Mormons
Pick one:
Articles of Faith
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son,
Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins,
and not for Adam's transgression.
- We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all
mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinancesof
the Gospel.
- 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.
- 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 the ordinances thereof.
- We believe in the same organization that existed in
the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets , pastors,
teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophesy, revelation,
visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
- 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.
- We believe all that God has revealed, and that He does
now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many
great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of
God.
- We believe in the literal gathering of Isreal and in
the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New
Jerusalem) will be built on the American continent; that
Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that
the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal
glory.
- 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.
- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers,
and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining
the law.
- 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 endure all things. If there is anything virtuous,
lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after
these things.
By Joseph Smith
Basic Beliefs of the RLDS Church
What do you use for scriptures?
The RLDS Church recognizes three books of scripture: The
Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.
We believe in continuing revelation and an open canon of
scripture.
OUR FAITH AND BELIEFS:
GOD:
God is the eternal Creator, the source of love, life,
and truth. All things exist and have their being in God.
God alone is worthy of our worship. God actively loves and
cares for each person.
CHRIST:
Jesus Christ is "God with us," the Son of God,
and the living expression of God in the flesh. Jesus Christ
lived, was crucified, died, and rose again. The nature,
love, and purpose of God are most clearly seen in Jesus
Christ, our Savior.
SPIRIT:
The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of God in the
world. The Spirit works in our minds and hearts through
intelligence, comfort, guidance, love, and power to sustain
and inspire us. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are One.
SALVATION:
God loves us even though we are sinful. Through the ministry
of Christ and the Holy Spirit we are able to turn to God
and to receive the gift of salvation and eternal life. Those
who accept the gospel are called to respond to Christ though
baptism and by becoming committed disciples. As individuals
exercise faith in Christ, and mold their lives to his example
and teachings, they become new people.
THE CHURCH:
The church, as the body of Christ, is the means through
which the ministry of Christ continues in the world today.
It is a community of people that seeks to bring God's love
to all through compassionate ministry, worship, and witness.
The church proclaims the gospel through word and action
and administers the sacraments through which Christ is revealed.
REVELATION:
The process through which God reveals divine will and
love is called revelation. God continues to reveal today
as in the past. God is revealed to us through scripture,
the faith community, prayer, nature, and in human history.
SCRIPTURE:
The scriptures provide divine guidance and inspired insight
for life when responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied.
The Bible is the central book of scripture for the church.
The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are additional
witnesses of the love of God and the ministry of Christ.
SACRAMENTS:
The sacraments express the continuing life and ministry
of Christ through the church. They provide meaningful worship
experiences and symbols to establish or reaffirm our covenant
(commitment) to God in response to God's grace. The sacraments
of the church are: Blessing of Children Baptism Confirmation
of Membership The Lord's Supper (Communion) Marriage Administration
to the Sick Ordination to the Priesthood Evangelists Blessing.
HUMAN WORTH:
God loves each of us equally and unconditionally. All
persons have great worth and should be respected as creations
of God with basic human rights. The willingness to love
others is essential to faithfulness to the gospel of Christ.
ALL CALLED:
All people are given gifts and abilities to enhance life
and to become involved in Christ's mission. Some are called
to particular responsibility as ordained ministers (priesthood)
in the church. The church provides for a wide range of priesthood
ministries through calling and ordination of men and women.
FREE CHOICE:
All people have freedom to choose. Our choices bring real
consequences - good and evil - to our lives, to the lives
of others, and to our environment. Commitment to Christ,
sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and participation in the
faith community help us to make responsible choices that
enhance human life and respect creation.
STEWARDSHIP:
All things were created by God and should be used for
the purposes of God. Stewardship is the wise management
of gifts and resources to enrich personal, family, congregational,
and community life. Wise stewardship of natural resources
is a critical concern.
THE KINGDOM:
God's kingdom is present wherever people acknowledge the
lordship of God over life, relationships, and creation.
