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...
Dec 25, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 31
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 hav...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 30
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 ...
Dec 16, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 29
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/...
Dec 09, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 28
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Nov 25, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 26
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 25
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 24
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com...
Oct 21, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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 u...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 20
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcas...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Sep 30, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Sep 23, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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: questions@standar...
Sep 16, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
Sep 05, 2021•20 min
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: questions@standardo...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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: ...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this podcast, we discuss how the Word of Wisdom changes over time within the Church to where we are today. 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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this podcast, we discuss the context around the receiving of the Word of Wisdom and talk about how the saints responded to the revelation when it is received. 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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com...
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In one of the most astounding feats of prophecy, Joseph Smith receives this revelation from the Lord on Christmas Day, 1832. It astonishingly predicts with great clarity the coming and horrific nature of the American Civil War. 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: questions@standardoftruthpodcast...
Aug 05, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation calling elders to preach to the Shaker community near Kirtland. This revelation not only refuted Shaker beliefs, but it also helps Latter-day Saints today better understand why the truths they have are so important. 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: ...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this groovy podcast, we answer a question from a listener about the claim that Joseph Smith and other early members of the Church used psychedelic mushrooms and hallucinogenic toad venom in order to have the visions and revelations that they had. Spoiler alert: we don’t agree. 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, ...
Jul 22, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Part 2 of our podcast on Doctrine and Covenants 76, we discuss aspects of the next life that have not yet been fully revealed, such as the concept of progressing after this life. We also highlight the continuing nature of revelation and evolving understanding of Joseph Smith about who can qualify to enter the celestial kingdom and exaltation. Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/ Please visit our website at www.standardoftruth.com If you have any...
Jul 15, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In Part 1 of this two-part podcast, we discuss one of the most important and influential revelations given to Joseph Smith. Doctrine and Covenants 76 was so powerful and impactful that it was reverently referred to throughout the 19th century as “The Vision.” Though the degrees of glory are well-known to modern Latter-day Saints, “The Vision” had aspects to it that were so controversial many people left the Church. Even Brigham Young struggled to understand this radical doctrine. Subscribe to ou...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this bonus podcast we talk about some of the differing accounts surrounding just how and when Joseph Smith died at Carthage, including the less-well known William Daniels account that claimed Joseph had been executed by a firing squad after he hit the ground. 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...
Jul 03, 2021•32 min
In part two of our special podcast commemorating the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith we continue to discuss the events that led to the martyrdom. We read from a letter Joseph Smith wrote to Illinois Governor Thomas Ford and John Taylor’s detailed account of that tragic day. We also share the testimony John Taylor bore of Joseph Smith in 1854 on the 10th anniversary of the martyrdom. Subscribe to our free newsletter - https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/ Please visit our website at ...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this special, two-part podcast we honor the upcoming 177th anniversary of the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the attempted murders of John Taylor and Willard Richards in Carthage Jail. In Part 1 we give an overview of some of the historical events that led up to the martyrdom. We discuss Joseph Smith’s attempts to get any presidential candidate, from either party, to pledge to help the Saints recover their stolen property in Missouri and protect their rights. We discuss his resulting p...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 4
