Standard of Truth

By 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 ... more

· Religion & Spirituality

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FAQs about Standard of Truth:

How many episodes does Standard of Truth have?

The podcast currently has 267 episodes available.

Standard of Truth episodes:

October 30, 2025 S5E45 Changes to the Section Headings and Polygamy
In this episode, we begin with a promotion of an upcoming fundraiser for Sweetwater Rescue’s Nairobi Kenya Temple Trip. Gerrit provides additional information and context on the recent changes to Doctrine and Covenants’ headings, specifically D&C 132 (POLYGAMY)

Summary of Adjustments to Doctrine and Covenants’ Headings:
https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/gq/bk/gqbk941x9ie6a4t5a06vt507n6oq6q0iup0wtk9l/summary_of_approved_adjustments_to_scriptures_2025.pdf

Sweetwater Rescue Fundraiser for a Nairobi Kenya Temple Trip: At any of the Hug Hes locations mention that you are there for Sweetwater Rescue on November 6th, 7th, and 8th and they will donate 34% of the bill to Sweetwater Rescue and 100% of those donations will go directly to the saints in Kenya helping them get to the temple. Hug Hes Locations: https://www.hug-hes.com/locations

If you wanted to support Sweetwater Rescue directly, please visit our website: https://www.sweetwaterrescue.org/

Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): D&C 124

Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future here is a link to our 2027 tours:
⁠
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: ⁠⁠[email protected]
...more
1h 8min
October 23, 2025 S5E44 Letters from Liberty
In this episode, we pause the “Who’s Dead and in Hell?” series to discuss the letters behind Doctrine & Covenants 121–123. Gerrit walks through what Joseph wrote in March 1839, and why those canonized excerpts (power, priesthood, and “the Son of Man hath descended below them all”) hit harder when you know the context (state-sanctioned violence in Missouri, Saints fleeing in winter, affidavits of loss, and a prophet pleading for the widows and fatherless). We vow to return to “Who’s Dead and in Hell?” next week.

Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): Gerrit provides additional context to the first verse of D&C 121 which turns into the entire episode

Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future here is a link to our 2027 tours:
⁠
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: ⁠⁠[email protected]
...more
57min
October 16, 2025 S5E43 Dead and in Hell Part 3
In this episode, we get back into who is dead and in hell with a discussion of President Zachary Taylor’s secret “mega-state” plan to skip territorial status by fusing the Mexican Cession into two giant states (California and New Mexico) and setting the stage for Deseret, Utah Territory, and next week’s “Who’s Dead and in Hell?” installment.

Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): Doctrine and Covenants 115 the revelation that formally names the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future here is a link to our 2027 tours:
⁠
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: ⁠⁠[email protected]
...more
1h 10min
October 09, 2025 S5E42 Prescription to Avoid Apostasy
In this episode, we discuss the most recent General Conference, Thomas B. Marsh’s prescription to avoid apostasy after apostasy and his return to the Church, and why “Mormons” are viewed as a cult.
Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): D&C 112
⁠
Sign up for our free monthly email that is rarely monthly: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠[email protected]

Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes:
01:31 – Gerrit reflects on empathy and family teachings from Conference.
03:05 – Discussion on emotional reactions to doctrines about marriage and family.
04:30 – Sports-team loyalty as an analogy for emotional reasoning in faith.
07:50 – Mercy and gratitude; Richard’s emotional takeaway from Conference.
08:45 – Cajun-seasoning humor from Elder Amos’ talk; lighthearted recap.
09:30 – Listener email from Mindy, stake RS president; Kristy’s KorneЯ intro.
13:45 – Doctrine & Covenants 112: Thomas B. Marsh revelation overview.
20:40 – Marsh’s pride, Kirtland apostasy, and “rebel not against my servant Joseph.”
23:15 – Missouri conflicts; Marsh’s eventual apostasy and later return.
25:30 – Reading Marsh’s handwritten “Prescription for Apostasy.”
28:55 – Bishop Jepson’s email; humor about accidental promotions.
30:31 – Running joke: the show’s “power” to make listeners bishops.
33:45 – Panama missionary asks why God allows apostasy
36:37 – Gerrit explains apostasy, agency, and salvation for the dead.
42:14 – Couple in hospital email: garments and “Mormons as a cult” questions.
48:41 – History of sacred clothing and the Protestant Reformation.
53:30 – Catholic vs. evangelical views on sacred garments.
56:30 – Why some Christians call Latter-day Saints a cult; creed differences.
...more
1h 6min
October 02, 2025 S5E41 Peacemakers Needed
In this episode, we reflect on the life and teachings of President Russell M. Nelson and the horrific tragedy in Michigan.

