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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. 6 DAYS AGO

    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
  2. S1E41 D&C 30

    28 SEPT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S1E41 D&C 30

    In this episode, we begin with a detour into Rosh Hashanah traditions, feeding ducks, shofars, and an unexpected dinner invitation from a rabbi in Phoenix. Richard shares how his Jewish roots and LDS faith intersect in surprising ways, leading to a fascinating discussion with rabbis about Adam, Eve, agency, and original sin. From there, Gerrit seamlessly pivots to D&C 30, unpacking the aftermath of the Hiram Page seer stone revelations and why this near-schism matters for understanding prophetic authority today. They draw connections between early Church challenges and modern struggles with apostasy, social pressure, and trusting “good people” over living prophets. 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: ⁠⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes: 01:24 – Richard explains the Tashlich tradition of casting bread into water before Yom Kippur. 03:26 – Talking heritage: balancing Jewish roots with LDS identity. 04:32 – Memories of Rabbi Zippel and the ease of luring Richard with Judaism or rice tariffs. 05:17 – Dinner with Chabad Phoenix; small community, warm hospitality. 06:04 – Symbolism in a multi-course Jewish meal; Psalms as a spiritual soundtrack. 09:51 – Contrast between Calvinist original sin and LDS reverence for Adam and Eve. 10:50 – Outcasts among Christians and Jews; shared sense of marginalization. 12:27 – Section 30 context: aftermath of Hiram Page’s false revelations. 13:24 – How Seer Stone “revelations” nearly split the early church. 15:14 – Speculation on what Hiram Page may have taught (original sin, baptism). 16:20 – John 9: the blind man healed; Pharisees echo Calvinist ideas of sin. 18:17 – Section 30 as a composite revelation: three parts, three addresses. 20:15 – The Whitmers’ credibility (Three and Eight Witnesses) vs. their susceptibility to deception. 22:18 – David Whitmer’s chastening: fearing man, not God. 24:21 – Application: ignoring spiritual promptings under social pressure. 26:22 – Parallels with Joseph Smith’s struggle to please Martin Harris. 28:25 – Temporal vs. eternal rewards; discipleship requires patience. 30:28 – Even faithful families can be deceived; modern apostasy examples. 32:30 – Peter Whitmer Jr. called to preach with Oliver Cowdery. 36:34 – Why spiritual charisma isn’t proof of truth. 38:36 – Don’t trust in the “arm of flesh”; prophets as guardrails. 42:40 – Heuristics we use for truth; dangers of persuasion by “good people.” 44:42 – Preparing for Conference: receive messages “with patience and faith.” 48:46 – How to listen to Conference prayerfully, with humility. 50:48 – Historian’s caveat: don’t elevate podcasters or influencers above prophets. 52:50 – John Whitmer’s charge; Seneca Falls branch and Parley P. Pratt’s zeal. 54:52 – Pratt as the original “Netflix binger” of the Book of Mormon. 56:54 – Section 30 lessons: don’t be deceived; follow ordained channels.

    59 min
  3. 25 SEPT

    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: ⁠⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com 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.

    1h 12m
  4. S1E40 D&C 29 Part 3

    21 SEPT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    S1E40 D&C 29 Part 3

    In this episode, Gerrit contrasts Calvin’s Institutes with Joseph Smith’s revelations, explores why “children are born innocent,” and why Latter-day Saints see Michael/Adam and the Fall not as a cosmic fiasco but as part of the plan. We unpack D&C 29, Joel 2, and Revelation; premillennial vs. post-millennial expectations in the 1830s; and how Restoration teachings (pre-existence, temple instruction, deification) collide with classical Christian claims (creation ex nihilo, aseity, total depravity). 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 Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes: 01:00 – Richard at the U of U game in a BYU jersey “Do you want to get booed?” Yes. 03:20 – Why Latter-day Saints reject inherited guilt; children born innocent. 04:24 – Angels in classical Christianity vs. Restoration view (separate creations vs. spirit children). 05:18 – The problem of evil framed: If God knows all, why create Lucifer? 06:29 – Agency defense examined, and its unanswered “Why create a rebel at all?” 07:45 – Predestination riffs: Calvinist vs. LDS “predestined to salvation in Christ.” 09:40 – Strength of the atheist critique against classical theism’s Satan problem. 10:41 – Creation ex nihilo implications: did God need to create anything? 12:02 – Why Latter-day Saints see Satan, Michael, and humans as spirit siblings. 13:36 – “Why make a super-powered adversary?”, escalating the coherence test. 14:36 – Glory language examined: “for God’s glory” vs. “demonstrating” glory. 16:19 – Missionaries, the “aseity of God,” and jargon that turns listeners off. 17:49 – King Follett line: “Do you suppose God was God from all eternity? I will refute that idea.” 18:30 – Eternal intelligences vs. God’s everlasting existence, LDS framing. 19:10 – Joseph on the Fall: “Adam did not commit sin in eating the fruit…” (plan language). 20:45 – Reading Calvin: total depravity laid out in the Institutes. 22:49 – Why Calvin spends time on what the Fall is, not why it had to be that way. 24:05 – Hereditary corruption vs. LDS “sin by knowledge/choice” distinction. 26:00 – Brigham Young’s remarks on Adam/Michael, earth organization, purposeful Fall. 27:40 – Eve as agent of life and purpose, not the world-breaker. 28:55 – D&C 29: trump, quake, signs above and beneath; Second Coming frame. 30:35 – Joel 2 and Revelation intertext with D&C 29, prophetic continuity. 32:10 – Premillennialism in early Restoration vs. post-millennial optimism in 1830 America. 34:05 – Why post-millennialism once felt believable (global growth of Christianity, 1500–1800s). 36:10 – Today’s reversal: secularization anxieties vs. 19th-century confidence. 38:05 – D&C 29 and agency: wickedness persists by choosing darkness, not inherited guilt. 39:50 – Toward D&C 93: spirits pure before God; sin comes with light and knowledge. 41:30 – Temple resonance: why Restoration teaching feels “radical” yet coherent in practice. 43:05 – Crosses and Protestants: why Reformed churches shunned them for centuries. 45:10 – Cultural amnesia: forgetting that we forgot (how symbols and norms shift). 47:20 – Apostasy/restoration lens: add to the good others already have

    1 hr
  5. 18 SEPT

    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: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com   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.

    1h 10m

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.

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