I am grateful for how small this world really is. Apparently my aunt (Lonette Stoddard) used to babysit Gerrit and his brother "MANY YEARS AGO"(Her words not mine). She told my mom about the first episode that Gerrit was on and my mom told me. Since that day 4 years ago, my life has been changed by listening to this podcast weekly. It has helped me get past so many of the incorrect cultural ideas that I was raised with and have been able to share that with others in my ward and family. I'm just from Ogden, UT but you are making a difference. I'm so grateful that a "goofy" (again not my words, that is what my mom said) kid from ID grew up to become such a wonderful, funny, faithful church historian! Thank you!
Dr Dirkmaat tells about his Grandfather's conversion and immediate inactivity and the missionary probably thinking he didn't do enough. I am Dutch and live in Ireland and last year I visited my daughter in Rexburg, Idaho. She asked what I would like to do while I was with her and I really wanted to find the missionary that had baptised me 46 years ago. I could never remember his full name but had recently found an old Book of Mormon with his testimony and full name in it ( just as an aside, the Book has disappeared again.....), so while we were sitting in her car, she looked up his name, phoned a number and shocked the poor man by mentioning my name....He couldn't believe it. We made arrangements and met the following evening as they lived not too far from her place (Wow what a coincidence?????). We found out that he was not feeling great about himself and his missionary efforts and hadn't had many baptisms. We were able to tell him about my family and extended family. Yes, I was only one, but in the end there are so many more that are in the church because he baptised me. The Lord loves each one of us and knows what is troubling us! This had the Lord's hand in it from beginning to end. Thank you so much for this podcast, I love it and love learning more and more about the history and just hearing how much the Lord loves us and how He is trying to get us back to them.
When I was a missionary, professor Dirkmaat came and spoke for one of our zone conferences! I had never laughed so much at a zone conference. He has a great testimony and I love this combination! Well done 👍
I joined the Church at age 28 and now I’m 71. Having passed through unrelenting hardships year after year, it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost that Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and they spoke to him that has kept me faithful. All the loss of family, friends, children, jobs, homes and health has been worth it. I am a supporter of the prophet and know he was called by God to this work. I know his family was incredibly dedicated to the cause of Restoration. They didn’t know what they were getting into but it is my belief that they are the First Family of these United States. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 😇 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
Omgooooooooosh!❤️ This episode was absolutely magical and spirit guided, and not just an intellectual exercise! Dr Dirkmaat was a gift to your listeners. 😇 He awakens our spiritual senses to a deep appreciation and interest to the histories of the restoration. More! More! ❤️
This was absolutely THE BEST podcast ever! ❤ I learned so much, and I laughed 😅 so much. Then, as soon as John started laughing, I started laughing, again😅 Thank you Brother Dirkmaat for your knowlege, your humility, and your humor. 😃 To the producers, it seems like so much is edited out, I'm sure for time reasons. I would love to have less editing. We have the whole week to watch, before church on Sunday! Thank you to the whole team for making this amazing podcast work, 😊 and thank you John and Hank. I just love you guys. In fact, my RS president was talking about not being overly excited to study the Doctrine and Covenants. I told her I felt the same way but that Follow Him makes it so interesting, and I sent her the link to the podcast. Have a fantastic rest of the week. 😁
Hooray! Dr. Dirkmaat is back! And what a fantastic new series. As a lover of history, I am salivating already 😂. Keep up the good work. Joseph Smith was and is a prophet. What moved me most was the reading of his vision of the resurrection. I had only read excerpts, but not the whole thing. Thank you so very much!❤
This resonates so soundly with me! I investigated the church for 20 years and saw countless missionaries! Finally I saw the light at age 38, am now 72, served a mission during covid as a mission nurse, am now in our stake Primary Presidency and am still like a Labrador puppy about the gospel! Have you heard the good news?? Let me tell you! 😂😂
Last week , Joe Rogan completely disparaged Joseph Smith on his podcast. I posted a comment telling them to have Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat on the podcast to set the record straight. Somebody make this happen!!! 😅
Yes, we should listen to “ experts”, but “ experts” can also have biases and agendas. They also disagree. Much like where Joseph Smith found himself when looking for the true church. Do NOT just trust someone bc they are an “ expert”. That’s pretty dangerous
I love history❤ and this podcast - Dr. Dirkmaat was amazing and I learned so much! I recently lost my nephew and sister who unexpectedly passed since November and what he said about death was so tender and hopeful, thank you for sharing your testimony of our prophet - Joseph Smith and his family❤❤❤ so inspirational to me, thank you! I loved the portrait explanation- hilarious but so true😂
This is by far the most interesting in presentation podcast from Follow Him… Dirkmat is fantastic! I love the funny tone but also the scholarly work so easy to follow and relatable!!
