Somehow, you work on it, the more work you put into it, the further away you are from actually completing it. It's like dark matter, a dissertation is.
Standard of Truth · Season 3 · Episode 34 · 1:06:21
The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected
The famous "standard of truth has been erected" passage sits in the Wentworth Letter right before the words we now call the Articles of Faith.
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The question ·
Where does the phrase "the standard of truth has been erected" come from?
Anthony (listener)
Richard explains his family motto, "Don't embarrass the family," Jordan from Idaho confesses to playing Xbox while his wife did the dishes, and Richard compares his sons' P-days in Peru and Spain. Anthony, who first wondered if this was an anti-Mormon podcast, asks where the phrase "standard of truth" comes from, and Richard recites it from memory. Gerrit traces the idea of an ensign to the nations through Isaiah, the Book of Mormon and D&C 5's army with banners. He adds letters from Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor in Britain. He finishes with the Wentworth Letter, where Joseph recounts the church's history and Missouri's persecutions before declaring the standard of truth erected.
Who comes upJoseph SmithHeber C. KimballJohn TaylorJohn WentworthLilburn W. BoggsIsaiahMartin Harris
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ABD and drifting
Richard says his dissertation seems to move farther away, like an expanding universe.
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518 moments · tap a time to play from thereIntro Welcome to The Standard of Truth Podcast. In this podcast, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Professor Richard LeDuc explore the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the life and teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith. They examine the original historical sources and provide context for events of the past. They approach the history of the Church with faith, expertise and humor.
Intro Welcome to The Standard of Truth Podcast. In this podcast, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Professor Richard LeDuc explore the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the life and teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith. They examine the original historical sources and provide context for events of the past. They approach the history of the Church with faith, expertise and humor.
Gerrit Hi, welcome to another episode of the Standard of Truth podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, and I'm joined by my friend, getting near to be a doctor, but not quite yet a doctor, ABD, Richard LeDuc.
Gerrit Hi, welcome to another episode of the Standard of Truth podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, and I'm joined by my friend, getting near to be a doctor, but not quite yet a doctor, ABD, Richard LeDuc.
Richard Hello, Gerrit. It's so nice of you to say, as the dissertation proceeds, I seem to be further and further away.
Richard Hello, Gerrit. It's so nice of you to say, as the dissertation proceeds, I seem to be further and further away.
Gerrit Yeah, in fact, most dissertations, they kind of work on like the expansion version of the universe, where, you know, like the universal constant.
Gerrit Yeah, in fact, most dissertations, they kind of work on like the expansion version of the universe, where, you know, like the universal constant.
Richard It's accelerating further away from me.
Richard It's accelerating further away from me.
Gerrit Yeah, the universal constant is the speed of light. And one of the great mysteries of the universe is that the universe expanded faster than the speed of light. So nothing can go faster than the speed of light, except somehow the universe's expansion. Dissertations, similar. Somehow, you work on it, the more work you put into it, the further away you are from actually completing it. It's like dark matter, a dissertation is.
Gerrit Yeah, the universal constant is the speed of light. And one of the great mysteries of the universe is that the universe expanded faster than the speed of light. So nothing can go faster than the speed of light, except somehow the universe's expansion. Dissertations, similar. Somehow, you work on it, the more work you put into it, the further away you are from actually completing it. It's like dark matter, a dissertation is.
Richard That's very good. I didn't think we'd be so Carl Sagan-y, but this is a...
Richard That's very good. I didn't think we'd be so Carl Sagan-y, but this is a...
Gerrit Millions and billions of stars.
Gerrit Millions and billions of stars.
Richard All right, so digging into the Phebe Draper Palmer Brown mailbag, we're gonna answer a, well, we might answer a listener's question.
Richard All right, so digging into the Phebe Draper Palmer Brown mailbag, we're gonna answer a, well, we might answer a listener's question.
Gerrit We've actually had several people email to say that we don't ever answer anyone's question. You know what?
Gerrit We've actually had several people email to say that we don't ever answer anyone's question. You know what?
Richard They're right. So this, the subject is Palmyra part three. This is part of the.
Richard They're right. So this, the subject is Palmyra part three. This is part of the.
Gerrit The premium.
Gerrit The premium.
Richard The premium.
Richard The premium.
Gerrit So if you're wondering, if you're still, if you're on the edge of your seat thinking, I was gonna do premium just so Gerrit and Richard's kids could eat, but I decided not to because I wanted to eat. I think if anyone is making the decision between eating and the premium membership.
Gerrit So if you're wondering, if you're still, if you're on the edge of your seat thinking, I was gonna do premium just so Gerrit and Richard's kids could eat, but I decided not to because I wanted to eat. I think if anyone is making the decision between eating and the premium membership.
Richard Well, so what's, I mean, we learn from second Nephi, right? Yeah. To feast on gospel things.
Richard Well, so what's, I mean, we learn from second Nephi, right? Yeah. To feast on gospel things.
Gerrit So you want people to go hungry.
Gerrit So you want people to go hungry.
Richard I want them to feast on gospel things, Gerrit. I think we need to stop talking about wanting.
Richard I want them to feast on gospel things, Gerrit. I think we need to stop talking about wanting.
Gerrit I feel like in a Calvinist sort of a way, if you predestined only certain people to heaven and the only other place to go is hell, I kind of feel like there's only one other option.
Gerrit I feel like in a Calvinist sort of a way, if you predestined only certain people to heaven and the only other place to go is hell, I kind of feel like there's only one other option.
Richard So I think I've mentioned this in previous Phebe Draper Palmer Brown Mailbags. I am, I'm a fairly decent reader. I'm okay on a scale of one to 36. I'm probably a 17. And...
Richard So I think I've mentioned this in previous Phebe Draper Palmer Brown Mailbags. I am, I'm a fairly decent reader. I'm okay on a scale of one to 36. I'm probably a 17. And...
Gerrit In fairness to both of us, we both grew up in Idaho.
Gerrit In fairness to both of us, we both grew up in Idaho.
Richard This is true. My wife wants me to read the emails seven or eight times before I do them in the podcast so that I don't sound like an idiot. But I mean, she's been married to me now almost 20, over 22 years. She knows I'm an idiot.
Richard This is true. My wife wants me to read the emails seven or eight times before I do them in the podcast so that I don't sound like an idiot. But I mean, she's been married to me now almost 20, over 22 years. She knows I'm an idiot.
Gerrit Yeah, I like the fact, it's very kind of her that she thinks that's the solution.
Gerrit Yeah, I like the fact, it's very kind of her that she thinks that's the solution.
Richard Well, so, you know, lots of families have, maybe your family has a good friend of ours, her father passed away, and he had a couple of things that he was, I believe he was a mission president. She's a great, faithful man. And he liked the expression of no empty chairs, right? No empty chairs at the table, right? There's a song about it that I sing often to irritate my children. And so our family also has a theme. The theme is, don't embarrass the family.
Richard Well, so, you know, lots of families have, maybe your family has a good friend of ours, her father passed away, and he had a couple of things that he was, I believe he was a mission president. She's a great, faithful man. And he liked the expression of no empty chairs, right? No empty chairs at the table, right? There's a song about it that I sing often to irritate my children. And so our family also has a theme. The theme is, don't embarrass the family.
Gerrit Yes.
Richard That is a theme, it's in vinyl all over our house. It's in wood above the door as you leave. Sometimes as a child, it was remember who you are as you leave or something more like that. Like you're a child of God and don't forget that you're a king and a prince.
Gerrit Yes.
Richard That is a theme, it's in vinyl all over our house. It's in wood above the door as you leave. Sometimes as a child, it was remember who you are as you leave or something more like that. Like you're a child of God and don't forget that you're a king and a prince.
Gerrit Yeah, right.
Gerrit Yeah, right.
Richard And ours is, don't embarrass the family. And it's a constant refrain. And so it's less about her concern about me and more about her concern about the family and them thinking of all the Dukes as poor readers.
Richard And ours is, don't embarrass the family. And it's a constant refrain. And so it's less about her concern about me and more about her concern about the family and them thinking of all the Dukes as poor readers.
Gerrit Yeah, your name's unique enough. Although frankly, your name, people butcher it so much. I mean, Becky probably texts our group text between our spouses and ourselves, at least once a week to explain some new way that someone has butchered up the name LeDuc, which is only five letters.
Gerrit Yeah, your name's unique enough. Although frankly, your name, people butcher it so much. I mean, Becky probably texts our group text between our spouses and ourselves, at least once a week to explain some new way that someone has butchered up the name LeDuc, which is only five letters.
Richard It's very funny.
Richard It's very funny.
Gerrit My last name's Dirkmaat. No one has ever spelled, pronounced or written it correctly in my entire life. Like there are people whose last name is Dirkmaat. And we're just like, are there two A's in there? I mean, no one ever gets it right. But with LeDuc, it is stunning. I mean, they get Dulucci, they get-
Gerrit My last name's Dirkmaat. No one has ever spelled, pronounced or written it correctly in my entire life. Like there are people whose last name is Dirkmaat. And we're just like, are there two A's in there? I mean, no one ever gets it right. But with LeDuc, it is stunning. I mean, they get Dulucci, they get-
Richard Dulucci is more common than you'd think. Dulucci, Ludic.
Richard Dulucci is more common than you'd think. Dulucci, Ludic.
Gerrit Duluc happens so much.
Gerrit Duluc happens so much.
Richard LaDuc is the most common.
Richard LaDuc is the most common.
Gerrit That's the common mispronunciation.
Gerrit That's the common mispronunciation.
Richard Yes.
Richard Yes.
Gerrit Yeah. But do they also put a K on the end?
Gerrit Yeah. But do they also put a K on the end?
Richard When I go through, you know, you go through initiatories, you write your name down. I write it L-A-D-U-K-E, just making it easier.
Richard When I go through, you know, you go through initiatories, you write your name down. I write it L-A-D-U-K-E, just making it easier.
Gerrit Right, so you falsify your temple records.
Gerrit Right, so you falsify your temple records.
Richard Is that what- Well, the name- Well, first of all, if temple records, if the temple records are on a Post-It note, do you put on the-
Richard Is that what- Well, the name- Well, first of all, if temple records, if the temple records are on a Post-It note, do you put on the-
Gerrit Do we have any temple presidents that are listening?
Gerrit Do we have any temple presidents that are listening?
Richard No, we do not.
Richard No, we do not.
Gerrit Do we have any temple workers that are listening?
Gerrit Do we have any temple workers that are listening?
Richard My wife doesn't listen. Well, anyway, all this to say, here's the email from Blaine. Brilliant, truly.
Richard My wife doesn't listen. Well, anyway, all this to say, here's the email from Blaine. Brilliant, truly.
Gerrit As a commentary to Palmyra Bar-
Gerrit As a commentary to Palmyra Bar-
Richard Palmyra Bar-3.
Gerrit What else did he have to say?
Richard Palmyra Bar-3.
Gerrit What else did he have to say?
Richard That's it. That's it. And Blaine, that's the exact length of email that I am able to, it would have been funny if I mispronounced any of it. I should have done it on purpose.
Richard That's it. That's it. And Blaine, that's the exact length of email that I am able to, it would have been funny if I mispronounced any of it. I should have done it on purpose.
Gerrit Well, if you recall, when we did our live broadcast, I misspoke my own name.
Gerrit Well, if you recall, when we did our live broadcast, I misspoke my own name.
Richard No, because we cut it.
Richard No, because we cut it.
Gerrit But we talked about it.
Gerrit But we talked about it.
Richard We did talk about it. Yeah, we cut it. Because we cut the stuff that makes Gerrit look bad.
Richard We did talk about it. Yeah, we cut it. Because we cut the stuff that makes Gerrit look bad.
Gerrit Richard was very bitter about it.
Gerrit Richard was very bitter about it.
Richard So we've got another, we have another email from Andy. He called asking us where a certain scripture or a quote was, and then we obviously didn't respond or comment or read them.
Richard So we've got another, we have another email from Andy. He called asking us where a certain scripture or a quote was, and then we obviously didn't respond or comment or read them.
Gerrit Right after he sent it, he emailed again.
Gerrit Right after he sent it, he emailed again.
Richard Yes, yeah. Within two months of that initial email, he emailed us right back. Because Gerrit made a comment about no one listening in Mississippi. And he said, listening from Mississippi, by the way, I'd say you guys are awesome, but I can't feed your ego. Have a nice day. You know what, Andy? First of all, thank you for listening from Mississippi.
Richard Yes, yeah. Within two months of that initial email, he emailed us right back. Because Gerrit made a comment about no one listening in Mississippi. And he said, listening from Mississippi, by the way, I'd say you guys are awesome, but I can't feed your ego. Have a nice day. You know what, Andy? First of all, thank you for listening from Mississippi.
