Shows / Standard of Truth
Standard of Truth
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
- Standard of Truth
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…
- Standard of Truth
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…
- Standard of Truth
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)…
- Standard of Truth
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…
- Standard of Truth
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…
- Standard of Truth
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…
- Standard of Truth
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…
- Standard of Truth
S5E36 Sealed Portion of the Plates
In this episode, we discuss the sealed portion of the plates. Gerrit shares the accounts of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on returning the plates and go…
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S5B12 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 93 Part 3
In this rereleased episode, we continue to discuss Doctrine and Covenants 93. In Part 3, we discuss what this revelation tells us about the nature of mankind…
- Standard of Truth
S5B11 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 93 Part 2
In this rereleased episode, we continue to discuss Doctrine and Covenants 93. In Part 1, we provided some historical and theological context from the Christian…
- Standard of Truth
S5B10 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 93 Part 1
In this rereleased episode, we dive deep into one of the most important revelations ever received by Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 93. But to understand…
- Standard of Truth
S5E35 Women and the Sacrament
In this episode, we discussed the changes to sacrament overtime. We also attempted to answer a listeners question about women participating in the…
- Standard of Truth
S5B9 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 91 Part 2
In this rereleased episode, we continue our discussion of the Apocrypha. The podcast starts with a 19th-century Latter-day Saint view of the Apocrypha. Gerrit…
- Standard of Truth
S5B8 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 91 Part 1
In this rereleased episode, we decided to tackle one of the great hot-button historical issues of the day…well, of Joseph Smith’s day anyway. We discuss the…
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S5B7 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 89 Part 2
In this rereleased episode, we discuss how the Word of Wisdom changes over time within the Church to where we are today. Sign up for our free monthly email: …
- Standard of Truth
S5B6 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 89 Part 1
In this rereleased episode, we discuss the context around the receiving of the Word of Wisdom and talk about how the saints responded to the revelation when it…
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S5E34 Atheism Part 3
We record this episode in front of a live studio audience in the air-conditionless conference room of the Palmyra Inn. We conclude our discussion on atheism…
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S5B6 Rerelease Joseph Smith's Civil War Prophecy
In one of the most astounding feats of prophecy, Joseph Smith received this revelation from the Lord on Christmas Day, 1832. It astonishingly predicts with…
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S5E33 Atheism Part 2
In this episode, we continue our discussion of atheist arguments against the existence of God. We primarily talk about the problem of evil, and Gerrit…
- Standard of Truth
S5E32 Atheism Part 1
In this episode, we review Christmas hymns in Joseph Smith’s time and begin the evaluation of atheist arguments against the existence of God and the Christian…
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S5B5 Kristy’s KorneЯ D&C 83
We didn’t have room for Kristy’s KorneЯ in our regular episode this week, but never fear, we’ve cut a fresh bonus episode devoted often overlooked D&C 83. What…
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S5E31 Crosses and Purgatory
In this episode, we dive into listener questions about Catholic doctrine and why every Latter-day Saint chapel does not have a crucifix. Gerrit walks through…
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S5E30 Bad Sources and the Quorum of the Twelve Part 2
In this episode, we start with an email from an Australian missionary in Croatia and a bishop requesting a good Kristy’s KorneЯ. We continue our defense of…
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S5E29 Bad Sources and the Quorum of the Twelve Part 1
In this episode, we finally share the identity of Bill the Adulterer, and Gerrit provides context of Abraham Lincoln playing Dixie after the North’s victory in…
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S5E28 John C. Bennett
We record this episode in the shadow of the Keokuk, Iowa Walmart in front of a live studio audience. We have some fun with litners on the Standard of Truth…
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S5E27 - Used Car Salesman Johann Tetzel (formerly premium content from JSR)
Martin Luther's disgust with the used car salesmen of indulgence peddlers, Johann Teztel, drive him to cross the religious Rubicon and nail his 95 theses to…
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S5E26 - Prelude to the Reformation (formerly premium content from JSR)
Before we dive headfirst into Martin Luther we spend a little time talking about a few of his predecessors. We discuss the impact that Augustine of Hippo…
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S5E25 - Formation of the New Testament (formerly premium content from JSR)
In this episode, we discuss whether or not God created the Dodge Dart. Marcion also had a question about whether or not the God of the Old Testament was the…
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S5E24 Was Hyrum Smith Called as an Apostle?
