

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

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 12min
S4E51 Fallacies, Forgeries, and Football
In this episode, Gerrit shares a story about a fight that broke out in a BYU football game on Christmas Day in their second season. He also shared several stories about letters and documents he has recently come across.
Team Photo of the BYA Football Team: http://www.byhigh.org/History/SportsHistory/1896-BYA-1st-Football-Team-650x492-a.jpg
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th
Palmyra/Kirtland – August 3rd through August 9th
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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

7 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 11min
S4E50 Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?
Discover the inspiring stories from a temple trip to Buenos Aires, highlighting miraculous events and personal growth. Enjoy humorous anecdotes about academic life and leadership changes, alongside nostalgic shoe memories. Delve into transformative charitable efforts in Peru and Argentina, showcasing the Sweetwater Rescue organization's impact. Explore the intersection of faith and miracles as personal testimonies shine a light on spiritual journeys and divine intervention, reminding listeners of the power of community and hope.

8 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 1h 18min
S4E49 Additional Witnesses of the Gold Plates Part 2
The discussion kicks off with the controversial claim about witnesses to the angel Moroni's appearance. Insights into Lyman Johnson's unique experiences with the Gold Plates are revealed as he navigates his own journey of faith and doubt. The hosts share humorous anecdotes about sports and personal milestones, creating a lighthearted vibe. They reflect on the complex interplay of faith and misinformation, emphasizing forgiveness and understanding within the early church community. Personal stories underline the importance of individual spiritual experiences amid skepticism.

Nov 28, 2024 • 1h 3min
S4E48 Additional Witnesses of the Gold Plates Part 1
Dive into the intriguing accounts of Mary Whitmer and Josiah Stoll's testimonies of the Gold Plates. Explore Emma Smith's unique experience with translation, and her candid reflections on her exclusion from direct witnessing. The podcast humorously touches on the logistical complexities of faith in Cambodia and Vietnam, while also highlighting the cultural dynamics of women's voices in historical contexts. Expect a blend of personal anecdotes and thoughtful discussions that deepen the understanding of early church experiences.

Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 2min
S4E47 Where is Zion?
The discussion delves into the intriguing question of Zion's location, featuring quotes from Joseph Smith and Brigham Young that illuminate early church perspectives. Humorous stories from missionaries bring a lighthearted touch, revealing the camaraderie and challenges they face. The narrative explores personal family history, linking it to Missouri's significance in the church. Themes of faith and nationalism are unpacked, highlighting members' yearning for Zion amidst modern distractions and the importance of prophetic guidance in preparing for the second coming.

Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 5min
S4E46 Questions About Eternal Sealings
Explore the profound questions surrounding eternal sealings in marriage, particularly for those with differing faith journeys. The discussion weaves personal stories about love, forgiveness, and the impact of faith on relationships. Humorous insights into podcasting challenges add light-heartedness, while reflections on historical contributions enrich the narrative. Joy, sacred covenants, and the promise of eternal blessings are central themes, providing reassurance that faithful living brings fulfillment even in complexity.

Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 22min
S4E45 Sidney Rigdon’s Apostasy Part 3
The hosts dive into the humorous ordeal of academic procrastination, reflecting on the stress of dissertation deadlines. They explore Sidney Rigdon's dramatic shift from ally to opponent of Joseph Smith, highlighting the ideological rift within the church. Political beliefs intertwined with faith create complex challenges, as they discuss the implications of Rigdon's apostasy and the community's struggles with polygamy. The narrative captures Rigdon's controversial legacy and the rise of new leadership as he publicly condemns past beliefs.

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 9min
S4E44 Sidney Rigdon’s Apostasy Part 2
In this episode, we begin with a discussion of the impact of Sidney Rigdon’s tarring and feathering injuries on his mental health. We then move to Sydney Rigdon's attack on Joseph Smith and the Quorum of the Twelve and his founding of the Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite).
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th
Palmyra/Kirtland – August 3rd through August 9th
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

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 14min
S4E43 Sidney Rigdon’s Apostasy Part 1
In this episode, Gerrit discusses the claim that President Joseph Fielding Smith destroyed pages of Joseph Smith’s history so that the saints wouldn’t be upset with some of the things found in the history. Gerrit also destroys Sidney Rigdon’s claims to lead the Church after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
THANK YOU to all of those who donated to Sweetwater Rescue. You have donated over $38,000 to pay for 100 members of the Rio Gallegos District to go to the Buenos Aires Temple the week of November 25th. Thank you so much. Below are links to the video we created for their district conference and the video that they sent back to us
Sweetwater Rescue video for the Rio Gallegos District: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7eCKrNfhcTnrO_hkJb34KHAL8C5TDIO/view?usp=share_link
Rio Gallegos District video for Sweetwater Rescue: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lsHE52OwD0jpKFQiBNUksbYZRkxg9aLo/view?usp=share_link
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th
Palmyra/Kirtland – August 3rd through August 9th
Gerrit’s cruise through Bountiful Travel: https://bountifultravel.com/trips/holy-land-cruise/
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

Oct 17, 2024 • 56min
S4E42 Following the Prophet Joseph Smith After his Death
In this episode, we read a couple of missionary emails and talk about why the Church is mocked. We discuss our experience at the premier of the movie 6 Days in August and go on to talk about how Brigham Young follows the Prophet Joseph Smith and his teachings after Joseph and Hyrum’s death.
Link to The Prodigal Son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meBiSt4NgkI
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th
Palmyra/Kirtland – August 3rd through August 9th
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