Gerrit Yeah, our downloads in Mississippi are blowing up right now. Or in the tens of tens.
Gerrit Yeah, our downloads in Mississippi are blowing up right now. Or in the tens of tens.
Richard I can't wait for our, we have a big egg bowl prediction show that's coming up in November.
Richard I can't wait for our, we have a big egg bowl prediction show that's coming up in November.
Gerrit Andy, look, I know the smart money's always on old miss, but I think this year.
Gerrit Andy, look, I know the smart money's always on old miss, but I think this year.
Richard Well, yeah, feelings are strong for the loss of their coach.
Richard Well, yeah, feelings are strong for the loss of their coach.
Gerrit That's what I'm saying. I think, I'm-
Gerrit That's what I'm saying. I think, I'm-
Richard Never go against the crazy Lane Kiffin though.
Richard Never go against the crazy Lane Kiffin though.
Gerrit It's a very bold prediction.
Gerrit It's a very bold prediction.
Richard All right, here we go. This next email comes to us from Jordan. This, the subject is, saved my marriage.
Richard All right, here we go. This next email comes to us from Jordan. This, the subject is, saved my marriage.
Gerrit Wow, so just so everyone's aware, we don't ever provide any marital advice at all.
Gerrit Wow, so just so everyone's aware, we don't ever provide any marital advice at all.
Richard Oh, no.
Gerrit And sometimes we even talk about plural marriage. Well, against our will, but I mean, don't practice it or anything, but people ask questions.
Richard Oh, no.
Gerrit And sometimes we even talk about plural marriage. Well, against our will, but I mean, don't practice it or anything, but people ask questions.
Richard Hello, fellas. Please forgive my poor grammar and punctuation. I am just a poor, uneducated Idaho man who can't spell good. He's from Idaho. Yes. Now, so we were wondering, so poor, uneducated Idaho man that can't spell well, where could that have been? Nampa, Shelly, Declo, Shoshone.
Richard Hello, fellas. Please forgive my poor grammar and punctuation. I am just a poor, uneducated Idaho man who can't spell good. He's from Idaho. Yes. Now, so we were wondering, so poor, uneducated Idaho man that can't spell well, where could that have been? Nampa, Shelly, Declo, Shoshone.
Gerrit You know what? I decided that we were gonna say that he's from Salmon, Idaho.
Gerrit You know what? I decided that we were gonna say that he's from Salmon, Idaho.
Richard Salmon, Idaho. Yep.
Richard Salmon, Idaho. Yep.
Gerrit Only because they were our rivals in basketball and football.
Gerrit Only because they were our rivals in basketball and football.
Richard Yes. My district leader in an MTC was from Salmon, Idaho. What about that?
Richard Yes. My district leader in an MTC was from Salmon, Idaho. What about that?
Gerrit Did he let you get the mail?
Gerrit Did he let you get the mail?
Richard He did. He got the mail faithfully.
Richard He did. He got the mail faithfully.
Gerrit So he was not, the power didn't go to his head.
Gerrit So he was not, the power didn't go to his head.
Richard Gerrit, it is not possible for the power to not go to your head. Of course it went to his head, but I'm saying-
Richard Gerrit, it is not possible for the power to not go to your head. Of course it went to his head, but I'm saying-
Gerrit As soon as they get a little authority-
Gerrit As soon as they get a little authority-
Richard No, they suppose.
Richard No, they suppose.
Gerrit As soon as they get that mail key.
Gerrit As soon as they get that mail key.
Richard They immediately begin to exercise and register. It's literally like the Lord of the Rings.
Richard They immediately begin to exercise and register. It's literally like the Lord of the Rings.
Gerrit Right, so it's like my precious. So when someone becomes an MTC district leader, they start going, gollum, gollum. Is that what you're saying?
Gerrit Right, so it's like my precious. So when someone becomes an MTC district leader, they start going, gollum, gollum. Is that what you're saying?
Richard Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I'm a poor, uneducated Idaho man who can't spell good. But I want to share a story about how the tools I've learned in this podcast helped build my marriage.
Richard Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I'm a poor, uneducated Idaho man who can't spell good. But I want to share a story about how the tools I've learned in this podcast helped build my marriage.
Gerrit Oh boy.
Gerrit Oh boy.
Richard This is, and I'm not joking, already going downhill. A true story. The other day, I was playing Xbox with my son. Well, you're already off to a great start. And my wife began to do the dishes in the kitchen. I feel that she doesn't do them because they needed done necessarily, but to passively hint at how lazy I am because of my, I bet she does them very loudly as well. That's a good-
Richard This is, and I'm not joking, already going downhill. A true story. The other day, I was playing Xbox with my son. Well, you're already off to a great start. And my wife began to do the dishes in the kitchen. I feel that she doesn't do them because they needed done necessarily, but to passively hint at how lazy I am because of my, I bet she does them very loudly as well. That's a good-
Gerrit So what you're suggesting is that she's in there pounding pots and like really, and then making like a scrubbing, like a, I can't get this out kind of thing.
Gerrit So what you're suggesting is that she's in there pounding pots and like really, and then making like a scrubbing, like a, I can't get this out kind of thing.
Richard Right. I think that's what he's suggesting. Because of my ability to ignore these cues, she then took her subtle forms of body language to the next level with verbal conversation. She asked me why I never wanted to help out around the house and we carried on a small conversation of how I disagreed with her concerning my motivations. I'm sure that went very well. I don't remember everything said in this conversation, but then she had the audacity to pull the whole, it just goes to show card and, sorry, that's very funny, that you've talked about in a few former episodes. I was able to counter that by informing her kindly that she had nothing to go on with that claim, that she had no record of me ever claiming I didn't want to help out, and she lacks the historical training required to make such a claim.
Richard Right. I think that's what he's suggesting. Because of my ability to ignore these cues, she then took her subtle forms of body language to the next level with verbal conversation. She asked me why I never wanted to help out around the house and we carried on a small conversation of how I disagreed with her concerning my motivations. I'm sure that went very well. I don't remember everything said in this conversation, but then she had the audacity to pull the whole, it just goes to show card and, sorry, that's very funny, that you've talked about in a few former episodes. I was able to counter that by informing her kindly that she had nothing to go on with that claim, that she had no record of me ever claiming I didn't want to help out, and she lacks the historical training required to make such a claim.
Gerrit Wow.
Gerrit Wow.
Richard She then stormed off and I went back to play Xbox.
Richard She then stormed off and I went back to play Xbox.
Gerrit Wait, so you don't have the proper historical training to determine whether or not there are sources for this claim, is that?
Gerrit Wait, so you don't have the proper historical training to determine whether or not there are sources for this claim, is that?
Richard That's what he said to his wife.
Richard That's what he said to his wife.
Gerrit I'm stunned that that went over poorly. It's interesting. What?
Gerrit I'm stunned that that went over poorly. It's interesting. What?
Richard Look, he's saying it's helping his marriage, so I don't know how poorly it went over.
Richard Look, he's saying it's helping his marriage, so I don't know how poorly it went over.
Gerrit I'm pretty sure it went poorly. In fact, Jordan, I think if you think it went well, then it went poorly.
Gerrit I'm pretty sure it went poorly. In fact, Jordan, I think if you think it went well, then it went poorly.
Richard Yeah, look, there are a couple of memes or GIFs or reels or whatever where one spouse is angry and then the husband goes and he's just busily getting a vacuum, looking anxiously engaged. But obviously, Jordan here went another way. To conclude, I absolutely love this podcast. I wish the episodes were longer and they came out daily. You guys kill it every time. I hope that I can meet you guys someday and shake your hands. Thank you for everything you do and for my happy and healthy marriage.
Richard Yeah, look, there are a couple of memes or GIFs or reels or whatever where one spouse is angry and then the husband goes and he's just busily getting a vacuum, looking anxiously engaged. But obviously, Jordan here went another way. To conclude, I absolutely love this podcast. I wish the episodes were longer and they came out daily. You guys kill it every time. I hope that I can meet you guys someday and shake your hands. Thank you for everything you do and for my happy and healthy marriage.
Gerrit Well, we would love to meet you, although I'm now wondering whether or not we want to meet your wife, because she probably hates us. If you're-
Gerrit Well, we would love to meet you, although I'm now wondering whether or not we want to meet your wife, because she probably hates us. If you're-
Richard Well, we don't know that he necessarily-
Richard Well, we don't know that he necessarily-
Gerrit He may not have referenced us. He may have secretly.
Gerrit He may not have referenced us. He may have secretly.
Richard Yeah, that's right.
Richard Yeah, that's right.
Gerrit Please don't tell your wife that we said that she couldn't tell you to do the dishes.
Gerrit Please don't tell your wife that we said that she couldn't tell you to do the dishes.
Richard We never said that. I'm terrified even thinking it.
Richard We never said that. I'm terrified even thinking it.
Gerrit I just did the dishes just before I came up here to record because of my fear of that very thing. So-
Gerrit I just did the dishes just before I came up here to record because of my fear of that very thing. So-
Richard That'd be great. You know, Jordan, there'll be a great opportunity to meet us at the Standard of Truth tour that's gonna be next June. We'll have that. We're hoping by the end of the month of August to have everything posted online.
Richard That'd be great. You know, Jordan, there'll be a great opportunity to meet us at the Standard of Truth tour that's gonna be next June. We'll have that. We're hoping by the end of the month of August to have everything posted online.
Gerrit What are our dates on those?
Gerrit What are our dates on those?
Richard Sometime in May and then later in November.
Richard Sometime in May and then later in November.
Gerrit Nope, in June.
Gerrit Nope, in June.
Richard Ah, the first two weeks of June.
Richard Ah, the first two weeks of June.
Gerrit In the first two weeks of June, 2024, we will be going first to Baltimore and-
Gerrit In the first two weeks of June, 2024, we will be going first to Baltimore and-
Richard Baltimore?
Gerrit Baltimore and the environs going to Fort McHenry and then to Gettysburg. And then we will be going up to the church history sites, ending off in Kirtland and flying home. So that one's going to be the first week of June. And so the third through the ninth, right? And then the second one is going to be the 10th through the 16th, which is our Kansas City. We're gonna fly into Kansas City.
Richard Baltimore?
Gerrit Baltimore and the environs going to Fort McHenry and then to Gettysburg. And then we will be going up to the church history sites, ending off in Kirtland and flying home. So that one's going to be the first week of June. And so the third through the ninth, right? And then the second one is going to be the 10th through the 16th, which is our Kansas City. We're gonna fly into Kansas City.
Richard We wanted it later in the year, so it'd be smarter.
Richard We wanted it later in the year, so it'd be smarter.
Gerrit Well, yeah, that was our thought. Our thought was, you know, it's oppressive and terrible in Kansas City in early June. What if, you know, taking a cue from Jordan, what if we just went later in the month? I'll bet that would be better. In fact, not only is our podcast helping you with your marriage, Jordan, your email helped inspire us to plan a later date for a tour outside in Missouri.
Gerrit Well, yeah, that was our thought. Our thought was, you know, it's oppressive and terrible in Kansas City in early June. What if, you know, taking a cue from Jordan, what if we just went later in the month? I'll bet that would be better. In fact, not only is our podcast helping you with your marriage, Jordan, your email helped inspire us to plan a later date for a tour outside in Missouri.
Richard It's good. It is fun. The tour we went on before last year, well, this year, last year, I don't know. Whenever this episode drops.
Richard It's good. It is fun. The tour we went on before last year, well, this year, last year, I don't know. Whenever this episode drops.
Gerrit It's all running together.
Gerrit It's all running together.
Richard Sure. It was an absolute blast and it was a lot of fun. We actually met with a friend of the show, Damian, for lunch a week or so ago. And he talked about, you know, creating almost this community around the show because we still have the WhatsApp group message from that tour that we still message on. The people that come are hilarious.
Richard Sure. It was an absolute blast and it was a lot of fun. We actually met with a friend of the show, Damian, for lunch a week or so ago. And he talked about, you know, creating almost this community around the show because we still have the WhatsApp group message from that tour that we still message on. The people that come are hilarious.
Gerrit Oh yeah.
Richard It's an absolute blast.
Gerrit Oh yeah.
Richard It's an absolute blast.
Gerrit Richard's going to lunch with one of them. Next week or something.
Gerrit Richard's going to lunch with one of them. Next week or something.
Richard I am. And Marvin, it's important that you realize I'm not going to eat a lot. The reason I'm not going to eat a lot, by the way, is because I had to, I got a term life insurance policy when I was 24. And when I was 24, I thought, I only need 20 years. When I'm 44, I'll be so rich, there will be no reason for another life insurance policy. Well, I'm almost 44 and I'm not rich and in poor health and fat. And so I met with someone for life insurance over the phone, obviously. They asked my weight and I gave them more of an aspirational weight.
