These are the thirteen core beliefs that I choose as sign posts along the path I am seeking in my life. I find them very comforting. Many people think "Mormons" are very different from everyone else and many times think we aren't even Christian... I think the sooner we learn that no one question is wrong and no one answer is right for everyone, the sooner we can learn to live together in harmony. What do you think?
13 Articles of Faith
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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.
Jessica, I think everyone should be honored and respected for any belief they may or may not have. Many religious and history classes I have taken taught about wars caused by religious beliefs. I truly believe if everyone respected others for just being themselves and were open to learning about different beliefs, the world would be a more peaceful place. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post! I couldn't agree with you more about the negative views people have about Mormons or other religions, but that's all just ignorance. People don't like what they don't understand. In high school a lot of my friends were mormons, as well as my favorite teachers. For me, I don't think of people who have different beliefs than me as being weird, I find it fascinating. I am interested in learning about what everybody can bring to the table. If everybody felt the same about everything we wouldn't need democracy!
ReplyDeleteJess
ReplyDeletewhat a great post! I really enjoyed it. Its amazing how much ignorance and avoidance is related to religion.
Tolerance is severely underrated in our society and if peopel were more open to learning about one anothers culture and beliefs I too beleive there'd be less strife in this world
THANKS FOR SHARING
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your articles of faith with us. As I read through them, I saw that Mormonism is not very different from the religion that I was taught as a child. I'm glad to see that tolerance of other religions is one of your sign posts in life. I also feel that it is important to allow others the freedom to worship as they wish. I personally think that tolerance is a sign of a true Christian.
Jenn Stone