Okay, so I mentioned that I love podcasts, especially podcasts about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But, I have to highlight my favorite one simply because it brings me so much joy. I found this podcast a few years ago, just a couple months after it launched. The podcast is called The Standard of Truth. It is all about Church history and various topics from the beginnings of the Church to how to know a good historical or factual source to all the topics they may or may not talk about in the next 38 seasons of their show. The dry humor alone would keep me coming back for more. The thing I love the most, though, is the testimony and witness of Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat. His experiences and his knowledge are compelling. His research is thorough. What he doesn’t know, he admits to not knowing. If he can research it and find it, he does. If there is not a specific, doctrinal answer, he will discuss the various facets of the question and possible solutions, but he only cites good sources and does not make statements contrary to Church doctrine. I subscribed to the premium content as soon as it released because I seriously cannot get enough of this podcast. I also love Prof. Richard LeDuc. He wasn’t on the first episodes much if at all as I can recall, but he is great. His humor and his own insights are just spot on.
My husband and I have listened to some episodes more than once as they are so insightful and interesting. I like that this year studying The Book of Mormon, they are highlighting some of the historical information about the coming forth of The Book of Mormon. While they go at their own pace and don’t follow Come, Follow Me curricula, the information is simply great. I have not read any of The Joseph Smith Papers cover to cover, but we do have them and I have looked at them. Dr. Dirkmaat knows his stuff, especially from the 19th century. I am also enjoying the premium content which includes American History as well as Joseph Smith history and sacred places from our past because of the format and nature of the podcast and its hosts. I share this podcast with anyone and everyone because it brings me such joy to listen to it. Last year and again this year, the tours they offer have been in conflict with other obligations that we have, but I sincerely hope my husband and I can tour with them in the future.
We love this podcast so much that we simply refer to it in our home as “The Podcast” rather than specifying its name. My husband will ask whether I listened to The Podcast today, and I smile. If I say, “What did you think about The Podcast?” my husband always knows what I mean. If you haven’t ever listened, give it a whirl. If you have listened before, but didn’t enjoy it, try again. It will be worth it. You don’t have to do the premium content because the regular content is great, but the premium is wonderful, too! Check it out.