1.We trust in God, the Eternal Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
The first article of religion states the following:
First, as Perry emphasized in his April 1998 General Conference address, “the first article underpins our confidence in God, our Eternal Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.”
Perry also clarifies the second thing the first article of religion teaches us:
This vast presiding council of the cosmos is made up of three personages who have revealed themselves [to Joseph Smith] as three independent beings, physically distinct from one another.
2. We think that men will be punished for their sins, rather than Adam’s.
The second article of faith refers to Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden. Jesus Christ, by the Atonement, has cleared the way and paid the penalty for this disobedience. Because members of the Church believe that children are born innocent and pure, they do not baptise infants.
Many members and non-members have interpreted the second article of faith wrongly to suggest that mankind is not to be punished for the faults of others in general. However, it is not what the second article on religion is about. The second article of faith is concerned with, and only with the concept of original sin.
3. We believe that through obeying the rules and ordinances of the Gospel, all mankind can be saved through Christ’s Atonement.
The third article of faith expresses our firm belief in Christ’s atonement. To be saved and given eternal life, however, we must be obedient and follow God’s instructions. Jesus Christ must be accepted as our Savoir and Redeemer.
4. The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel, we think, are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and fourth, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit. As previously established, the fourth article of religion discusses the foundational principles and ordinances of the Gospel.
5. We believe that a man must be called by God to preach the Gospel and administer in its ordinances through prophecy and the laying on of hands by those in authority.
Local Church leaders will pray for guidance as they choose callings for the members over whom they have authority. Leaders will pay great attention to their feelings and listen for spiritual inspiration as they choose callings for members.
To formally preach the gospel to others in the Church, members must be set aside with a blessing. This covers everyone in the Church who has a teaching position, whether they are teaching little children, or adults, or are sent on missions to teach non-members.
6. We believe in the same structure as the Primitive Church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so on.
The sixth article of faith refers to the ancient Church of Jesus Christ and the organizational foundation that existed within it. In 1830, Joseph Smith, guided by Jesus Christ via revelation, reconstituted that early church (now known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, language interpretation, and other such things.
The seventh article of faith refers to what Church members refer to as spiritual gifts. These gifts come from God and are bestowed by the Holy Spirit. The Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture that members believe in, discusses these gifts in Chapter 46, verses 9 through 33. (D&C 46:9-33).
8. We think the Bible is the word of God insofar as it is rightly translated; we also believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
The Bible and the Book of Mormon, according to members of the Church of Jesus Christ, are both testaments of Christ. Some critics of this article of faith point to the remark about the Bible, “as far as it is translated correctly.” Some consider this a sham.
9. We believe everything God has revealed, everything He is currently revealing, and all He will reveal in the future about God’s Kingdom.
According to the ninth article of faith, members of the Church believe that the skies are still open. God continues to send revelation to man and will continue to do so.
10. We believe in the physical reunification of Israel and the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be established on the American continent; that Christ will reign personally on the world; and that the earth will be rebuilt and given its paradisiacal glory.
In his April 1998 General Conference talk, Elder L. Tom Perry discusses this article of faith:
[We believe] that Zion will be rebuilt “in the physical gathering of Israel,” and Christ will return to “rule personally upon the world.” Samuel Smith, the Prophet’s brother, set out on the first missionary trek to proclaim the Book of Mormon’s veracity in June 1830. So the assembling of Zion started.
11. We claim the right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and we grant that right to all men, regardless of how, where, or what they worship.
The 11th article on religion is quite straightforward. It states that members assert their constitutional right to religious freedom. They claim it for themselves and everyone else.
This article of faith also declares tolerance for various religions and beliefs, no matter what, where, or how they worship (as long as that worship obeys the law of the land, which is addressed in the next article of faith).
12. We believe in obeying, honoring, and supporting the law, as well as being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates.
This element of faith is also unmistakable. Members will be subject to various forms of government and will be expected to follow, honor, and uphold the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and doing good to all men; therefore, we may say that we follow Paul’s admonition-We believe all things, hope all things, have endured much, and hope to be able to bear all things. We seek after anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or commendable.
The 13th article of religion instructs members on how to live their lives. Members must be “honest, true, chaste, generous, moral, and devoted to the welfare of all men.”
