The Articles of Faith

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.

The Fall of Man and the Atonement of Christ were both parts of God's plan for his children on the earth. Christ's Atonement overcome orginal sin.

Moses wanted to atone for the sins of the children of Israel, but the Lord tells him in Exodus 32:33 that it doesn't work that way. There are a number of other scriptures that point out that one man can not atone for the sins of another. Only Christ can atone for other's sins. "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children,..." Deuteronomy 24:16 See also Ezekiel 18:20 and Alma 34:11-12.

Even as death comes upon all of us because of the fall of Adam, the resurrection is is a free gift from Christ unto all mankind, 1 Corinthians 15:21, Romans 5:12-18. Through Christ man are redeemed from the fall, D&C 20:20-21, D&C 93:38-39 and D&C 138:18-19.

The fall brought both a temporal and a spiritual death, Alma 42:7 and D&C 29:40-42. The fall was a necessary part of the plan, 2 Nephi 2:22-25, 2 Nephi 9:6, Mormon 9:12, and especially Moses 5:9-11.


3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Scriptures about the Atonement of Christ.

Quotes about the Atonement.


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.

Scriptures about the Priesthood.


6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

The Lord wants his kingdom to be organized. This scripture is about the organization of his storehouse D&C 78:3. Back in Abraham's day there probably wasn't an organized Church, but there was a designated priest of the most high God, Genesis 14:18. Moses was trying to judge the Children of Israel by himself, but Jethro, Moses' father in law, counsels him to instead chose able men to help him, Exodus 18:17-22. That is what the Lord's plan for Moses was also as seen in Numbers 11:16-17. When Moses' time was up Joshua was called to lead the Children of Israel by the Lord and set apart in front of all the congregation by Moses as seen in Numbers 27:16. In verse 17 it talks about the Lord people having someone to lead them so they won't be like sheep who have lost their shepherd. Joshua called 12 men, a man from each tribe to take a stone from the midst of the Jordan river to make a memorial to remind their children of when they crossed over the Jordan river on dry ground, Joshua 4:4.

Matthew 16:18 This is the scripture where Jesus says "thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." It seems Christ is calling Peter to lead his Church, but the previous verse talks about how Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ from revelation. Bruce R. McConkie tells us in his Doctrinal New Testament Cometary that the rock is not Peter but the rock of revelation. The Catholics says that this shows the Peter was the first pope. James E. Talmage in Jesus The Christ also talks about the rock of revelation. The foot note on verse 18 talks about "a subtle word play upon 'Peter' (Greek petros = small rock) and 'rock' (Greek petra = bedrock). Christ is the Stone of Israel." Peter was the leader of the Church in his day, but the Church wasn't based on Peter. In verse 19 Jesus tell Peter that he will give him the sealing powers.

Christ is the rock, 1 Corinthians 10:4 and is the foundation that we should build on, 1 Corinthians 3:11 and D&C 50:44. Luke 6:13, Jesus chose his apostles. Verse 12 tells us that he spent the night before in prayer. The disciples didn't volunteer to be apostles, but were instead prayerfully chosen by Him, John 15:16. Jesus chose the seventy to be missionaries and prepare the way before him, Luke 10:1-3 Bishops and deacons are mentioned in Philippians 1:1. Elders are ordained in every city, Titus 1:5, and Acts 14:23. The 11 apostles chose Matthias to take the place of Judas, Acts 1:23. They used a lot system which isn't as we would do it today, but they prayed to know the will of the Lord as we would do today. Maybe the lot wasn't a lot of chance but a vote. Bruce R. McConkie raise this possiblity in his Doctrial New Testament Comentary.

When the apostles called Stephen and the other seven to help, they did it by the laying on of hands, Acts 6:5-6. When Barnabas and Saul were called to the work it was also by the laying on of hands, Acts 13:2-3.

Ephesians 2:19, We used this scripture in the missionary discussions when I was a missionary to show that the Church was built on a foundation of apostles and prophets. It also tells us the Church is made of different members all of which are important. A similar scripture is Ephesians 4:11-16 which lists evangelists, pastors and teachers in addition to apostles and prophets. It also talks about coming to the "unity of the faith" and of the "body fitly joined together." In the Church we come from different backgrounds, but we all must learn to fit into one body, 1 Corinthians 12:13-16. The importance of all the member of the church working together as the different parts of our body is given in D&C 84:109. The different members of the Church are compared to members of the body. All the different positions are necessary, we can't all be apostles. Just as in the body if one member suffer the whole body suffers, 1 Corinthians 12:25.

