Good Stuff! by John Brown

 

Good Stuff! 2 religious podcasts with deep insight and humor

 

I love history. I love religion. And I love good humor. And I have found two podcasts that mix all three ingredients in an absolutely delightful way.

In this week’s review, I’ll talk about the first. In a later review, you get the second.

The first is called The Standard of Truth Podcast. It’s hosted by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Professor Richard LeDuc and explores the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Dirkmaat is a professional historian and in fact was a researcher and editor for The Joseph Smith Papers project for a number of years. There are few people who have read more of the original documents pertaining to the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than he has. He now teaches at Brigham Young University. LeDuc works in business and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Utah.

The two of them are good friends, and together they are terrific. Dirkmaat is the main show, of course. But LeDuc adds wonderful humor and questions, and sometimes tries to keep Dirkmaat on task. One minute you’re blown away by some deep insight into church history, the next you’re laughing.

I’ve listened now to sixty episodes, more than sixty hours of those two (and in one funny hour, Gerrit’s mom), and it just keeps gets better and better.

What Dirkmaat does so well is provide context. He doesn’t just tell you what happened. He sets the stage and tells you why it happened, sharing stories, quotes, and injecting it all with his unique sense of humor.

What do they talk about?

Oh my heck, what don’t they talk about? There are three episodes discussing Joseph Smith’s run for president. Another that brings in the Boston Tea Party. Another on a book claiming Abraham Lincoln was changed by the Book of Mormon, which the hosts debunk. Another on freemasonry. Another on the White Horse Prophecy. There’s a poignant multi-part discussion of Joseph Smith’s murder. And more.

I have read a lot about Church history. But I can see what I know is a drop in the bucket. Every episode brings fresh insights.

Look, if you like history and are interested in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I think you are going to love this podcast.

You can find it on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, and more. Or you can just go to their website: www.standardoftruth.com.

Spend a few hours with Dirkmaat and LeDuc, and I think you’ll get hooked.

And in the next review I’ll talk about the second podcast, one hosted by two Eastern Orthodox fathers.