Beautiful lesson! ❤🎉 I love our Prophet Joseph Smith and All that followed after to NOW, Praise God for his goodness towards Us in this dispersion of the fullness of time! We have Prophets ❤
EXTRA 😂 almost passed this over in my Come Follow Me, study. I think because it had no scriptural refrence and we already had our weekly scripture class. DON'T MISS THIS ONE. its very good 😅, funny, entertaining, and uplifting. Thanks
Bem, eu assisti vocês por três partes, é muito bom o conhecimento de vocês sobre a história de Joseph e o começo da restauração. Acredito que ainda existe a fé na terra para acreditar nas revelações do passado nos milagres etc, Num fio uma corda de luz um raio um pilar de trás pra frente do menor para o maior, ainda existe um fio ligando até o céu.
I loved this so much! I got a very clear answer for myself that Joseph Smith was good while friends and outside influences were telling me how bad he was. It was an overwhelming experience that can only be explained as the holy ghost telling me
My favorite class was a Church history class at BYU with Susan Easton Black. This episode took me back to my student days of excitement. I look forward to my history classes with Follow Him!
Another reason for the straight faces was a technological one. It took time on the old daguerreotype camera to imprint a picture. People had to still still for a few minutes and it was easier to look natural by keeping a straight face than to smile and have it turn into a grimace. Just thought this might add to brother Dirkmatt excellent podcast. Thank you to both of you and your whole team for bringing joy and the spirit to my daily commute.
Thank you so much! Dr. Dirkmaat, can you share a source for the quote you shared by Joseph, "I have no fear of hellfire that don't exist." That is one I want to keep!
Dr. Dirkmaat was entertaining and very interesting. Dr. Kyle R. Walker has also done extensive research on the Smith Family. He has written 3 books on the Smith family and gives us great insight into the lives of each member of the Smith Family. He has recently been on the Church History Matters podcast. Excellent information and very entertaining. Your listeners might also want to check out his books.
There is a section in the Come Follow Me manual called Voices of the restoration? Can someone tell me where? Or did I hear that wrong? I’m not finding anything. Thanks.
Before cameras, some people were captured with drawings, paintings, busts, death masks, etc. Perhaps those accustomed to sitting for portraits didn't think to smile for photos. Who'd want to hold a smile for that long? Photos then took longer so holding smiles would be hard.
I just flipped through the new 2025 Come Follow Me manual and I'm not finding the "Voices of the Restoration" they are referring to. 🤔 Can somebody help❓
It’s in the digital “Come Follow Me” outline for the week. For instance, the outline for this week, January 13-19, has this week’s lesson about Joseph Smith History 1:1-26, and underneath that is the “Voices of the Restoration” about Joseph Smith’s family. 😊
The Come, Follow Me manual does include Voices of the Restoration Joseph Smith’s Family. For example, in the month of January 2025 it appears between the January 13-19 and January 20-26 readings. For the month of February it appears between weeks February 3-9 and February 10-16. Hope this helps you find it.
If you open up the online Come Follow Me Manual for Doctrine and Covenants in the Gospel Library. Open up each month- they are available there listed with the weekly resources.
