Standard of Truth

In this episode, we discuss the different types of sources that historians have to examine for accounts of miraculous events and respond to the inquiry of a listener of how we can determine whether or not some of these accounts are credible. We discuss in particular the source of the well-known expression that Joseph Smith said that if people knew how great the telestial kingdom was, they would commit suicide just to get there. We have received interest in hosting a Church History tour led by Gerrit for our podcast listeners in the summer of 2023. We are gauging demand so if this is something you would be interested in please click on the link below and let us know. Standard of Truth Website If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode, we talk about the way the Saints celebrated the 4th of July early in the Nauvoo period and the change that occurs after the murder of Joseph Smith. We have touched on this topic before, but this is a deeper dive into the treatment of the Saints and the national response to their protest. Gerrit also talks about a recent Church History tour he led and asks if there would be interest from the podcast listeners to go on a Standard of Truth History Tour in the summer of 2023. If you would be interested please click on the link below and let us know https://forms.gle/DRwr4oFbVgJ4tBww8 If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode, we continue our discussion of the revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith that never made it into the Doctrine and Covenants. We review revelations about referring to people in the church by their title, the way to prepare to receive manifestations and revelations after the Kirtland temple is dedicated, and when the saints should leave Kirtland. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

There are many revelations that were received by the Prophet Joseph Smith that never made it into the Doctrine and Covenants. In this episode we review several of those revelations and discuss the lessons that can be applied to us today. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss the aftermath of the W. W. Phelps article inviting black Latter-day Saints to join the Saints in Missouri. The mob destroys the Saint's printing press and threatens to kill them if they do not leave the county immediately. Roughly 1,200 Saints are driven from Jackson County in the winter of 1833. Plat of Zion https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revised-plat-of-the-city-of-zion-circa-early-august-1833/1 If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode we discuss the spark of the violent reaction of Missourians toward Latter-day Saints in Jackson County in 1833. In particular, we discuss the article in the Church's local newspaper, The Evening and the Morning Star, which was intended to help free black members navigate the anti black laws of Missouri as they immigrated to the city of Zion. The reaction of the anti black, anti Mormon Missourians is immediate and violent. Link to the W. W. Phelps article: https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/5850/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

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 history of the Apocrypha and how controversy in Christianity led to Joseph Smith’s revelation on it. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode we resume our discussion of the Saints search for Zion in Missouri. We continue to discuss the events surrounding the Saints early attempts to build the city of Zion in Missouri. We focus on the reaction of Missourians to this influx of blasphemous outsiders and how their culture and history will lead to a violent expulsion. We also do a deeper dive into the law of consecration and land/property ownership as part of gathering in Zion. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In the second part of our examination of the claims made in the book Under the Banner of Heaven, we discuss the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the attempt of the author to claim that religious beliefs lead people to be more prone to violence. Church's response to Under the Banner of Heaven in 2003: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-response-to-jon-krakauers-under-the-banner-of-heaven If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

We have received multiple requests to talk about the new limited series Under the Banner of Heaven. While we are not film critics, the series is based on a book written by an outdoor adventurer/journalist and published in 2003. We examine the claims made in the book that will likely be shown in the series. Church's response to Under the Banner of Heaven in 2003: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-response-to-jon-krakauers-under-the-banner-of-heaven If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode we continue our discussion of the aftermath of the declaration that Jackson County was the location for the prophesied New Jerusalem. Ezra Booth, a former Methodist minister who had joined the Church of Christ in Ohio, became disillusioned with both the location of Zion and other aspects of the Church on his journey to Missouri and becomes a very public apostate and critic. Also, difficulties between the members of the Church in Missouri and Ohio are described. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

We discuss the importance of the doctrine of the establishment of the New Jerusalem and the way members reacted to the declaration that Independence, Missouri was the location for the city to be built. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

We continue our discussion of underlying American ideologies from the Revolutionary War era, with a very deep dive (scuba gear required) on the ideology surrounding the Boston Tea Party. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this podcast we answer some questions posed by listeners about sources covering the era. This leads into a discussion of American ideologies and how they will eventually both be held by believing members and used as a justification for violence enacted against the Saints, especially religious freedom. Colonies of Virginia and Massachusetts Bay are discussed, probably at too much length. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

We continue our discussion of Freemasonry and the early Church. We talk about the claims antagonists make that the LDS temple ceremony is "stolen" from the Freemasons and provide additional context. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

Latter-day Saints have a unique history in relation to the Freemasonry movement that was especially popular in 19th Century America. We discuss the history of Freemasonry and Joseph’s earliest encounters with it. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In our final podcast on the topic, we directly discuss some of the specific claims that have been made of a special relationship between Lincoln and the Book of Mormon and the Latter-day Saints. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In part two of our discussion of Abraham Lincoln and the Latter-day Saints we talk about Lincoln's election and the secession of the Confederate states and how the Saints in Utah reacted to the coming of the Civil War. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

