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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.
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
In this episode, we revisit a popular format of playing a clip and listening to Gerrit's dander levels increase. We have 6 clips and we get through one and a half of them. The audio discusses the big theological questions from the perspective of Calvinism. The episode ends with a quote from Brigham Young on the beauty of the Plan of Salvation for ALL of God's children.
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If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
3 days ago
3 days ago
In this bonus episode, we dive into the Standard of Truth Bracket standings. We also cover vital spiritual matters like… groin sensitivity in NCAA officiating, listening to the Tabernacle Choir on the Vegas Strip, and why missionary door approaches like “You wouldn’t want to hear this, would you?” are slightly less effective than you’d think.
We also read missionary emails from all over the world—from Panama to Brazil to the frozen missions of Iceland. We even tackled some serious Church history questions, including Joseph Smith’s Civil War prophecy and how to respond to the tired claim that “organized religion has done more harm than good.”
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If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
In this episode, we discuss the revelation that established the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. We explore how the Three Witnesses were chosen, what the Book of Mormon says about future witnesses and how it shaped this moment, the miraculous event where the angel of the Lord revealed the plates, sword of Laban, and Liahona, why the testimony of these men remained firm—even when they later turned against Joseph Smith, and how critics have tried to explain away the witnesses—and why their arguments fail.
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
In this bonus episode we dive into missionary emails and March Madness. We talk about the hundreds of missionary emails we have received and discuss the best litner names for the bracket buster challenge. There is still time so please click on the link below and join us in the Standard of Truth Bracket Buster Challenge.
Standard of Truth NCAA Bracket (password = rice) https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=257&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=1d5c280f-2dc4-4104-8176-cc1fa81237f6&joinKey=3767b450-8248-37f2-b8f2-84f7a5625440
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
In this episode, we discuss the potential problems associated with using ChatGPT and other AI as a source. The topics we review are Abraham Lincoln’s views on religious liberty, polygamy, and the witnesses of the Gold Plates.
Standard of Truth NCAA Bracket (password = rice)
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Gerrit also takes on a listener question about why modern prophets don’t declare "Thus saith the Lord" like in early revelations.
Standard of Truth NCAA Bracket (password = rice)
https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=257&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=1d5c280f-2dc4-4104-8176-cc1fa81237f6&joinKey=3767b450-8248-37f2-b8f2-84f7a5625440
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
In this episode, we dig into the ever-growing missionary litenership and announce a March Madness-style contest to see which mission can get the most missionaries listening to the podcast.
Gerrit unpacks why sustaining President Nelson is essential to the restored gospel and comparisons to early Latter-day Saints following Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, explaining why revelation through a living prophet is the foundation of our faith—not just scripture or past teachings.
Richard and Gerrit also discuss Brigham Young’s leadership style and whether apostles were afraid to speak their minds in the 19th century.
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
In this episode we continue our deep dive into D&C Section 10, focusing on the intense opposition Joseph Smith faced and the cunning plan of those who sought to discredit the translation of the Book of Mormon. We explore the reality of Satan’s influence, the importance of discerning spiritual voices, and the miraculous nature of Joseph’s ability to translate despite not yet holding the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th (2 spots available)
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
In this episode we dive into Doctrine and Covenants Section 10, exploring its historical context and doctrinal significance. They discuss the stolen 116 pages of the Book of Mormon, the Lord’s warning to Joseph Smith, and how God prepared for this loss centuries in advance. examines how prophets act in faith without knowing why, with examples from Nephi, Mormon, and Joseph Smith. Along the way, Gerrit breaks down the Book of Mormon translation process, the role of small and large plates, and how Latter-day Saints wrestle with changing scripture. It takes us one hour one minute and twenty-nine seconds, but we finally finish talking about the first verse.
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th (2 spots available)
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
In this episode, Gerrit addresses a heartfelt listener email on a deeply personal topic—miscarriages and stillbirths. Gerrit shares both historical and doctrinal perspectives, drawing on early Christian beliefs and statements from Latter-day Saint leaders while acknowledging the lack of definitive revelation on the subject.
Rex’s Elders Quorum President Start Time: 14:05
Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/
Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th (4 spots available)
Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out 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