Standard of Truth

We begin this episode, like most episodes, with a discussion of the faith crisis of a 19th-century 20-year-old woman with consumption (tuberculosis). She has a miraculous experience and seven years later is introduced to the gospel. She believes the message immediately and despite the opposition she faced by her family she joins the Church.  Images mentioned on the podcast: ⁠https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13hmR2rOTiVKUWRZblFsmG9hTwIu7R_oU?usp=share_link⁠ Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠ We had a couple of cancelations and have a couple of spots available on the Palmyra/Kirtland tour and 2 spots available on the Missouri/Nauvoo tour. ⁠https://standardoftruth.com/tours/⁠  If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com⁠

In this episode, Gerrit discusses D&C 128 and the identity of the Angel Raphael. We start with what we know from modern revelation and then bring in the Apocrypha. We talk about the Book of Tobit, written by Tobit, where Raphael is discussed but his identity is not disclosed. Gerrit also discusses the Book of Jude and the Book of Enoch. The Book of Enoch is not in the Apocrypha but was mentioned in the Book of Jude and was in circulation at the time of Jesus. Photo of Raphael binding a demon: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1beqKOIU_S3NeP4uQJw8olnCqOPMXiD1K/view?usp=share_link Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com The Kirtland temple is under new management. See it with us the first week of June. We have ordered a larger bus, and a few spots are still available. https://standardoftruth.com/tour-baltimore-gettysburg-harmony-fayette-palmyra-kirtland-cleveland/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

Gerrit shares some of his thoughts about the responses to several talks during General Conference. He compares the responses of General Conference to the responses to “The Vision”. We read a letter from Joseph Smith discussing the response to “The Vision”. We also had a very kind anonymous donor offer to pay for the Standard of Truth Tour for six people. We are calling it the Dirk Moss Scholarship. The gift is for the Palmyra/Kirtland tour and people would still be responsible for booking their airfare and paying for about half of their meals. The transportation, hotels, tickets to sites and roughly half of the food costs would be covered. If you know someone that would be interested, please nominate them and share their story with us at our email questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com. We had a couple of cancelations and have a couple spots available on the Palmyra/Kirtland tour and 2 spots available on the Missouri/Nauvoo tour. https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ 

In this episode, Richard starts by thanking all the kind listeners who donated money to help 118 people in Peru travel to the Arequipa Temple. We discuss a listener’s question about Joseph Smith telling the missionaries in Cincinnati to wash the dust of that wicked city off their feet. Gerrit talks about the likely origin of that story and provides additional context. We also discuss the keys given to Joseph Smith by Michael and Gabriel and where we learn that Michael is Adam and Gabriel is Noah. Pictures of the Saints at the Arequipa Temple: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BV8emiUb9--07RvkHY06fSZw7S7pOMzj?usp=sharing Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com The Kirtland temple is under new management. See it with us the first week of June. We have ordered a larger bus, and a few spots are still available. https://standardoftruth.com/tour-baltimore-gettysburg-harmony-fayette-palmyra-kirtland-cleveland/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

On Thursday we released an episode that sounded like it was recorded in Gerrit’s bathroom in a cave. We fixed the audio and explained how you can access it. We also give our thoughts from the 194th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spoiler Alert, we liked it. Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com The Kirtland temple is under new management. See it with us the first week of June. We have ordered a larger bus, and 10 spots are still available. https://standardoftruth.com/tour-baltimore-gettysburg-harmony-fayette-palmyra-kirtland-cleveland/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

We had a corrupted audio file that made the episode sound terrible. We have fixed the audio quality, however, the terrible content remains. We apologize for the inconvenience. We begin the episode with how a person can resolve concerns they may have with Church history. Gerrit begins by sharing several statements from Martin Harris as he witnesses of the Gold Plates. He also shares a testimony of Oliver Cowdery For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

In this episode, we really wanted everyone in attendance to feel comfortable, so we discussed politics and polygamy. We learned the history of political parties in Utah, and we talked about the insanity of Idaho’s Anti-Mormon Constitution that disenfranchised Mormons regardless of whether or not they practiced polygamy. We also learned that Richard is not capacitated to pronounce the word “anarchist”. Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com The Kirtland temple is under new management. See it with us the first week of June. We have ordered a larger bus, and 10 spots are still available. https://standardoftruth.com/tour-baltimore-gettysburg-harmony-fayette-palmyra-kirtland-cleveland/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

