Standard of Truth Podcast: Episode S5E21 – “Worship Services and the Omnipotence of God”

Host: Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat
Co-Host: Dr. Richard Leduc
Release Date: May 15, 2025

Introduction

In Episode S5E21 of the Standard of Truth podcast, Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard Leduc delve into the intricacies of early Latter-Day Saint worship services and explore profound theological questions surrounding the omnipotence of God. This episode not only examines historical practices but also contrasts them with contemporary Christian traditions, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of church inclusivity and divine power.

Christie's Corner: Last-Minute Lesson Prep (00:01 – 05:36)

The episode opens with the hosts engaging in light-hearted banter about "Christie's Corner," a segment intended for last-minute lesson preparation. Dr. Dirkmaat humorously reflects on the challenges of preparing lessons under pressure, highlighting the collaborative yet teasing dynamic between the hosts.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Richard Leduc (01:47): "Christie stepped up to the plate like a hero sacrament meeting with a day before Easter Sunday sacrament meeting."

Doctrine and Covenants Section 46: Open Worship Services (05:36 – 23:23)

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) Section 46, which outlines the conduct of worship meetings in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Key Points:

• Inclusivity of Worship Meetings: Unlike many early Protestant denominations that practiced closed communion, LDS sacrament meetings were designed to be open to all, including non-members and even those who had been excommunicated for disruptive behavior.

  Dr. Dirkmaat (06:15): "Anyone's allowed to attend. Anyone. Even someone who's an apostate."

• Contrast with Contemporary Practices: The hosts compare this inclusivity with the "closed communion" practices of early Congregationalist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches, where participation in the Lord's Supper was restricted to full members in good standing.

  Dr. Dirkmaat (08:51): "Now look, someone's going to say, well, yeah, but someone tried to stand up and start reading things about how Joseph Smith was a false prophet and they made him leave. Look, anyone's allowed attend a meeting."

• Modern Implications: Today's LDS Church continues this tradition of openness, welcoming all who wish to attend sacrament meetings, provided they do not disrupt the service.

  Dr. Leduc (23:23): "It's the opposite of exclusionary in that regard."

Notable Quote:

Dr. Dirkmaat (12:45): "Instead of saying, 'Hey, you're not allowed here,' we're saying, 'You're welcome to be here as long as you're not disrupting.'"

Audience Engagement: Emails and Community Stories (23:23 – 37:17)

The hosts transition to reading listener emails, which range from personal anecdotes about flag-making efforts to humorous discussions about sports predictions. This segment underscores the community aspect of the podcast, fostering a sense of connection between the hosts and their audience.

Key Highlights:

• Flag-Making Initiative: An email from a listener named Elder Crumb details a mission-related project of creating the Deseret flag, showcasing the dedication and creativity within the LDS community.

  Dr. Leduc (34:30): "This was a great sacrifice because obviously we could have spent the weekend hanging out with girls."

• Sports Predictions: Light-hearted banter about NBA teams reveals the hosts' personalities and ability to balance serious theological discussions with everyday topics.

  Dr. Dirkmaat (29:10): "If you go to a doctrine cover, section 46, it's talking about how meetings, worship meetings are to be conducted in the church."

The Omnipotence of God: LDS vs. Traditional Christianity (37:17 – 65:17)

The core theological discussion explores the concept of God's omnipotence, contrasting LDS teachings with traditional Christian doctrines.

Key Points:

• Creation from Existing Matter vs. Ex Nihilo: The hosts discuss the LDS belief that God organized existing materials to create the world, as opposed to the traditional Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo (creation out of nothing).

  Dr. Dirkmaat (40:27): "But if you say he created us out of nothing, you still have to deal with the problem of why does anything exist at all?"

• Limits of Divine Power: Dr. Dirkmaat critically examines traditional Christian claims of God's absolute omnipotence by highlighting statements that suggest there are things God cannot do, such as making humans exactly like Him.

  Dr. Dirkmaat (41:54): "If you say no, then God is not all powerful. And so you have to say he could."

• LDS Perspective on Divine Potential: The conversation further delves into LDS beliefs about humans' potential to become like God, referencing Joseph Smith's teachings and the King Follett Discourse.

  Dr. Dirkmaat (58:04): "There's at least one thing that God can't create, and that is intelligence."

Notable Quote:

Dr. Dirkmaat (45:06): "The first miracle is why does anything exist at all?"

Conclusion and Reflections (65:10 – End)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the theological discussions and express gratitude towards their listeners. While they mention the possibility of future segments and interactions with their audience, they emphasize the importance of understanding the LDS perspective on worship and divine power.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Dirkmaat (65:17): "Thank you for listening to the Standard of Truth podcast... Until next time."

Takeaways

• Inclusivity in Early LDS Worship: The LDS Church's open approach to worship meetings contrasts sharply with the closed communion practices of early Protestant denominations, emphasizing a welcoming stance towards all individuals.

• Theological Distinctions: The episode highlights significant theological differences between LDS beliefs and traditional Christian doctrines, particularly concerning the nature of God's omnipotence and the process of creation.

• Community Engagement: Through listener emails and personal anecdotes, the hosts foster a strong connection with their audience, blending humor with deep theological insights.

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of how early LDS worship practices were intentionally inclusive and provides a critical examination of the concept of divine omnipotence from an LDS theological standpoint. Whether you're a seasoned listener or new to the Standard of Truth podcast, this episode provides valuable insights into the history and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.