Richard I am. And Marvin, it's important that you realize I'm not going to eat a lot. The reason I'm not going to eat a lot, by the way, is because I had to, I got a term life insurance policy when I was 24. And when I was 24, I thought, I only need 20 years. When I'm 44, I'll be so rich, there will be no reason for another life insurance policy. Well, I'm almost 44 and I'm not rich and in poor health and fat. And so I met with someone for life insurance over the phone, obviously. They asked my weight and I gave them more of an aspirational weight.
Gerrit So you gave them a fictitious weight.
Gerrit So you gave them a fictitious weight.
Richard Aspirational. And so what happens though is you have to...
Richard Aspirational. And so what happens though is you have to...
Gerrit Have you been this weight since you were playing basketball for the high school team?
Gerrit Have you been this weight since you were playing basketball for the high school team?
Richard I have not been this weight since my sophomore year. So it's very aspirational. Here's the thing. I have till the end of September to hit that weight and to get my physical, right?
Richard I have not been this weight since my sophomore year. So it's very aspirational. Here's the thing. I have till the end of September to hit that weight and to get my physical, right?
Gerrit Well, going to Arizona in the summertime is helpful.
Gerrit Well, going to Arizona in the summertime is helpful.
Richard It will help.
Richard It will help.
Gerrit Yeah, that's like a wrestler trying to drop a weight.
Gerrit Yeah, that's like a wrestler trying to drop a weight.
Richard But I will have water, no ice. I'm concerned about potential calorie count for ice. Obviously no lemon. So I'm excited to go to dinner with Marvin, but I'm not going to be eating very much. I just wanted to give him the heads up and I wanted to do it. I could do it on the phone or a text, but I wanted to do it on the podcast.
Richard But I will have water, no ice. I'm concerned about potential calorie count for ice. Obviously no lemon. So I'm excited to go to dinner with Marvin, but I'm not going to be eating very much. I just wanted to give him the heads up and I wanted to do it. I could do it on the phone or a text, but I wanted to do it on the podcast.
Gerrit Marvin, shout out to you.
Gerrit Marvin, shout out to you.
Richard Yep, I need to lose about another 78 pounds.
Richard Yep, I need to lose about another 78 pounds.
Gerrit I like how we've made your weight loss goals part of our show. I think that's what most people tuned into here.
Gerrit I like how we've made your weight loss goals part of our show. I think that's what most people tuned into here.
Richard Well, it's one of the things that'll hold me to it because only 87 more pounds to go.
Richard Well, it's one of the things that'll hold me to it because only 87 more pounds to go.
Gerrit Well, the other thing you can do, Jordan, if you wish that the podcast came out every day, you also could sign up for the premium content and then at least you'd get it twice a week.
Gerrit Well, the other thing you can do, Jordan, if you wish that the podcast came out every day, you also could sign up for the premium content and then at least you'd get it twice a week.
Richard It's true. And then you could listen to it every day. We'd love the downloads.
Richard It's true. And then you could listen to it every day. We'd love the downloads.
Gerrit So just keep downloading it. It's very important you re-download it, delete it off your phone, re-download it, delete it off your phone, say hi to my mom. I mean, those are the important aspects of this.
Gerrit So just keep downloading it. It's very important you re-download it, delete it off your phone, re-download it, delete it off your phone, say hi to my mom. I mean, those are the important aspects of this.
Richard This last email comes to us from Antony. And it is, The Standard of Truth is the subject. Anthony says, Dr. Dirkmaat and Professor LeDuc spelled incorrectly.
Richard This last email comes to us from Antony. And it is, The Standard of Truth is the subject. Anthony says, Dr. Dirkmaat and Professor LeDuc spelled incorrectly.
Gerrit Is that a deliberate incorrectly?
Gerrit Is that a deliberate incorrectly?
Richard I always assume it's loving. I lovingly spelled it correct. Yeah, he's just giving me a hard time. Your name is spelled right.
Richard I always assume it's loving. I lovingly spelled it correct. Yeah, he's just giving me a hard time. Your name is spelled right.
Gerrit Just checking.
Gerrit Just checking.
Richard Lovingly spelled correctly. Just finished listening to the Why Me podcast. I couldn't agree more. The Lord knows who we are and what we are capable of. I love Doctrine and Covenants section four, verse five, and faith, hope, charity and love with an I single to the glory of God qualify him for the work. It testifies of the mercy of the Lord and that these are the qualifications that he requires, nothing more. We don't have to have all knowledge. We just need these characteristics. Why me is the question I asked when I was called as a district leader in the MTC. Well, Anthony, we know exactly what kind of guy you must have been.
Richard Lovingly spelled correctly. Just finished listening to the Why Me podcast. I couldn't agree more. The Lord knows who we are and what we are capable of. I love Doctrine and Covenants section four, verse five, and faith, hope, charity and love with an I single to the glory of God qualify him for the work. It testifies of the mercy of the Lord and that these are the qualifications that he requires, nothing more. We don't have to have all knowledge. We just need these characteristics. Why me is the question I asked when I was called as a district leader in the MTC. Well, Anthony, we know exactly what kind of guy you must have been.
Gerrit Well, I mean, look, he obviously was a very faithful missionary. Did he withhold the mail from people?
Gerrit Well, I mean, look, he obviously was a very faithful missionary. Did he withhold the mail from people?
Richard Well, let's see. Yeah, of course. I let it go to my head. Well, there you go. He's honest. First of all, I will say, Anthony, there's nothing you can do about it.
Richard Well, let's see. Yeah, of course. I let it go to my head. Well, there you go. He's honest. First of all, I will say, Anthony, there's nothing you can do about it.
Gerrit Right.
Richard It's going to go to your head.
Gerrit Right.
Richard It's going to go to your head.
Gerrit So the closest we get to Calvinistic predestination in our church is becoming an MTC district leader.
Gerrit So the closest we get to Calvinistic predestination in our church is becoming an MTC district leader.
Richard It's the first real kind of calling sort of that you have, as you suppose, and you immediately begin to exercise.
Richard It's the first real kind of calling sort of that you have, as you suppose, and you immediately begin to exercise.
Gerrit What about when you're first a senior companion for the first time? It's got to be similar.
Gerrit What about when you're first a senior companion for the first time? It's got to be similar.
Richard I feel like district leader MTC, cause you don't even know what a mission is.
Richard I feel like district leader MTC, cause you don't even know what a mission is.
Gerrit You don't even know what you're doing. And all you know is, I'm in charge. You don't even know these people. You don't know these people. You just met them a second ago, and now you're the district leader. Yeah, and all of a sudden you're reading Elder Johnson.
Gerrit You don't even know what you're doing. And all you know is, I'm in charge. You don't even know these people. You don't know these people. You just met them a second ago, and now you're the district leader. Yeah, and all of a sudden you're reading Elder Johnson.
Richard You're reading Art of War. And you rule with an iron fist.
Richard You're reading Art of War. And you rule with an iron fist.
Gerrit Yeah, next thing you know, Sun Tzu is like, an army marches only as fast as its slowest unit elders.
Gerrit Yeah, next thing you know, Sun Tzu is like, an army marches only as fast as its slowest unit elders.
Richard I just, I love, like, they turn into some sort of like East German.
Richard I just, I love, like, they turn into some sort of like East German.
Gerrit Yeah, they get a little bit of a, they get a little bit of an accent and, you know. Yeah, I thought that we said we'd meet at 6.30. It's 6.25. I knew a good elder would be 10 minutes early.
Gerrit Yeah, they get a little bit of a, they get a little bit of an accent and, you know. Yeah, I thought that we said we'd meet at 6.30. It's 6.25. I knew a good elder would be 10 minutes early.
Richard Not 10 minutes early, you're late, elder. I had the best elders and still would get after them over small, Anthony, of course you did.
Richard Not 10 minutes early, you're late, elder. I had the best elders and still would get after them over small, Anthony, of course you did.
Gerrit Of course you would.
Richard Yeah, of course you would.
Gerrit Of course you would.
Richard Yeah, of course you would.
Gerrit Don't, stop beating yourself up.
Gerrit Don't, stop beating yourself up.
Richard Yeah, Anthony, it's not even your fault, Anthony.
Richard Yeah, Anthony, it's not even your fault, Anthony.
Gerrit You need to listen to the indulgences episode of our Joseph Smith and the Restoration to know that you can get out of purgatory.
Gerrit You need to listen to the indulgences episode of our Joseph Smith and the Restoration to know that you can get out of purgatory.
Richard You know what, I'm gonna send it to you. I don't know if you're a premium or not. I'm gonna send it to you for free so you can listen to it.
Richard You know what, I'm gonna send it to you. I don't know if you're a premium or not. I'm gonna send it to you for free so you can listen to it.
Gerrit One of the reasons why no one signs up for the premium is Richard just gives it all away.
Gerrit One of the reasons why no one signs up for the premium is Richard just gives it all away.
Richard I'm gonna sign it up. To missionaries, I've got a soft spot for missionaries. They have seven kids on missions right now.
Richard I'm gonna sign it up. To missionaries, I've got a soft spot for missionaries. They have seven kids on missions right now.
Gerrit Missionaries, to people who email and spell your name.
Gerrit Missionaries, to people who email and spell your name.
Richard Oh, really, really quick on the mission stuff. So this is my absolute favorite thing. So my son in Spain is in Barcelona. He's serving just east of Barcelona. For P-Day, they go up to this beautiful castle. They're looking over the town that they're serving in. And there's the Mediterranean Sea. And it's just picturesque, absolutely beautiful. My son got to Lima, Peru.
Richard Oh, really, really quick on the mission stuff. So this is my absolute favorite thing. So my son in Spain is in Barcelona. He's serving just east of Barcelona. For P-Day, they go up to this beautiful castle. They're looking over the town that they're serving in. And there's the Mediterranean Sea. And it's just picturesque, absolutely beautiful. My son got to Lima, Peru.
Gerrit Your second son, your other son.
Gerrit Your second son, your other son.
Richard My second son got to Lima, Peru last Friday. And he sent us a picture.
Richard My second son got to Lima, Peru last Friday. And he sent us a picture.
Gerrit He sent some pictures, yes, of his view.
Gerrit He sent some pictures, yes, of his view.
Richard They were very different than the pictures of my other son that is serving in Spain. And his mother was made a little anxious by them. I love them more than anything in Spain.
Richard They were very different than the pictures of my other son that is serving in Spain. And his mother was made a little anxious by them. I love them more than anything in Spain.
Gerrit Well, she was made anxious because you have a Peruvian living in your ward who asks, hey, where's Rigdon serving? Becky gave the town and the woman's face went ashen.
Gerrit Well, she was made anxious because you have a Peruvian living in your ward who asks, hey, where's Rigdon serving? Becky gave the town and the woman's face went ashen.
Richard Her countenance fell.
Richard Her countenance fell.
Gerrit And she said, I would not let my kids serve a mission if that's where they were serving.
Gerrit And she said, I would not let my kids serve a mission if that's where they were serving.
Richard She's like, my son, he would not get, who's been to Peru a bunch of times, oh, he wouldn't know what to do. One positive thing, if I can just do something.
Richard She's like, my son, he would not get, who's been to Peru a bunch of times, oh, he wouldn't know what to do. One positive thing, if I can just do something.
Gerrit Little autobiographical.
Gerrit Little autobiographical.
Richard Well, this one's extra autobiographical. But so my son's mission companion, you always hope when your kid goes out on a mission that their trainer is a hardworking, faithful missionary and is kind.
Richard Well, this one's extra autobiographical. But so my son's mission companion, you always hope when your kid goes out on a mission that their trainer is a hardworking, faithful missionary and is kind.
Gerrit Because he's gonna set the tone. And he could be a jerk.
Gerrit Because he's gonna set the tone. And he could be a jerk.
Richard So you want him to be kind.
Richard So you want him to be kind.
Gerrit You hope he's not, but he could be a bad missionary.
Gerrit You hope he's not, but he could be a bad missionary.
Richard Yeah, so you want him to be good, strong, hardworking, faithful and kind. If you can get those two in a sister trainer or an elder trainer, then you're off to the races, right? That's all you want. So my son's trainer is a sweet, sweet Peruvian. He's from Cusco, Peruvian missionary. And my son is, he's about 6'2. So in Peru, that's giant. But so he was telling him, so they're not allowed to track, like I think after six o'clock in their area, when it gets dark, they're not allowed to go.
Richard Yeah, so you want him to be good, strong, hardworking, faithful and kind. If you can get those two in a sister trainer or an elder trainer, then you're off to the races, right? That's all you want. So my son's trainer is a sweet, sweet Peruvian. He's from Cusco, Peruvian missionary. And my son is, he's about 6'2. So in Peru, that's giant. But so he was telling him, so they're not allowed to track, like I think after six o'clock in their area, when it gets dark, they're not allowed to go.