Alma baptized people in the waters of Mormon and organized a Church of God, Mosiah 18:17 The priest in the Church were to labor with their own hands to support themselves, Mosiah 18:24. The Church in Book of Morman times had the offices of teachers, priests, and elders, Alma 4:7 and Moroni 3:1. Jesus chose and gave authority to the 12 in the Americas and they organized a church of Christ, 3 Nephi 12:1 and 4 Nephi 1:1.

The Church was organized April 6, 1830. ( D&C 21:3). Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants gives the duties of elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. Bishops are also to be called in the restored church, D&C 68:14.

Isaiah words describle the great apostity, but fits our days as well "transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant" Isaiah 24:5. There will be a famine of hearing the word of the Lord Amos 8:11. Christ prophesied of a falling away Matthew 24:4. It is surprising how fast people can be lead away Galatians 1:6-7. Christ won't come before there is a falling away and the man of sin is revealed, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4. Grievous wolves will enter into the flock, Acts 20:28. In the last days men will have diverse inequity, but will have "a form of godliness; but denying the power thereof," 2 Timothy 3:1-5. "... the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; ... having itching ears; ... and shall be turned unto fables," 2 Timothy 4:3-4. The devil makes war with the saints and has power over all nations, Revelation 13:4-8. It is interesting the detail of Paul's description of false churchs in the later day, "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats." 1 Timothy 4:1-5.


7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

The seventh article of faith lists some of the spiritual gifts mentioned in other scriptures. Paul lists many gifts of the spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:1-10. Verse 10 in particular is similar to the 7th article of faith. Moroni talks about spiritual gifts in Moroni 10:8-17. Other scripture that talk about the spiritual gifts are Omni 1:25 and Doctrine and Covenants section 46, verses 8 to 12 are very good on Spiritual gifts in general and verses 19 to 25 tells about the gifts mentioned in the seventh article of faith.

Spiritual gifts and miracles are always part of the Lord's true church, Mormon 9:7-11. The gifts of the spirit are a sign of the Lord's true church, Mark 16:17-18. "wo unto him ... that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, ..." 3 Nephi 29:6-7. However, the gifts of the spirit are not to be used unless they are directed by the Lord, D&C 24:13-14.

Healing

When the children of Israel were bitten by serpents the Lord command Moses to make a brass serpent and put it on a pole so that the people could be healed, Numbers 21:8-9. Yet many still died because they didn't have the faith to follow the prophets words when it doesn't seem to make sense. How could looking at an image of snake cure snake bites? (Alma 33:19-20). The story of Naaman (2 Kings 5:8-14) has similarities. When the prophet's words don't match our expectation, it can be difficult to follow his words. Once in a talk President Cooprider talked about the story of Naaman and asked the question "After which dip did the healing start to take place?" Probably only after the last one. What if after 6 dips, Naaman would have thought what a fool I am dipping myself in the river and got disgusted and quit. President Cooprider compared this to members of the Church who do most of the things they should but don't quite catch the vision and as such don't enjoy the blessings they might have received. They are six-dip Mormons.

Christ healed many more people than are specifically mentioned in the New Testiment, see for example Matthew 4:23. Christ also healed all the sick in the new world, 3 Nephi 17:7-9.

It is by faith that we are healed, Matthew 9:22, Acts 14:9, and 3 Nephi 17:8. The story of the father who brought his son to Jesus to be healed (Mark 9:20-27) demonstrates how faith is essential to be healed. Jesus tells the father all things are possible to him that believes. I think the father thought that Jesus would heal his son without him having to do anything. Instead Jesus lets him know that it depends on his faith. He knew he had faith, but wondered if he have enough faith? He appealed to the Savor to help him with his faith. To me this says that we can plead with the Lord when we have a problem and he will give us both the faith and the help to see us through.

Jesus gave the power to heal to his apostles, Matthew 10:1 and Mark 3:14-15. Through the power of Pristhood blessings we can also heal others, D&C 42:43-44 and, D&C 66:9.

Gift of Tongues

On the day of Pentecost many jews which spoke many different languages all heard the the words of God in their own languages, Acts 2:5-11. Speaking in tounges is sometimes associated with receiving the Holy Ghost, Acts 19:6. The gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues are gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:10 The gift of tongues isn't as important as some of the other gifts 1 Corinthians 13:1 and 1 Corinthians 14:4-6. When Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland temple he asked for the gift of tongues to be poured out upon the people, D&C 109:36.

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.

