Victor R. Claveau, MJ
In 1963, Wilford C. Wood, published a two-volume work entitled Joseph Smith begins his work.
Volume one contained a facsimile of the original Book of Mormon; volume two contained the original publications of The Book of Commandments. The Doctrine and Covenants, The Lectures on Faith, and the Fourteen Articles of Faith.[1]
In a preface to the Articles of Faith, Wood wrote:
“The Articles of Faith in this volume are the most complete record of the seven [copies] that have been found in the old published records. These articles of Faith contain four of the most vital doctrines taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. In Article 4, it refers to the most sacred ordinance so necessary after baptism and confirmation, The Lord’s Supper. In Article 7 it refers to powers & gifts and that most important gift used so much by the Master, Discernment of Spirits. In Article 9, it refers to that great event, Messiah’s Second Coming. Number 11 in this Articles of Faith refers to the literal resurrection of the rest of the body that the dead in Christ will rise first and that the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years are expired. This Articles of Faith numbers 14. It is easy to believe that these most important principles were taught and believed in by the Prophet Joseph Smith in his great work of restoring the fullness of the Gospel in this last dispensation.”
As noted above, originally published, there were 14 articles of faith.
The Original Fourteen Articles of Faith:
1. We believe in God the eternal Father, and 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 transgressions.
3. 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 these ordinances are: 1st, Faith 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 Spirit; 5th, The Lord’s Supper.
5. We believe that men must be called of God by inspiration, and by laying on of hands by those who are duly commissioned to preach the Gospel, and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
7. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel, viz., the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, etc,
8. We believe in the Word of God recorded in the Bible; we also believe the Word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in all other good books.
9. We believe all that God has revealed; all that he does now reveal; and we believe that he will yet reveal many more great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, and Messiah’s second coming.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten tribes; that Zion will be established upon the western continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand years; and that the earth will be renewed, and receive its paradisaicaI glory,
11. We believe in the literal resurrection of the body, and that the dead in Christ will rise first, and that the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years are expired.
12. We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience unmolested, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how or where they may.
13. We believe in being subject to kings, queens, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
14. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, temperate, benevolent, virtuous, and upright, 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 very many things,’ and hope to be able to ‘endure all things.’ Everything virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report, we seek after, looking forward to the ‘recompense of reward.’
JOSEPH SMITH
Today the Mormon Church publishes thirteen Articles of Faith.
The Thirteen 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 ordinances of 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 in 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, prophecy, 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, 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 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 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 be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Changes to the Articles of Faith are in bold
Article 4 was originally published as: “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 Spirit; fifth, The Lord’s Supper.”
Article 5 was originally published as: “This was originally published as: We believe that a man must be called of God, by inspiration, and by the laying on of hands by those who are duly commissioned, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”
Article 6 was originally published as: “We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.”
Article 7 was originally published as: “We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel, viz., the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love. Etc.”
Article 8 was originally published as: “We believe in the Word of God recorded in the Bible; we also believe the Word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in all other good books.”
Article 9 was originally published as: “We believe all that God has revealed; all that he does now reveal; and we believe that he will yet reveal many more great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, and Messiah’s second coming.
Article 10 was originally published as: “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be established upon the western continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand years; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.”
Article 11 was originally published as #12: “We believe in the literal resurrection of the body, and that the dead in Christ will rise first and that the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years are expired.”
This was originally published as #12: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, unmolested, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how or where they may.”
This was originally published as #13: “We believe in being subject to kings, queens, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
This was originally published as: Article 14, “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, temperate 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 very many things,’ and hope to be able to endure all things’ Everything virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report, we seek after, looking forward to the recompense of reward.”
[1] Wilford C. Wood, Joseph Smith Begins His Work, (Wilford C. Wood, Publisher), 1958.