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 Catholic doctrine, including venial vs. mortal sin and purgatory’s purpose. We discuss the history of the Christian cross as a symbol, tracing how early Protestants saw it as Catholic idolatry, why Joseph Smith and early Saints avoided it, and how Protestant denominations eventually reversed course under cultural pressure. Gerrit Dander Met...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 31
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 happens to consecrated property when landholders pass away? We dig into original 1830s stewardship contracts, make temple recommend parallels, and BYU Honor Code analogies. Early Stewardship Agreement for Consecrated Land: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/f8edb331-484b-4f4a-9b99-0138932c0075/0/1?lang=eng Sign up for ou...
Jul 24, 2025•19 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 accusations against the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles with a good old-fashioned discussion of Cochranite spiritual wifery in Saco, Maine, in the early 1800s. Gerrit Dander Meter: 901,284 (scale was previously 1 to 10, but we felt it lacked the precision required and therefore changed it to 1 to 1,000,000) Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson P...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 30
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 the Civil War. We answer a litner’s email where verifiably false claims against early Church leaders seem to get Gerrit’s dander is fully up. Who knew that would be a trigger for Dr. Dirkmaat Gerrit Dander Meter: 11 Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): Gerrit reads an excerpt from a Brigham Young sermon relating to D&C 76. We ho...
Jul 10, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 29
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 Tour and Gerrit answers an email about everyone’s favorite doctor, veteran, adulterer, and liar John C. Bennett. Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): D&C 74 Sign up for our free monthly email (almost never monthly): https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcomin...
Jul 03, 2025•48 min•Season 5Ep. 28
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 the door. The Protestant Reformation is about to explode. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/ Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 27
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 (354-430), John Wycliffe (1328-1384), and Jan Huss (1369-1415) had on Christian thought. We also discuss the merits of throwing people out of windows as a solution to your problems. Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/ Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com If you have any questions o...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 26
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 same as Jesus. His heretical arguments lead to the formation of the accepted Christian canon. 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: qu...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 25
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 then answer a litner’s question: Was Hyrum Smith an apostle? We discuss Hyrum’s unique role in the Church, drawing from Doctrine & Covenants 124 and the Council of Fifty minutes. Gerrit walks through the complexity of 19th-century Church leadership structure, why modern categories like “apostle” don’t always cleanly map to early Church...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 24
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 go through a faith crisis and Gerrit shares experiences from the frontlines of faith conversations. Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): We introduce a new stinger and Gerrit gives a couple of nuggets for D&C 54 Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th ...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 23
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 the religious fringe. We go back to early 1831 and unpack one of the most unusual revelations in the D&C 49. Directed to the now all-but-extinct Shaker community, this revelation responds directly to a faith group that believed Jesus had already returned… as a woman. What begins as a historical tour through a radical offshoot of Quakeris...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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 minutes, but Gerrit’s dander is up. In fact, Gerrit’s dander has never been higher. Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): D&C 49 discussion about Shakers Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th through June 20th – 12 spots remaining Palmyra/Kirtland – June...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 5Ep. 22
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 companions, a reflection on the doctrine of intelligence from D&C 93, and a deeper exploration into the Latter-day Saint rejection of creation ex nihilo. Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): Latter-day Saint worship services were designed to be open to all, excommunicated members, seekers, and non-believers. This was VERY uncommon...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 21
This episode begins with a high-stakes battle of identity between Richard and his more successful French Canadian biochemist doppelgänger. Things escalate quickly to NBA heartbreak, papal betting odds, and whether Calvinist theologians would bet on a Pope “if predestination already picked the winner.” Gerrit helps Kristy prepare her Mother’s Day sacrament meeting talk and then we discuss shared visionary experiences that make LDS history uniquely hard to dismiss. Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Les...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 20
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 Christians. Along the way we also have a heated debate over how to pronounce “pecan” and discuss what a terrible parent Richard is as he tries to justify missing his son’s MTC drop-off and return. Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2026: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 14th through June 20th Palmyra/Kirtla...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 19
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 how the Book of Mormon was distributed and Joseph and Hyrum’s preaching to the Native Americans. Richard’s dander is way up after reading a question about Mary Magdalene. Gerrit provides the history of the genesis of Mary’s bad reputation. As always, we depart slightly from things of a spiritual nature to discuss our favorite pies. Sweetw...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 5Ep. 18
In this Easter special, we explore the profound teachings about the Savior's suffering in Gethsemane and its eternal implications. We discuss how early Latter-day Saints grappled with the concepts of repentance, eternal punishment, and the infinite nature of Christ's atonement. We also explore the radical truths in D&C 19 that challenge the prevailing 19th-century Protestant beliefs by emphasizing a Savior who deeply desires us to avoid suffering through sincere repentance. Gerrit also draws...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 17
In this episode, we dive into a discussion about misconceptions surrounding "The Sound of Music," particularly the differences between the movie and the original Broadway play. The conversation then transitions to a look at an upcoming groundbreaking publication in the Latter-day Saint Historical Studies journal , featuring newly uncovered secret police files on the treatment of Latter-day Saints in pre-war Nazi Germany. We also discuss the latest Sweetwater Rescue project, taking Saints from Li...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 16
This week, Gerrit and Richard discuss the powerful symbolism of Elijah’s appearance during Passover and its profound connection to both Jewish traditions and Latter-day Saint teachings. 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...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 15
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 historical roots of Trinitarian Christianity, oneness Pentecostalism, and modalism and explains why other Christians often say Latter-day Saints “worship a different Jesus.” We also discuss Nephi’s reminiscent account in the small plates. Episodes Discussing Trinitarian Theology: S1E15 - D&C 93 and the Nature of God Part 1 S1E16 - D&...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min•Season 5Ep. 14
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. Sign up for our free monthly (that doesn’t go out monthly) email: https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com If you have...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 5Ep. 13
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...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 a...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 5Ep. 12
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=1d5c280...
Mar 18, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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) 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 f...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 11
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...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 10
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 als...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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/t...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 8
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...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 7
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 ...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 6