Gerrit That's always a good sign for an area. When the mission rules for people whose job it is to teach people, is you better be inside when it's dark. That's how you know you're in a good area.
Gerrit That's always a good sign for an area. When the mission rules for people whose job it is to teach people, is you better be inside when it's dark. That's how you know you're in a good area.
Richard That's right. Well, so he was saying, because one of the things that people do is they'll like, you know, they have a fake wallet. When we went through the Department of Health and we're here to get all of his vaccines, whenever we go to Peru, they said, okay, so when you get robbed, you're going to- When you get robbed, you have a fake wallet, you have some cash in it so that when you're robbed, you can just give them some money.
Richard That's right. Well, so he was saying, because one of the things that people do is they'll like, you know, they have a fake wallet. When we went through the Department of Health and we're here to get all of his vaccines, whenever we go to Peru, they said, okay, so when you get robbed, you're going to- When you get robbed, you have a fake wallet, you have some cash in it so that when you're robbed, you can just give them some money.
Gerrit They'll see that there's cash in it.
Gerrit They'll see that there's cash in it.
Richard I actually tip of the cap to the robbers because they've gotten wise to that.
Richard I actually tip of the cap to the robbers because they've gotten wise to that.
Gerrit So now they just, they-
Gerrit So now they just, they-
Richard They take all their clothes.
Richard They take all their clothes.
Gerrit All their clothes.
Richard So they take all of their clothes and then the missionaries walk home in their garments because they've had all their clothes.
Gerrit All their clothes.
Richard So they take all of their clothes and then the missionaries walk home in their garments because they've had all their clothes.
Gerrit At least they don't take their garments.
Gerrit At least they don't take their garments.
Richard Well, at least they do, right? They show some respect. But my son's trainer said, the good thing is that tomorrow or the next day, we'd be able to go down to the market and buy your clothes back because they will be selling them. So you know what?
Richard Well, at least they do, right? They show some respect. But my son's trainer said, the good thing is that tomorrow or the next day, we'd be able to go down to the market and buy your clothes back because they will be selling them. So you know what?
Gerrit Would you be buying them directly from the person? Would it be like, hey, I remember you from yesterday? Or would it be more like a middle man?
Gerrit Would you be buying them directly from the person? Would it be like, hey, I remember you from yesterday? Or would it be more like a middle man?
Richard With everything inside me, I want you to be buying them back from the person that stole your clothes at knife or gunpoint previously. Anyway, that is a little much. The contrast between the two P-Day pictures was my favorite part of the day. Since then, I've never been called to leadership again. So there you go, Anthony.
Richard With everything inside me, I want you to be buying them back from the person that stole your clothes at knife or gunpoint previously. Anyway, that is a little much. The contrast between the two P-Day pictures was my favorite part of the day. Since then, I've never been called to leadership again. So there you go, Anthony.
Gerrit That's hilarious. So are you fatalistically saying that you did so poorly as a...
Gerrit That's hilarious. So are you fatalistically saying that you did so poorly as a...
Richard Or it's possible he was essentially the city of Enoch for leadership and he never needs to serve leadership again.
Richard Or it's possible he was essentially the city of Enoch for leadership and he never needs to serve leadership again.
Gerrit Oh, right, yeah, so he was essentially carrying people across the sweet water, is that?
Gerrit Oh, right, yeah, so he was essentially carrying people across the sweet water, is that?
Richard Yes, yes, spiritually speaking.
Richard Yes, yes, spiritually speaking.
Gerrit He spiritually carried people across the sweet water river.
Gerrit He spiritually carried people across the sweet water river.
Richard Only as a trainer to let the new ambassadors, formerly known as greenies, to dwindle in unbelief as to what on earth they've gotten themselves into. Welcome to the mission. This leads me to another question. Yet another inquiry lost in the archives of The Standard of Truth podcast on answerable questions. I found this podcast in an advertisement you had placed on Facebook. The title piqued my interest. I had learned about The Standard of Truth by Joseph Smith on my mission. It impressed me to the point that memorizing it seemed easy and I still use it from time to time today. I figure I would check out your podcast. It was either a play on words, like most antagonists' media.
Richard Only as a trainer to let the new ambassadors, formerly known as greenies, to dwindle in unbelief as to what on earth they've gotten themselves into. Welcome to the mission. This leads me to another question. Yet another inquiry lost in the archives of The Standard of Truth podcast on answerable questions. I found this podcast in an advertisement you had placed on Facebook. The title piqued my interest. I had learned about The Standard of Truth by Joseph Smith on my mission. It impressed me to the point that memorizing it seemed easy and I still use it from time to time today. I figure I would check out your podcast. It was either a play on words, like most antagonists' media.
Gerrit I see, so they thought this was an anti-Mormon podcast. So the real question is, why then did you decide to use it?
Gerrit I see, so they thought this was an anti-Mormon podcast. So the real question is, why then did you decide to use it?
Richard Well, no, he was hoping. He was hoping, yeah.
Richard Well, no, he was hoping. He was hoping, yeah.
Gerrit So he was gonna click for a few minutes. Yeah, where they just trashed the church. He didn't know how long he'd have to listen before he got to the content.
Gerrit So he was gonna click for a few minutes. Yeah, where they just trashed the church. He didn't know how long he'd have to listen before he got to the content.
Richard Yeah, where are we at right now, before? 15, 20 minutes?
Richard Yeah, where are we at right now, before? 15, 20 minutes?
Gerrit It's like 75 minutes in.
Gerrit It's like 75 minutes in.
Richard Yeah, let's see, Rex's elders, 24 minutes. We're almost there, Rex's elders' corps president. Who we know your actual name, because you emailed in, but we still referred to.
Richard Yeah, let's see, Rex's elders, 24 minutes. We're almost there, Rex's elders' corps president. Who we know your actual name, because you emailed in, but we still referred to.
Gerrit Like Rachel's mom, you are going to be Rex's elders' corps president?
Gerrit Like Rachel's mom, you are going to be Rex's elders' corps president?
Richard I'm glad to find that it was, oh, so then he asks, was it the good thing, where it was antagonistic, or bad, bad thing, good thing, where it was antagonistic, good thing, where it was, where it was bad, where it was antagonistic, or good, expand the world just a little bit.
Richard I'm glad to find that it was, oh, so then he asks, was it the good thing, where it was antagonistic, or bad, bad thing, good thing, where it was antagonistic, good thing, where it was, where it was bad, where it was antagonistic, or good, expand the world just a little bit.
Gerrit I have no idea why he wondered whether or not it was right.
Gerrit I have no idea why he wondered whether or not it was right.
Richard I'm glad to find it was that not only was it the latter, but you do it in style. Working righteous, hairy, carry in your humble way. That is great.
Richard I'm glad to find it was that not only was it the latter, but you do it in style. Working righteous, hairy, carry in your humble way. That is great.
Gerrit That is a great line.
Gerrit That is a great line.
Richard Working righteous, hairy, carry in your humble way. It's been fun to watch it grow from fives to tens of subscribers. We're all sitting on the edge of our seats, faces lather with anticipation waiting for the next installment of Wisconsin Faith Building Mission Stories. Oh, and yes, I do have beachfront property in Duchesne County. That's funny. And I'll throw the Golden Gate in for free.
Richard Working righteous, hairy, carry in your humble way. It's been fun to watch it grow from fives to tens of subscribers. We're all sitting on the edge of our seats, faces lather with anticipation waiting for the next installment of Wisconsin Faith Building Mission Stories. Oh, and yes, I do have beachfront property in Duchesne County. That's funny. And I'll throw the Golden Gate in for free.
Gerrit For those of you who aren't from Utah, you'll note that Duchesne County is not by the ocean, nor is any county in Utah.
Gerrit For those of you who aren't from Utah, you'll note that Duchesne County is not by the ocean, nor is any county in Utah.
Richard I digress, back to The Standard of Truth. Under what context and when did Joseph give it? Was it a talk, a revelation, an answer to a newspaper inquiry? Where and when was this given?
Richard I digress, back to The Standard of Truth. Under what context and when did Joseph give it? Was it a talk, a revelation, an answer to a newspaper inquiry? Where and when was this given?
Gerrit Well, that is an awesome question.
Gerrit Well, that is an awesome question.
Richard Great question, Anthony.
Richard Great question, Anthony.
Gerrit And that's the type of question that doesn't involve plural marriage that allows us to dive right in and try to talk about. So I think what he's referencing is this, you know, the standard of truth. And I think a lot of missionaries had to memorize it.
Gerrit And that's the type of question that doesn't involve plural marriage that allows us to dive right in and try to talk about. So I think what he's referencing is this, you know, the standard of truth. And I think a lot of missionaries had to memorize it.
Richard I'd memorize it, yeah, I love it.
Richard I'd memorize it, yeah, I love it.
Gerrit Do you wanna, from memory? From memory, I am going to verify right now Richard has nothing in front of him.
Gerrit Do you wanna, from memory? From memory, I am going to verify right now Richard has nothing in front of him.
Richard Let's see how I do.
Richard Let's see how I do.
Gerrit Rigdon will be very disappointed when he hears this two years from now.
Gerrit Rigdon will be very disappointed when he hears this two years from now.
Richard First of all, how do you pronounce it? Is it Calumny?
Richard First of all, how do you pronounce it? Is it Calumny?
Gerrit Calumny? Calumny, okay. The very fact that you know Calumny is in their shows.
Gerrit Calumny? Calumny, okay. The very fact that you know Calumny is in their shows.
Richard Well, we'll see how we did this. So our bishop recited it when Rigdon was getting set apart. And then we were like, oh, dang, Bishop Peterson, well done. The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble and Calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear until the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
Richard Well, we'll see how we did this. So our bishop recited it when Rigdon was getting set apart. And then we were like, oh, dang, Bishop Peterson, well done. The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble and Calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear until the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
Gerrit Very good.
Gerrit Very good.
Richard I love it, it's beautiful.
Richard I love it, it's beautiful.
Gerrit Well, it is beautiful. And a lot of missionaries do memorize it as kind of like a missionary. I mean, we did in my mission. I will say though, every mission does things differently. Like for instance, it sounds like in your mission, you couldn't call the new missionaries greenies anymore.
Gerrit Well, it is beautiful. And a lot of missionaries do memorize it as kind of like a missionary. I mean, we did in my mission. I will say though, every mission does things differently. Like for instance, it sounds like in your mission, you couldn't call the new missionaries greenies anymore.
Richard In Anthony's mission.
Richard In Anthony's mission.
Gerrit Yeah, yeah, in Anthony's mission. Cause he said they're now called ambassadors or something like that.
Gerrit Yeah, yeah, in Anthony's mission. Cause he said they're now called ambassadors or something like that.
Richard Yeah, I don't know.
Gerrit Yeah, I don't know that that's a church wide policy, but I'll tell you what, I just did a quick check to see, and in a talk that Elder Cook gave last month, he used the word greenie. He says, in our vernacular today, we would call them greenies, talking about a missionary in the early church. So, I mean, I don't know if it's a hard and fast policy or if Elder Cook, much like a young Willard Richards is shooting, shooting, shooting from the hip, but at any rate, yeah. Yeah, so that's a great question. I mean, it is one of the more powerful things that Joseph Smith will teach. And so the question is, where does it come from? Where did this idea of the Standard of Truth come from? And under what circumstances Joseph quoting that? Well, I think we'll start with, where do we first hear it in some of our Latter-day Saint literature? First and foremost, while it's not exactly the same, the imagery of a standard being erected is something that is pretty common in early Latter-day Saint literature in part because of the Book of Mormon.
Richard Yeah, I don't know.
Gerrit Yeah, I don't know that that's a church wide policy, but I'll tell you what, I just did a quick check to see, and in a talk that Elder Cook gave last month, he used the word greenie. He says, in our vernacular today, we would call them greenies, talking about a missionary in the early church. So, I mean, I don't know if it's a hard and fast policy or if Elder Cook, much like a young Willard Richards is shooting, shooting, shooting from the hip, but at any rate, yeah. Yeah, so that's a great question. I mean, it is one of the more powerful things that Joseph Smith will teach. And so the question is, where does it come from? Where did this idea of the Standard of Truth come from? And under what circumstances Joseph quoting that? Well, I think we'll start with, where do we first hear it in some of our Latter-day Saint literature? First and foremost, while it's not exactly the same, the imagery of a standard being erected is something that is pretty common in early Latter-day Saint literature in part because of the Book of Mormon.
