The Articles of Faith are a big part of the Mormon standards and beliefs. They were written by the Prophet Joseph Smith as a reference for the world to better understand the beliefs of members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints.
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Joseph was ask by "Long" John Wentworth, editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat to write a history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He said it would be published . This history as written in 1842 by the Prophet Joseph Smith became known as The "Wentworth letter". It was never published by Mr Wentworth. However The letter was published on March 1, 1842 in the Times and Seasons in Nauvoo, Illinois.
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This letter contained what is known today as "The thirteen Articles of Faith" or "The Articles of Faith".
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The following list of 13 things that Mormons believe has become known as The Articles of Faith. They are memorized by members at an early age.
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1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost
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2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression.
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3.We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
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4.We believe that the fist principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; Second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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5.We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
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6.We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
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7.We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth
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8.We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly' we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
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9.We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
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10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes' that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
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11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
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12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the lay.
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13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
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FACT:
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Mormons do believe in Jesus Christ.
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You can read the facts about The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints at their web site, LDS.org
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If you want to know more about the Mormon faith, ask a Mormon or go to the official web site. Please do not expect a non-Mormon to give accurate and trustworthy information.
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Comments: 48
I am ashamed to admit that I lack a complete understanding of The Jewish faith. I know a bit but not enough to say I am knowledgeable about their entire beliefs. I love learning about other faiths but have learned the hard way to learn from a member of that faith instead of a search on the Internet.
Like Margaret, I think most religions have a lot more in common than they want to admit. I think far too many people look for the things they do not like about a religion and focus on that instead of the good points the religion has to offer.
I would love to read an official document on the "13 Principles of Faith" that you are referring too. Can you help me find it in a reputable site? Are you Jewish? You don't have to answer that of course but I would love to learn more if you are.
At the risk of REALLY over-simplifying, Maimonides was the "rock star" of rabbis :-). He wrote the 13 principles of faith back in something like 1150. Each affirmation begins with "I believe with complete faith" and articulates what he considered to be a vital aspect of the Jewish religion. I think I have a PDF copy of the book somewhere in my digital archives.
That is really interesting. I would love to read it. I am very hesitant to read books, literature and stuff online that are written about a religion but by a person who is not of that religion. I don't trust that sort of information.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article and for your kind comment. Have a wonderful night.
One would thing that would be a big but still there are those we think we don't worship Jesus nor are we Christians. I tried to write it as simply as I could so others who are not familiar with our beliefs could understand.
I took the discussions two separate times in my life before I joined the church. I taught seminary for 14 years and learned a lot at BYU. It is amazing the more you learn, the more you want to learn. I was like a sponge, I just could not absorb enough knowledge. I learn more and more each day.
Sounds like you were hit hard too fast. I have never know missionaries who visit the same home every-night for a week. That is not the normal procedure unless a member of the church invites them into their home each night for a week.
Normally they only visit once a week.
I am confused by your last statement "The Christ of the Mormon is not the KJV".
In my mind, I am thinking "KJV" refers to "King James Version". Please correct me if I am misunderstanding, as I said I am a bit confused.
We do use the King James version of the Holy Bible.
"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly' we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."
Which by the way refers to "black skinned" humans as full of evil and to be destroyed. But oh wait that is a misinterpretation these days. So fluid the teachings of those stones are.
"As far as it is translated correctly". There is your out for whatever the Prophet chooses the KJV to say.
Jesus Christ is not God but the Son of heavenly father. Something very different from any Bible. Oh, and never did find ANY Bible in the Mormon household I was in.
Calm down, the thought of lying never even crossed my mind. Promise.
Are you familiar with the "Quad"? It is one volume with all the scripture in it. It has the KING JAMES version of the Old and New Testament, The Book Of Mormon and The Doctrine & Covenants in it.
I speak from experience, and not indoctrination.
BTW. It's 'spiel' (German for 'game')
One of them was Miles Park Romney, the great grandfather of Willard Mitt Romney.
Miles Park Romney — a Utah builder with a massive head and a square jaw — had four wives and 30 children.
Today, some of their descendants still live about a four-hour drive from El Paso, in the Mormon colonies in northern Chihuahua, where mainstream Mormons no longer practice polygamy.
Which is my point...the Church will ALWAYS come first BEFORE the laws of the land. Skirting issues are their specialty.
I really do appreciate your thoughts on this subject. Any of my articles always welcome thoughts and opinions of others.
I get the sense that you are very bitter with something that happened while you were living in a Mormon home. If this is the case, I am so sorry that you had a hard time.
I may be wrong but my thoughts (not official church statement) are that when you are married already, it would be wrong to divorce or whatever word one would want to use to valadate a marriage. However, I think the meaning is that there were no more plural marriages performed.
Again this is my thoughts on this and not official church statements.
If I could proof of any deceased member of my family being "Baptized" in the Temple. I would sue. That would be a desecration of MY faith something you claim to never do. So save the "nice" act for someone else.
Besides just think of all the points Connie is getting out of this. :)
I live in a community where there are very few Mormons. Our branch serves two entire counties, it that tells you anything. This county is mostly Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, and Church of Christ.
I understand what you mean by disagreeing with some of the Mormon faith beliefs. If you believed it all, you would probably be a Mormon. I respect your right to believe what-ever you are comfortable with. In fact if one reads the articles of faith as listed above, you will see that we believe everyone has that right (Thankfully) I am trying to stick to the facts only in this series of articles. I try to keep my personal opinion out of the post itself. I do share my thoughts in the comment section.
It is my goal to use this opportunity to let other religions know what we do believe. There are none of my close friends who are Mormon so as you can see, I am not prejudice against any other religion. In fact I was raised Methodist. My parents, brothers and sister are currently all Baptist. I am glad they are happy. Just as I am glad you are happy with your believes.
I appreciate the tone with which you commented on these articles. Thank you.
I welcome questions on my articles. If you should have any just ask. . I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. I will separate fact from my opinion.
I am not trying to convert anyone to my religion, I am just trying to get the facts out there. There are just so many rumors since Mitt Romney is running for president. I know many people do not know what we believe.
I am so glad you took the time to read my article. Thank you.
The official name of the church is "The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints". At one point, the Prophet ask all LDS (Mormons) to being using the official name only.
Since then the church has set up a web-site called "Mormon". The general public by majority call us Mormons. I don't mind being called LDS, Mormon or members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints.
The church has several official web sites now. LDS.or, Mormon. com and a few more. So it is almost like they don't really care what we are referred too now.
On the church web site, they have now requested that we use the official church name in the first paragraph then we can use Mormon or LDS in the rest of the post.
I am trying to let people know what I believe. Since Mitt is running for president, the rumors of what we believe is spreading like feathers in the wind.
Even though I was raised Methodist, we always wore our Sunday best to church. Us girls wore dresses and the boys wore their best clothes. They did not have suits. I think the way I was brought up has a lot to do with the way I respect others beliefs today.
I still wear my Sunday best to funerals and viewings when family and friends die. It is just my way of showing respect for life and death. The last viewing I went too, I was the only woman there with a dress on. Or at least I did not seen another with one on. Even though I was the only one with a dress on, I did not feel out of place.
I have seen women wear shorts to funerals. It is there privilege but for me to do it would feel so wrong. I have never been a follower.