Episodes
In this episode we discuss some of the implications of Calvinism at the time of the Restoration juxtaposed against the religious world today and discussed the history behind the Book of Mormon Title Page and the early attacks on Joseph Smith from the same Egbert Grandin that would eventually publish the Book of Mormon. 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...
Published 01/18/24
In this episode, we discuss an obscure anti-Mormon argument that confronted a missionary in the field. The story is about Arnold Potter a former member of the Church that became a self-declared Messiah and referred to himself as Potter Christ. At the end of the episode, Gerrit brings this crazy story back to current issues that we face from modern-day apostate arguments. Rick Duke’s Top 5 Favorite Potters 1. Beatrix Potter (wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit) 2. Lily Potter (Harry’s mom) 3....
Published 01/11/24
To usher in a new season and the study of the Book of Mormon we have a discussion of the original Preface to the Book of Mormon and the central aspect of the Book or Mormon and Joseph Smith in our beliefs about Jesus. 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 podcasts, please email us at:...
Published 01/04/24
In this episode, we fulfill our promise from weeks ago and discuss a couple more questions listeners have asked about Moroni, such as his relationship with the Manti temple. 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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠ -...
Published 12/28/23
We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas...our present to you...which is like getting coal in your stocking, is a bonus episode in which we read a letter from an early pioneer about what Christmas was like for the early Saints in Utah. 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 podcasts, please email us at:...
Published 12/25/23
If you ever wondered how rabbit pies and Puritanism affected the history of Christmas in America and Europe, then this is the podcast for you.  We examine Wilford Woodruff’s Christmas celebration over the years. 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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe...
Published 12/21/23
We started off with a plan to provide some addendums to our Moroni episodes, but a listener’s touching email kind of derailed us into a discussion about faith, testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and President Ballard.  We also discuss the 1st Punic War. President M. Russell Ballard’s 2023 conference address: ⁠https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/41ballard?lang=eng⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign...
Published 12/14/23
We continue our discussion about antagonistic claims against Joseph Smith that were eventually repeated in the 20th century in a pseudo-academic source. 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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe to our free...
Published 12/07/23
We respond to a question from a sister serving her mission in Pennsylvania who had someone call them up and share an outlandish story about Mormons attempting to trick people by faking the ability to on water. 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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe...
Published 11/30/23
This episode was referenced in Moroni Part 5 and so we wanted to make it easier to find by dropping it as a bonus episode. We hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. 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...
Published 11/23/23
We conclude the five-part series on the Angel Moroni. We discuss additional scolding and training that Moroni gives to the Prophet Joseph Smith. We also spend some time discussing Latter-day Saint belief on angels. 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 podcasts, please email us...
Published 11/23/23
We conclude our four-part series on the Angel Moroni by admitting that there will be at least one more episode on the Angel Moroni. We talk about the temptation that Joseph Smith has to use the Gold Plates to solve the Smith family’s financial problems and the additional instruction he receives from Moroni. 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...
Published 11/16/23
In this episode, we discuss the book I gave Gerrit for his birthday. The book was a review of the opinion that the Supreme Court rendered in 1878 in the case of George Reynolds on the issue of polygamy. It was a ploy to get Gerrit to discuss polygamy...which he did. We also continued our discussion on the things Moroni taught Joseph Smith that prepared him to receive the Gold Plates. If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up...
Published 11/09/23
In this episode, we continue our discussion about Moroni’s interaction with Joseph Smith. 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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠ - ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ Please visit our website...
Published 11/02/23
In this episode, we review some of the extensive feedback we received in the Hero Worship episodes and then start the long process of answering a question we received from a listener who was actively in labor as she wrote the email, a first for our show, about the role and importance of Moroni since we just had the 200th anniversary of his first appearance to Joseph. If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up at:...
Published 10/26/23
In this episode, we continue our discussion on hero worship and give several examples from the early days of Joseph Smith.  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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ ⁠ Subscribe to our free...
Published 10/19/23
In this episode, we begin with an emailer’s question about dogs going to heaven. We also discuss the problem of “hero worship” in the church. The point is made that there is a problem anytime we care about anyone or anything more than the teachings of Jesus Christ and His prophets.  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...
Published 10/12/23
In this episode, we discuss the history of the Hosanna shout from Kirtland to Salt Lake and beyond.  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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠⁠ Please visit our website...
Published 10/05/23
In this episode, we discuss the claim made by the pastor at Alvin Smith’s funeral that Alvin was in hell because he wasn’t baptized. We go on to discuss the role that baptism plays for other Christians and Latter-day Saints. 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 podcasts, please email us...
Published 09/28/23
In this episode, we discuss the bizarre conclusion to George Adams 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 discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at:...
Published 09/21/23
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 podcasts, please email us at: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe to our free...
Published 09/14/23
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 Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of 2024 please sign up...
Published 09/08/23
We are excited to announce two tours in 2024. Please click on the link for additional details ⁠https://standardoftruth.com/tours/⁠
Published 09/07/23
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-church-organization If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in the summer of...
Published 09/07/23
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: ⁠[email protected] Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠ - ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ Please...
Published 08/31/23