Gerrit Now look, the parts of the Book of Mormon that the ensign to the nations is discussed is they're the Isaiah chapters of the Book of Mormon. So other Christians have access to these as well. The difference is the Book of Mormon highlighted certain aspects of Isaiah. So you're already a Bible-believing Christian. You already know Isaiah backward and forward, right? You may not have had any Isaiah-made-easy books in the 19th century, but Isaiah is already scripture to you. And then as you read the Book of Mormon, there's chapters of Isaiah that are quoted in the Book of Mormon itself, which causes them to be even further highlighted. Well, what are some of the ones that are highlighted in the Book of Mormon? They are the ones that talk about the scattering and the gathering of Israel.
Gerrit Now look, the parts of the Book of Mormon that the ensign to the nations is discussed is they're the Isaiah chapters of the Book of Mormon. So other Christians have access to these as well. The difference is the Book of Mormon highlighted certain aspects of Isaiah. So you're already a Bible-believing Christian. You already know Isaiah backward and forward, right? You may not have had any Isaiah-made-easy books in the 19th century, but Isaiah is already scripture to you. And then as you read the Book of Mormon, there's chapters of Isaiah that are quoted in the Book of Mormon itself, which causes them to be even further highlighted. Well, what are some of the ones that are highlighted in the Book of Mormon? They are the ones that talk about the scattering and the gathering of Israel.
Gerrit So if you go to 2nd E515, verse 26. So 2nd E515 is Isaiah chapter 5, right? So if you go to 2nd E515, verse 26, it says, and he will lift up an enzyme to the nations from afar, and he will hiss unto them from the end of the earth. And behold, they shall come with speed swiftly. None shall be weary nor stumble among them. None shall slumber nor sleep. So this is this Isaiahan prophecy of the gathering of scattered Israel. And that of course is a central aspect of Latter-day Saint belief. And really it's one of the central messages of the Book of Mormon, right? That its job is to help gather scattered Israel. And it's not the only place that it's discussed. And in fact, even more important to this kind of idea or this imagery becoming part of Latter-day Saint lexicon and history is the next chapter in the Book of Mormon, not the next chapter, but the next time it's referenced, this ensign to the nation, is Reverend 2 Nephi chapter 21.
Gerrit So if you go to 2nd E515, verse 26. So 2nd E515 is Isaiah chapter 5, right? So if you go to 2nd E515, verse 26, it says, and he will lift up an enzyme to the nations from afar, and he will hiss unto them from the end of the earth. And behold, they shall come with speed swiftly. None shall be weary nor stumble among them. None shall slumber nor sleep. So this is this Isaiahan prophecy of the gathering of scattered Israel. And that of course is a central aspect of Latter-day Saint belief. And really it's one of the central messages of the Book of Mormon, right? That its job is to help gather scattered Israel. And it's not the only place that it's discussed. And in fact, even more important to this kind of idea or this imagery becoming part of Latter-day Saint lexicon and history is the next chapter in the Book of Mormon, not the next chapter, but the next time it's referenced, this ensign to the nation, is Reverend 2 Nephi chapter 21.
Gerrit Now 2 Nephi chapter 21 is very similar to Isaiah chapter 11. And again, talking about the Latter-days, this is the one that starts, and there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots, and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. Well, the discussion again is of this Second Coming and gathering of Israel, and it's especially where it discusses what it will be like in the millennium. These are those beautiful verses of peace, right? And the sucking child shall play on the whole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand into the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. This is 2 Nephi 21.
Gerrit Now 2 Nephi chapter 21 is very similar to Isaiah chapter 11. And again, talking about the Latter-days, this is the one that starts, and there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots, and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. Well, the discussion again is of this Second Coming and gathering of Israel, and it's especially where it discusses what it will be like in the millennium. These are those beautiful verses of peace, right? And the sucking child shall play on the whole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand into the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. This is 2 Nephi 21.
Gerrit I'm now on verse 10. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an enzyme of the people. To it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria and from Egypt and from Pathros and from Cush and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an enzyme for the nations and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. So it's really here, because it is a discussion that an enzyme is going to be set up in Isaiah chapter five, but it's really this one. The Isaiah chapter 11 that talks about the last days that God is going to set up this enzyme, right?
Gerrit I'm now on verse 10. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an enzyme of the people. To it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria and from Egypt and from Pathros and from Cush and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an enzyme for the nations and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. So it's really here, because it is a discussion that an enzyme is going to be set up in Isaiah chapter five, but it's really this one. The Isaiah chapter 11 that talks about the last days that God is going to set up this enzyme, right?
Gerrit And gonna set up this enzyme that will help gather the people, the standard that will be set up to draw people, an enzyme to the nations that shall assemble the outcasts of Israel. That is a pretty good way to describe missionary work honestly, right? The outcasts of other Christian sects, the outcasts of other religions where they just don't feel that everything's quite right. And then here comes a missionary like Rigdon in Peru, you know, looking out over the spacious apartment that he has, but here comes someone who has some answers to questions that he had. The other reason why this part of the Book of Mormon is even more, it's even more well known, I would guess I would say, is that this is also a part of the, these verses are part of the question and answer sections that become part of Doctrine and Covenants Section 113 in the Doctrine and Covenants, specifically some of these verses.
Gerrit And gonna set up this enzyme that will help gather the people, the standard that will be set up to draw people, an enzyme to the nations that shall assemble the outcasts of Israel. That is a pretty good way to describe missionary work honestly, right? The outcasts of other Christian sects, the outcasts of other religions where they just don't feel that everything's quite right. And then here comes a missionary like Rigdon in Peru, you know, looking out over the spacious apartment that he has, but here comes someone who has some answers to questions that he had. The other reason why this part of the Book of Mormon is even more, it's even more well known, I would guess I would say, is that this is also a part of the, these verses are part of the question and answer sections that become part of Doctrine and Covenants Section 113 in the Doctrine and Covenants, specifically some of these verses.
Gerrit So this is a question and answer session, essentially among elders and Joseph Smith that will eventually be canonized and added to the Doctrine and Covenants. And it's questions about Isaiah, that's actually what it's titled, this question's about Isaiah. And you get one of these questions that is from this same chapter. What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter? So that was part of what we were just reading. Behold, this is verse six of Doctrine and Covenants section 113. Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last days. So not only is that chapter 11 highlighted because it is repeated in the Book of Mormon, here that very part of that chapter is then the focus of a question about the last days.
Gerrit So this is a question and answer session, essentially among elders and Joseph Smith that will eventually be canonized and added to the Doctrine and Covenants. And it's questions about Isaiah, that's actually what it's titled, this question's about Isaiah. And you get one of these questions that is from this same chapter. What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter? So that was part of what we were just reading. Behold, this is verse six of Doctrine and Covenants section 113. Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom for an ensign and for the gathering of my people in the last days. So not only is that chapter 11 highlighted because it is repeated in the Book of Mormon, here that very part of that chapter is then the focus of a question about the last days.
Gerrit And again, you have this idea that there is an ensign, that there is a standard, there is a sign that is put up for the gathering of my people in the last days. Now more specifically to the question of, well, yeah, but where does the word, where does Standard of Truth come from? Where are we getting that? Well, the first time we get it that it's from Joseph Smith is his role as an editor of the church newspaper in 1837, the Elder's Journal, which is a church newspaper. And this is the phrase, our readers will notice that the following from Elder Kimball, it's Heber C. Kimball, who's on a mission, was intended for a private letter to his wife. Consequently, it was not expected by him to be placed before the public. So Joseph, you know, pulled a fast one here, you know. You know, I have no idea what Heber C. Kimball wrote in this letter, but can you only imagine if it was something like, and you know who I don't really like, the Johnsons, you know, oh, oh, we better edit that out.
Gerrit And again, you have this idea that there is an ensign, that there is a standard, there is a sign that is put up for the gathering of my people in the last days. Now more specifically to the question of, well, yeah, but where does the word, where does Standard of Truth come from? Where are we getting that? Well, the first time we get it that it's from Joseph Smith is his role as an editor of the church newspaper in 1837, the Elder's Journal, which is a church newspaper. And this is the phrase, our readers will notice that the following from Elder Kimball, it's Heber C. Kimball, who's on a mission, was intended for a private letter to his wife. Consequently, it was not expected by him to be placed before the public. So Joseph, you know, pulled a fast one here, you know. You know, I have no idea what Heber C. Kimball wrote in this letter, but can you only imagine if it was something like, and you know who I don't really like, the Johnsons, you know, oh, oh, we better edit that out.
Gerrit I have no idea whether it's, of course Heber C. Kimball only wrote letters that were good and faithful and kind. If you happen to be a Heber C. Kimball descendant, of which there are a legion, right? We have zero listeners to our podcast, and we still have a thousand listeners that are descended from Heber C. Kimball. That's how crazy it is. Of course, Heber C. Kimball, the lifelong best friend of Brigham Young. I mean, they were essentially inseparable. So Joseph again is the editor and he's giving this editorial note before they publish, I'm hoping with some kind of permission, Heber C. Kimball's letter to his wife. I mean, obviously he got it from his wife, from Vilate, but we'll see. Consequently, it was not expected by him to be placed before the public, but as Elder Kimball is like ourselves, a man that delights in plainness and is not skilled in the art of daubing with untempered mortar. What?
Gerrit I have no idea whether it's, of course Heber C. Kimball only wrote letters that were good and faithful and kind. If you happen to be a Heber C. Kimball descendant, of which there are a legion, right? We have zero listeners to our podcast, and we still have a thousand listeners that are descended from Heber C. Kimball. That's how crazy it is. Of course, Heber C. Kimball, the lifelong best friend of Brigham Young. I mean, they were essentially inseparable. So Joseph again is the editor and he's giving this editorial note before they publish, I'm hoping with some kind of permission, Heber C. Kimball's letter to his wife. I mean, obviously he got it from his wife, from Vilate, but we'll see. Consequently, it was not expected by him to be placed before the public, but as Elder Kimball is like ourselves, a man that delights in plainness and is not skilled in the art of daubing with untempered mortar. What?
Gerrit Wow. What a beautiful way of saying, he makes sure he doesn't say stupid things, even when it's a private letter. We have taken the liberty to give it publicity. Almost entirely, almost entirely, so almost entire, notice, that means they did do some editing. So thankfully, whatever, maybe he did say something like, you know who I really don't like? That William McClellan, which maybe they should have left that in. So back to Joseph Smith's editorial there, he says that they're gonna publish it almost entirely, that the saints may have the long desired information that the standard of truth is hoisted on the Eastern continent. Now that's a reference to Europe, because that's where Heber C. Kimball was writing from. And hundreds are already enlisting under the bloodstained banner of Emmanuel, even him who once trod in the same path that our beloved brethren who are laboring in England are now pursuing, and the poor have the gospel preached to them, Matthew 11, 5.
Gerrit Wow. What a beautiful way of saying, he makes sure he doesn't say stupid things, even when it's a private letter. We have taken the liberty to give it publicity. Almost entirely, almost entirely, so almost entire, notice, that means they did do some editing. So thankfully, whatever, maybe he did say something like, you know who I really don't like? That William McClellan, which maybe they should have left that in. So back to Joseph Smith's editorial there, he says that they're gonna publish it almost entirely, that the saints may have the long desired information that the standard of truth is hoisted on the Eastern continent. Now that's a reference to Europe, because that's where Heber C. Kimball was writing from. And hundreds are already enlisting under the bloodstained banner of Emmanuel, even him who once trod in the same path that our beloved brethren who are laboring in England are now pursuing, and the poor have the gospel preached to them, Matthew 11, 5.
Gerrit We feel thankful and very deed that God is no respecter of persons. So Joseph is so moved by this letter that they're going to publish it in the Elder's Journal. And he gives that editorial saying that the standard of truth is hoisted on the Eastern continent. Okay, so here he's using that phrase. Now, once that phrase is used in a letter back from Heber C. Kimball. What, should we go to there? This is a letter copied into Joseph Smith's journal if you're wondering. Dear Brother Joseph, in health, peace and safety, we arrived in this place on Monday last from the scene of our labor during the past year after a passage of 31 days. We cannot give a full account of our labors now, but suffice it to say that the standard of truth is reared on the other side of the great waters and hundreds are now fighting the good fight of faith beneath the shade of its glorious banner.
Gerrit We feel thankful and very deed that God is no respecter of persons. So Joseph is so moved by this letter that they're going to publish it in the Elder's Journal. And he gives that editorial saying that the standard of truth is hoisted on the Eastern continent. Okay, so here he's using that phrase. Now, once that phrase is used in a letter back from Heber C. Kimball. What, should we go to there? This is a letter copied into Joseph Smith's journal if you're wondering. Dear Brother Joseph, in health, peace and safety, we arrived in this place on Monday last from the scene of our labor during the past year after a passage of 31 days. We cannot give a full account of our labors now, but suffice it to say that the standard of truth is reared on the other side of the great waters and hundreds are now fighting the good fight of faith beneath the shade of its glorious banner.
