Beliefs of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
Articles of Faith
In 1842 Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter-day Saint religion (sometimes erroneously called Mormonism), wrote what has come to be called the Wentworth letter and included in it a list of thirteen of the basic beliefs of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. These are known in the Church of Jesus Christ as the Articles of Faith and can now be found in scripture. These thirteen articles briefly outline the basic principles and beliefs of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Below is a summary (for complete text see Articles of Faith):
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that the Godhead consists of three persons: God the Father, His literal son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that men and women are accountable for their own sins. While Latter-day Saints acknowledge the Fall of Adam and Eve, they do not believe in the idea of Original Sin (the notion that all mankind is cursed because of Adam and is born sinful).
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ states that all men and and women can be saved (restored to the presence of God) through the Atonement of Jesus Christ if they will obey the will of God and receive the necessary Ordinances.
- The foundation of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ rests on having Faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of one's sins, being baptized by immersion to be washed clean from sin, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by having hands laid on one's head and being confirmed a member of Christ's church.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that God grants men authority to act in his name. Such men, however must be called by Him, through prophecy or revelation, and must be ordained by having hands laid upon their heads by men who already have authority from God (see Priesthood) to administer in His name.
- In accordance with the organization of the New Testament church, the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by "apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth." Through this hierarchy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can look after all of its members in an organized way.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues (being able to speak and understand other languages), prophesying, receiving revelations and visions, being able to heal and be healed, and all the miracles spoken of in the Bible are still given to worthy men and women. In The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, miracles have not ceased.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the truthfulness of the Bible, but acknowledges that some errors have entered it because of the difficulty of transmission and translation. Latter-day Saints also believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ believes that God reveals His will to mankind. He did so during biblical times, and Latter-day Saints believe He continues to do so. They also believe He will continue to reveal His will concerning the building of His kingdom.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that they are of the House of Israel and that all Israel will be brought back from its dispersion. Latter-day Saints believe that the Jews will be physically gathered to the Holy Land, and that the law will go forth from Jerusalem during the Millennium. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ states that Zion, or "New Jerusalem," (the place of gathering for many from the other tribes) will be on the American continent. Latter-day Saints also believe that when Jesus Christ returns to the earth He will personally reign as king and will cleanse the earth.
- Latter-day Saints believe in religious tolerance. They claim the right to worship as they see fit and allow others to do the same.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches its members to be honest, law-abiding citizens of whatever country they live in.
- The restored gospel of Jesus Christ believes in being honest, loyal, modest, kind, virtuous, and in doing good to all people. Latter-day Saints seeks to follow God's will with hope and endurance. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ respects and admires that which is virtuous, lovely, and praiseworthy.
Eternal Families
In 1995, the current leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ issued a statement to the world about the importance of family. This is known as The Family: A Proclamation to the World and outlines beliefs of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ regarding the sanctity of marriage and family relations.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe that all men and women are the children of God, that He is their spiritual Father. Latter-day Saints often refer to God as their "Father in Heaven" and seek to have a personal relationship with Him and His son, Jesus Christ, through prayer and proper living. As children of God, every man and woman has potential and purpose.
The restored gospel of Jesus Christ holds that gender is an essential characteristic of a person's identity. This implies that a person's spirit has a gender which is eternal and cannot be altered. The differences between genders is divinely instituted so that men and women complement each other in life and in marriage.
Marriage, to Latter-day Saints, is "ordained of God" and is considered a sacred union between a man and woman. Couples ought to be legally wedded by the proper authority. If a relationship is to work out and provide a positive atmosphere for raising children it must have a firm foundation. Living together without the commitment which marriage entails is not a strong enough foundation.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ also believe that, when sealed by the proper authority in one of the temples, marriages and family relationships can be eternal.
See also
