In this episode we begin with some banter about Richard’s new glasses which apparently make him look like a 1950s NASA scientist. They continue their discussion in D&C 29 and the rejection of original sin in Latter-day Saint theology. We also talk about the claim that “Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers” Gerrit highlights a fascinating outsider’s perspective: a letter from Matthew Davis, a non-Latter-day Saint, who heard Joseph Smith preach in Washington, D.C. in 1840. Davis, best known as Aaron Burr’s biographer, describes Joseph as plain-spoken, sincere, and scripturally grounded, offering a rare window into how early sermons were perceived by skeptics. Davis is stunned by “Joe Smith’s” teachings on original sin and the eternal nature of our spirits and spoke very warmly about his 2-hour sermon. The Immaculate Reception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1l5aTUK228 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: • 07:49 – Misrepresentations of LDS beliefs and why that drives Garrett nuts • 10:25 – “Call us apostate for what we actually believe” (setting the terms) • 13:01 – The real flashpoint: LDS rejection of original sin vs. the “brothers” meme • 15:37 – The Fall as separation from God and accountability for personal sin • 18:13 – Immaculate Conception, “Immaculate Reception,” and how Mary fits the debate • 20:49 – Pivot to history: Joseph Smith’s 1840 Washington, D.C. sermon • 23:25 – Who is Matthew Davis (Aaron Burr’s biographer) and why his letter matters • 26:01 – Aaron Burr rabbit hole: duel, treason trial, Europe, why Davis is interesting context • 28:37 – Comic breather: Nate Bargatze, Hamilton, and being “surprised at Pearl Harbor” • 31:13 – What Davis actually writes: Joseph looks normal, sounds sincere, not fanatical • 33:49 – “Plain and unpretending”: Davis’s description of Joseph’s presence and dress • 36:25 – Davis’s take: Joseph’s claims are Bible-anchored and straightforward • 39:01 – Key teaching from the letter: God foreknows all things but doesn’t cause all things • 41:37 – Why the Fall? Agency, testing, and the plan vs. “cosmic mistake” theology • 44:13 – Original sin vs. total depravity: how Catholic and Protestant frames differ • 46:49 – The LDS outlier: no inherited guilt; salvation history re-read through agency • 49:25 – Consequences of the LDS view: children aren’t damned for Adam’s transgression • 52:01 – “Eternity” and first principles: Joseph’s framing of beginnings and ends • 54:37 – Davis’s selective summary and what we can reasonably infer from it • 57:13 – Meta aside about the podcast and listener expectations (with some wry humor) • 59:49 – Back on track: tying Davis’s observations to Restoration doctrines • 62:25 – Davis’s overall verdict: two hours, no ranting, measured, coherent, sincere • 65:01 – Why Section 29 is so radical: agency, accountability, and a different Fall • 67:37 – Davis hears Joseph affirm Bible, divinity of Christ, redemption for all • 70:13 – Foreknowledge ≠ foreordination: the theological hinge of the episode