Gerrit We have fought in the name of the Lord Jesus and under the shadow of the cross, we have conquered. Not an enemy has risen up against us, but that has fallen for our sakes. Everything we have done has prospered and the God of the Holy prophets has been with us and to him belongs the praise. Our brethren in the east are poor, yet rich in faith and the peace of our God abides upon them. We have not interfered with the priests at all except when we have been assaulted by them. We have preached repentance of baptism and baptism in repentance. We have strictly attended to our own business and we have let others alone. We've experienced the truth of Solomon's words, which are as follows, when a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies that they are at peace with him. Our enemies have seen their entire insufficiency to stand against the power of the truth manifest through us and have gone away and left us in peaceful possession of the field.
Gerrit We have fought in the name of the Lord Jesus and under the shadow of the cross, we have conquered. Not an enemy has risen up against us, but that has fallen for our sakes. Everything we have done has prospered and the God of the Holy prophets has been with us and to him belongs the praise. Our brethren in the east are poor, yet rich in faith and the peace of our God abides upon them. We have not interfered with the priests at all except when we have been assaulted by them. We have preached repentance of baptism and baptism in repentance. We have strictly attended to our own business and we have let others alone. We've experienced the truth of Solomon's words, which are as follows, when a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies that they are at peace with him. Our enemies have seen their entire insufficiency to stand against the power of the truth manifest through us and have gone away and left us in peaceful possession of the field.
Gerrit So he's using this kind of onward Christian soldiers type of rhetoric, right? He's not talking about an actual army, but that's again the point of onward Christian soldiers, right, marching as to war, not actually to war, right? And what's going before them? The cross of Jesus. That's an evangelical hymn. Similar, he's using the same phrase back. We've raised the standard, the standard that a military unit raises up. It's very interesting that, you know, one of the imageries that you get from the Bible that is used a couple of times and once even in the Doctrine and Covenants is from Song of Solomon. There's a phrase in the Song of Solomon, which of course Joseph, when he's doing his, when he's doing his translation of the Bible, he makes no changes to the Song of Solomon and just a notation that the Song of Solomon is not inspired scripture.
Gerrit So he's using this kind of onward Christian soldiers type of rhetoric, right? He's not talking about an actual army, but that's again the point of onward Christian soldiers, right, marching as to war, not actually to war, right? And what's going before them? The cross of Jesus. That's an evangelical hymn. Similar, he's using the same phrase back. We've raised the standard, the standard that a military unit raises up. It's very interesting that, you know, one of the imageries that you get from the Bible that is used a couple of times and once even in the Doctrine and Covenants is from Song of Solomon. There's a phrase in the Song of Solomon, which of course Joseph, when he's doing his, when he's doing his translation of the Bible, he makes no changes to the Song of Solomon and just a notation that the Song of Solomon is not inspired scripture.
Gerrit And yet there is a phrase from the Song of Solomon that is quoted by the Lord when the Lord speaks to Joseph in 1828 with Doctrine and Covenants, section five. And that is, I will give them power. This is TNC 5 verses 13 and 14. I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are. And to none else will I grant this power to receive this same testimony among this generation. In this, the beginning of the rising up and coming forth of my church out of the wilderness, clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Which is, first of all, incredible imagery, right? At the same time, that phrase, terrible as an army of banners, found nowhere else in the Bible. If the Lord's quoting it, at least that phrase, terrible as an army of banners, which is a way of describing the coming forth of the church. I think it's great. And again, this is given before there's a church.
Gerrit And yet there is a phrase from the Song of Solomon that is quoted by the Lord when the Lord speaks to Joseph in 1828 with Doctrine and Covenants, section five. And that is, I will give them power. This is TNC 5 verses 13 and 14. I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are. And to none else will I grant this power to receive this same testimony among this generation. In this, the beginning of the rising up and coming forth of my church out of the wilderness, clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Which is, first of all, incredible imagery, right? At the same time, that phrase, terrible as an army of banners, found nowhere else in the Bible. If the Lord's quoting it, at least that phrase, terrible as an army of banners, which is a way of describing the coming forth of the church. I think it's great. And again, this is given before there's a church.
Gerrit This is not post April 6, 1830. There isn't a church yet when the Lord gives this. This is Joseph Smith still laboring in 1829 to try to figure out how to translate the Book of Mormon. I mean, this is after some pretty difficult things. And in fact, it's in response to Martin Harris saying, hey Joseph, I know I lost the pages, but is there any way you could just show me the gold plates and then things would be fine? He doesn't want the plates, but he does want to see them so that when he's put on trial for being an accessory to Joseph's supposed fraud, he'll be able to say, I saw the plates, right? And of course the Lord's response is, if they would not believe these words, they would not believe even if you could show them all of these things, right? That this beautiful doctrine that we've shared before, that the reality is what causes someone to believe is not seeing something miraculous.
Gerrit This is not post April 6, 1830. There isn't a church yet when the Lord gives this. This is Joseph Smith still laboring in 1829 to try to figure out how to translate the Book of Mormon. I mean, this is after some pretty difficult things. And in fact, it's in response to Martin Harris saying, hey Joseph, I know I lost the pages, but is there any way you could just show me the gold plates and then things would be fine? He doesn't want the plates, but he does want to see them so that when he's put on trial for being an accessory to Joseph's supposed fraud, he'll be able to say, I saw the plates, right? And of course the Lord's response is, if they would not believe these words, they would not believe even if you could show them all of these things, right? That this beautiful doctrine that we've shared before, that the reality is what causes someone to believe is not seeing something miraculous.
Gerrit If you think it's seeing something miraculous, then you're wrong. And so it's in this same chapter where this imagery is used very early on, that the church coming up out of obscurity is as terrible as an army with banners, these banners, these enzymes, these standards. Now, Heber C. Kimball, having gotten a taste, you know, just, he started off with this trial bit of Standard of Truth. He comes to really like that phrase. So he's actually going to write another letter, this one from Preston, England. In 1840, he's going to write it to the leadership of the church, and again, employing that same phraseology to the presidency, high council and bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So this is May 25th, 1840, he's writing it from England. He's going to say, we rejoice that we can say the work of God here is in a prosperous way.
Gerrit If you think it's seeing something miraculous, then you're wrong. And so it's in this same chapter where this imagery is used very early on, that the church coming up out of obscurity is as terrible as an army with banners, these banners, these enzymes, these standards. Now, Heber C. Kimball, having gotten a taste, you know, just, he started off with this trial bit of Standard of Truth. He comes to really like that phrase. So he's actually going to write another letter, this one from Preston, England. In 1840, he's going to write it to the leadership of the church, and again, employing that same phraseology to the presidency, high council and bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So this is May 25th, 1840, he's writing it from England. He's going to say, we rejoice that we can say the work of God here is in a prosperous way.
Gerrit Yea, we rejoice greatly at the aspect of the times, expecting the time to be not far distant when the standard of truth will be conspicuously raised throughout this land. We have witnessed the flowing of the saints towards Zion. The stream has begun and we expect to see it continue running till it shall have drained the salt or the light from Babylon when we hope to shout Hosanna home. Again, some amazing imagery in these letters, right? So, you know, what is the salt? Ye are the salt of the earth, and if the salt hath lost its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted? It's thenceforth good for nothing. So, what are they seeking out as they go and preach the gospel? They're seeking out the salt, right? So, they're trying to... The stream has begun, and they want to drain the salt or the light, right, to find the people of the light from Babylon, from the world.
Gerrit Yea, we rejoice greatly at the aspect of the times, expecting the time to be not far distant when the standard of truth will be conspicuously raised throughout this land. We have witnessed the flowing of the saints towards Zion. The stream has begun and we expect to see it continue running till it shall have drained the salt or the light from Babylon when we hope to shout Hosanna home. Again, some amazing imagery in these letters, right? So, you know, what is the salt? Ye are the salt of the earth, and if the salt hath lost its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted? It's thenceforth good for nothing. So, what are they seeking out as they go and preach the gospel? They're seeking out the salt, right? So, they're trying to... The stream has begun, and they want to drain the salt or the light, right, to find the people of the light from Babylon, from the world.
Gerrit But he uses it again. The standard of truth is erected, the standard of truth, with this reference to the missionary work of the gathering of Israel, this latter day gathering of Israel that is done as missionaries go out, preach the gospel, baptize, and those people are brought in, that the standard of truth is again being used in that way by Elder Kimball. Now, not to be outdone, because not everyone can be Elder Kimball. And so one of our next references, and I'm not doing every one of them, I'm just trying to give you a flavor of them. Frankly, I think if we were to ask, if we were to answer specifically the question that you gave, then it would be bad form for the podcast. Yeah, we like to take whatever question you give us, change it to whatever we want it to be, not answer it and then put it up and tell you that we answered it.
Gerrit But he uses it again. The standard of truth is erected, the standard of truth, with this reference to the missionary work of the gathering of Israel, this latter day gathering of Israel that is done as missionaries go out, preach the gospel, baptize, and those people are brought in, that the standard of truth is again being used in that way by Elder Kimball. Now, not to be outdone, because not everyone can be Elder Kimball. And so one of our next references, and I'm not doing every one of them, I'm just trying to give you a flavor of them. Frankly, I think if we were to ask, if we were to answer specifically the question that you gave, then it would be bad form for the podcast. Yeah, we like to take whatever question you give us, change it to whatever we want it to be, not answer it and then put it up and tell you that we answered it.
Gerrit So John Taylor, he is the apostle on their mission to the British Isles who's going to take the gospel to Ireland. And he is going to use that same phraseology that Heber C. Kimball is using about Ireland. He's going to say, I visited Ireland. So this is an 1841 letter. So again, this is before, we're leading up to it. We're leading up to it, but this is before Joseph Smith will give the quote that Richard so ably and so adeptly, although very quietly. I noticed your voice got quieter and quieter and quieter as you gave it. I think because you're thinking- Yeah, if you were to make a mistake, then we weren't going to edit it out regardless. I know we weren't going to. Yeah, there was no chance we were editing it out. I was hoping that he was going to say, and call off niff, niff, ne, merf, nerf, nerf, nerf, and then we'd have put it in and packaged it. Would it surprise you? Would it surprise everyone listening to find out that that is not the only time the word calumny is used in that same paragraph actually?
Gerrit So John Taylor, he is the apostle on their mission to the British Isles who's going to take the gospel to Ireland. And he is going to use that same phraseology that Heber C. Kimball is using about Ireland. He's going to say, I visited Ireland. So this is an 1841 letter. So again, this is before, we're leading up to it. We're leading up to it, but this is before Joseph Smith will give the quote that Richard so ably and so adeptly, although very quietly. I noticed your voice got quieter and quieter and quieter as you gave it. I think because you're thinking- Yeah, if you were to make a mistake, then we weren't going to edit it out regardless. I know we weren't going to. Yeah, there was no chance we were editing it out. I was hoping that he was going to say, and call off niff, niff, ne, merf, nerf, nerf, nerf, and then we'd have put it in and packaged it. Would it surprise you? Would it surprise everyone listening to find out that that is not the only time the word calumny is used in that same paragraph actually?
Gerrit See, now I'm building anticipation. See, you think I'm bad at this, and I am, but I am building anticipation for you to find out where the second word calumny is. Back to what we were saying here that John Taylor, this is 1841 that he's sending this letter. And again, it's all about this British shaw, it's all about spreading the gospel in foreign places. I visited Ireland sometime ago and planted the standard of truth in that nation. I stayed there something over a week and preached in several places and baptized two before I left. Elder Curtis is there now, and there is between 20 and 30 baptized. So one of those people that was baptized, Thomas Tate is considered the first convert of the church in Ireland. So John Taylor literally is the father of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ireland. He's the first person to preach there. So you're going to have another instance in which this is brought up shortly thereafter.
Gerrit See, now I'm building anticipation. See, you think I'm bad at this, and I am, but I am building anticipation for you to find out where the second word calumny is. Back to what we were saying here that John Taylor, this is 1841 that he's sending this letter. And again, it's all about this British shaw, it's all about spreading the gospel in foreign places. I visited Ireland sometime ago and planted the standard of truth in that nation. I stayed there something over a week and preached in several places and baptized two before I left. Elder Curtis is there now, and there is between 20 and 30 baptized. So one of those people that was baptized, Thomas Tate is considered the first convert of the church in Ireland. So John Taylor literally is the father of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ireland. He's the first person to preach there. So you're going to have another instance in which this is brought up shortly thereafter.
Gerrit The church is going to send out kind of a circular, a letter to the church, kind of a, you know, not quite the annual statistical report, you know, that is done with all kinds of incredible emotion. I mean, in this letter, they do even call it Report of the First Presidency. It's published in the Times and Seasons, but it's like a circular to the church. The presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel great pleasure in assembling with the saints at another general conference under the circumstances so auspicious and cheering. And with grateful hearts to Almighty God for his providential regard, they cordially unite with the saints on this occasion in ascribing honor and glory and blessing to his holy name. It's going to go on to talk about you. You have all these missionaries, especially the Quorum of the Twelve that are serving in Europe and in other places, and they're going to report on it.
