Standard of Truth

In this episode, we begin with a celebration of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin temple. We play everyone’s favorite game “Fun with General Conference”. We discuss the historical context behind the movie Six Days in August which is a dramatization of the succession crisis after the murder of Joseph Smith.   Six Days in August Trailer: https://youtu.be/8JcNJzfDtyY?si=Fa7lKg2yUyOaATpd Where to find the film: https://witnessesfilm.com Picture of Gerrit as a missionary in Wisconsin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YbvYLklH80gbm-ijfjHI2otZ_ir9zYPL/view?usp=sharing   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

In this bonus episode, we play a recording that we did on the 2024 standard to tour in Palmyra. We hear the comments of tour participants and the things that they liked the most about the tour. We hope that you enjoy this bonus episode and that you are having a lovely conference weekend.   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

In this episode, we continue a deeper theological discussion of the problem of evil and what happens to the billions upon billions of people who never hear the name Jesus let alone be given the opportunity to accept Him. Gerrit’s dander is way up. In fact, in this episode on the Gerrit Dander Meter we are at a 93. Is that high? We have no frame of reference but 93 sure seems high.   Joseph Smith sermon Gerrit reads from during the episode: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-7-april-1844-as-reported-by-wilford-woodruff/5#full-transcript   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

In this episode, we discuss the theological impact of the restored gospel on Christianity. Most if not all of us have family or friends that have had a crisis of faith over some aspect of the church, church, history, or doctrine. Many of these people leave the church while still having a strong love and belief in Jesus Christ. We discussed the false choice that exists between the teachings that come through revelation in the restoring gospel and mainstream Christianity. We play several audio clips from sermons trying to explain away mysteries of God to his nature, the problem of evil, and the fact that the vast majority of the earth’s population will burn in the fires of hell. Gerrit provides insight and ends with a beautiful sermon by the prophet Joseph Smith.   Joseph Smith’s teaching on the salvation of mankind referenced by Gerrit: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/times-and-seasons-15-april-1842/10?highlight=goes%20to%20hell   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

In this episode, Gerrit discusses a book that was randomly sent to a litner, Joseph Smith Revealed: A Faithful Telling: Exploring an Alternate Polygamy Narrative. Gerrit provides an academic breakdown of the argument taking it apart piece by piece. Richard provides a slightly less comprehensive review by calling the book stupid. In these highly charged political times The Standard of Truth Podcast finally takes a controversial stance. We stand with Connecticut against the 3rd Amendment. Cynical people may say that we are only doing this for website traffic, but they are all James Madison apologists. In addition, never in the history of words has anyone read anything as poorly as Richard read the emails from the Phoebe Draper Palmer Brown Mailbag on this episode. If you have ever thought you might share The Standard of Truth Podcast with friends or family, we recommend that you do not share this episode.   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

We continue our discussion on President George Albert Smith’s apocalyptic vision and Gerrit shares other quotes and warnings from modern prophets on how to prepare for the great calamities and signs of the times of the Second Coming. In addition, Richard accused Gerrit of being wealthy enough to have the Disney Channel in his youth. Richard is proven incorrect as the cartoon Gummi Bears originally appeared on NBC from 1985 to 1989, season 5 was on ABC, and only aired on the Disney Channel with season 6 and in syndication up to 1997. Alvin and the Chipmunks “Wall” Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BLIzbBbXHI 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

The Standard of Truth Podcast is nothing if not hip to the kids and current social media trends. Recently a recollection of an apocalyptic vision attributed to George Albert Smith has been making its way around the interwebs. In this episode, we go through the vision and the original source. BYU archived source:  https://archives.lib.byu.edu/repositories/ltpsc/resources/upb_mss6105 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

The episode begins with a TREMENDOUS amount of gratitude for those who donated to Sweetwater Rescue’s fundraiser to help Latter-day Saints in Rio Gallegos get to the temple  (https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org). Gerrit answers litner’s questions about the changes made to Aaronic Priesthood offices and responsibilities. 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 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 is asked for his favorite story from Church history, leading to a discussion of the rescue of the Willie and Martin handcart companies at the Sweetwater River.  Richard talks about the organization Sweetwater Rescue and their goal to help people get to the temple. He shares a miraculous story about saints in southern Argentina and the work being done to help them. Sweetwater Rescue website: ⁠https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org⁠ President Hinckley's conference address about the Sweetwater Rescue: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYS6rohbE4k⁠   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 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, a knowledgeable speaker on the Book of Mormon, delves into intriguing theories surrounding its origin. He debunks the myth that Joseph Smith plagiarized from the musical Les Misérables, asserting the uniqueness of its content. The conversation also highlights misconceptions about the Book of Mormon, drawing amusing connections to Paul Bunyan and exploring underlying literary influences. Through engaging anecdotes, Gerrit shares captivating stories from Church history, shedding light on pioneer sacrifices and their remarkable faith.