The full coming of the Kingdom awaits the final victory
over evil when divine rule is established and justice, peace,
and righteousness prevail.
ZION:
The "cause of Zion" expresses our commitment
to pursuing God's kingdom through the establishment of Christ-centered
communities in families, congregations, neighborhoods, cities,
and throughout the world.
PEACE:
Because of our commitment to Christ and our belief in
the power of community and the worth of all people, we are
compelled to spend ourselves in the pursuit of justice and
peace.
RESURRECTION:
God conserves and renews life. This truth is revealed
in the resurrection of Jesus Christ which is a sign of God's
ultimate victory over death. We find hope and courage for
living through the resurrection of Christ. By the power
of God in Christ, people move from death into life. Through
resurrection, God transforms individuals, bringing them
into the fullness of eternal life.
JUDGMENT:
Our eternal destiny is determined by God according to
divine wisdom and love, and according to our response to
God's call to us. God's judgment is just and is primarily
concerned about the kind of people we have become in relation
to the potential of our lives.
ENDTIME:
God is acting in history to reconcile all aspects of creation
to divine purpose. The meaning and end to which history
moves is revealed in Christ. The ultimate victory of righteousness
and peace over injustice, evil, and sin is assured because
of the unfailing love of God and the conviction that Christ
is coming again.
What are the differences between
the RLDS and LDS (Mormon) faiths?
Both faiths recognize Joseph Smith, Jr. as founder. However,
when Joseph Jr. was killed in 1844, the church found itself
in a state of confusion and disorganization for several
years. Thus, a number of factions developed. One group moved
west to the Great Salt Lake Valley (Utah) under the direction
of Brigham Young. This group is now known as the Mormons.
Other members believed that Joseph Smith, Jr. had designated
his eldest son, Joseph III, to be his successor as president/prophet
of the church. This group remained in the midwest and became
known as the "Reorganization." The Reorganized
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints was officially
organized on April 6, 1860, at Amboy, Illinois, under the
leadership of Joseph Smith III. Since 1920, the church has
been headquartered in Independence, Missouri.
"Epitome of Faith" (1993AD)
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
men may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances
of the gospel.
4. We believe that these ordinances are: (1st) Faith in
God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. (2nd) Repentance. (3rd)
Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. (4th) Laying
on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (5th) We believe
in the resurrection of the body; that the dead in Christ
will rise first, and the rest of the dead will not live
again until the thousand years are expired. (6th) We believe
in the doctrine of eternal judgment which provides that
men shall be judged, rewarded or punished, according to
the degree of good or evil they shall have done.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God and ordained
by the laying on of hands of those who are in authority,
to
entitle him to preach the gospel and administer in the
ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same kind of organization that existed
in the primitive church, viz: apostles, prophets, pastors,
teachers, evangelists, etc.
7. We believe that in the Bible is contained the Word
of God, so far as it is translated correctly. We believe
the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God.
8. We believe that the canon of Scripture is not full,
but that God, by His Spirit will continue to reveal His
word to men until the end of time.
9. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting
gospel, viz: the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy,
revelation, healing, visions, tongues and the interpretation
of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, etc.
10. We believe that marriage is ordained of God, and that
the law of God provides for but one companion in wedlock,
except in cases where the contract of marriage is broken
by death or transgression.
11. We believe that in all matters of controversy upon
the duty of man toward God, and in reference to preparation
and fitness for the world to come, the Word of God should
be decisive and the end of dispute; and that when God directs,
man should obey.
12. We believe that the religion of Jesus Christ as taught
in the New Testament Scriptures will (if its precepts are
accepted and obeyed) make men and women better in the domestic
circle, and better citizens of town, county, and state,
and consequently better fitted for the change which comes
at death.
13. We believe that men should worship God in "spirit
and in truth," and that such worship does not require
a violation of the constitutional law of the land.
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