Articles of Faith 1

Chapter Overview

What happens in Articles of Faith 1

The Articles of Faith are thirteen statements of belief written by the Prophet Joseph Smith on March 1, 1842, in a letter to John Wentworth. Though not intended as a comprehensive creed, they provide a concise summary of fundamental Latter-day Saint beliefs regarding the Godhead, the Atonement, ordinances, spiritual gifts, the gathering of Israel, and religious freedom.

Scripture

The Godhead and the Atonement

Study note

The first four articles establish belief in the Godhead as three separate beings, in accountability for personal sin rather than Adam's transgression, in the Atonement of Christ as the means of salvation, and in the first principles and ordinances of the gospel: faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost.

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

Authority, Organization, and Spiritual Gifts

Study note

Articles 5 through 7 affirm the necessity of divine calling and priesthood authority, describe the same organization that existed in the primitive church, and declare belief in the gifts of the Spirit such as tongues, prophecy, revelation, and healing.

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. 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. 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. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

Scripture, Revelation, and the Gathering of Israel

Study note

Articles 8 through 10 declare the Bible and Book of Mormon to be the word of God, affirm ongoing revelation, and describe the literal gathering of Israel, the restoration of the Ten Tribes, and the building of Zion on the American continent.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Agency, Government, and Virtuous Living

Study note

The final articles affirm the right to worship God according to one's own conscience, uphold obedience to civil government, and exhort believers to seek after everything that is virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Key Themes

Themes in Articles of Faith 1

The distinct nature of the three members of the GodheadPersonal accountability and the Atonement of ChristPriesthood authority and divine callingContinuing revelation and open canon of scriptureThe literal gathering of Israel in the last daysReligious liberty and pursuit of virtue

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Articles of Faith 1:1 John 17:3

Jesus' prayer distinguishing the Father and the Son as separate beings aligns with the first article's declaration of belief in God the Eternal Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Articles of Faith 1:2 Ezekiel 18:20

Ezekiel's teaching that 'the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father' supports the second article's declaration that individuals are accountable for their own sins, not Adam's transgression.

Articles of Faith 1:5 Hebrews 5:4

The author of Hebrews declares that no man takes the honor of priesthood unto himself except when called of God, as was Aaron — directly echoing the fifth article.

Articles of Faith 1:10 Acts 1:11

The angels' promise that Jesus will return 'in like manner as ye have seen him go' supports the tenth article's declaration of Christ's personal reign on earth.

Articles of Faith 1:13 Philippians 4:8

Paul's admonition to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report is nearly identical to the language of the thirteenth article of faith.

Apply This Today

Living Articles of Faith 1

The Articles of Faith provide a clear, accessible framework for understanding and explaining Latter-day Saint beliefs. They remind us that faith should be both deeply held and clearly articulated. The thirteenth article's counsel to seek after things that are 'virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy' is a timeless guide for choosing what we consume, create, and share. These statements also affirm the compatibility of deep religious conviction with respect for others' right to worship freely.

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