We have received multiple inquiries as to the relationship Abraham Lincoln had to the Latter-day Saints when he was President of the United States and during the Civil War. There have been some popular attempts to portray Lincoln as being a champion of the Saints, and even the widely believed idea that Lincoln was in some way influenced by reading the Book of Mormon. This is a complex historical issue but we will exam this idea of the course of several episodes. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

Our podcast would like to begin highlighting some of the faithful, courageous heroes in Church History. Women like Mercy Fielding are not well-known by the average Latter-day Saint and yet the suffering she endured and resolute faithfulness she displayed can be a powerful reminder to us all of how important the gospel is in our lives. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

A recent news story about thousands of invalidated baptisms prompted a discussion about Latter-day Saint theology surrounding the necessity of baptism and an investigation into questions about baptism in the early Church, especially D&C 22 and D&C 74. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this President's Day bonus episode, we introduce you to Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat's mother Renee Dirkmaat. If you love Hubert Humphrey and embarrassing stories about Gerrit you are going to love this episode. Gerrit and Richard learn pretty early in this bonus episode that Renee did more in her first 22 years of life than they will ever hope to do. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

How should we deal with oral history that does not have any accompanying documents? Most people have powerful and important stories in their family history and we respond to one listener's question about the validity of family history stories that do not have reliable sources to verify the events. Richard shares a personal experience of family oral tradition that drifted into some inaccuracies. This discussion leads to a wider examination of the unique section of the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 135. This tribute to Joseph and Hyrum Smith was written very shortly after the terrible events of Carthage and added to the 1844 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants that was in production at the time of their murders. In the 1981 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, this memorial to Joseph and Hyrum Smith was attributed to John Taylor. In the 2013 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, that attribution was removed. We discuss the authorship of this powerful section of the Doctrine and Covenants. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In Part 2 of Carthage Conspiracy, we continue to address claims made in the video “Who Killed Joseph Smith”. After showing example after example where the creators of the film omitted significant details to allow their “theory” to have any sort of merit we end with the testimony of John Taylor. There are times during Parts 1 and 2 of Carthage Conspiracy where we may appear to be overly levitous for the subject matter. This is done intentionally. This theory is a joke. This video is a joke. The filmmaker’s “research” is a joke. There are aspects of Church history that are difficult for some people. We want to treat their concerns in a kind and loving way and help to provide some historical context. While this video makes some very serious claims, we refuse to take them seriously. They are laughable. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In response to several recent emails, we discuss several conspiracy theories about the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. We dissect a video that claims to have "new evidence about what really happened at Carthage” and use some of the movie's claims as jumping-off points for larger discussions around amateur research and tactics used by antagonists of the Church. Below is a link to a Salt Lake Tribune article that we read in the episode. https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/01/21/jana-riess-who-killed/ While the accusations being made are serious the video and research are “amateur hour” (to quote the Salt Lake Tribune article). If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week's podcast, we continue our discussion of the "White Horse Prophecy”. We also talk about a lesser-known dream/vision by John Taylor that has gained recent popularity in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week's podcast, we discuss the "White Horse Prophecy”. In 1843 Edwin Rushton claims that the Prophet Joseph Smith received a prophecy that the US Constitution would one day "hang like a thread" but be saved by Latter-day Saints. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week's episode we talk about some of the earliest converts to the Church and the problems that come when there isn't a handbook to provide direction. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

As we start Season 2 of the Standard of Truth Podcast we begin with a discussion around the context of Joseph Smith receiving The Book of Moses in June of 1830. Gerrit goes through Moses Chapter 1 and talks about the radical nature of the revelations received. The understanding of both the nature of God and the nature of Mankind are turned on their head in this early revelation. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In Part 3 of our discussion on the Council of Fifty, we discuss the role of Brigham Young after the death of Joseph Smith and the Saints' plan to leave the United States. Gerrit also shares a story about Porter Rockwell. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

