Standard of Truth Podcast Summary

Title: Standard of Truth
Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Episode: S5E32 Atheism Part 1
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Description: The podcast aims to help Latter-Day Saints better understand their history and bolster their faith by exploring the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith.

Introduction

In Season 5, Episode 32 of the Standard of Truth podcast, hosts Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard Leduc delve into the challenging topic of atheism. This episode, titled "Atheism Part 1," navigates through theological debates, historical perspectives, and personal anecdotes to address common atheist arguments against Mormonism.

Christy's Corner: Doctrine and Covenants Section 84

The episode begins with the hosts introducing Christy's Corner, a segment dedicated to exploring specific sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. In this installment, they focus on Section 84, particularly verses 45-47, which discuss the concepts of truth and light.

• Dr. Dirkmaat emphasizes the significance of these verses in countering the Calvinist doctrine of total depravity. He explains, "For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil. And the way to judge is as plain as the day is different from the night" (00:45:06).

• Dr. Leduc adds, "Now, obviously, as Latter-Day Saints, we believe that we are in a fallen state... but we don't believe in total depravity" (00:46:09).

This discussion underscores the belief that every individual possesses the innate ability to discern good from evil through the Spirit, challenging the notion that humanity is irreparably fallen.

Mailbag: Listener Feedback and Source Evaluation

The hosts transition to the Mailbag segment, where they address emails from listeners. Two notable contributions include feedback from Betty and Rebecca.

1. Betty’s Email:

   • Betty expresses gratitude for the podcast's thorough coverage of the Doctrine and Covenants, particularly praising the three-part episodes on Section 22. She shares, "I was also reading Joseph Smith, A Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman... I heavily relied on all things you have taught in the podcast" (12:34:57).

   • Dr. Dirkmaat responds by highlighting the importance of evaluating sources: "Whenever you have to really look hard to figure out what someone's education level is, that should be a gigantic red flag" (16:00:57).

2. Rebecca’s Email:

   • Rebecca writes about her husband's enthusiasm for the podcast and poses a question regarding the Christmas carols sung during Joseph Smith's time. She asks, "I wonder what kind of carols were we singing back then compared to the Christmas carols we have in the hymnbook" (26:02:00).

   • The hosts humorously engage with this by discussing historical hymns and their evolution, offering insights into the original hymnal content of the early church.

Main Discussion: Addressing Atheism and Mormonism

The core of the episode revolves around an email from Brandon, who seeks to engage the hosts in a deep conversation about atheism and its challenges to Mormon beliefs.

1. Brandon’s Concerns:

   • Brandon shares his atheist friend's struggles with reconciling an all-loving God with the existence of evil and suffering, questioning how a limited God can be consistent with traditional Christian theology.

2. Analysis of Atheist Arguments:

   • Dr. Leduc introduces arguments from prominent atheists like Bart Ehrman and Alex O'Connor, illustrating their skepticism towards Mormonism's claims.

   • They play and dissect clips where these atheists critique the number of witnesses to Joseph Smith's revelations. For instance, Ehrman is quoted saying, "There are 11 eyewitnesses. And they talk to the golden plates" (49:53:00), which Dr. Dirkmaat contests by emphasizing the multiple witnesses asserting their experiences.

3. Defense of Mormon Witnesses:

   • The hosts argue that Mormonism provides a robust number of witnesses compared to other religious claims. They highlight that even after leaving the faith, many witnesses continued to affirm their experiences, strengthening the credibility of their testimonies.

   • Dr. Dirkmaat points out, "They have multiple witnesses. You have angels appearing to many people... it's not just one witness" (54:12:00).

4. Polygamy Discussion:

   • Though initially hesitant to discuss polygamy, the conversation naturally flows into addressing the miraculous experiences claimed by women who practiced plural marriage, reinforcing the argument against dismissing these as mere fabrications.

Insights and Conclusions

Throughout the episode, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc emphasize the importance of evaluating sources critically and acknowledging the breadth of testimonies supporting Mormon doctrines. They challenge atheist critics to provide substantial evidence rather than dismissing faith-based claims based on limited or misunderstood information.

• Dr. Dirkmaat asserts, "Either you never actually studied them at all, which makes you a liar... or you do know and you're a liar" (63:06:00), highlighting the frustration with perceived superficial critiques of Mormonism.

• The hosts conclude by reaffirming their commitment to addressing atheistic challenges head-on in future episodes, aiming to strengthen the faith of their listeners through informed and respectful discourse.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat:
  "For the word of the Lord is truth and whatsoever is truth is light." (05:34:00)
  "The Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world." (06:06:00)

• Dr. Richard Leduc:
  "And everyone that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even to the Father." (09:07:00)
  "You have multiple witnesses who continue to attest to their experiences even after leaving the faith." (54:30:00)

Final Thoughts

"S5E32 Atheism Part 1" serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges atheism poses to Mormonism. By juxtaposing historical testimonies with contemporary atheist critiques, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of faith, evidence, and the enduring question of belief versus skepticism.

For those seeking to deepen their understanding of Mormon history and theology, this episode offers valuable insights and equips listeners with the tools to engage thoughtfully with opposing viewpoints.