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Standard of Truth

Standard of Truth

By: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
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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.Copyright 2022 All rights reserved. Spirituality
Episodes
  • S5B5 Kristy’s KorneЯ D&C 83
    Jul 24 2025

    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 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

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    19 mins
  • S5E31 Crosses and Purgatory
    Jul 24 2025

    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 Meter: 373,641

    Kristy’s KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): We ran out of time, so this will be a separate mini-bonus episode

    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

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • S5E30 Bad Sources and the Quorum of the Twelve Part 2
    Jul 17 2025

    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 Prep): Gerrit reads a letter from Stephen Burnett claiming that all the witnesses deny ever seeing the Golden Plates (additional context for D&C 80). Best of luck commenting on this in Sunday School, Sis.

    Sign up for our free monthly email (seldom monthly): ⁠ ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠⁠

    If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com⁠

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    1 hr and 14 mins
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I have been loving all these podcasts! I have gained a new appreciation for all those people who helped make it possible for me to have the knowledge I do. thanks guys! keep it coming 👍

Great Info!

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Dr. Dirkmaat does an excellent job. We listen to every one and learn a ton.

informative and entertaining

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Once again, we have a theme of being very sceptical of historical claims made on the internet. It takes a lot of time and effort to conduct historical analysis correctly. I appreciate that this episode wasn't about defending polygamy. It was about considering the source of an ugly claim about the church and investigating if other sources supported the claim.

Some sources are more equal than others

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It is fascinating to learn more about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.

Fascinating church history

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