I am not a historian, only a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon"). We don't study the Christian scholars of the first few centuries after the first century in our personal studies. Some of our Church scholars study them, to discover the history of modern Christianity. If someone is not a prophet of God, they don't have authority to speak for God to the whole church. Our academics today speak as authorities of history, and do not speak with priesthood authority for God on matters of doctrine or policy to the rest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I love history❤ and this podcast - Dr. Dirkmaat was amazing and I learned so much! I recently lost my nephew and sister who unexpectedly passed since November and what he said about death was so tender and hopeful, thank you for sharing your testimony of our prophet - Joseph Smith and his family❤❤❤ so inspirational to me, thank you! I loved the portrait explanation- hilarious but so true😂
I am grateful for how small this world really is. Apparently my aunt (Lonette Stoddard) used to babysit Gerrit and his brother "MANY YEARS AGO"(Her words not mine). She told my mom about the first episode that Gerrit was on and my mom told me. Since that day 4 years ago, my life has been changed by listening to this podcast weekly. It has helped me get past so many of the incorrect cultural ideas that I was raised with and have been able to share that with others in my ward and family. I'm just from Ogden, UT but you are making a difference. I'm so grateful that a "goofy" (again not my words, that is what my mom said) kid from ID grew up to become such a wonderful, funny, faithful church historian! Thank you!
Dr Dirkmaat tells about his Grandfather's conversion and immediate inactivity and the missionary probably thinking he didn't do enough. I am Dutch and live in Ireland and last year I visited my daughter in Rexburg, Idaho. She asked what I would like to do while I was with her and I really wanted to find the missionary that had baptised me 46 years ago. I could never remember his full name but had recently found an old Book of Mormon with his testimony and full name in it ( just as an aside, the Book has disappeared again.....), so while we were sitting in her car, she looked up his name, phoned a number and shocked the poor man by mentioning my name....He couldn't believe it. We made arrangements and met the following evening as they lived not too far from her place (Wow what a coincidence?????). We found out that he was not feeling great about himself and his missionary efforts and hadn't had many baptisms. We were able to tell him about my family and extended family. Yes, I was only one, but in the end there are so many more that are in the church because he baptised me. The Lord loves each one of us and knows what is troubling us! This had the Lord's hand in it from beginning to end. Thank you so much for this podcast, I love it and love learning more and more about the history and just hearing how much the Lord loves us and how He is trying to get us back to them.
What a beautiful and AMAZING story!!! Loved this so much! Thank you for sharing!❤
No one does church history like Dr Dirkmaat! He's just the best and makes me laugh as I learn.
I have a brother and a son that died young and this podcast bolstered my confidence in the gospel.
Dirkmatt is a precious gem and we a greatly blessed to have him with us.
When I was a missionary, professor Dirkmaat came and spoke for one of our zone conferences! I had never laughed so much at a zone conference. He has a great testimony and I love this combination! Well done 👍
That is awesome!
Bro. Dirkmaat takes it to another level. Listening to him is such a blessing!
I joined the Church at age 28 and now I’m 71. Having passed through unrelenting hardships year after year, it is the testimony of the Holy Ghost that Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and they spoke to him that has kept me faithful. All the loss of family, friends, children, jobs, homes and health has been worth it. I am a supporter of the prophet and know he was called by God to this work. I know his family was incredibly dedicated to the cause of Restoration. They didn’t know what they were getting into but it is my belief that they are the First Family of these United States. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 😇
🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony with us.
Omgooooooooosh!❤️ This episode was absolutely magical and spirit guided, and not just an intellectual exercise! Dr Dirkmaat was a gift to your listeners. 😇 He awakens our spiritual senses to a deep appreciation and interest to the histories of the restoration. More! More! ❤️
I wish this episode of the podcast was longer. It was so awesome. Thank you so much to all three of you.
Thank you so much for having brother Dirkmaat as part of Follow Him this year I just cannot get enough of his knowledge of the Restoration!