This article of Faith tells us that the scriptures are a fundamental part of the Church. The principles of the gospel are found in the scriptures, D&C 42:12. This verse also tell us that we need to teach from the scriptures. The brass plates were of "great worth unto" the Nephites because they "could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children," 1 Nephi 5:21-22. King Benjamin taught his sons the importance of the scriptures, Mosiah 1:3-7.

The importance of having the scriptures is indicated by the Lord having Lehi send his son's back to Jerusalem to get them. When Nephi didn't want to kill Laban, the Lord inspires him of the importance of the scriptures. Without the scriptures, a whole nation would have perished in unbelief. 1 Nephi 4:12-16. When Jesus was tempted he used the scriptures to overcome temptation Matthew 4:3-4. These scriptures tell us that we should live by "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." The way we receive the words of God is from our study of the scriptures.

The scriptures testify of Christ, "Search the scriptures; for ... they are they which testify of me." John 5:39. I never could quite figure out why this scripture says "ye thing ye have eternal life" when through the scriptures you do have eternal life. Maybe it is because Jesus was talking to the Jews, and they though they had eternal life through the scriptures, when they weren't really understanding them or they would have recognized Jesus as the Christ. Maybe it is like with the anti-Christ Sherem. Jacob asks him if he believes the scriptures (Jacob 7:10), and he say that he does. Jacob tells him that he must not understand them (Jacob 7:11) because they testify of Christ. Later Sherem admits that the scriptures do truly testify of Christ (Jacob 7:19).

Many times visions are preceded by pondering the scriptures, James 1:5, D&C 138:6-7, Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants

It is important that the scriptural records are complete and accurate. When Jesus appeared to the Nephites he command Nephi to bring forth the records and after he examined them them he commanded Nephi to make corrections and additions, 3 Nephi 23:6-13. Jesus also gives them some of the words of Malachi 3 Nephi 24:1.

The scriptures were given for our learning, correction and to give us hope, Romans 15:4. They can make us "wise unto salvation 2 Timothy 3:15-16.

Many people esteem the scriptures as "things of naught," but scriptures contain the things which the prophets know is most important to us to have, 2 Nephi 33:2-3. The scriptures were written by holy prophets of God and are not of private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:20-21.

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Moroni saw our day in vision, Mormon 8:35-36. "I did liken all scriptures unto us," 1 Nephi 19:23. The Book of Mormon contains a record of a fallen people and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, D&C 20:7-12.

The whole 29th Chapter of 2 Nephi is about the scriptures and how God always gives His word to his people. Verse 3 is the one that says "A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, ..." Verse 11-12 tells us that God commands the people in every land to write the words that he commands them. In verse 13 we learn that we will someday have the words of the lost tribes of Israel.

References on the importance of the scriptures


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.

The Lord's promises to Covenant Israel.


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.

See being a Good Citizens under the family proclamation commentary.


12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

See being a Good Citizens under the family proclamation commentary.


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.

There are many scriptures that tell us that we must endure to the end to be saved: Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, 1 Nephi 13:37, D&C 18:22, and D&C 53:7. These scriptures use eternal life instead of being saved: 2 Nephi 31:20, 3 Nephi 15:9, and D&C 14:7. Some scriptures talk about the need to endure in faith to the end, D&C 20:25 and D&C 20:29. Those that endure in faith will receive an inheritance upon the earth, D&C 63:20. The Lord will find those that endure to the end guiltless, 3 Nephi 27:16-17. Those of the Church who endure will be establish on the Lord's rock, D&C 10:69. Blessed are those who endure, D&C 50:5. Those that don't endure to the end "must be damned," 2 Nephi 9:24.

The prophets have had to endure afflictions. Abraham didn't receive the blessing or posterity until he had endured patiently for many years, Hebrews 6:13-15. Joseph Smith is told to be patient in enduring afflictions because he will have many, D&C 24:8.

We need to endure affliction and persecution in patience like the prophets, James 5:10. The people of the Lord must endure chastening, "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth," Hebrews 12:5-7. Those who cannot endure chastening cannot be sanctified, D&C 101:4. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation," James 1:12. He that endureth will overcome the world, D&C 63:47. Those that endure persecution for the true unto death will partake of the Lord's glory, D&C 101:35-36. In the parable of the sower the people who hear the gospel but don't endure when persecutions come are compared to the seed falling on stony ground, Mark 4:16. Likewise the cares of the world can drive people away from the gospel (seed sown among thorns), Mark 4:18. Paul warns about turning away from sound doctrine to fables, 2 Timothy 4:3.