Articles of Faith

The Articles of Faith are 13 statements that provide clear definitions of some of the Mormon’s beliefs that make their Church unique. They were written for people who are not familiar with the LDS faith and were never meant to include all Mormon doctrine or principles.

The prophet Joseph Smith wrote the Articles of Faith. In 1842, a man by the name of John Wentworth, who was the editor of the Chicago Democrat sent a letter to Joseph Smith. In the letter he asked Joseph Smith to relate to him “the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints.” Wentworth sent this letter because he was helping a friend George Barstow compile information about his home state of New Hampshire. This information was going to be put in a book Barstow was writing. Joseph Smith sent a many-paged letter explaining the items Wentworth had asked about, this letter included the 13 statements now known as the Articles of Faith.

Barstow published his history but no mention was made of the Mormons. The information never appeared in the Chicago Democrat either. It was, however, published in the Church’s newspaper Times and Seasons in March of 1842. During this time it was referred to as “The Wentworth Letter.”

In 1851, the Articles of Faith were included in the first edition of the Pearl of Great Price, which was published in Britain. The Pearl of Great Price was later revised in 1878, and then canonized in 1880. At this point, the Articles of Faith became official doctrine of the Mormon Church. A little later a book was written by James E. Talmage, entitle The Articles of Faith. The book was based on lectures he had given about the Articles of Faith and helped Church member’s better appreciate and understand them.

Today, the Articles of Faith are used often in the Mormon Church, young children are taught to memorize and understand them. Mormon missionaries also use them to help explain what Mormons believe to those who are interested in understanding more about the Church.

Following are the 13 statements of the Articles of Faith:

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, interpretations 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 worshipping 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.