Some people ask me what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) actually believe. Others tell me what we believe and then try to prove that what they just told me is false. It is a game of "straw man". So, to set the record straight, I have decided to quote our 13 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.
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 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 paradisaical 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.
I hope that this sets the record straight on a few things. Yes, we do believe that the Book of Mormon is scripture equal in authority to the Bible, but it is not a replacement for the Bible. It is a companion and a supplement. The Book of Mormon tells the history of the New World just as the Bible tells the history of the Old World. God gave revelation to prophets on both continents. Each book contains a record of God's revelations. Eventually the lost Ten Tribes of the northern kingsom will be found and their records will be found along with them. When these records are found they will be added to the Bible. I personally believe that publication of these lost records will shake up many current Christian churches and doctrines.
2 comments:
Artical 7 talks how spiritual gifts. Have you ever heard anyone in your church speak in tongues?
I, personally, have not heard anyone ever speak in tongues. If someone ever did there would need to be an interpretor. Otherwise, no one would benefit from what was spoken.
I have heard of our misssionaries learning a new language, and even becoming fluent in the new language, in less than a year. That might qualify as a gift of tongues.
Post a Comment