Thirteen summaries of my beliefs

The following are known as "The Articles of Faith", and was originially written in 1840 by the first president of the Church and prophet Joseph Smith. A journalist asked the Prophet about the church beliefs, and what he wrote is sometimes referred to as "the Wentworth letter".

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 ordinaces of the Gospel. (Gospel = good news)

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinaces 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 worshipping 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.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

In addition to the Bible, which virtually all Christians study, we have an additional book of scripture - the Book of Mormon. In short, the Book of Mormon is a sacred book of scripture, as is the Bible, but it was written in the ancient Americas. The Bible was written on the other side of the world. Their purpose is to help us grow closer to God, by following His teachings, and as a result receive the blessings that He wishes to give us.

Good-intentioned people who believe that any other scriptures besides the Bible are not legit sometimes quote the following from the Bible: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book (Revelation 22:18). It should be noted that similiar scriptures are found much earlier in the Bible (in Deuterononomy 4:2, and 12:32). If the above interpretation is correct, none of the books after Deuteronomy would be of God. That's just not right!

The Book of Mormon doesn't add or take away from the gospel (which means "good news") of Jesus Christ. Rather, it is another witness of His divinity.

To give an example of what I'm saying, imagine you are in court because you were accused of a crime you didn't commit. Let's say there are two witnesses there who can prove your innocence. It'd be weird if after the first witness spoke to prove your innocence, the judge said to the other witness "Sorry, we only want to hear one witness speak."

The Book of Mormon doesn't compete with the Bible at all. It is another witness of Jesus Christ. It has significantly helped me in my life through hardships I have gone through, and it has helped me learn more about why I am here on earth, and other great things like that. For a free copy, you can visit http://www.mormon.org/

Two scriptures that increase my appreciation for Jesus Christ

The first scripture is from the Bible, and the other is from the Book of Mormon.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  -John 3:16

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember, that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."  -Mosiah 2:41

Where can you get more information?

You can watch brief videos online, such as www.mormon.org, or you can go to www.youtube.com and type in Mormon Messages in the search engine.

These links can lead you to videos that address questions like:

-Where did I come from before coming here to earth?
-Why am I here?
-Where will I go after this life?
-etc.

You can also browse those sites for other great information. My life is much better because the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has helped me tremendously through good and bad times.

What makes Mormons different from other Christians?

Here's a true story to help explain a possible answer to my question.

An English gentleman, who was a member of the House of Commons and a former justice of the supreme court of Britain, became friends with a Mormon attorney named Hugh B. Brown. Shortly before World War II broke out in 1939, the English gentleman had asked brother Brown to come into his office and defend his religious beliefs in the same way that he would discuss a legal problem. Brother Brown recalled the following:

Brother Brown: May I proceed, sir, on the assumption that you are a Christian?
English gentleman: I am.
B.B.: I assume that you believe in the Bible-the Old and New Testaments?
E.G.: I do!
The English Gentleman said that he believed the biblical accounts of the Lord speaking to prophets. However, he maintained that such communication had stopped soon after the Resurrection of Christ. The conversation continued with another question from Brother Brown: "Why do you think it stopped?"
E.G.: I can't say.
B.B.: You think that God hasn't spoken since then?
E.G.: Not to my knowledge.
B.B.: May I suggest some possible reasons why he has not spoken. Perhaps it is because he cannot. He has
lost the power.
E.G.: Of course that would be blasphemous.
B.B.: Well, then, if you don't accept that, perhaps he doesn't speak to men because he doesn't love us anymore. He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.
E.G.: No, God loves all men, and he is no respecter of persons.
B.B.: Well, then,...the only other possible answer as I see it is that we don't need him. We have made such
rapid strides in education and science that we don't need God anymore.
E.G.: (his voice trembled as he thought of impending war) Mr. Brown, there was never a time in the history of
the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why he doesn't speak.
B.B.: He does speak, he has spoken; but men need faith to hear him.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1967, 117-118).

Imagine how much this can bless your life. Thanks for reading!