Gerrit The church is going to send out kind of a circular, a letter to the church, kind of a, you know, not quite the annual statistical report, you know, that is done with all kinds of incredible emotion. I mean, in this letter, they do even call it Report of the First Presidency. It's published in the Times and Seasons, but it's like a circular to the church. The presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel great pleasure in assembling with the saints at another general conference under the circumstances so auspicious and cheering. And with grateful hearts to Almighty God for his providential regard, they cordially unite with the saints on this occasion in ascribing honor and glory and blessing to his holy name. It's going to go on to talk about you. You have all these missionaries, especially the Quorum of the Twelve that are serving in Europe and in other places, and they're going to report on it.
Gerrit The reports from the Twelve in Europe, like John Taylor, who had just sent his, are very satisfactory and state that the work continues to progress with unparalleled rapidity and that the harvest is truly great. In the Eastern States, so now in the United States, the faithful laborers are successful and many are flocking to the standard of truth, nor is the South keeping back. Churches have been raised up in the Southern and Western States, and a very pressing invitation has been received from New Orleans for some of the elders to visit that city, which has been complied with. Now I will state, I know at least at one point when missionaries begin preaching in New Orleans, they are pelted with rotten apples in the streets. So maybe that's why they were inviting them down there. Hey, why don't you have a couple of your elders come preach to us? Because the apple harvest was plentiful.
Gerrit The reports from the Twelve in Europe, like John Taylor, who had just sent his, are very satisfactory and state that the work continues to progress with unparalleled rapidity and that the harvest is truly great. In the Eastern States, so now in the United States, the faithful laborers are successful and many are flocking to the standard of truth, nor is the South keeping back. Churches have been raised up in the Southern and Western States, and a very pressing invitation has been received from New Orleans for some of the elders to visit that city, which has been complied with. Now I will state, I know at least at one point when missionaries begin preaching in New Orleans, they are pelted with rotten apples in the streets. So maybe that's why they were inviting them down there. Hey, why don't you have a couple of your elders come preach to us? Because the apple harvest was plentiful.
Gerrit But let's get right down to it, right? Let's talk about where this actually is. I've kept everyone in suspense quite long enough, or frankly, not quite long enough. The reason why this is familiar, or at least the reason why it could have been even more familiar than it is, is this, the phrase, the quote, that the missionaries quote, actually comes from one of the most well-known newspaper articles ever written in the church. Probably the most well-known. And that is the Wentworth letter. Now, if you remember, John Wentworth, the editor of the Chicago Democrat, had reached out to Joseph for a brief history of the church because he had a friend that was writing a history and they thought they were going to include this in their history. Now, in the end, this ended up not being included because they decided to start the history of the state in like, or to end it in 1800, right?
Gerrit But let's get right down to it, right? Let's talk about where this actually is. I've kept everyone in suspense quite long enough, or frankly, not quite long enough. The reason why this is familiar, or at least the reason why it could have been even more familiar than it is, is this, the phrase, the quote, that the missionaries quote, actually comes from one of the most well-known newspaper articles ever written in the church. Probably the most well-known. And that is the Wentworth letter. Now, if you remember, John Wentworth, the editor of the Chicago Democrat, had reached out to Joseph for a brief history of the church because he had a friend that was writing a history and they thought they were going to include this in their history. Now, in the end, this ended up not being included because they decided to start the history of the state in like, or to end it in 1800, right?
Gerrit So just the very early history of the state. And it was before, you know, Joseph was born. So, you know, they got left out. And so it subsequently got published in the times and seasons. We all know it as the Wentworth Letter. And the parts that we all know about it is, it's the Articles of Faith. Now remember, Joseph believes that what he is writing, he is writing to a non-Latter-day Saint audience. And so therefore, and that it's going to be published. So the Wentworth Letter is a very interesting document because it is prepared specifically as a summary of what our history is and what we believe for non-Latter-day Saints. The whole idea is it was going to be published essentially in a reference book. And it's here that Joseph is going to talk about some of the horrific things that happened in Missouri.
Gerrit So just the very early history of the state. And it was before, you know, Joseph was born. So, you know, they got left out. And so it subsequently got published in the times and seasons. We all know it as the Wentworth Letter. And the parts that we all know about it is, it's the Articles of Faith. Now remember, Joseph believes that what he is writing, he is writing to a non-Latter-day Saint audience. And so therefore, and that it's going to be published. So the Wentworth Letter is a very interesting document because it is prepared specifically as a summary of what our history is and what we believe for non-Latter-day Saints. The whole idea is it was going to be published essentially in a reference book. And it's here that Joseph is going to talk about some of the horrific things that happened in Missouri.
Gerrit In fact, I'm going to read some of this just so you have an idea. And mainly because I get so angry and this is what I do. There's a reason why I struggle when we go to Missouri. I'm not saying it's not going to be a good tour. I'm saying I'm going to be angry, not at you, but just generally at the state. This is, as Joseph's talking about their history, he's going to say this. This is going to be a little bit lengthy. I'll break up some of it. But on the sixth day of April, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was first organized in the town of Manchester, Ontario, state of New York. Some few were called and ordained by the Spirit of Revelation and prophecy and began to preach as the Spirit gave them utterance. And though weak, yet they were strengthened by the power of God and many were brought into repentance, were immersed in the water and were filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
Gerrit In fact, I'm going to read some of this just so you have an idea. And mainly because I get so angry and this is what I do. There's a reason why I struggle when we go to Missouri. I'm not saying it's not going to be a good tour. I'm saying I'm going to be angry, not at you, but just generally at the state. This is, as Joseph's talking about their history, he's going to say this. This is going to be a little bit lengthy. I'll break up some of it. But on the sixth day of April, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was first organized in the town of Manchester, Ontario, state of New York. Some few were called and ordained by the Spirit of Revelation and prophecy and began to preach as the Spirit gave them utterance. And though weak, yet they were strengthened by the power of God and many were brought into repentance, were immersed in the water and were filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
Gerrit They saw visions and prophesied. Devils were cast out and the sick healed by the laying on of hands. From that time, the work rolled forth with astonishing rapidity. And churches were soon formed in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In the last name state, a considerable settlement was formed in Jackson County. Numbers joined the church and we were increasing rapidly. We made large purchases of land, our farms teamed with plenty. And peace and happiness was enjoyed in our domestic circle and throughout our neighborhood. But as we could not associate with our neighbors, who were many of them the basest of men and had fled from the face of civilized society to the frontier country to escape the hand of justice, in their midnight revels, their Sabbath breaking horse racing and gambling, they commenced at first to ridicule and then to persecute. And finally, an organized mob assembled and burned our houses, tarred and feathered and whipped many of our brethren and finally drove them from their habitations, who houseless and homeless, contrary to law, justice and humanity, had to wander on the bleak prairies till the children left the tracks of their blood on the prairie.
Gerrit They saw visions and prophesied. Devils were cast out and the sick healed by the laying on of hands. From that time, the work rolled forth with astonishing rapidity. And churches were soon formed in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In the last name state, a considerable settlement was formed in Jackson County. Numbers joined the church and we were increasing rapidly. We made large purchases of land, our farms teamed with plenty. And peace and happiness was enjoyed in our domestic circle and throughout our neighborhood. But as we could not associate with our neighbors, who were many of them the basest of men and had fled from the face of civilized society to the frontier country to escape the hand of justice, in their midnight revels, their Sabbath breaking horse racing and gambling, they commenced at first to ridicule and then to persecute. And finally, an organized mob assembled and burned our houses, tarred and feathered and whipped many of our brethren and finally drove them from their habitations, who houseless and homeless, contrary to law, justice and humanity, had to wander on the bleak prairies till the children left the tracks of their blood on the prairie.
Gerrit This took place in the month of November. They had no other covering but the canopy of heaven. In this inclement season of the year, this proceeding was winked at by the government. And although we had warranty deeds for our land and had violated no law, we could obtain no redress. There were many sick who were thus inhumanely driven from their houses and had to endure all this abuse and to seek homes where they could be found. The result was that a great many of them being deprived of the comforts of life and the necessary attendances died. Many children were left orphans, wives widows and husbands widowers. Our farms were taken possession of by the mob. Many thousands of cattle and sheep, horses and hogs were taken and our household goods, store goods and printing press and type were broken, taken or otherwise destroyed.
Gerrit This took place in the month of November. They had no other covering but the canopy of heaven. In this inclement season of the year, this proceeding was winked at by the government. And although we had warranty deeds for our land and had violated no law, we could obtain no redress. There were many sick who were thus inhumanely driven from their houses and had to endure all this abuse and to seek homes where they could be found. The result was that a great many of them being deprived of the comforts of life and the necessary attendances died. Many children were left orphans, wives widows and husbands widowers. Our farms were taken possession of by the mob. Many thousands of cattle and sheep, horses and hogs were taken and our household goods, store goods and printing press and type were broken, taken or otherwise destroyed.
Gerrit Many of our brethren were moved to Clay County, where they continued until 1836, three years. There was no violence offered, but there were threats of violence. But in the summer of 1836, these threatenings began to assume a more serious form. From threats, public meetings were called, resolutions were passed, and vengeance and destruction were threatened. And affairs again assumed a fearful attitude. Jackson County was a sufficient precedent. And as the authorities in the county did not interfere, they boasted that they would not in this, which on application to authorities, we found to be true. After much violence, privation and loss of property, we were again driven from our homes. We next settled in Caldwell in Davies County, where we made large and extensive settlements thinking to free ourselves from the power of oppression by settling in new counties with very few inhabitants in them.
Gerrit Many of our brethren were moved to Clay County, where they continued until 1836, three years. There was no violence offered, but there were threats of violence. But in the summer of 1836, these threatenings began to assume a more serious form. From threats, public meetings were called, resolutions were passed, and vengeance and destruction were threatened. And affairs again assumed a fearful attitude. Jackson County was a sufficient precedent. And as the authorities in the county did not interfere, they boasted that they would not in this, which on application to authorities, we found to be true. After much violence, privation and loss of property, we were again driven from our homes. We next settled in Caldwell in Davies County, where we made large and extensive settlements thinking to free ourselves from the power of oppression by settling in new counties with very few inhabitants in them.
Gerrit But here we were not allowed to live in peace. But in 1838, we were attacked again, attacked by mobs. An exterminating order was issued by Governor Lilburn Boggs. And under the sanction of law, an organized banditi raged through the country, robbed us of our cattle, sheep, horses and hogs and many of our people were murdered in cold blood. The chastity of our women was violated. And we were forced to sign away our property at the point of a sword. And after enduring every indignity that could be heaped upon us by an inhumane, ungodly band of marauders, from 12 to 15,000 souls, men, women and children were driven from their own firesides and from the lands that they had warranty deeds of, houseless, friendless and homeless in the depth of winter to wander as exiles on the earth or to seek an asylum in a more genial climb and among the less barbarous people.
Gerrit But here we were not allowed to live in peace. But in 1838, we were attacked again, attacked by mobs. An exterminating order was issued by Governor Lilburn Boggs. And under the sanction of law, an organized banditi raged through the country, robbed us of our cattle, sheep, horses and hogs and many of our people were murdered in cold blood. The chastity of our women was violated. And we were forced to sign away our property at the point of a sword. And after enduring every indignity that could be heaped upon us by an inhumane, ungodly band of marauders, from 12 to 15,000 souls, men, women and children were driven from their own firesides and from the lands that they had warranty deeds of, houseless, friendless and homeless in the depth of winter to wander as exiles on the earth or to seek an asylum in a more genial climb and among the less barbarous people.
Gerrit Many sickened and died in consequence of the cold and hardships that they had to endure. Many wives were left widows and children orphans and destitute. It would take more time than is allotted me here to describe the injustice, the wrongs, the murders, the bloodshed, the theft, misery and woe that has been caused by the barbarous, inhuman and lawless proceedings of the state of Missouri. In the situation before alluded to, we arrived in the state of Illinois in 1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly home, a people who are willing to be governed by the principles of law and humanity. We have commenced to build a city called Nauvoo in Hancock County. We number from 6 to 8,000 here besides vast numbers in the county around and in almost every county of the state. We have a city charter granted us and a charter for a legion of troops which now number 1,500.
Gerrit Many sickened and died in consequence of the cold and hardships that they had to endure. Many wives were left widows and children orphans and destitute. It would take more time than is allotted me here to describe the injustice, the wrongs, the murders, the bloodshed, the theft, misery and woe that has been caused by the barbarous, inhuman and lawless proceedings of the state of Missouri. In the situation before alluded to, we arrived in the state of Illinois in 1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly home, a people who are willing to be governed by the principles of law and humanity. We have commenced to build a city called Nauvoo in Hancock County. We number from 6 to 8,000 here besides vast numbers in the county around and in almost every county of the state. We have a city charter granted us and a charter for a legion of troops which now number 1,500.
