Standard of Truth Podcast Summary
Episode: S2E41 "Is It Season 38 Already? Part 1"
Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Guest: Professor Richard Leduc
Release Date: October 13, 2022
Introduction
In episode S2E41 of the Standard of Truth podcast, hosted by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, the discussion delves into one of the most contentious topics in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church): plural marriage, commonly known as polygamy. Joined by Professor Richard Leduc, Dr. Dirkmaat navigates through historical accounts, listener concerns, and the credibility of sources surrounding this sensitive subject.
Listener Engagement and Global Reach
The episode begins with acknowledgments of listener feedback, emphasizing the podcast's international audience. Dr. Dirkmaat humorously addresses fabricated positive emails to showcase the diverse and sometimes challenging interactions with their audience.
Notable Quote:
"It's honestly the best way to get red on air."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (02:43)
Despite receiving hate mail and criticism—particularly from anti-Mormon factions—the hosts express gratitude for their loyal listeners worldwide, including heartfelt testimonies from countries like Australia and the United Kingdom.
Transition to the Core Topic: Plural Marriage
Dr. Dirkmaat introduces the primary focus of the episode: plural marriage within the early LDS Church. He acknowledges the complexities and emotional sensitivities surrounding the topic, noting the abundance of sources and passionate opinions that make concise discussion challenging.
Notable Quote:
"There's no way to have a conversation in 50 minutes to an hour to however long this is going to be, we don't even know yet. It just makes it pretty difficult."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (01:05)
John C. Bennett: A Central Figure in Polygamy Discussions
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the role of John C. Bennett, an early leader in the LDS Church who became a prominent critic. Dr. Dirkmaat meticulously deconstructs Bennett's credibility, highlighting his shifting narratives and dishonesty.
Key Points:
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Bennett's Accusations: Bennett accused Joseph Smith of practicing polygamy deceitfully, including allegations that Smith married the wives of missionaries.
Notable Quote:
"And one of the things he's going to claim is that the entirety of the organization of the Relief Society is to be nothing more than just a harem for Joseph Smith and his various levels of wives."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (32:14) -
Excommunication and Confessions: Bennett was excommunicated for adultery but later recanted his confessions, further undermining his trustworthiness.
Notable Quote:
"He asserts that the confessions are false and were taken under duress."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (12:25) -
Inconsistencies and Lies: Bennett's public statements often contradicted themselves, casting doubt on his reliability as a historical source.
Notable Quote:
"He is a demonstrable liar in this book."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (32:42)
Analyzing the Claims Against Joseph Smith
Dr. Dirkmaat addresses specific allegations made by Bennett and others, such as the claim that Joseph Smith sent missionaries primarily to marry their wives, leading to desertions within the church.
Key Points:
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Lack of Evidence: There is no substantial historical evidence supporting the claim that Joseph Smith systematically married the wives of missionaries.
Notable Quote:
"When you talk about, oh, you can be sealed to your parents, you mean my dad, who held a fake funeral for me when I joined the church and said that I'm dead to him and I could never talk to him again."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (08:22) -
Historical Context of Sealings: The practice of "sealings" in the early church was multifaceted, including both adoptionary and dynastic purposes, not solely polygamous unions.
Notable Quote:
"When we talk about ceiling, all we ever think about is a marriage seal ceiling. But when we stop and think about it, there's other ceilings too."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (10:05)
Types of Sealings in Early LDS Practices
The hosts explore the various types of sealings practiced in the 19th-century LDS Church, distinguishing between traditional polygamous marriages and other forms of familial and adoptionary seals.
Key Points:
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Polyandrous Sealings: Instances where women already married to someone else were sealed to Joseph Smith, often due to societal constraints preventing divorce.
Notable Quote:
"Women have so few rights in the 19th century that it is sometimes essential for them to remarry just to have access to property and other economic opportunities."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (16:00) -
Adoptionary Sealings: Sealings that were more akin to adoption, allowing individuals to be sealed to church leaders rather than in traditional marriages.
Notable Quote:
"Adoptionary sealings are very common, and they happen all the way throughout the 19th century until Wilford Woodruff receives the revelation that adoptionary ceilings are going to cease."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (14:35)
Critiquing Antagonistic Sources
Dr. Dirkmaat critically assesses sources like the Pittsburgh Chronicle and the testimonies of opponents like John C. Bennett, arguing that their claims lack credibility and are often driven by personal vendettas rather than factual evidence.
Key Points:
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Bias in Anti-Mormon Publications: Even publications hostile to Mormonism acknowledge Bennett's dubious credibility, highlighting contradictions in his statements.
Notable Quote:
"There is not a single historian who... believes that the Latter Day Saints had a plan to militarily destroy the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri to create a military religious empire."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (32:15) -
Bennett's Motivations: Suggests that Bennett's deep-seated animosity led him to fabricate and manipulate information to discredit the LDS Church.
Notable Quote:
"He is on record over and over again saying that he never committed adultery at all. And then he, in a public meeting, said, I committed adultery."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (35:00)
Addressing Listener Concerns
The episode responds to a listener's email expressing concern over a family member's loss of faith due to allegations against Joseph Smith. Dr. Dirkmaat emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing sources and understanding the historical context before drawing conclusions.
Key Points:
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Call for Grace and Understanding: Dr. Dirkmaat urges listeners to approach the discussion with grace, acknowledging the limitations of the podcast format in addressing every facet of such a complex topic.
Notable Quote:
"I'm asking for your grace, I'm asking for you to set to yes, yell at the car stereo that's playing this right now about what a terrible job I'm doing. But realize I am trying to do a good job, even if it doesn't seem like that."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (14:35) -
Encouragement to Seek Reliable Sources: The hosts advocate for using credible and scholarly sources when researching church history, cautioning against relying on biased or unverified accounts.
Conclusion and Teasers for Future Episodes
As the episode concludes, Dr. Dirkmaat and Professor Leduc hint at further exploration of specific cases, such as the sealing of Marinda Hyde to Joseph Smith, in upcoming episodes. They reiterate the importance of understanding the nuanced history of plural marriage to foster deeper faith and historical comprehension among listeners.
Notable Quote:
"We are going to talk next week about the one that is probably what this family member was referring to, and that is the case of Marinda Hyde's ceiling to Joseph Smith and her husband, Orson Hyde."
— Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (67:50)
Final Remarks
The Standard of Truth podcast continues to serve as a valuable resource for Latter-Day Saints seeking to understand their church's history. By critically examining controversial topics and emphasizing reliable sourcing, Dr. Dirkmaat and Professor Leduc aim to strengthen faith and provide clear historical insights.
For more resources and to listen to the full episode, visit standardoftruth.com.