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Standard of Truth

Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Joseph Smith
Doctrine and Covenants
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Latter-Day Saints
Brigham Young
Book Of Mormon
Polygamy
Mormonism
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Salvation
Second Coming
Nauvoo
Book Of Enoch
Faith
Church History
Word Of Wisdom
Calvinism
Missouri
Martin Harris
General Conference

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes513Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Standard of Truth

Latest Episodes

Richard hadn't showered in days, his water heater's dead, and his family staged an intervention over his baggy clothes. We read emails from listeners and missionaries, including an elder serving in the California Ontario Mission, whose Gen Z slang ("... more

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Ezra Booth's anti-Mormon letters from October 1831, examining how this early apostate mounted his attack against our fledgling church. What fascinates us most is that Booth personally witnessed miracles... more

We open with incredible news from Sweetwater Rescue: a second Kyulu Stake group reached the Nairobi Kenya Temple and set a record for the most endowments performed in an African temple in a single day.

Gerrit answers a litner’s question on whether o... more

This episode of the Standard of Truth continues discussing the apostasy of Ezra Booth, a former Methodist minister who joined the early Church after witnessing Joseph Smith heal Elsa Johnson’s arm.

Gerrit traces Booth’s journey to Missouri in 1831, ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Elder Gurr
Member of the Arizona Phoenix East Mission outreach
Church/Mission Stake
Episode: S6E27 As Far As It Is Translated Correctly
Mark Ogletree
Fellow religious educator, works at BYU
BYU
Episode: S6B3 How Visiting LDS Historical Sites Can Strengthen Our Faith - Dr. Mark Ogletree

Hosts

Gerrit Dirkmaat
Historian; BYU professor involved in Church History and Doctrine; co-host and co-creator of the discussion.
Richard LaDuke
Co-host; historian referenced in the show; presents historical context and critique.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Informative and entertaining

    I love this podcast. Dr. Dirkmaat has great energy, balances humor with reverence very well, and brings to life so much of the history of the Church. I’d give this guy a big high five if I saw him, because he doesn’t know it but he’s been cleaning around my house with me for months.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fatmandown
    United States2 months ago
  • Delightful insightful never too spiteful

    Pastor Derik is a great host and the other guy is pretty okay too—in all seriousness it’s an insightful enlightening podcast that has given me clearer perspective into a lot of church history questions I’ve always wondered about… and others I didn’t even realize I should be wondering about!

    Audible
    5
    Mindee Ricks
    United States7 months ago
  • Pastor Derik is a great host and the other guy is pretty okay too—in all seriousness it’s an insightful enlightening podcast that has given me clearer perspective into a lot of church history questions I’ve always wondered about… and others I didn’t even realize I should be wondering about!

    Audible
    5
    Mindee Ricks
    United States7 months ago
  • Love the laughter and the lessons!!

    At first I was a little lost with all the inside jokes and banter but loved the amazing Faith content and it didn’t take me long to come to love the banter too! Thank you!! You strengthen my knowledge and my faith and you brighten my day!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bbmoe8
    United States7 months ago
  • It’s ok

    When there is nothing else.

    Actually my favorite podcast when I binged all of the free content in 10-12 weeks just to realize I would now have to wait another two years to join a tour! Litner for life!

    Another impossible to document fact - I first got hooked on finding more from Garrit after hearing him on a FAIR podcast before Hank & John’s.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    212 Dad
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Viewers appreciate the accessible but rigorous treatment of complex church history topics.
Listeners praise the hosts for balancing humor with reverence and strong scholarly grounding.
Quality is bolstered by credible sourcing and engaging storytelling, with some episodes noted for moving from data to personal reflection.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S6E33 Did Brigham Revise Joseph's Journal?
Q: Did Brigham change records or revise Joseph Smith's journal, and is that what the church uses today?
The hosts explain that 'revised' history refers to ongoing work on history where editors add or remove material for accuracy, and they stress that this does not imply Brigham Young altered Joseph Smith's original writings; instead, revisions are part of the historical process while current church authority remains the guide.
S6E22 King Follett Sermon Part 1
Q: Why does Joseph Smith focus on funeral sermons to teach deep doctrines like the afterlife and exaltation?
Funeral settings provide a receptive moment for addressing profound questions about life, death, and the next life, making people more open to transformative revelations about God and eternity.
S6E22 King Follett Sermon Part 1
Q: What kind of a being is God?
The hosts discuss that God is more than the traditional, static view, emphasizing an eternal progression and exaltation theme that invites listeners to reconsider the nature of divinity.
S6E17 Jingle Bells and the United Order
Q: First question from Abigail: Is Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song?
The hosts explain the origins of the song and discuss why calling it a Thanksgiving song misses broader historical context, including its minstrel roots and later cultural associations.
S6E15 The Book of Enoch Part 5 (City of Zion)
Q: Catholic Church claims authority from Christ through the apostles to the bishops; how does that compare to our belief in authority passed from apostles to Joseph Smith?
The hosts outline that Catholics assert authority through apostolic succession and tradition rather than continuing revelation, while Latter-day Saints emphasize ongoing revelation through modern prophets; this leads to different understandings of how authority is exercised and how doctrine can evolve.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Standard of Truth

What is Standard of Truth about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two historians host a rigorous yet approachable exploration of religious history centered on Latter-day Saint narratives, doctrine, and archival sources. Conversations blend primary documents with humor and personal anecdotes, often weighing competing interpretations while engaging critics and supporters alike. Notable strengths include strong scholarly grounding from BYU-affiliated experts, accessible storytelling, and a consistent willingness to tackle difficult doctrinal topics with nuance. This mix makes it appealing for listeners who want both credible historical context and relatable discussion, with periodic premium content that expands on deep dives and archival materials.

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Which podcasts are similar to Standard of Truth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Standard of Truth:

1. Church History Matters
2. followHIM
3. The Scriptures Are Real
4. Scripture Central
5. Y Religion

How many episodes of Standard of Truth are there?

Standard of Truth launched 5 years ago and published 513 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on Standard of Truth include:

1. Elder Gurr
2. Mark Ogletree

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