This was absolutely THE BEST podcast ever! ❤ I learned so much, and I laughed 😅 so much. Then, as soon as John started laughing, I started laughing, again😅
Thank you Brother Dirkmaat for your knowlege, your humility, and your humor. 😃
To the producers, it seems like so much is edited out, I'm sure for time reasons. I would love to have less editing. We have the whole week to watch, before church on Sunday! Thank you to the whole team for making this amazing podcast work, 😊 and thank you John and Hank. I just love you guys. In fact, my RS president was talking about not being overly excited to study the Doctrine and Covenants. I told her I felt the same way but that Follow Him makes it so interesting, and I sent her the link to the podcast. Have a fantastic rest of the week. 😁
Hooray! Dr. Dirkmaat is back! And what a fantastic new series. As a lover of history, I am salivating already 😂. Keep up the good work. Joseph Smith was and is a prophet. What moved me most was the reading of his vision of the resurrection. I had only read excerpts, but not the whole thing. Thank you so very much!❤
This resonates so soundly with me! I investigated the church for 20 years and saw countless missionaries! Finally I saw the light at age 38, am now 72, served a mission during covid as a mission nurse, am now in our stake Primary Presidency and am still like a Labrador puppy about the gospel! Have you heard the good news?? Let me tell you! 😂😂
Standard of Truth Podcast is awesome! Highly recommend it!
Last week , Joe Rogan completely disparaged Joseph Smith on his podcast. I posted a comment telling them to have Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat on the podcast to set the record straight. Somebody make this happen!!! 😅
Jacob Hansen call Joe Rogan and offered to go on his program.
Jacob Hansen of Thoughtful faith called out Joe Rogan on his own podcast and volunteered to go on his show. 😊
Would be epic!!!
Yes, we should listen to “ experts”, but “ experts” can also have biases and agendas. They also disagree. Much like where Joseph Smith found himself when looking for the true church. Do NOT just trust someone bc they are an “ expert”. That’s pretty dangerous
Great comment 👏 thank you for sharing. Wonderful idea
I love history❤ and this podcast - Dr. Dirkmaat was amazing and I learned so much! I recently lost my nephew and sister who unexpectedly passed since November and what he said about death was so tender and hopeful, thank you for sharing your testimony of our prophet - Joseph Smith and his family❤❤❤ so inspirational to me, thank you! I loved the portrait explanation- hilarious but so true😂
I am listening to this and totally loving it. So thankful for these RUclips presentations!
This is by far the most interesting in presentation podcast from Follow Him… Dirkmat is fantastic! I love the funny tone but also the scholarly work so easy to follow and relatable!!
Another nice piece of listening for my work week from the Follow Him team. Thank you!
Beautiful lesson! ❤🎉 I love our Prophet Joseph Smith and All that followed after to NOW, Praise God for his goodness towards Us in this dispersion of the fullness of time! We have Prophets ❤
EXTRA 😂 almost passed this over in my Come Follow Me, study. I think because it had no scriptural refrence and we already had our weekly scripture class. DON'T MISS THIS ONE. its very good 😅, funny, entertaining, and uplifting. Thanks
YES! MORE Follow Him!! Love it so much hooray!!
Bem, eu assisti vocês por três partes, é muito bom o conhecimento de vocês sobre a história de Joseph e o começo da restauração. Acredito que ainda existe a fé na terra para acreditar nas revelações do passado nos milagres etc, Num fio uma corda de luz um raio um pilar de trás pra frente do menor para o maior, ainda existe um fio ligando até o céu.
Excited for this! Love Dr. Dirkmaat and his podcast.
I loved this so much! I got a very clear answer for myself that Joseph Smith was good while friends and outside influences were telling me how bad he was. It was an overwhelming experience that can only be explained as the holy ghost telling me
To find Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat Standard of Truth you need to include his name in the search as there is another podcast of the same name
Thank you so much I all way faun my self thinking about the Simth family now I know thank to all of you
Thanks brothers! Love this! Love bro Dirkmaar and his podcast!
My favorite class was a Church history class at BYU with Susan Easton Black. This episode took me back to my student days of excitement. I look forward to my history classes with Follow Him!
