Welcome to the Standard of Truth podcast. In this podcast, Dr. Garrett Dirkmont and Professor Richard

Leduc, explore the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the

life and teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith. They examine the original historical sources and

provide context for events of the past. They approach the

history of the church with faith, expertise, and humor.

Hi, welcome to another episode of the Standard of Truth podcast.

That's right.

We're still around.

I know you thought Thanksgiving was going to kill us off, and it came close.

But we're still here.

I'm your host, Dr. Garrett Dirkmont, and I am joined by my friend by the time you hear this only hours away

from Dr. Richard Leduc.

Well, hello, Garrett.

Thanks for having me back.

I think that that takes a lot of, I mean, that suggests that I do well in the dissertation defense. Maybe that's the best, better way to say it, that only days or hours away from actually my, what I assume is one of seven attempts at a dissertation defense.

I like the fact that, you know,

you have to act in faith.

And so Richard didn't just plan for his defense.

He planned for his defense.

He then planned a celebratory trip to Nashville and then to come back for his graduation

walk later in the same week.

Is that,

...