Gerrit We also have a charter for a university, for an agricultural manufacturing society. We have our own laws and administrators and possess all the privileges that other free and enlightened citizens enjoy. Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only added fuel to the flame. It has spread with increasing rapidity, proud of the cause which they have espoused and conscious of their innocence and of the truth of their system amidst the calumny and reproach have the elders of this church gone forth and planted the gospel in almost every state of the union. It has penetrated our cities, it has spread over our villages and has caused thousands of our intelligent, noble and patriotic citizens to obey its divine mandates and to be governed by its sacred truths.
Gerrit We also have a charter for a university, for an agricultural manufacturing society. We have our own laws and administrators and possess all the privileges that other free and enlightened citizens enjoy. Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only added fuel to the flame. It has spread with increasing rapidity, proud of the cause which they have espoused and conscious of their innocence and of the truth of their system amidst the calumny and reproach have the elders of this church gone forth and planted the gospel in almost every state of the union. It has penetrated our cities, it has spread over our villages and has caused thousands of our intelligent, noble and patriotic citizens to obey its divine mandates and to be governed by its sacred truths.
Gerrit It has also spread to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the year of 1839, where a few of our missionaries were sent over 5000 joined the standard of truth. There are numbers now joining in every land. Our missionaries are going forth to different nations and in Germany, Palestine, New Holland, that's Australia for our Australian listeners, New Holland and the East Indies and in other places. The standard of truth has been erected. No one hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Prosecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame. But the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country and sounded in every ear till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say, the work is done.
Gerrit It has also spread to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the year of 1839, where a few of our missionaries were sent over 5000 joined the standard of truth. There are numbers now joining in every land. Our missionaries are going forth to different nations and in Germany, Palestine, New Holland, that's Australia for our Australian listeners, New Holland and the East Indies and in other places. The standard of truth has been erected. No one hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Prosecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame. But the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country and sounded in every ear till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say, the work is done.
Gerrit And immediately at the finish of that, the very next paragraphs, unnumbered because they weren't yet called the Articles of Faith. The words that we have come to recognize as the Article of Faith are the very next words. We believe in God, the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression and on down the line. Now why did I take the time, you probably think far too much to read this in its context? Because as beautiful as this sentiment is that I also memorized on my mission, the points that were made in it, you could see were referenced earlier in the article. Joseph spent most of the time talking about the horrible persecution that the saints had suffered nearly everywhere they had gone, especially focusing on Missouri and the sacrifices that men and women and children had made because of the gospel.
Gerrit And immediately at the finish of that, the very next paragraphs, unnumbered because they weren't yet called the Articles of Faith. The words that we have come to recognize as the Article of Faith are the very next words. We believe in God, the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression and on down the line. Now why did I take the time, you probably think far too much to read this in its context? Because as beautiful as this sentiment is that I also memorized on my mission, the points that were made in it, you could see were referenced earlier in the article. Joseph spent most of the time talking about the horrible persecution that the saints had suffered nearly everywhere they had gone, especially focusing on Missouri and the sacrifices that men and women and children had made because of the gospel.
Gerrit You saw in just the few sentences previously, using that terminology, amidst the calumny and reproach have the elders of this church gone forth and planted the gospel in almost every state of the union. It has penetrated our cities. It's in that context of discussing how horrible the persecution had been, that then Joseph prophesies that this standard of truth, hey, it's not just in England, Ireland and Wales and Scotland. It's not just there in Germany, Palestine and in Australia. It is going to fill the world. And so I think knowing the context of it really does change some of the meaning. It was always powerful missionary scripture, but it's even more powerful to know how it was spoken and what was going on with it.
Gerrit You saw in just the few sentences previously, using that terminology, amidst the calumny and reproach have the elders of this church gone forth and planted the gospel in almost every state of the union. It has penetrated our cities. It's in that context of discussing how horrible the persecution had been, that then Joseph prophesies that this standard of truth, hey, it's not just in England, Ireland and Wales and Scotland. It's not just there in Germany, Palestine and in Australia. It is going to fill the world. And so I think knowing the context of it really does change some of the meaning. It was always powerful missionary scripture, but it's even more powerful to know how it was spoken and what was going on with it.
Gerrit So thank you so much for joining us this week. Hopefully I know it was laborious, but we did answer a question. And as Richard promised, we're going to do better next week.
Gerrit So thank you so much for joining us this week. Hopefully I know it was laborious, but we did answer a question. And as Richard promised, we're going to do better next week.
Intro Thank you for listening to the standard of truth podcast hosted by historian, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat. If you know anybody that could benefit from the material in this episode, please share it with them. And for more resources, visit standardoftruth.com. Until next time.
Intro Thank you for listening to the standard of truth podcast hosted by historian, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat. If you know anybody that could benefit from the material in this episode, please share it with them. And for more resources, visit standardoftruth.com. Until next time.
Quote board
Make a share card from any lineAnd ours is, don't embarrass the family.
In fact, Jordan, I think if you think it went well, then it went poorly.
So you gave them a fictitious weight.
So the closest we get to Calvinistic predestination in our church is becoming an MTC district leader.
That is a pretty good way to describe missionary work honestly, right?
the reality is what causes someone to believe is not seeing something miraculous.
Yeah, we like to take whatever question you give us, change it to whatever we want it to be, not answer it and then put it up and tell you that we answered it.
It was always powerful missionary scripture, but it's even more powerful to know how it was spoken and what was going on with it.
Source shelf
18 sources cited on air · verses link to the scriptures, Joseph Smith’s documents to the Joseph Smith Papersscripture
2 Nephi 9:51
Richard's case for spending money on premium: feast on gospel things (verse identified, not cited on air).
revelation
Doctrine and Covenants 121:39
Why MTC district leaders let the mail key go to their heads (verse identified, not cited on air).
revelation
Doctrine and Covenants 4:5
and faith, hope, charity and love with an I single to the glory of God qualify him for the work.
Anthony's answer to "why me?": these are the only qualifications the Lord requires.
other
Joseph Smith and the Restoration (premium), indulgences episode
Gerrit's cure for a guilty former district leader; Richard sends it free to missionaries.
newspaper
Joseph Smith, "Church History" (the Wentworth Letter), Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842 (recited from memory)
The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.
Richard recites the standard of truth passage as missionaries memorize it.
sermon
Elder Quentin L. Cook, general conference talk the month before recording (title not named on air)
in our vernacular today, we would call them greenies
Gerrit checks whether "greenie" is still allowed and finds Elder Cook used it.
scripture
2 Nephi 15:26 (Isaiah 5:26)
and he will lift up an enzyme to the nations from afar, and he will hiss unto them from the end of the earth.
An ensign lifted up to gather scattered Israel.
scripture
2 Nephi 21:10-12 (Isaiah 11:10-12)
And he shall set up an enzyme for the nations and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
The chapter that makes the ensign image central to Latter-day Saint thinking.
revelation
Doctrine and Covenants 113:6
Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom
Joseph's answer on the root of Jesse ties the ensign to the gathering in the last days.
newspaper
Joseph Smith, editorial note, Elders' Journal, 1837, introducing Heber C. Kimball's letter to his wife
that the standard of truth is hoisted on the Eastern continent.
The first time we have "standard of truth" from Joseph.
letter
Heber C. Kimball to Joseph Smith, copied into Joseph Smith's journal
suffice it to say that the standard of truth is reared on the other side of the great waters
Kimball returns from England using the same phrase.
scripture
Proverbs 16:7
when a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies that they are at peace with him.
Kimball quotes "Solomon's words" about peace with enemies.
revelation
Doctrine and Covenants 5:13-14
clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.
Borrows "terrible as an army with banners" from the Song of Solomon; given in 1829, before there was a church.
letter
Heber C. Kimball to the presidency, high council and bishop, Preston, England, May 25, 1840
expecting the time to be not far distant when the standard of truth will be conspicuously raised throughout this land.
Kimball expects the standard of truth to be raised throughout Britain.
letter
John Taylor letter, 1841
I visited Ireland sometime ago and planted the standard of truth in that nation.
Taylor first preached in Ireland; Thomas Tate is considered the first Irish convert.
newspaper
Report of the First Presidency, Times and Seasons
many are flocking to the standard of truth
Converts in the eastern states flock to the standard of truth, and New Orleans asks for elders.
newspaper
Joseph Smith, the Wentworth Letter, Times and Seasons, 1842
An exterminating order was issued by Governor Lilburn Boggs.
Gerrit reads the long account of persecution in Jackson County, Clay County and the extermination order that leads up to the famous passage.
newspaper
Joseph Smith, the Wentworth Letter, the standard of truth passage
The standard of truth has been erected.
Read in context, followed immediately by what became the Articles of Faith.
Episode quiz
Pass to stamp your passportQuestion 1 of 8Score 0
What is the LeDuc family motto, displayed in vinyl and wood around the house?
Fun with Numbers
This episode, counted from its transcript1:06:21long
26.6 minbefore the topic starts
18sources read or named
8scripture passages
10different years mentioned
0dollar amounts said
From 1800 to 1841
Every year mentioned in the episode. Tap one to jump to it.
Putting numbers to words
All 10,536 words of the automatic transcript, counted against a word list for each theme. It shows how much a theme comes up, not what was said about it. See the lists
What this episode talks about more than usual
- Missionary work52 mentions, 3.8 times the show’s usual rate
- Family and marriage35 mentions, 1.7 times the show’s usual rate
- Money13 mentions, 1.7 times the show’s usual rate
Names said most
Joseph counts any Joseph.
Joseph 27Jesus Christ 4Sidney Rigdon 4Nephi 4John Taylor 4
Signature words
Said often here and in few other episodes.
enzyme 8trainer 6banner 7outcasts 4penetrated 4Wentworth 4
More from this episode
Claim checkThings people say, and what the episode shows.
Claim check
What critics say, and what the episode foundThe standard of truth passage was a stand-alone missionary declaration.
If people could just see the gold plates or a miracle, they would believe.
Take it to classReady to use in a lesson or a talk.
Take it to class
Ready to copy into a lesson or a text"Standard" means a banner raised to gather an army; Isaiah promised the Lord would set up an ensign to gather scattered Israel, which is a good picture of missionary work.
Joseph first used "the standard of truth" when publishing Heber C. Kimball's mission letter from England, and missionaries kept using it as the gospel spread to Britain and Ireland.
Joseph wrote "The standard of truth has been erected" right after describing the persecutions in Missouri, a reminder that persecution only added fuel to the flame.
D&C 4:5 lists what qualifies someone for the Lord's work: faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to God's glory.
Banter binThe funniest moments in this episode.
Banter bin
The running jokes, for people who skip aheadThe dissertation and the expanding universeThe more work Richard puts in, the farther away he gets (0:53, 1:12).
Richard the readerA 17 on a scale of 1 to 36, which is why his wife wants him to practice the emails (2:58).
Butchering LeDucDulucci, Ludic, LaDuc, and Richard writes LaDuke on temple records (4:47, 5:43).
Tens of tens in MississippiAndy listens from Mississippi, and an Egg Bowl prediction show is promised (7:27).
Jordan's marriage adviceProof the podcast saved his marriage, or didn't; Gerrit did the dishes before recording out of fear (8:03, 12:30).
Aspirational weightRichard's life insurance weight and only 78 (or 87) pounds to go, so Marvin should expect him to drink water, no ice (14:55, 16:20).
MTC district leadersLike Gollum with the mail key, reading the Art of War, and the closest thing to Calvinist predestination (9:14, 18:12).
The only true mission vs. PeruOne son's P-day castle above the Mediterranean, the other's photos that made his mother anxious (19:57).
Beachfront property in Duchesne CountyAnthony throws in the Golden Gate for free (25:49, 26:13).
CalumnyRichard's voice got quieter as he recited, and the word shows up twice (27:10, 48:01).
The Phebe Draper Palmer Brown MailbagSend Gerrit and Richard your question.
The Phebe Draper Palmer Brown Mailbag
Your question could be next week’s episodeQuestions from Litners drive a lot of episodes. Send yours. If it makes the show, Richard reads it on air.
Go deeperWhere to read more.
Go deeper
Deep dives the episode points towardThe Wentworth Letter as a whole: written for a non-member history of Illinois that never used it (52:25).
Heber C. Kimball's and John Taylor's missions to Britain and Ireland (38:27, 49:13).
D&C 113 and its questions about Isaiah, and the root of Jesse (35:05).
The 1829 setting of D&C 5, after the lost pages, when Martin Harris wanted to see the plates (43:49).
SOT Litner · S3E34.