We begin the episode with Richard recounting a personal spiritual experience at a sacrament meeting in Fruita, Colorado… home of Mike the Headless Chicken. We…
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S5E23 Faith Crisis
In this episode, we receive another email from an expecting mother and discuss whether Sir Isaac Newton dabbling in wizardry. We also talk about loved ones who…
- Standard of Truth
S5B4 rerelease of S1E9 D&C 49
Revisit this classic episode, now rereleased as a bonus, for a reminder that even in the Restoration's earliest years, the gospel was already colliding with…
- Standard of Truth
S5E22 Anti-Mormon Claims on Social Media
In this episode, we discuss a cornucopia of issues from our Hindu and Buddhist friends to claims of sex trafficking by the New York Times. It takes about 45…
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S5E21 Worship Services and the Omnipotence of God
In this episode, we hope the litners will also enjoy a heartfelt shout-out to Elder Crum, Elder Crum, possibly a third Elder Crum and his Deseret flag sewing…
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S5E20 The Power of Shared Visions
This episode begins with a high-stakes battle of identity between Richard and his more successful French Canadian biochemist doppelgänger. Things escalate…
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S5E19 Saved by Grace
In this episode we answer another email written by a litner in labor. We discuss grace and how do Latter-day Saints understand it differently than other…
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S5E18 The Pope and Mary Magdalene
In this episode, we review General Conference 2 weeks late with a segment we like to call “Fun with General Conference”. Gerrit answers a litner question about…
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S5E17 Easter Special – D&C 19
In this Easter special, we explore the profound teachings about the Savior's suffering in Gethsemane and its eternal implications. We discuss how early…
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S5E16 Nazis, Lithuania, and Paying for the Book of Mormon
In this episode, we dive into a discussion about misconceptions surrounding "The Sound of Music," particularly the differences between the movie and the…
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S5E15 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? It's Elijah
This week, Gerrit and Richard discuss the powerful symbolism of Elijah’s appearance during Passover and its profound connection to both Jewish traditions and…
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S5E14 Worshiping a Different Jesus
In this episode, we explore a listener’s question: Are Latter-day Saints Christians if they don’t believe in the Trinity? Gerrit unpacks the theological and…
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S5E13 Calvinism vs The Standard of Truth Podcast
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…
- Standard of Truth
S5B3 Bracket Update and 2026 Tour Dates
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…
- Standard of Truth
S5E12 D&C 17 (formerly premium content from STC)
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…
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S5B2 March Email Madness
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…
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S5E11 ChatGPT vs The Standard of Truth Podcast
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…
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S5E10 Thus Saith the Lord
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…
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S5E9 Missionary Madness and Brigham Young’s Leadership
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…
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S5E8 D&C 10 Part 2
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…
- Standard of Truth
S5E7 D&C 10 Part 1
In this episode we dive into Doctrine and Covenants Section 10, exploring its historical context and doctrinal significance. They discuss the stolen 116 pages…
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S5E6 Stillbirths and Miscarriages
In this episode, Gerrit addresses a heartfelt listener email on a deeply personal topic—miscarriages and stillbirths. Gerrit shares both historical and…
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S5E5 Great Rebukes from Church History: Almon Babbitt
In this episode, we examine some of the greatest rebukes in the Doctrine and Covenants. There are just so many people who refuse to follow the Lord’s direction…
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S5E4 D&C 3 Part 2
In the thrilling conclusion of D&C 3 Gerrit begins with a story of Joseph’s stagecoach ride from Harmony to Palmyra. Gerrit paints the picture of the despair…
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S5E3 D&C 3 Part 1
In this episode, Gerrit discusses Doctrine and Covenants section 3. Gerrit spends this episode providing context for the section. This can be one of the most…
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S5B1 Search These Commandments and a New Theme Song
In this bonus episode, Richard makes his Super Bowl picks and Gerrit talks about how we will be weaving Search These Commandments in and out of the premium…
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S5E2 Can Satan Repent?
In this episode, Gerrit discusses a question from a litner’s nonmember brother-in-law. Can Satan repent? Not that he would, but if he could is that option…
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S5E1 Joseph Smith Raising the Dead
In this episode, we answer a litner’s question about a story they heard about Joseph Smith raising someone from the dead in Nauvoo. Many may not be aware of…
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S4E52 The Importance of the Temple (Interview with President Roggero)
In this episode, we share an interview that Gerrit had with one of our younger litners, JT, and we also share an interview that Gerrit and I had with President…
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S4E51 Fallacies, Forgeries, and Football
In this episode, Gerrit shares a story about a fight that broke out in a BYU football game on Christmas Day in their second season. He also shared several…
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S4E50 Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?
In this episode, we discuss the Sweetwater Rescue temple trip to Buenos Aires with the Saints of Rio Gallegos. We talk about the Lord’s hand in the miraculous…
- Standard of Truth
S4E49 Additional Witnesses of the Gold Plates Part 2
In this episode, we begin with a discussion of the anti-Mormon claim that others should have seen the angel Moroni as he appeared to Joseph in a room where his…