Conference tecrus::mormonism

73.0. "Articles of Faith" by CICERO::KOTTERRI (Rich Kotter 406-248-1863) Fri Feb 26 1988 01:33

    In 1841, Joseph Smith responded to an inquiry from a newspaper editor
    as to what the Latter-day Saints believed, and his response included
    the Articles of Faith, which are a list of fundamental and
    characteristic doctrines of the church. The list should not be regarded
    as a complete list of all doctrines of the church, but a summary of the
    more basic ones. 
    
    Each of the articles could easily be treated as a separate topic, but I
    present them together here, for those that may be interested. 
    
      1- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus
         Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
         
      2- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and
         not for Adam's transgression.
         
      3- We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind
         may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the
         Gospel.
         
      4- We believe that the first 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.
         
      5- We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and
         by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to
         preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
         
      6- We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive
         Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers,
         evangelists, and so forth.
         
      7- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,
         healing, interpretation of tongues and so forth.
         
      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.
         
      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.
         
     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 paradisiacal glory.
         
     11- We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according
         to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the
         same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
         
     12- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and
         magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
         
     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.
         
         				Joseph Smith
         
    If anyone wishes to discuss the Articles of Faith as a group, let's
    do it in this topic. If anyone wishes to discuss a specific article
    of faith, or subject mentioned in one of them, I suggest a new topic
    be set up to do so, to avoid fragmented discussions here.
    
    Rich
        

The Articles of Faith as originally written by Joseph Smith contained the
13 statements of belief that we are all familiar with.  They were published
in various publications from 1842 to 1849.  In 1849, Elder Orson Pratt,
President of the British Mission, published them in a tract called "Mormonism
Triumphant" and added the 14th article on the Resurrection that Leza referred
to.

For the next several years, the Articles were published by various church
leaders, and some included the original 13 while others included Elder Pratt's
14th.

In 1878, Elder Pratt prepared the original 13 Articles for publishment, and
they were presented to the church members in the October conference in 1880
for acceptance as a standard work.  Since that time, the 13 Articles of Faith
have been part of our standard works.

For a more complete history of the Articles of Faith, see "Studies in Scripture
Volume Two: The Pearl of Great Price", edited by Robert L. Millet and Kent P.
Jackson.  (see note 39.8)