I love it when Gerrit comes on and talk history! So good!❤
Another reason for the straight faces was a technological one. It took time on the old daguerreotype camera to imprint a picture. People had to still still for a few minutes and it was easier to look natural by keeping a straight face than to smile and have it turn into a grimace. Just thought this might add to brother Dirkmatt excellent podcast. Thank you to both of you and your whole team for bringing joy and the spirit to my daily commute.
This was so awesome! Thank you.
It is "Standard of Truth Podcast LLC". Make sure you include the LLC when you search!
This is my favorite episode!!! I’ve been a fan since the beginning and all of the messages in this one really spoke to me. Thank you!
Thank you so much! Dr. Dirkmaat, can you share a source for the quote you shared by Joseph, "I have no fear of hellfire that don't exist." That is one I want to keep!
Absolutely wonderful podcast!
Thank you so much for this. Loved it
So amazing !!! Thank you 😊
Excellent!!
Thank you so very much. So interesting.
I find it so interesting that Hyrum in Hebrew means “my brother is exalted" that’s crazy to me lol
Another great podcast!!!
thanks for this
Dr. Dirkmaat was entertaining and very interesting. Dr. Kyle R. Walker has also done extensive research on the Smith Family. He has written 3 books on the Smith family and gives us great insight into the lives of each member of the Smith Family. He has recently been on the Church History Matters podcast. Excellent information and very entertaining. Your listeners might also want to check out his books.
love this!
*chef's kiss* SO GOOD!!
Which episodes of the standard of truth would you recommend for someone who wants reassurance about Joseph smith?
There is a section in the Come Follow Me manual called Voices of the restoration? Can someone tell me where? Or did I hear that wrong? I’m not finding anything. Thanks.
You can find it in the digital version. I couldn't find it in the actual book, either!
It is found in the online version of the Come Follow Me Manual, but I did not see it in the printed manual.
Before cameras, some people were captured with drawings, paintings, busts, death masks, etc. Perhaps those accustomed to sitting for portraits didn't think to smile for photos. Who'd want to hold a smile for that long? Photos then took longer so holding smiles would be hard.
I just flipped through the new 2025 Come Follow Me manual and I'm not finding the "Voices of the Restoration" they are referring to. 🤔
Can somebody help❓
It’s in the digital “Come Follow Me” outline for the week. For instance, the outline for this week, January 13-19, has this week’s lesson about Joseph Smith History 1:1-26, and underneath that is the “Voices of the Restoration” about Joseph Smith’s family. 😊
The Come, Follow Me manual does include Voices of the Restoration
Joseph Smith’s Family. For example, in the month of January 2025 it appears between the January 13-19 and January 20-26 readings. For the month of February it appears between weeks February 3-9 and February 10-16. Hope this helps you find it.
If you look in the Table of Contents in the digital version in Gospel Library, you will find it for most of the months.
I noticed it in the online version of the manual and opened the book to show my family, and it wasn't there!
If you open up the online Come Follow Me Manual for Doctrine and Covenants in the Gospel Library. Open up each month- they are available there listed with the weekly resources.
I was wondering what studies ,life, and writing of the church fathers are in the Mormon church???
I am not a historian, only a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon"). We don't study the Christian scholars of the first few centuries after the first century in our personal studies. Some of our Church scholars study them, to discover the history of modern Christianity.
If someone is not a prophet of God, they don't have authority to speak for God to the whole church. Our academics today speak as authorities of history, and do not speak with priesthood authority for God on matters of doctrine or policy to the rest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
❤❤❤
I don't like the word loss. I know where my loved ones are and they are not lost to me.
I love section 76....
I love history❤ and this podcast - Dr. Dirkmaat was amazing and I learned so much! I recently lost my nephew and sister who unexpectedly passed since November and what he said about death was so tender and hopeful, thank you for sharing your testimony of our prophet - Joseph Smith and his family❤❤❤ so inspirational to me, thank you! I loved the portrait explanation- hilarious but so true😂