Standard of Truth Podcast: Season 5, Episode 22 – Anti-Mormon Claims on Social Media

Release Date: May 22, 2025

In this engaging episode of the Standard of Truth podcast, hosts Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard Leduc delve into the challenges faced by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) in the age of social media. The episode tackles the spread of anti-Mormon sentiments online, analyzing both historical and contemporary claims while offering strategies for faith preservation and understanding.

Hosts’ Banter and Introduction

The episode opens with light-hearted banter between Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc, setting a casual and approachable tone. Dr. Dirkmaat humorously references their co-host's correct title, emphasizing the friendly rapport between the two historians.

Listener Shout-Outs and Personal Updates

Dr. Dirkmaat begins by acknowledging a listener, Tony, whom he spotted at one of Kai’s basketball games. He shares a personal update about Kai’s battle with pneumonia, adding a heartfelt touch to the episode. At [02:04], Dr. Leduc interjects with a humorous remark about conditioning, reflecting the hosts' ability to intertwine personal anecdotes with their discussions.

Missionaries and Personal Experiences

The conversation shifts to missionaries, where Dr. Dirkmaat recounts an encounter where he attempted to share the podcast with missionaries at a restaurant. Dr. Leduc humorously describes chasing them down, likening the experience to a "pretty rough" situation due to Kai’s illness ([03:21]). This segment highlights the hosts' real-life interactions with missionaries and the challenges of disseminating information about their podcast.

Listener Email: Liz’s Experience

At [06:08], Dr. Dirkmaat introduces an email from Liz, a parent whose daughter endured continuous episodes of the Standard of Truth podcast during a long drive from Error, Arizona, to BYU, Idaho. Liz shares that her daughter became curious about Dr. Dirkmaat's appearance, leading to humorous interactions involving screenshots of his image. This anecdote underscores the podcast's reach and impact on listeners’ daily lives.

Fun with Yoohoo Chocolate Drink

Leslie Ryan sends the hosts a case of Yoohoo Chocolate drink, sparking a playful debate about its drinkable properties. Dr. Dirkmaat humorously theorizes about the drink’s freezing point, while Dr. Leduc jokes about using it as a teaching tool with youth, emphasizing the light-hearted moments that balance the more serious topics discussed.

Christie's Corner: Listener Engagement

The segment "Christie's Corner" is introduced through an email from Christie, who appreciates the podcast and shares her own ideas. The hosts discuss the origins of the segment and its purpose to provide listeners with pithy statements for Sunday school discussions. At [21:13], Christie’s enthusiastic feedback reinforces the community-building aspect of the podcast.

Listener Email: Eric on Hindus and Buddhists

At [36:32], Dr. Leduc presents an email from Eric, who explores the theological and philosophical parallels between LDS beliefs and Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Eric appreciates aspects of these religions, such as reincarnation and enlightenment, and draws comparisons to LDS concepts like eternal progression and exaltation. The hosts engage in a thoughtful discussion, acknowledging the beauty in diverse religious philosophies while affirming the unique doctrinal foundations of the LDS faith.

Critical Listener Email: Katie on "Sex Trafficking in the Early Church"

One of the most intense segments features an email from Katie, who references a supposed quote from Heber C. Kimball regarding sex trafficking in the early LDS Church. Dr. Dirkmaat responds passionately, dissecting the authenticity of the quote and its historical context. At [48:34], he explains that the quote lacks credible sourcing and context, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before accepting it as truth.

Dr. Dirkmaat elaborates on the 1860 New York Times article, highlighting its partisan nature and anti-Mormon bias ([54:53]). He meticulously debunks the fabricated claims by analyzing the article's origins, pointing out the lack of historical evidence supporting the allegations. Dr. Leduc adds that such salacious claims are often propagated by biased sources aiming to tarnish the church's reputation without substantial proof.

Addressing Anti-Mormon Sentiments on Social Media

Throughout the episode, the hosts stress the importance of critical thinking and cautious consumption of information found on social media platforms. Dr. Dirkmaat advises listeners to:

1. Verify Sources: Always check the original source of any controversial quote or claim.
2. Context Matters: Understand the context in which a statement was made to avoid misinterpretation.
3. Avoid Panic: Recognize that many online attacks are unfounded and driven by bias rather than facts.
4. Protect Mental Well-being: Take steps to reduce exposure to harmful content if it leads to distress.

Dr. Leduc echoes these sentiments, emphasizing that most individuals leaving the LDS Church do not transition to religions like Hinduism or Buddhism but rather adopt agnostic or atheist positions. He supports this by referencing Pew Research polls indicating that the majority of ex-members view their departure as a move away from the faith rather than toward another organized religion.

Conclusion and Takeaways

As the episode wraps up, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc reiterate the significance of understanding historical and contemporary anti-Mormon claims within a broader context. They underscore the necessity for members of the LDS community to engage thoughtfully with criticism, uphold their beliefs with informed knowledge, and foster resilience against unfounded online attacks.

Dr. Dirkmaat closes by encouraging listeners to share the podcast with others who might benefit from its insights, reinforcing the podcast's mission to strengthen faith and historical understanding among Latter-Day Saints.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat [48:42]: "If someone apostatizes from our faith finds the beauty, and there is beauty in these religions... they still wouldn't answer some of the questions."

• Dr. Richard Leduc [36:50]: "If the church isn't true, then that means that they were going to become a Hindu."

• Katie's Email [48:15]: "Can you please speak on this course quote I attached?"

This episode of Standard of Truth provides a comprehensive exploration of the myriad ways anti-Mormon sentiments proliferate on social media, offering listeners both historical context and practical advice on navigating these challenges with faith and discernment.