Standard of Truth

In this episode, we discuss the bizarre conclusion to George Adam's attempts to found a Church prepared for the Second Coming and Richard learns that at least one 13-year-old listens just for his sports references. If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of disc...

In this week’s episode, a listener's question about the Council of Fifty leads us to a discussion of George Adams and a blistering letter from his brother Elias over the James Strang controversy. If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming...

We were so excited to launch our Standard of Truth Tours for 2024...and then our credit card processor (Square) crashed. We talk about a couple of funny things that happened and read several funny responses that we received. We are sorry for the issue. It appears to be fixed and if you ran into issues yesterday we hope that today you will have a better experience If you would like to join us on a...

We are excited to announce two tours in 2024. Please click on the link for additional details  ⁠https://standardoftruth.com/tours/⁠

In this week’s episode, a listener takes Richard to the woodshed because she believes his discussion of what constitutes a "general authority" is incorrect.  We discuss the historical beginnings of the term. Difference between Area Authority Seventy and General Authority Seventy https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/4/1/23264989/what-is-a-general-authority-area-seventy-general-officer-area-presidency...

We discuss the final charge of Joseph Smith to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wherein Joseph gave all of the keys he possessed to the Twelve collectively shortly before he was murdered. Wilford Woodruff Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NjANSFISFY If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at:  ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.co...

Disclaimer: Halfway through the episode Richard’s mic stopped working. You’re welcome. In this episode, we answer a thoughtful listener's question about the origin of the oft-quoted missionary stanza (and our podcast's namesake) The Standard of Truth. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at:  ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Subscri...

In this episode, we finally get to a persistent listener’s email. We didn’t come close to answering his question, but by reading a portion of his email we felt that we met him halfway. Gerrit and Richard answer a listener's question about the awkward phrasing of "the Ohio" in the Doctrine and Covenants.  They then focus on a question from a listener about the sometimes overwhelming thought that so...

Richard and Gerrit discuss Gerrit’s favorite topic…Mormon Hell…or the lack thereof in response to a listener’s question. Rex’s Elder’s Quorum President should begin listening at the 9th minute 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://standardoftruthpodc...

We answer a few listeners’ questions about the Joseph Smith Papers and then about the building of temples for Latter-day Saints in the last days. Rex’s Elder’s Quorum President should begin listening at the 17th minute 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  -  ⁠h...

  Rex’s Elder’s Quorum President should begin listening at the 8th minute 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

In this episode, we discuss the well-known story of Brigham Young being publicly rebuked by Joseph and its origin.  We also discuss who really was the first postmaster of Quebec...the answer may surprise you. Truman Madsen’s speech referencing Brigham Young’s rebuking: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/truman-g-madsen/joseph-smith-teacher-speaker-counselor/ Reference to Brigham Young speaking about J...

Gerrit and Richard continue discussing John C. Bennett's role in claiming Joseph Smith ordered Porter Rockwell to murder Boggs and put up a reward for it.  They examine what Joseph did say about Boggs and then discuss the California settlement of both the Saints and Boggs and the likely origin of the rumored prophecy...Gerrit can't help himself and mentions the Compromise of 1850 and the Treaty of...

In this two-part conversation, Richard and Gerrit discuss a listener's inquiry about a rumored Joseph Smith prophecy about the death and grave of former Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs, of Extermination Order infamy.  Gerrit discusses some of the background surrounding Boggs and of course gets angry about what happened in Missouri.  He gets more angry when they start talking about John C. Bennett....

We wanted to rerelease our 4th of July Extravaganza episode. What better way to celebrate our nation's independence than rereleasing an episode that talks about how we didn't celebrate the 4th of July in 1845. We think the saints were pretty justified. Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠  -  ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ Please visit our website at  ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠ If you...

We apologize that we had some sound issues with Richard’s microphone. The good news is that Gerrit’s mic sounds great. In this episode, we begin our discussion on apostles and apostates by discussing the calling of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We also talked about the inaugural Standard of Truth Tour and gave tour dates for next year. As a service to Rex’s Elders Quorum President the silline...

In this episode, we take a swing at recording the podcast in front of a studio audience while on the Standard of Truth Tour's maiden voyage. We talk about the relationship between Joseph and Emma and the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We wanted to give a special thanks to everyone who joined us on the tour. Usually, we crack a joke here, but we are sincerely grateful for such a wonderf...

We answer a listener’s question about the actual burial location of Seymour Brunson.  It was during his funeral sermon that Joseph Smith first taught the doctrine of baptism for the dead.  We discuss how this doctrine was received by Saints then and how it is viewed by other Christians today.  ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠⁠  -  ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠⁠ Please visit our...

We answer a listener’s question about something he heard from a political science professor about Joseph Smith supposedly becoming so frustrated with the administrative headaches of the Church, that he resigned as Prophet and put Hyrum in charge.  The idea of resigning from a Church calling intrigues Richard, especially after Ward Council.  ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠⁠  -  ⁠⁠https://standar...

In this episode, we continue our discussion of the “Happiness Letter” and how it came to be regarded as an authentic teaching of the prophet Joseph Smith. Gerrit also answers an emailer’s question about a person being sealed to more than one spouse in the most unsatisfying way possible.  Link to The Deseret News “Happiness” article published on December 12, 1855 -  ⁠https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/d...

We begin a discussion about one of the most well-known documents in Latter-day Saint history and its provenance.  We get to bag on one of the great villains of Latter-day Saint history, John C. Bennett. ⁠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 dis...

In this episode, we answer a listener's question about an obscure Joseph Smith quote that was once related in General Conference.  Richard barely contains his hope that the Lakers make the NBA finals. 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...

In this episode, we hear from a longsuffering listener and member in Wisconsin, who take a brief break from constantly filling baptismal fonts to let us know there are members still in Wisconsin.  We discuss a rising trend/movement among Church members to adamantly reject that Joseph Smith used seer stones placed into a hat (in order to block out the light) to translate the Book of Mormon.  We dis...

As it is the season when many missionaries receive their callings, we want to help provide additional resources for mission prep. In this episode, we replay a premium episode from Holy Places from Our Past (#CrinklingLeaves) that discusses the historical context around D&C Sections 4 and 5 which include the miraculous events that led to Joseph Smith meeting Oliver Cowdery. Subscribe to our fre...

As it is the season when many missionaries receive their callings, we want to help provide additional resources for mission prep. In this episode, we replay a premium episode from Joseph Smith and the Restoration that discusses the Great Apostasy. We talk about the immediate problems that arise for Paul as the Gospel spreads to the Gentiles. To understand the restoration, we need to gain an unders...