Mormon Beliefs

In 1842, the editor of the Chicago Democrat, John Wentworth, wrote Joseph Smith a letter asking for a run down on Mormon doctrine. Joseph Smith’s response came to be known as the thirteen Articles of Faith and this short document was later canonized as scripture. The original thirteen articles are listed below, along with brief explanations of each and how they might differ from other Christian denominations’ doctrines.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

While all of Christianity adheres to certain creeds, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons) do not. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ restored the fulness of His gospel, which had been lost from the earth when all the Apostles died, through Joseph Smith in 1830. Joseph learned through a vision he had that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings. Other Christian denominations believe that the Trinity is an inexplicable combination of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Mormonism teaches, however, that they are three distinct beings who are one in purpose. Mormons believe further that God and Jesus Christ both have bodies of flesh and bone, further evidence that man is truly made in the image of God. Mormons call the three beings the Godhead who are separate in identity but one in purpose.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

The Fall of Adam and Eve has long been discussed and debated across time. Puritans believed that God had already predetermined our destinies and there was nothing we could do about it. This is false doctrine. Though Adam and Eve suffered consequences for their breaking of God’s law in partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, none of these consequences is eternal. They became mortal and were thrust out of the presence of God; consequences that each of us suffer as well. However, these consequences are reversed through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The rest of the choices we make in our own lives, however, will determine our judgment in our next life. We will be judged according to our own sins and not for Adam’s.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. As a son of God and a mortal mother, He held power over death. It was His calling to take upon Himself the sins of mankind, something which no mere mortal was capable of. He was then called to die, which He did willingly, having power over death, but choosing to forfeit His life. He then had the power to take His life up again, which He did, gaining the keys over death and hell. By gaining this power, Christ also gained the right to determine who would qualify for the saving power of His Atonement, which gave men the opportunity to become cleansed and perfected. The terms that Jesus Christ has set for access to the power of His Atonement are obedience and repentance. We will all continue to make mistakes, but if we do our best to obey and to receive the ordinances of His gospel, He has promised to extend the cleansing power of His Atonement to us.

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.

Since we must be obedient and receive the ordinances of Christ’s gospel to have acccess to His Atonement, it is important we know how to do that. The first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is faith that Christ is our Savior and the Son of God. If we have this faith, we must act on it and repent of our sins. Once we have made the decision to repent, we must receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. Baptism by immersion, which is how John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ Himself, is the first ordinance of the gospel. Confirmation, or the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, is a companion ordinance to baptism. One without the other is ineffective and is void. One must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the baptism by fire spoken of in the New Testament. After receiving these ordinances, one must continue in faith and obedience to the temple, where the further necessary ordinances are given to the faithful and obedient followers of Jesus Christ.

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.

Authority is something that was lost after the original Twelve Apostles died. This authority was lost from the earth as a consequence of the wickedness of men. While portions of the gospel remained on the earth and spread to its people, the authority to act in God’s name was lost. This authority was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith in 1830 by those who last held it in its fulness on the earth: John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. The priesthood is the power and authority to act in God’s name. The Prophet Joseph Smith was called of God to receive this power and to extend it to other worthy men on the earth. The Lord has promised that this power will never again leave the earth before He comes again. All those who claim to preach His gospel must hold this authority.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

Jesus Christ organized His church while He was on the earth. Much of this organization is discussed in the New Testament. When He restored the gospel’s fulness through Joseph Smith, the church was organized in the same way because it was still His church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized after the manner of Jesus Christ today, with a prophet, apostles, teachers, etc.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

The gifts of the spirit are spoken of extensively in the Bible, and they were very important to the members of the Early Church. However, these gifts were lost when the priesthood was lost from the earth. These gifts were restored when the priesthood was restored. Many Latter-day Saints (or Mormons) today will testify of personal experiences with these gifts. Miraculous healings through priesthood blessings are not uncommon. Many Mormon missionaries will testify to the gift of tongues that they have momentarily been blessed with. Visions, revelations, and prophecy are also fruits of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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.

Many people think that Mormons do not believe in the Bible, but only in the Book of Mormon. This is untrue. Mormons believe the Bible to be the word of God, but they recognize that many plain and precious truths were lost from the book over hundreds of years. Sometimes these truths were lost due to the designs of evil men, sometimes they were lost through translation and the transmission of texts. God preserved another ancient record of the dealings of Jesus Christ with another ancient people in the Americas. This record was hidden thousands of years ago and was brought forth by the power of God to Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith then translated this record, by the power of God, and it was published as the Book of Mormon. It is a second testament that Jesus is the Christ, and it contains many of the plain and precious truths which had been lost from the Bible.

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.

In addition to the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Latter-day Saints accept modern revelation as scripture as well. A modern prophet has led the church since its organization in 1830. There have been sixteen prophets, each of whom has been called of God to be His mouthpiece on the earth today. God speaks to a prophet today just as He did anciently, and modern revelation is even more important to the church of Jesus Christ than ancient scripture.

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.

Mormons stand apart from other Christians in several ways, but a key difference is in the literal interpretation of many scriptures which others take to be figurative. Mormon doctrine teaches that the Jews (or Israel) will literally be gathered together again on the earth before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They also believe that the scriptures are literal when they talk about the cleansing of the earth and its ultimate exaltation.

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.

The history of the Mormons is full of persecution and ill treatment for their practice of their beliefs and religion. Joseph Smith felt the Constitution of the United States to be a divinely inspired document, and he had complete faith in the laws of the land. When the early Saints were so heavily persecuted, it was against the laws of the land, but they were persecuted anyway. Joseph Smith continually appealed to the law for protection, because he felt the practice of religion to be an inherent right, as it was defined in the U.S. Constitution. He forced his religion on no person, but recognized that the freedom to worship belonged equally to those who disagreed with him as to those who believed him.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Joseph Smith’s upholding of the law and adherence to its principles is a testament to his faith in law. Mormon doctrine teaches all members of the Mormon Church, all around the world, to follow the laws of the land in which they live. Though the law of God will always trump the law of the land, for the most part the laws of the lands we live in today are sound and should be respected.

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.

Mormons are taught to be obedient to the law of the land as well as to the law of God, but they are also encouraged to be joyful and happy. They should lead moral lives and should seek out the good things of this world, building up the kingdom of God and reaching out to others along their way.