Articles of Faith:1

Recently I have felt the need to do this, but have not got around to it until now. Over the past few years, there has a lot of hype in the media on the subject of Mormonism. With Latter-day Saints (commonly called "Mormons") appearing on television, competing in the Olympics, and even running for President of the United States, it seems that more and more of us are coming out of the wood-work. 

I would hope that those questioning what Mormons truly believe in go to a true source - an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - and not to hearsay and opinions found across the web.

To clear things up for anyone who happens to come across my blog, I thought I would share a sketch of our basic beliefs in hopes of educating people on what we truly believe.This will be the first in a series of posts which will outline what is called the Articles of Faith. These Articles outline the core beliefs of our religion.

Children in the church  are encouraged between the ages of 8 and11 to memorize all thirteen Articles of Faith. This provides them with a sound base to build upon as they grow and mature. I remember memorizing them at a young age, and although I did not understand all the language and meaning of them until much later, they were by then solidified in my mind.

A Brief History
"The Prophet [Joseph Smith] was often asked to explain the teachings and practices of Mormonism. “John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, asked Joseph Smith to provide him with a sketch of ‘the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-Day Saints.’” Mr. Wentworth, originally from New Hampshire, desired this information to help a friend compile a history of his native state. “Joseph complied with this request and sent Wentworth a multi-page document containing an account of many of the early events in the history of the Restoration, including the First Vision and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. The document also contained thirteen statements outlining Latter-day Saint beliefs, which have come to be known as the Articles of Faith.” The information sent to Wentworth was not published in the Chicago Democrat, but in the Church newspaper, Times and Seasons, published in March of 1842. “In 1851 the Articles of Faith were included in the first edition of the Pearl of Great Price published in the British Mission. After the Pearl of Great Price was revised in 1878 and canonized in 1880, the Articles of Faith became official doctrine of the Church.”" - - L. Tom Perry

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

First and foremost, we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declare that we believe in God, whom we often refer to as our Heavenly Father, for he is the Father of our spirits. We also declare that we believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who came to this earth, atoned for our sins, gave up his life, and rose again on the third day that we might all live again eternally.

Many have said that Mormons are not Christians, and this is something I simply do not understand. While some of our beliefs may differ from other Christian faiths, we most definitely believe in Christ. He is at the core of our faith.

Members of the Church also declare through this statement that we believe the Godhead to be comprised of three separate Beings. To put it best, I will quote one of the General Authorities of the Church, Jeffrey R. Holland:

"We believe these three divine persons constituting a single Godhead are united in purpose, in manner, in testimony, in mission. We believe Them to be filled with the same godly sense of mercy and love, justice and grace, patience, forgiveness, and redemption. I think it is accurate to say we believe They are one in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance."


Watch for more posts to come on the Articles of Faith.
Questions and comments are welcome, I only ask that they are respectful.