Each religion or denomination has a governing doctrine, usually found in the “What We Believe” section of their official documents (whether online or in printed form). The Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), more commonly known as the Mormons, has its own Articles of Faith, adopted into law in the late 19th-century. These articles of faith concisely capture central LDS teachings.
What Do the Articles of Faith of the Latter-Day Saints Say?
The Articles of Faith of the Latter-Day Saints 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.
Who Wrote the Articles of Faith of the Latter-Day Saints?
The Articles of Faith for the Latter-Day Saints were written by Mormonism’s founder, Joseph Smith, in 1842. The Articles of Faith describe their elementary teachings and practices and can be found in The Pearl of Great Price.
What Is the History Behind the Articles of Faith of the Latter-Day Saints?
The Mormons were organized as a religion in 1830. In 1842, John Wentworth of the Chicago Democrat weekly publication requested a summary of the Mormon doctrine and history from Joseph Smith. The article went unprinted but was published in 1842 as Church History in the Mormon newsletter Times and Seasons. Known as the Wentworth Letter, the manuscript outlines the “‘rise, progress, persecution, and faith’ of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS).” The document concludes with the thirteen articles of faith. A former Latter-Day Saints elder explained the articles “teach the essential doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are among the most important and certainly the most concise statements of doctrine in the Church.”
It is common for the younger members of LDS to memorize these thirteen articles and use them when speaking to others about their faith. And though they are not comprehensive, the thirteen articles provide a close look at the LDS belief system.
Are the Articles of Faith of the Latter-Day Saints Biblical?
Some of the statements made in the Articles of Faith seem to fit the Bible’s teachings, and Mormons have always maintained their beliefs are consistent with Scripture. When contemplating the Latter-Day Saints’ beliefs, Christians should bear these things in mind:
1. Mormons base their salvation on works. Article 3 indicates obedience is necessary for salvation. This contrasts with “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
2. Article 4 declares baptism is necessary for salvation and that a believer must have hands laid upon them to receive the Holy Spirit (they call Him the Holy Ghost.) But Scripture tells us in Acts 10:44-48, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and Galatians 3:2 that we receive the Holy Spirit when we repent and believe (have faith).
3. Article 8 gives the same credence to the Book of the Mormon as to the Bible. In addition to The Book of Mormon, Mormons revere the texts Doctrines and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. The canon of the Bible is complete, and no supposed vision supersedes what God has given to us through His Word (Galatians 1:8; Colossians 2:18-19; 2 Peter 1:16-21). There exist no other Scriptures or authoritative words to us outside of the Bible.
4. Mormons do not make much of the cross. Without the cross, there is no Resurrection, and our faith would be in vain, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:12-21.
5. Article 6 states the office of the Apostles still exists. This cannot be, for an Apostle is defined as one foundational in building the church. No other foundation is to be laid (Ephesians 2:19-20). An Apostle was also defined as having had direct contact with Jesus Christ and was an eyewitness to Jesus’ Resurrection (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:8). The Apostles were chosen by Jesus, from Jesus’ baptism until Jesus’ ascension. The exception is Paul, who saw the risen Christ and who appointed Paul for his role. According to Ligonier ministries, “An apostle, in biblical terms, is a plenipotentiary of his master. He speaks with all the authority of the one he represents. It was necessary for God to establish a band of such men in order to ensure the writing of the New Testament and to lay the foundations of the church. Foundations once laid do not need to be laid again. Pastors and teachers in the church today do have authority, but they do not have the same degree of authority as the original apostles.”
In conclusion, the Articles of Faith of the Latter-Day Saints are not biblical. They contain some good moral direction (articles 12 and 13), some right beliefs (article 1), but overall, their beliefs amount to heretical teachings. Like many cults (and Walter Ralston Martin and others have defined Mormonism as a cult), these doctrines often infuse a little truth with many ideas counter to the Scriptures.
Further Reading:
Is the Book of Mormon Credible?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/LizzieMaher