Merry Christmas We have received quite a bit of feedback from listeners who expressed interest in getting to know Dr. Dirkmaat a little better. Gerrit has always wanted the podcast to focus more on Joseph Smith and Church History and less on his High School basketball career in Shelley, ID. That said after much cajoling Gerrit has finally acquiesced and in this episode, we are joined by his wife Angie Dirkmaat and his brother Dallan Dirkmaat. This is a fun episode where we shed light on Gerrit's upbringing and talk about how he met his lovely wife. We promise to get Gerrit's mom on at some point in the future. Richard does quite a bit more talking in this episode than in other episodes and he felt it was important to provide a disclaimer so that you are aware that you are about to waste your time and not listen. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In part 2 of our discussion of the Council of Fifty and the lost teachings found in the minute books of that organization, we discuss some of the harsh feelings the Saints felt after Joseph's murder. The continued mob violence against the Saints in 1845 further alienated them from the United States and gave them greater resolve to leave the nation. One of the council members featured in this discussion is Porter Rockwell, and some of the things he has to say in these council meetings. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode, we talk about the Council of Fifty. The Council of Fifty was an organization created by Joseph Smith in early 1844 to help the Saints find a new place to live, somewhere outside of the boundaries of the United States where they could be free from persecution. The Council was tasked with crafting the Constitution for the Kingdom of God on earth that they intended to found wherever they went. The minutes of the Council meetings contain previously unknown teachings of Joseph Smith and others. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

During the Christmas season, believers talk more about angels than they usually do. Latter-day Saints might not know just how radically different their understanding of angels is from the beliefs of other Christians. Joseph Smith received many revelations that provided a new understanding of angels. The article referenced in the episode is called "The Development of Winged Angels in Early Christian Art" by Dr. Therese Martin and the link is below: https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/17726/1/eserv.pdf If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

Part 3 of our examination of the Joseph Smith's decision to run for President of the United States. In this final segment we examine Joseph Smith's radical presidential platform in detail. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

Part 2 continues our discussion of Joseph Smith's reasons for declaring himself a candidate for President of the United States. Joseph responds to the leading politicians of the day who are too cowardly to pledge to help the suffering Saints. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

Part 1 of our three-part podcast examining Joseph Smith's presidential campaign. We discuss the political situation of 1843-1844 America. It is not quite as scintillating as discussing townships, but it is a solid second. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In part two of our discussion on the revelations, we talk about the major changes that were made to the Doctrine and Covenants in 1876 and how other revelations were added over time. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss how some of the revelations were eventually published in the Book of Commandments and the Doctrine and Covenants. Some revelations were not selected to be included even though they were still revelations from the Lord. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week's podcast, we conclude the early criticisms of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon by looking at View of the Hebrews and The Late War. We discuss tactics used by antagonists of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to make it seem like entire sections of the Book of Mormon have been copied from other texts. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week’s podcast, we continue our discussion of the earliest criticisms of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. We talk about Eber Howe, Doctor Philastus Hurlbut, and the book Mormonism Unvailed. We also continue to look at how the criticisms of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon change over time. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week’s podcast, we discuss some of the earliest criticisms of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. We start with an example before the Book of Mormon is published with Jonathan Hadley, the editor of the Palmyra Freeman, and an article he publishes in August of 1829 called the “Golden Bible”. We talk about how the arguments change once the Book of Mormon is published citing Alexander Campbell. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week’s podcast, we are joined again by our friend Jonathan Oliver as we continue to discuss the multiple accounts of the First Vision. We talk about the account in the Wentworth Letter and the account found in Joseph Smith History in the Pearl of Great Price. We also look at accounts that come from secondhand sources like Orson Pratt and Alexander Neibaur. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week's podcast, we are joined by our friend Jonathan Oliver who has a question about the multiple accounts of the First Vision. We discuss the context surrounding the 1832 account and explain the discrepancy of Joseph Smith's age. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: [email protected]

In this week’s podcast, we continue to discuss Doctrine and Covenants 93. In Part 3 we discuss what this revelation tells us about the nature on mankind in relation to the nature of our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts please email us at: [email protected]

In this week’s podcast, we continue to discuss Doctrine and Covenants 93. In Part 1 we provided some historical and theological context from the Christian world. In Part 2 we go through Section 93 and discuss the radical nature of this revelation as it provides insights to questions about the nature of Jesus Christ that have confounded philosophers and theologians for centuries. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts please email us at: [email protected]

In this week’s podcast, we dive deep into one of the most important revelations ever received by Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 93. But to understand how radical and how profound this revelation is, we must first understand a little of what the Christian world thinks about the nature of God, the nature of Christ, and our own nature. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts please email us at: [email protected]

In this bonus episode, we talk about some of the highlights of the book “From Darkness Unto Light: Joseph Smith’s Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon.” If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts please email us at: [email protected]

In part 2 of our podcast on the translation of the Book of Mormon we discuss the earliest account of the translation of the Book of Mormon, from 1829, and how non-believers responded to the idea that the Book of Mormon was sacred scripture. Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠ - ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected]

In this podcast, we examine the miraculous translation of the gold plates and ask “How did the translation take place?” We examine the references to translation in the Book of Mormon and what the scribes and witnesses of the translation said about the process. Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠ - ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected]