputation. As always, we depart slightly from things of a spiritual nature to discuss our favorite pies.   Sweetwater Rescue Temple Project: Helping the Saints of Lithuania get to the Helsinki, Finland Temple https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/current If you would like to donate, please click on the link: https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/donate Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th through June 20th   Palmyra/Kirtland – June 21st through June 27th  Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠   If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

In this Easter special, we explore the profound teachings about the Savior's suffering in Gethsemane and its eternal implications. We discuss how early Latter-day Saints grappled with the concepts of repentance, eternal punishment, and the infinite nature of Christ's atonement. We also explore the radical truths in D&C 19 that challenge the prevailing 19th-century Protestant beliefs by emphasizing a Savior who deeply desires us to avoid suffering through sincere repentance. Gerrit also draws on connections between biblical texts and early Christian writings, including Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus. Most importantly, this episode underscores the Savior's desperate plea for repentance, not out of wrath, but from a profound desire to spare His children from unimaginable suffering. This message of compassion and redemption is especially powerful during the Easter season, and a reminder of the incredible depth of Christ’s love and the hopeful promise of forgiveness and spiritual renewal.    Sweetwater Rescue Temple Project: Helping the Saints of Lithuania get to the Helsinki, Finland Temple https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/current If you would like to donate, please click on the link: https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/donate   Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠   If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

In this episode, we dive into a discussion about misconceptions surrounding "The Sound of Music," particularly the differences between the movie and the original Broadway play. The conversation then transitions to a look at an upcoming groundbreaking publication in the Latter-day Saint Historical Studies journal, featuring newly uncovered secret police files on the treatment of Latter-day Saints in pre-war Nazi Germany. We also discuss the latest Sweetwater Rescue project, taking Saints from Lithuania to the Helsinki, Finland Temple, and answer a litner’s question about how Martin Harris got the money to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon   Sweetwater Rescue Temple Project: Helping the Saints of Lithuania get to the Helsinki, Finland Temple ⁠https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/current⁠ If you would like to donate, please click on the link: ⁠https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/donate⁠    Ensign Peak Foundation: ⁠https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/subscribe-to-our-publications/⁠   Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠⁠   If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com⁠