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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.

  1. S1E46 D&C 34

    2 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S1E46 D&C 34

    In this episode, we discuss a revelation to Orson Pratt (Nov 4, 1830) only weeks after his baptism. The episode uses Orson as a case study for how belief matures into knowledge, why the form of revelation matters, and how historical context sharpens spiritual reading. Gerrit shares a lesser known Orson Pratt recollection of conversion where he said that he first believed on others’ testimonies, acted on that belief, and only afterward received a powerful witness of the Holy Ghost that he could neither fully describe nor deny. 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 100% of the bill from the first 49 customers to Sweetwater Rescue and 66% of the bill for all of the customers after that. 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/⁠    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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    1h 7m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    1h 7m
  3. S1E45 D&C 33 Part 2

    26 OCT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S1E45 D&C 33 Part 2

    In this episode, we pick up with Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet, the early convert who helped launch the first breakaway of the Restoration: the short-lived “Pure Church of Christ.” Using George A. Smith’s 1858, 1864, and 1866 sermons as primary sources, we trace how charismatic claims, “new light,” and thin sources fueled schism and anti-Mormon polemics. Along the way: BYU–Utah postmortems, Queens-vs-Bronx fandom rules (Mets/Jets, Yankees/Giants), a papal sports quip, and why our political brains are so eager to believe the stories we already like. 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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    1h 16m

  4. 23 OCT

    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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    57 min
  5. S1E44 D&C 33 Part 1

    19 OCT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S1E44 D&C 33 Part 1

    The episode begins with Richard’s ill-advised 100-hour fast and turns into a discussion of D&C 33. Gerrit shares a story of the remarkable conversion of Ezra Thayer: from railing against “blasphemous wretches” to being pierced by Hyrum Smith’s preaching, electrified simply by opening the Book of Mormon, and reporting visions of angels. 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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    59 min

  6. 16 OCT

    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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    1h 9m
  7. S1E43 D&C 32

    12 OCT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S1E43 D&C 32

    In this episode, we trace the “Lamanite mission” of Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., Parley P. Pratt, and Ziba Peterson, and show how one short revelation catalyzed the Kirtland explosion: from roughly 100 members to hundreds more in weeks. Along the way we detour (productively) through Alexander Campbell, Sidney Rigdon, and why the term “Reformed Baptist” muddies more than it clarifies. We contrast Calvinist and Arminian currents, ask where ministerial authority comes from, and read Parley Pratt’s own words, his all-night wrestle with the Book of Mormon and his encounter with Hyrum Smith. We also tackle the “problem of evil,” ex nihilo creation, and why early Christian enemies calling believers “atheists” mirrors modern misreadings of Latter-day Saint doctrine.   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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

    1 hr

  8. 9 OCT

    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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com   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.

    1h 6m
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Hosts & Guests

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    423
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Standard of Truth
  • Provider
    Standard of Truth Podcast

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