Peacemakers Needed: President Russell M. Nelson, April 2023 General Conference
https://youtu.be/vQghSMOOYz4?si=J2iZzTDkfRcYSH_n

Forgiving Others: An Easter Message from President Russell M. Nelson
https://youtu.be/cb6UGnSEDi4?si=zzkJwvQcmvi9EjYo

The Healing Power of Forgiveness: President James E. Faust
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqlNqeRc8KY
⁠
Sign up for our free monthly email that is rarely monthly: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠
...more
59min
September 25, 2025 S5E40 Dead and in Hell Part 2
In this episode, we inch ever closer to identifying the US President that Brigham Young said was dead and in hell.
Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): Gerrit discusses D&C 107
Sign up for our free monthly email (seldom monthly): ⁠ ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠⁠
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]
Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes:
06:03 – First historical example discussed and reactions.
08:04 – Hosts compare perspectives and clarify early details.
10:07 – Beginning of doctrinal discussion with audience tie-ins.
12:10 – Close reading of a historical source with commentary.
14:13 – Analysis continues with theological implications.
16:11 – Host insights on interpretation and cultural context.
18:13 – Comparison of events and how they shaped beliefs.
20:16 – Transition into related doctrine and historical figures.
22:19 – Examples illustrating the broader argument.
24:21 – Reflections on interpretation challenges.
26:23 – Stories and applications to modern understanding.
28:26 – Hosts debate nuance and context around the text.
30:29 – Historical anecdotes supporting key points.
32:31 – Doctrinal implications revisited in greater detail.
34:33 – Questions from one host, answers from the other.
36:35 – Continued analysis with new textual evidence.
38:37 – Transition toward audience application and insights.
40:39 – Lively back-and-forth clarifying interpretations.
42:41 – Broader lessons drawn from the historical record.
44:43 – Anecdotes illustrating theological points.
46:45 – Hosts emphasize takeaways and significance.
48:47 – Final textual comparisons and reflection.
50:49 – 52:50 — Application to modern faith practice.
...more
1h 13min
September 18, 2025 S5E39 Dead and in Hell Part 1
We begin the episode with apologies to Sarah, who emailed us while in labor… again. Gerrit then sets the stage for a multi-part deep dive: Brigham Young, James K. Polk, and the Mormon Battalion with a question about the oft-repeated story that in General Conference Brigham Young announced a U.S. president “died and went to hell.”
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future here is a link to our 2027 tours
⁠
Sign up for our free monthly email that is rarely monthly: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠
If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠[email protected]

Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes:
00:02:47 – General Banter
00:14:10 – Baby naming digression
00:18:46 – Listener email reading
00:23:59 – President Hinckley, and improvised remarks during a church meeting.
00:29:29 – Brigham Young and the U.S. president, question raised about which president Brigham Young referenced, opening into deeper historical analysis.
00:33:51 – Secretary of Defense texts and politics, Discussion of a Secretary of Defense text message reference, bridging to political tensions in LDS history.
00:37:55 – Brigham Young’s perception of government problems, exploration of Brigham Young’s uneasy feelings about U.S. government actions and underlying suspicions.
00:43:30 – James Polk and the Mormon Battalion, quoting Polk’s journal about calling Mormons into military service, with historical and political implications.
00:48:49 – Party politics and Mormon voters, Analysis of Democrats vs. Whigs, Mormons as consistent Democrat voters, and shifting political dynamics.
00:52:46 – Close elections and minority status, Reflection on razor-thin election margins, using comparisons to modern U.S. states like Texas.
00:55:09 – Email reading recap, Lighthearted commentary on how emails were read, with jokes about voice impressions.
00:57:46 – Figuring things out in real time, Hosts note that they essentially just “lived through” the lesson while talking—meta humor about their own podcasting style.
01:01:04 – Postmaster positions and patronage, Historical detail about the importance of postmaster appointments and thousands of federal jobs.
01:06:09 – Closing thoughts and unfinished material, Discussion of Alexander McCrae’s anger, acknowledgment that time ran out, and teasing future continuation.
...more
1h 10min
September 11, 2025 S5E38 Orson Hyde and the Prophecy of the Civil War Part 2
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the context leading to Orson Hyde writing a letter to the Missouri Republican. Utah is desperately trying to get into the Union while half of the states are seceding from the Union. Gerrit then reads the letter and provides commentary. We also discuss a litner’s email about Christian’s understanding of the Trinity based on the King James Version of the Bible.

Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): Gerrit shares his thoughts on D&C 101 and the idea of what do we do when the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we may want
Image attempting to explain the Trinity:
https://thepentecostalwesleyan.substack.com/p/the-core-doctrines-of-the-christian-4fb

Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future, here is a link to our 2027 tours:
⁠
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: ⁠⁠[email protected]

Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes:
•00:05:00 – Sunday School etiquette humor and Kristy’s Corner segment
•00:07:20 – D&C 101: Zion’s expulsion, Joseph’s 1833 letter to Missouri Saints
•00:10:04 – Lessons from unanswered prayers — “be still and know that I am God”
•00:12:16 – Hope of Zion’s redemption and Abrahamic parallels of consecration
•00:13:52 – Listener mailbag: Lacey’s email on the Trinity and KJV
•00:16:02 – Banter about reading emails late and missionary timelines
•00:18:08 – Explaining the Nicene Creed: three persons, one God, and why it confuses
•00:20:28 – The “triangle diagram” of the Trinity and its limits
•00:23:00 – Matthew 3:16–17 — Baptism of Jesus challenges Trinity claims
•00:25:22 – Workarounds: Some early Christians claimed “the voice was an angel”
•00:28:05 – Story: Lithuanian Catholic convert rejects Trinity after reading scripture
•00:31:00 – Council of Nicaea and how early Christians struggled with monotheism & Christ’s divinity
•00:35:26 – Who still uses the King James Bible today? Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals
•00:39:16 – NIV vs KJV — John 1:18 and doctrinal differences in translation
•00:41:00 – Listener Dawson’s email introduces Orson Hyde’s Civil War letter
•00:45:00 – Charleston newspapers: downplaying fears of large-scale war in 1861
•00:48:00 – Missouri newspapers: hope that secession won’t mean inevitable war
•00:51:00 – Virginia’s call for a 10,000–20,000 militia — seen as scandalous then
•00:55:00 – Hartford Convention (1814): New England nearly secedes during War of 1812
•01:00:00 – Hindsight bias: Chamberlain’s “peace for our time” compared with prophecy
•01:05:00 – Critics on D&C 87 — manuscript evidence and Pearl of Great Price 1851 printing
•01:10:00 – Faith and prophecy: why hindsight makes Joseph’s revelation look “obvious”
...more
1h 20min
September 04, 2025 S5E37 Orson Hyde and the Prophecy of the Civil War Part 1
To celebrate the kickoff to the 2025 NFL season (Eagles -7.5 vs the Cowboys), we begin in the obvious place with a discussion of Orson Hyde’s letter to the Missouri Republican in 1861, providing commentary on the Civil War. They read an email from a litner who shares how she used to be afraid of Church history and how the podcast has given her confidence in the face of anti-Mormon garbage, and Richard shares his feelings on the idea of putting Gospel and Church history topics “on a shelf”…spoiler alert, he doesn’t like the expression.

Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): We ran out of time. There is no way your Sunday School teacher will be getting D&C 94 through 97. Use any of the three-part rerelease from D&C 93 last week, and you should be in great shape.

Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: ⁠ https://standardoftruth.com/tours
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future, here is a link to our 2027 tours:
⁠
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: ⁠⁠[email protected]

Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes:
•00:01:20 – Richard’s new glasses, carrots, and “big carrot conspiracy”
•00:03:40 – Football season talk (NFL & College)
•00:09:20 – Listener mailbag begins
•00:09:36 – Testimony of Emer Harris and family connections
•00:15:00 – Listener Danica’s email on family faith struggles and church history fears
•00:25:00 – Richard’s thoughts on “putting things on the shelf” vs. gaining testimony
•00:31:00 – Discussion of Lyman Johnson’s regret and the value of faith
•00:35:00 – Dawson’s email introducing Orson Hyde’s Civil War commentary
•00:37:00 – Civil War Prophecy context: hindsight bias and the problem of interpreting prophecy.
•00:39:00 – Challenges of Second Coming prophecies and people’s tendency to over-interpret.
•00:40:30 – Specifics of Joseph Smith’s prophecy: slavery, South Carolina, and secession.
•00:43:00 – Why hindsight makes the Civil War “seem obvious,” but it wasn’t.
•00:45:00 – South Carolina newspapers downplaying fears of a large-scale war.
•00:47:00 – Border state (Missouri) newspapers hoping for compromise to avoid war.
•00:51:00 – Virginia’s “scandalous” call for 10,000–20,000 militia—later dwarfed by actual numbers.
•00:53:00 – Historical context: the Nullification Crisis and its contrast with Joseph’s prophecy.
•00:55:00 – War of 1812 Hartford Convention—New England nearly seceding.
•01:00:00 – Hindsight bias analogy: Neville Chamberlain’s “peace for our time.”
•01:02:00 – Why critics’ arguments against Joseph Smith’s prophecy are hollow.
•01:05:00 – Civil War prophecy in early manuscripts and the Pearl of Great Price (1851).
•01:07:00 – Prophecy credibility, critics’ weak arguments, and final remarks.
...more
1h 12min
September 02, 2025 S5B13 Sweetwater Rescue Lithuania - Interview with President Rissi
In this bonus episode, Richard has a conversation with President Rissi, the Lithuania District President, about the recent Sweetwater Rescue temple trip to the Helsinki, Finland Temple.

Church News Article:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2025/09/01/vilnius-lithuania-district-long-journey-helsinki-finland-temple/

You can follow us on Social Media at:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FRGVJQVVB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.instagram.com/sweetwaterrescue
Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future, here is a link to our 2027 tours:
https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
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: ⁠⁠[email protected]
...more
19min

FAQs about Standard of Truth:

How many episodes does Standard of Truth have?

The podcast currently has 267 episodes available.

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