What do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe? In response to an inquiry from a newspaper editor, Joseph Smith wrote a list of thirteen statements of belief, known today as the Articles of Faith. These brief statements cover foundational topics including the existence of God (1), the Atonement of Jesus Christ (2-4), the importance of prophets, priesthood authority, and revelation (5-9), the need to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (10), and the positive influence we strive to have as law-abiding citizens who seek out and amplify good things (11-13).
The ninth article of faith specifically acknowledges that we still have much to learn. “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.” Our other two readings this week illustrate that principle. Official Declaration 1 ends the practice of plural marriage, and Official Declaration 2 removes race-based restrictions on holding priesthood authority. As we study these documents, we can be grateful that Church leaders seek new revelation in response to difficult questions, and that they follow the revelation they receive. As Wilford Woodruff wrote in response to questions about the first of these documents, “When the hour came, … it was all clear to me. I went before the Lord, and I wrote what the Lord told me to write.”
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these revelations with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. We are saved by Jesus Christ.
Articles of Faith 1:3
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Blog Posts
📄 Salvation Doth Not Come by the Law Alone
God’s power and grace will save us as we submit our will to His and choose to obey.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 12:31-33; Mosiah 13:28
2. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and the Holy Ghost help us access His saving power.
Articles of Faith 1:4
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.
Blog Posts
📄 Jesus Had Expounded All the Scriptures in One
The principles of the gospel are interrelated, and we apply them best when we understand them holistically.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 23:14; 3 Nephi 26:6
📄 Imputed to Him for Righteousness
The act of believing—and sustaining that belief over time—counts as righteousness.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:6-7
📄 What Does It Mean to Be “Baptized Unto Repentance?”
Baptism is the beginning of a life of continuous repentance.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 31:18; Mosiah 26:22; Alma 5:62; Alma 6:2; Alma 7:14; Alma 9:27; Alma 48:19; Alma 49:30; Helaman 3:24; Helaman 5:17, 19; 3 Nephi 1:23; 3 Nephi 7:26; Moroni 8:25
3. God calls people to help Him accomplish His work.
Articles of Faith 1:5
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.
Blog Posts
📄 As He Laid His Hands Upon Them
Priesthood authority is bestowed by the laying on of hands.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 11:21; 3 Nephi 18:37; Moroni 2:1-3
📄 He Consecrated All Their Priests and All Their Teachers
Authority is a mechanism for transferring trust from one person to another.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 18:19, 35; Mosiah 23:7, 13-14, 16-18
4. We receive gifts to help us do God’s work.
Articles of Faith 1:7
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
Blog Posts
📄 “All Kinds of Tongues”
God can help us communicate more effectively with people from different backgrounds.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 10:15-16
📄 What Is the Gift of Tongues?
The gift of tongues enables us not only to speak in foreign languages but also to communicate more clearly in our native language
Book of Mormon connection: Omni 1:20, 25; Mosiah 21:27-28; Moroni 10:15-16
📄 “That He May Prophesy”
We can trust that prophecies will be fulfilled, and we can contribute to their fulfillment.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 11:10
5. We receive God’s word through the scriptures.
Articles of Faith 1:8
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.
Blog Posts
📄 That Awful State of Blindness
God teaches us saving truths to help us overcome spiritual blindness.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 13:24, 27, 29, 32, 35-36
6. Revelation is ongoing; we still have more to learn.
Articles of Faith 1:9
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.
Blog Posts
📄 Line upon Line
Knowledge comes gradually, step by step
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 28:30
📄 “Many Great and Important Things”
Courageous curiosity, a willingness to confront hard realities, and the faith to ask for divine guidance are all hallmarks of true disciples.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 28:29-30; Alma 12:10
7. God is gathering His children in preparation for the Savior’s return.
Articles of Faith 1:10
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.
Blog Posts
📄 What Is the New Jerusalem?
We can help build the New Jerusalem by promoting unity, holiness, and charity.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 20:22; 3 Nephi 21:23-24; Ether 13:4-6
📄 Built By the Gathering of the Saints
When Jesus returns, a heavenly New Jerusalem will come with Him to unite with the New Jerusalem which we are building on the earth.
Book of Mormon connection: Ether 13:4-6
8. We need to respect people of all faiths.
Articles of Faith 1:11
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.
Blog Posts
📄 “Contend Against No Church”
Find common cause with believers of other faiths.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 13:8-9; 3 Nephi 11:28-29
📄 Respecting One Another’s Beliefs
We can live in harmony with people of different beliefs by respecting one another, seeking to understand each other, and negotiating to achieve outcomes that are fair to all.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 30:7-9
9. Disciples of Jesus Christ follow civil laws.
Articles of Faith 1:12
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
Articles of Faith 1:12
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
Blog Posts
📄 Obeying, Honoring, and Sustaining the Law
We need to follow the law, recognize its importance, and actively support and strengthen it.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 1:1, 14
📄 Rendering Unto Caesar
Disciples of Christ uphold the law and advocate for needed changes through established civic processes.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 29:26; Alma 62:1-8
📄 Governed by the Law
Obey civil laws, even if you disagree with them.
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 5:3
10. We embrace every good thing.
Articles of Faith 1:13
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.
Blog Posts
📄 What Does It Mean to Believe, Hope, and Endure All Things?
A person who can identify and accept good things will be able to continue to believe, hope, and endure even under difficult or painful circumstances.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 3:19; Moroni 7:14, 19, 42-45
📄 Every Thing Which Inviteth and Enticeth to Do Good
We should actively seek for good things, not merely reject bad things.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:3-4, 13, 21
📄 “Rejoice…and Again I Say, Rejoice”
Focus on the positive things happening around you, so that you can find joy even in difficult circumstances.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 3:3-4
📄 “Inviteth and Enticeth” – Moroni 7:12-13
We should surround ourselves with influences which invite and entice us to do good.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 2:16; Moroni 7:12-13
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to study this week:
- What is the scriptural basis for the Articles of Faith? Which passages of scripture are quoted or referenced in them?
- How do the Articles of Faith inform my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ? What principles do they prioritize, and how are those principles active in my life?
- How can the Articles of Faith help me in my efforts to share the gospel?
- How is the Lord guiding the church today? How do the principles in the Official Declarations help us embrace new understanding as the Lord provides it?
- What can we learn from the Official Declarations about how we receive revelation in our individual lives?
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