Articles of Faith of Mormonism

In 1842, Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. was asked by John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, what the basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially known, were. Joseph responded by writing down what became known as the Articles of Faith, which included thirteen points of basic Mormon doctrine. They were canonized as scripture by the Church and are a good summarization of Mormon theology. They are as follows:

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 that 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 paradisiacal 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.

Some of these may need a bit of explanation for someone unfamiliar with Mormon doctrine.

1. Mormons do not believe in the traditional view of the Trinity as three different manifestations of one divine being. Rather, Mormons believe that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings with identical purpose.
2. Mormon doctrine teaches the gift of agency, or free will, is eternal. We make our own decisions and will be held accountable for them. While we suffer the effects of the fall of Adam, we are redeemed from those effects by the Atonement of Jesus Christ; thus we suffer no eternal consequences for Adam’s transgression.
3. Mormons do not believe alone in grace or alone in works. Mormon doctrine teaches man can do nothing of himself to be saved, but that through the Atonement we all have the opportunity to be saved, if we choose to follow the commandments of God. Thus, we are saved by grace after all we can do.
4. There are many essential ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but the four basic are faith in Jesus Christ, repentance for our sins through the Atonement of the Savior, baptism by authority and in the manner Christ designated it (by immersion in water), and confirmation, where we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. The Mormon Church is unique in its claim to authority from God. Joseph Smith was called by God and was given the priesthood by those who last held it: Peter, James, and John. Thus each male member of the Church who receives the priesthood can trace his line of authority directly back to Christ. Only those who are called by this power have the authority to act in God’s name on this earth.
6. The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ was brought about through Joseph Smith, but Jesus Christ is at the head. He organized His church when He lived on the earth, and He restored it and organized it in the same way.
7. All gifts of the spirit and miracles are brought about through the power of God and through His priesthood.
8. Mormons believe in the Bible, though many people are not aware of this. However, Mormons believe that many plain and precious truths were lost from the Bible over millennia. These truths are restored through the Book of Mormon, and through other modern-day revelation.
9. Mormons believe that the heavens are open, and thus also have an open canon. The current prophet and president of the Church is the mouthpiece of God, and what he speaks is scripture. Mormon doctrine teaches that God will reveal to His children what is needful for them to know in their time and place.
10. Latter-day Saints believe that before the Second Coming of the Savior, which they believe to be literal, the twelve tribes of Israel will be physically gathered.
11. Mormon doctrine recognizes the rights of each individual to worship according to their own understandings and desires (as long as this does not infringe on the rights of others).
12. Latter-day Saints are encouraged to serve their governments loyally and to follow the laws of the land, as long as both of these coincide with the higher law of God.
13. Mormons are taught the doctrine of being good people and good Christians, loving their fellowman and seeking after all good things.