Podcast Summary: Standard of Truth – S6E13 "The CES Letter and Polygamy"

Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (B), with Dr. Richard Leduc (C)
Date: March 26, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging and candid episode, Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard Leduc address pressing questions from listeners about the infamous "CES Letter," its origins, and its content, with a particular focus on issues of polygamy in early Latter-Day Saint history. The hosts navigate the complexity around faith crises caused by historical controversies, share personal insights, and offer guidance on confronting difficult aspects of church history. The episode combines expert historical analysis, humor, and sincere faith as the hosts strive to help Latter-Day Saints better understand their heritage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is the CES Letter? (05:37–08:20)

• Definition and Background:
  The CES Letter is described as a modern aggregation of historical and doctrinal criticisms of the Church, styled as a letter to a CES (Church Educational System) director. According to Dr. Dirkmaat, "It's called the CES Letter because the disingenuous person who first cobbled all of this together styled it as a letter that they were writing to a CES director. So that's the idea behind it."

  • The letter compiles “all of the various arguments that have been made over time, presented very matter-of-factly, presented entirely out of context, surprisingly presented with horrific source material.” (07:16)
  • The hosts warn that the letter's name misleads, as it implies church endorsement or authority—which it has none.
  • The document gained traction in the mid-to-late 2000s with the rise of social media and is frequently used as a jumping-off point for those facing faith crises.

• Critique of the CES Letter:

  • The claims are not new; "There is nothing new in it. There is nothing, ‘Oh my goodness, look what I came up with.’" (13:25)
  • It uses logical fallacies such as the “Gish Gallop,” overwhelming readers with a barrage of shallow critiques: "It's a logical fallacy. I throw so many things at you that there must be...where there's smoke, there's fire. And it's like, no, you just keep throwing more crap." (14:50)
  • The majority of the CES Letter's content (about 75%) relates to historical issues or sources. (15:15)

Notable Quote

• Dr. Dirkmaat (07:02):
  "If you're spending more time watching a Netflix series than you are studying the gospel, that is a harsh reality check."

2. Addressing Historical Issues: Joseph Smith and Early Polygamy (15:49–24:45)

• Early Practice of Plural Marriage:

  • Listener question: Was Joseph practicing polygamy in 1830?
    • Dr. Dirkmaat clarifies: "It is not well documented that Joseph Smith was practicing polygamy in 1830. In fact, Joseph Smith's plural marriages are not well documented at all." (18:35)
    • Earliest claims of knowledge date to 1831, but no evidence supports Joseph practicing at that time.
    • The first plural marriage with some direct historical evidence is to Louisa Beaman in 1841.

• Common Misconceptions in Church Settings:

  • The hosts push back against Sunday school teachings that misrepresent the history or doctrine of polygamy, warning of the dangers of casual doctrinal speculation in church meetings.
  • It is emphasized that plural marriage was practiced under divine command, not as a personal or opportunistic pursuit by Joseph Smith.
  • The common argument that Joseph’s polygamy “wasn’t commanded by God” is refuted with references to Doctrine and Covenants 132 and numerous apostolic and prophetic statements over time.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Dirkmaat (22:51):
  "No one should be stating something as a matter of doctrine in a gospel doctrine class that is not the Church’s position."
• Dr. Dirkmaat (24:45):
  "If you don’t feel comfortable with the topic of plural marriage, welcome to literally everyone who’s ever talked about it...Joseph Smith and Brigham Young...all of them, they say how uncomfortable they were with the topic."

3. Wrestling with Difficult Doctrine and the Limits of Authority (24:45–32:00)

• How to Handle Doctrinal Discomfort:
  • The hosts validate listeners’ discomfort with polygamy, emphasizing it’s normal and even expected.
  • Private wrestlings are differentiated from public declarations; only the President of the Church holds authoritative doctrinal voice.
  • Members are cautioned not to accept alternate narratives from internet sources, YouTube, or well-meaning ward members.
  • The introduction to Official Declaration 1 and other official Church essays are recommended as authoritative sources.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Dirkmaat (31:27):
  "If there is a problem with the practice of plural marriage in the history of the church, it is not going to come from a YouTube hero or a Sunday school Superman...it’s going to come from the prophet of God."
• Dr. Dirkmaat (32:00):
  "I can tell you what most likely happened in the past, and I can point you toward sources. But as a believer...only the prophet of God holds all of the keys that allow him to declare what is and is not doctrine."

