Standard of Truth Podcast – S6B1: D&C 24 Part 2

Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Guest: Dr. Richard Leduc

Episode Purpose & Main Theme

This bonus episode concludes the discussion of Doctrine and Covenants Section 24, focusing on the immediate aftermath of the church's organization and early persecution, especially Joseph Smith’s personal challenges. Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc combine deep historical analysis with humor and faith to help listeners appreciate both the trials Joseph faced and the Lord’s counsel to His early leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why This Bonus Episode Exists (00:38–04:52)

• The episode is a follow-up to complete a two-part discussion on D&C 24, ensuring continuity for listeners after a premium episode re-release left the story hanging.
• Banter about not wanting to “phone it in” or let listeners dangle without closure on Section 24.

Memorable banter:

• “Richard's like, well, I kind of like it, which is probably not true because I don't think Richard likes anything that we do.” (02:35, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• “There will be great moral victories in the afterlife if Texas Tech wins the national championship.” (04:32, Dr. Leduc)

2. Setting the Scene: Where and When Is D&C 24 Revealed? (08:07–11:21)

• The revelation is received in July 1830, shortly after the church was organized. Joseph is living in Harmony, PA, tending to both spiritual and temporal responsibilities.
• Key context: At this time, Joseph is facing debt and hostility, especially from the Colesville area.
• "[Joseph] still has debt on a farm that he's not farming very well, and a house that Emma still theoretically lives in in Harmony." (08:51, Dr. Dirkmaat)

3. Historical Documentation Challenges (12:05–15:51)

• Much of what is known about this period comes from later reminiscences, making precision difficult.
• The revelation itself gives key details not found in existing records (e.g., Joseph's farm work and travel between church centers).

4. The Buckwheat Tangent: Humor and Historical Farming Reality (15:51–24:27)

• Extended, humorous digression on why Joseph might be planting buckwheat—a crop well-suited for neglect and short growing seasons.
• Fun facts: Discussion about top global buckwheat producers, notably Russia and North Dakota (see 21:02–24:27 for this lighthearted exchange).
• “If you're anticipating... you're going to want to go with buckwheat.” (17:15, Dr. Dirkmaat)

5. Temporal vs. Spiritual Service in Early Church Leadership (24:27–29:41)

• Joseph’s duties as church leader interfere with his ability to earn a living and support his family.
• The Lord promises that if the church supports Joseph, they will be blessed; yet, Joseph is commanded to devote “all thy service in Zion.”
• “I do not know that that is the verse that Joseph wanted to receive from the Lord.” (26:58, Dr. Dirkmaat)

6. Early Lay Ministry: No Paid Clergy (33:02–36:25)

• Unlike surrounding Christian denominations, Joseph and early LDS leaders did not collect salaries, even though Joseph devoted all of his time to church work.
• Possible influence of the Book of Mormon model, where church leaders supported themselves.

7. Joseph’s Realization and the Weight of Leadership (36:25–41:13)

• Doubt about whether Joseph initially foresaw the long-term demands of his prophetic calling.
• Section 24 likely marks a moment where Joseph recognizes the permanent, sacrificial nature of his assignment.

8. Perpetual Affliction and Sacrifice (41:13–46:04)

• The Lord tells Joseph to “be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many” (42:14) and that he will not have strength in temporal labors—meaning he will not prosper financially.
• Reflection on how counterintuitive and burdensome this must have felt for Joseph, especially as a 19th-century man expected to be the breadwinner.
• Quote: “What if the patriarch said, you're gonna really struggle, you're never gonna actually make any money, gonna be living in a trailer and you're gonna get the trailer repossessed, but you're also the tribe of Judah?” (45:47, Dr. Dirkmaat)

9. Enduring Poverty and Persecution (46:04–49:07)

• Joseph dies in debt, having never achieved temporal security. Throughout early church history, he lived off the charity of others and struggled to maintain a home.

Notable: Brigham Young’s continued management of Joseph Smith’s debts years after Joseph’s death demonstrates the continued burden (49:07–49:11).

10. Practical Application for Modern Church Service (29:00–29:56, 50:00–52:00+)

• Parallels are drawn to modern church leaders (bishops, Relief Society presidents) who devote substantial time to church service with little temporal reward.
• “It is a much more difficult thing when you go from having no followers to having dozens...when those dozens of followers are being treated like garbage.” (41:58, Dr. Dirkmaat)

11. The Lord’s Counsel to Oliver Cowdery and All Who Preach the Gospel (52:00–60:25)

• Verses 10–12 reflect the Lord’s expectation that Oliver (and all Saints) perpetually “bear my name before the world” and that God will give them “strength such as not known among men.”
• Dr. Dirkmaat connects this to his own experience as a religious educator, feeling his insufficient voice “magnified” by God.

Memorable Quote:

• “If you knew what I know, you would run everywhere you went, trying to share the gospel with more people, you would run.” (56:17, Dr. Dirkmaat quoting Elder Jeffrey R. Holland at a BYU Religious Studies event.)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I just can't wait for Texas Tech to win the national championship.” (03:58, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• On making pious comments at church: “You gotta ask yourself, how important is it that I become bishop or Relief Society president?” (06:46, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• “Joseph is constantly being pulled away from what could provide him some relief from his debts...work.” (19:24, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• “Can you imagine if you were to receive personal revelation to that regard?” (46:03, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• “He is literally the leader of a movement of thousands...and he does not have a house. But yeah, he’s just like doing it for the money.” (48:07, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• “The more I talk about the gospel, the more hated I am. And I mean by the listeners.” (53:42, Dr. Dirkmaat)
• “Whatever successes I have...can only be because God is magnifying our efforts through His Holy Spirit and making our voices as a trump.” (60:10, Dr. Dirkmaat)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:38-04:52 — Episode intro jesting, explaining the bonus content.
• 08:07-11:21 — Historical setting for D&C 24.
• 15:51-24:27 — Buckwheat farming and humor on Joseph’s agricultural reality.
• 24:27-29:41 — Joseph’s financial struggles vs. church responsibilities.
• 41:13-46:04 — Lord’s counsel to endure afflictions, insight on suffering.
• 52:00-60:25 — Exhortation to preach the gospel always; personal reflections and Elder Holland anecdote.

Original Language & Tone

This summary maintains the episode’s conversational and humorous tone, highlighting both hosts’ playful banter and earnest historical analysis. Their mix of irreverent asides (“This is not a Christie’s Corner, Richard,” “sun-baked stoner on the beach” for F. Hurlbut) and sincere gospel reflection reflects both scholarly and personal wrestling with the early church’s history and challenges.

Conclusion

The episode offers a nuanced look at Joseph Smith’s early hardships, with practical ties to modern church service and lay leadership. Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc blend humor and history, connecting 19th-century struggles with faith, sacrifice, and the ongoing, often unheralded labor required in building Zion, both then and now. The hosts encourage listeners to draw strength from God’s promises, even when the temporal rewards are lacking, echoing the sacrifice and endurance modeled by the earliest Saints.