Podcast Summary: Standard of Truth Podcast – S5E11 "ChatGPT vs The Standard of Truth"

Introduction

In Episode 5.11 of the Standard of Truth podcast, released on March 13, 2025, hosts Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard Leduc delve into the interplay between artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, and the foundational truths of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church). The episode, titled "ChatGPT vs The Standard of Truth," explores how AI-generated information interacts with faith-based historical narratives and doctrines, highlighting the challenges and implications of relying on technology for spiritual and historical understanding.

Opening Banter and Episode Setup (00:37 - 02:00)

Dr. Dirkmaat opens the episode with his characteristic humor, introducing Dr. Leduc as "the insufferable doctor, the know it all." The duo sets a lighthearted tone before transitioning to the episode’s main focus: evaluating the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated responses in the context of LDS history and doctrine.

Mailbag Segment: Missionary Emails and Listener Interactions (02:53 - 12:16)

The hosts engage with listener emails, many of which are humorously critical of their podcast. Notable is the exchange between Elder Fawcett and Elder Jacobson, where missionaries share their experiences integrating the podcast into their missionary work. For instance, Elder Fawcett recounts his encounter in the Layton, Utah mission:

• Dr. Richard Leduc (04:10): "This is probably my fourth time emailing, but my first time to the corre."

The segment includes amusing anecdotes about the complexity of their email address and plans for a "Missionary March Madness" tournament, showcasing the hosts' ability to blend humor with their mission-oriented discussions.

Main Discussion: ChatGPT's Handling of Historical and Theological Questions (12:18 - 54:37)

Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc critically examine how ChatGPT processes and responds to complex historical and theological inquiries. They demonstrate this by conducting live interactions with the AI on topics such as Abraham Lincoln's stance on religious freedom and Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy.

1. Abraham Lincoln and Religious Freedom (21:00 - 34:42)

   The hosts query ChatGPT about Abraham Lincoln's support for religious freedom, only to uncover a more nuanced and occasionally contradictory portrayal of Lincoln’s policies:

   • Dr. Dirkmaat (21:00): "How could a president that ran on a platform that was expressly opposed to one religion in the United States be considered a champion of religious freedom at all?"
   • ChatGPT Response (25:02): "...Lincoln was an advocate for religious freedom for mainstream Christian denominations, especially Protestants, but not for groups that were seen as outside of the norm, like Mormons or other religious minorities."

   Through persistent questioning, Dr. Dirkmaat exposes the AI's initial uncritical praise of Lincoln, which only becomes more critical after detailed interrogation. This segment underscores the potential for AI to gloss over historical complexities unless explicitly prompted.

2. Polygamy as a Sin and AI’s Interpretation (37:15 - 44:07)

   The conversation shifts to polygamy, a contentious topic within LDS history. The hosts ask ChatGPT whether polygamy is a sin, leading to a discussion on biblical interpretations and cultural influences:

   • Dr. Dirkmaat (38:22): "It's wrong, and everyone agrees it, but it's not a sin."
   • ChatGPT Response (44:22): "Once Christianity became the dominant religion of the empire, its teachings were inevitably shaped by Roman legal and social structures rather than just the Bible."

   Dr. Dirkmaat challenges the AI's assertions, arguing that polygamy is not explicitly condemned in the Bible and highlighting the cultural imposition of monogamy. This back-and-forth illustrates the AI's tendency to present surface-level consensus without delving into scriptural specifics or doctrinal nuances.

3. Joseph Smith’s Gold Plates and Witness Testimonies (48:04 - 54:37)

   The hosts investigate the historical validity of Joseph Smith’s gold plates through AI-generated responses:

   • Dr. Dirkmaat (48:37): "It said nobody can have a worse statement, right?"
   • ChatGPT Response (49:12): "Critics argue that those descriptions are inconsistent..."

   Upon challenging the AI’s inaccuracies regarding the eight witnesses, Dr. Dirkmaat highlights ChatGPT’s error in stating that the witnesses saw the plates under a cloth instead of physically handling them:

   • Dr. Dirkmaat (49:18): "Point one is terribly incorrect. Read the statement of the eight witnesses."

   The AI eventually acknowledges its mistake, reinforcing the hosts' argument about the unreliability of AI in accurately reflecting historical testimonies without authoritative context.

Insights and Implications (54:37 - 61:07)

Throughout the episode, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc emphasize the limitations of AI in handling deeply nuanced and faith-specific topics. They argue that while AI can provide general information, it often lacks the depth required for accurate theological or historical discourse. Key insights include:

• Reliance on AI vs. Faith-Based Sources:

  • Dr. Dirkmaat (55:04): "Just because information is more readily available does not in an in and of itself make that information accurate."

  The hosts advocate for relying on established religious authorities and the Holy Spirit for discerning truth, rather than depending solely on AI-generated information.

• Potential for AI Bias:

  They illustrate how AI may inadvertently reflect cultural biases or default to majority viewpoints, which can misrepresent minority or nuanced positions within the church.

• Encouraging Critical Thinking:

  The episode encourages listeners to critically evaluate AI responses and seek information from reliable, faith-aligned sources to maintain doctrinal integrity.

Conclusion

Dr. Dirkmaat concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of discernment through the Holy Spirit and reliance on the church’s prophetic guidance. He warns listeners about the pitfalls of over-reliance on AI for theological and historical truths, advocating instead for a balanced approach that integrates technology with faith-based discernment.

• Dr. Dirkmaat (54:51): "The real way to discern truth isn't Do I know every historian who ever wrote on this topic? [...] The only real way to discern truth is through the Holy Spirit of God."

Final Remarks

The episode wraps up with a call to listeners to share the podcast with those who might benefit from its insights, reinforcing the mission to strengthen faith and understanding within the LDS community.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Dirkmaat (25:04): "If you simply just ask an AI search, you know, was Lincoln a champion of religious freedom? It took a lot of pushing back before the chat eventually agreed with all the points that I made and said, yeah, you're right."

• Dr. Leduc (54:34): "You are absolutely right that the testimony that witnesses the gold plates is central part of the narrative."

• Dr. Dirkmaat (54:51): "The real way to discern truth isn't Do I know every historian who ever wrote on this topic? [...] The only real way to discern truth is through the Holy Spirit of God."

Closing Thoughts

Episode 5.11 of the Standard of Truth podcast offers a critical examination of how AI, like ChatGPT, interacts with and often misrepresents complex faith-based and historical topics. Through incisive dialogue and real-time demonstrations, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc underscore the necessity of relying on informed, faith-aligned sources over automated, potentially biased technologies. This episode serves as a cautionary tale for listeners navigating the intersection of technology and faith, advocating for informed discernment guided by the Holy Spirit.