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In 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote 13 brief statements summarizing
some of the basic doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. He then delivered the statements to Mr. John Wentworth, publisher
of the Chicago Democrat, for publication. However, the statements
were never published in the Chicago Democrat. They were instead
published in the March edition of the Church newspaper, Times and Seasons.
Then, in 1851, the articles were published in the first edition of the
Pearl of Great Price and became official doctrine of the Church in 1880
when the Pearl of Great Price was cannonized.
While the Articles of Faith provide an excellent summary of the basic
doctrines of the Church, they are not meant to be comprehensive. Speaking
on this Bruce R. McConkie stated:
These articles, of course, do not attempt to summarize all of
the basic doctrines of the gospel. For example, the Articles of Faith
are silent on such things as celestiral marriage, salvation for the dead,
temple work in all its phases, the resurrection, and degrees of glory
in the eternal worlds.
The Articles of Faith are as follows:
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not
for Adam's transgression.
- We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may
be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
- 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.
- 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.
- We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive
Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists,
and so forth.
- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,
healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates,
in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
- 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.
By Melanie Cooper
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