Like every sitcom in the 1980s, this episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience. We cannot even begin to thank all the amazing people who attended the event. People came from all over the country and we cannot properly articulate how much fun we had. Many listeners to the show brought friends and significant others who do not listen and have never listened. These people brought to the show against their will are the true heroes among us just behind the military, teachers, emergency responders, Officer R, and the men and women working at Jersey Mike’s. In this episode, we answered litner questions from the Phebe Draper Mail Bag. We start with a question from Dan (who did not want to be there) about the Small Plates of Nephi. We then answered questions about the name Gerrit would give to his rock band, the meaning of the symbols on the pulpits in the Kirtland Temple, the Three Nephites, and the teachings from the stolen 116 pages. We end the episode with a question about the Church’s unpaid ministry.  Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠ The Kirtland temple is under new management. See it with us the first week of June. We have ordered a larger bus, and 10 spots are still available. ⁠https://standardoftruth.com/tour-baltimore-gettysburg-harmony-fayette-palmyra-kirtland-cleveland/⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com⁠

We finally get back to the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Sure, we first spend a little time talking about the Book of Abraham and the characters copied from the gold plates, but then we jump right into the Whitmer family being baptized. After much “teasing” by Martin, Oliver, and David Joseph Smith goes to the Lord and receives D&C 17 as a revelation. The Angel Moroni shows the gold plates to Oliver, David, and Martin, and the voice of the Lord commands them to testify of the Book of Mormon. Kirtland Temple architecture plans used to hold part of the papyrus together: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/plan-of-the-house-of-the-lord-in-kirtland-ohio-fragments-circa-june-1833/1 Image of Book of Mormon characters copied by John Whitmer: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-2-document-1-characters-copied-by-john-whitmer-circa-1829-1831/1 For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at  ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

In this bonus episode, we replay sections of a previous episode from season 3 where we discuss the origin of the Hosanna Shout and the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.

In this episode, we discuss the historic purchase of the Kirtland Temple and other Nauvoo properties. Gerrit provides additional insight into the properties that the Church has acquired.  Map of Nauvoo: ⁠https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/bc-jsp/content/jsp/images/content/library/pdf/D10_Nauvoo-Plat.pdf⁠ For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: ⁠https://standardoftruth.com/tours/⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com⁠ Please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠⁠

In this bonus episode, we discuss additional details of our live event on Saturday, March 16th at 6:00 PM in Orem.  Space is limited so if you would like to purchase tickets to attend the event please click on the link below to sign up for the free monthly newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠

In this episode, we begin the podcast by talking about the pseudepigraphal nature of some of the books of the New Testament and the problem with the process academics use for identifying pseudepigraphal records. We also talk about the importance of modern-day revelation in understanding the scriptures. A litner talks about their frustration with politics making their way into their Sunday experience and Gerrit shares a quote from Brigham Young that squashes the idea of political arguments in the Church calling it “political gentile warfare” and saying there is no place for it in the Kingdom of God. For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

In this episode, we take a slight departure from the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon to answer a litner’s question about Oliver’s attempt to translate the Book of Mormon. Gerrit provides additional context for Doctrine and Covenants Sections 7, 8, and 9. In addition, we find out that California exports 56 million pounds of cilantro per year. For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

Richard feels so confident coming off his first ever successful football pick (Kansas City over San Francisco) that he predicts the Collingwood Magpies to repeat winning back-to-back McClelland Trophies under the veteran leadership of Jack Crisp. Gerrit discusses the context and history of Doctrine and Covenants sections 10 and 17. Gerrit also talks about the items seen by the Three Witnesses, the Urim and Thummim, and the pattern the Lord has in making changes to revelations. For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

In this episode, we continue our discussion about the witnesses of the Gold Plates, but we start with Richard’s picks for the Super Bowl which he claims to be his stone-cold lock of the century. We also read several wonderful emails from listeners. For those that care to listen to more spiritual matters the Rex’s Elders Quorum President start time is 27:17. We talk about a vision of the Savior had by Oliver Cowdery and his coming to Harmony to begin the work of translation. For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

In this episode, we continue our discussion about the witnesses of the Gold Plates. We discuss the setting where Joseph first learns that he will be allowed to show the plates to witnesses. We also talk about the attempt by Lucy Harris to force Joseph to show the plates or be found guilty of fraud. Rex’s Elders Quorum President start time: 17:37 For details about our live studio audience recording on Saturday, March 16th please sign up for our free newsletter: ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ If you would like to join us on a Standard of Truth Tour in Palmyra and Kirtland on June 7 spots are still available: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

In a surprise usurpation of power, Richard presents a top five list of facts surrounding modern day polygamy before Gerrit can shut his microphone off.  We answer a listener's question about when Joseph might have realized that he was indeed called as a prophet and then begin a discussion about the heavy burden Joseph Smith carried even after he obtained the plates because he was not allowed to show others.  Lucy Harris demands to see the plates. 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: ⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠ - ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠ Please visit our website at ⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

We are excited to annouce a recording of the Standard of Truth Podcast in front of a live studio audience. We would love for you to come. We are working on possible venues and are tentatively looking at the date of Saturday March 16th. We will have some fun giveaways and will be answering listeners questions. All of the details as well as tickets for the event will be found in our monthly newsletter. We hope to see you there. Please sign up by clicking in the link below: ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠⁠

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 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