4. Global and Historical Contexts for Polygamy (38:12–42:28)

• Fun with Numbers Segment:
  • Pew Research notes 2% of the global population currently lives in polygamous households, with the highest national rate in Burkina Faso (36%).
  • The hosts discuss the contemporary challenge for converts in countries like Nigeria, where polygamy is widespread and culturally accepted—often requiring significant sacrifice for baptism into the LDS Church.

Notable Quote

• Dr. Dirkmaat (41:42):
  "Imagine you’re a woman in Nigeria and you're the second wife in a marriage that's totally acceptable culturally and legally. But you read the Book of Mormon and you know that it's true...you can't join the church unless you get a divorce."

5. Responding to Listener Stories and Processing Troubling History (45:46–67:22)

• Inspiration from Unknown Early Saints:

  • Dr. Dirkmaat shares how the faith and perseverance of lesser-known church members, especially women who endured tragic losses, inspire him:
    • Amanda Barnes Smith, Emmaline Anderson, and others are cited as examples of faith under adversity and as a source of personal reflection and aspiration.
    • The episode includes reflections on faith’s role in sustaining belief through hardship, paralleling Book of Mormon themes (Alma 62:41).

• Reconciling Ancestor’s Darker Pasts:

  • A listener, Michelle, asks about dealing with negative aspects in a beloved ancestor’s story.
    • Dr. Dirkmaat suggests granting historical and spiritual grace: “I don't have to figure out whether or not this person is ultimately good or ultimately bad, because that's not my role.” (63:33)
    • He encourages careful source analysis, skepticism of quick judgments, and keeping faith anchored in Christ rather than people.

• Practical Advice on Historical Research:

  • Follow footnotes, use academic sources, and recognize the limitations and biases of both historical and family narratives.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Dirkmaat (47:05):
  "We all stand on the shoulders of women and men who believed so much that they marched 1,500 miles and over a mountain range to a barren desert next to a salt lake."
• Dr. Dirkmaat (67:22):
  "Always remember that your testimony and your relationship with Jesus isn't actually affected by whether your ancestor ends up being a shining light or not. We all have to come to our celestial kingdom ourselves, holding desperately onto the hand of Jesus."

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• CES Letter Explained & Critiqued: 05:37–15:48
• Polygamy in Early LDS Church: 15:49–24:45
• Doctrinal Authority and Faith Struggles: 24:45–32:00
• Global Polygamy Context & Challenges: 38:12–42:28
• Inspiration from Lesser-Known Saints: 45:46–55:36
• Handling Troubling Ancestor Stories: 56:42–67:22

Memorable Moments & Humor

• Playful banter about sports brackets and self-awarded book prizes (01:29–02:29).
• “Fun with Numbers” recurring inside joke (38:21 onward).
• Mocking the misleading nature of “authoritative” online church critics and internet sources.
• Suggestion for future segment: “Apostles, Apostates, and Apothecaries – Top 40 Countdown.”

Conclusion and Tone

Throughout, Dr. Dirkmaat and Dr. Leduc maintain a respectful, sometimes irreverent but always faith-promoting tone. They blend scholarly rigor, deep empathy, and humor as they urge listeners to anchor their faith in Christ and the living prophet, not in simplistic answers or second-hand critiques. The hosts repeatedly encourage rigorous, source-based study and caution against the dangers of reducing complex history to soundbites or sensational narratives.

Dr. Dirkmaat (31:27):
“If someone is telling you that the Church’s current stated position on literally anything is wrong, it’s time to do some serious soul searching.”

This episode is essential listening for anyone wrestling with troubling questions about LDS history, especially regarding the CES Letter and polygamy. Through it all, the underlying message is one of hope, encouragement, and confidence in seeking honest answers from reliable sources while holding to faith.