"Keep Holy the Sacred Rites of the Lord. Defile them not. Let not the plan be changed. Heed not man's self-righteousness nor those who set themselves to be great, for victory comes through humility and obedience to the Christ, the Lord." Message 64:13
ARTICLES OF FAITH AND PRACTICE
1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, who only is Supreme; Creator of the Universe;
Ruler and Judge of all; unchangeable and without respect of persons.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ the manifestation of God in the flesh, who lived, suffered
and died for all mankind; who we own as our Leader, Witness and Commander.
3. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which searcheth
the deep things of God, brings to our minds things which are past, reveals
things to come, and is the medium by which we receive the revelation of Jesus Christ.
4. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's
transgression, and that as a consequence of the atonement of Christ "all little
children are alive in Christ, and also those that are without the Law. For the
power of redemption cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is
not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent, and unto
such, baptism availeth nothing." (Moroni 8:22)
5. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all men may be saved by obedience
to the Laws and Ordinances of the Gospel; viz: Faith in God and in the Lord
Jesus Christ; Repentance and Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
Laying on of Hands for: (a) Ordination, (b) Blessing of Children (c) Confirmation
and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17) (d) Healing of the sick.
6. We believe in the literal second coming and Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ; in
the Resurrection of the Dead, and in Eternal Judgment; that men will be rewarded
or punished according to the good or evil they may have done.
7. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel: viz: the word of
wisdom; the word of knowledge; the gift of faith; the gift of healing; working
of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits; divers kinds of tongues;
interpretation of tongues.
8. We believe the fruits of the Spirit to be love, joy, peace, long suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
9. We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God; that the Record of
the Nephites is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the
"fullness of the gospel."
10. We believe in the principle of continuous revelation; that the canon of Scripture
is not full, that God inspires men in every age and among all people, that He
speaks when, where, and through whom he may choose.
11. We believe that where there are six or more regularly baptized members, one of whom
is an elder, there the Church exists with full power of church extension when
acting in harmony with the Law of God.
12. We believe that a man must be called of God by revelation and ordained by those
having authority, to enable him to preach the Gospel and administer the
Ordinances thereof.
13. We believe in the same Church organization as existed in the time of Christ and His
apostles. The highest office in the Church is that of an apostle, of whom there
are twelve, who constitute special witnesses for Jesus Christ. They have the
Missionary Supervision and the General Watchcare of all the Churches.
14. The primary function of the General Church, of which each local Church is a
component part, is missionary and the building up and extension of the
Kingdom of God in all the world.
15. We believe that Local Churches should govern their own affairs and that General
Church officials should not dominate or interfere therewith. On invitation such
general officers may, with propriety, give counsel and assistance. Local
congregations are subject to The Articles of Faith and Practice and must be
governed thereby.
16. We believe the Church of Christ comprehends the true brotherhood of man where each
esteems his brother as himself and wherein the Divine command to "love your
neighbor as yourself" is demonstrated by the prevalence of social equality.
17. We believe that all men are stewards under God and answerable to Him not only for
the distribution of accumulated wealth, but for the manner in which such wealth
is secured. The primary purpose of stewardship is not the increase of Church
revenue or the mere contribution of money by those who have to those who have
not, but to bring men to a realization of the common fatherhood and the
universal brotherhood of man in all the affairs and expressions of life, and to
maintain such social adjustments that each may enjoy the bounty and gifts of
God, and be free to exercise his talents and ability to enrich the life of all.
18. We believe that men should labor for their own support and that of their dependents.
Ministers of the Gospel are not absolved from this responsibility, but when
chosen or appointed by the Church to devote their entire time to missionary
work, their families are to be provided for out of the General Church fund.
The admonition of Christ that the ministry should not provide purse or
scrip for their journey, but go trusting in God and the people, is applicable.
19. We believe that the temporal affairs of the General Church are to be administered
by the general bishopric under the supervision and direction of the general
conferences of the Church. The temporal affairs of the Local Churches shall be
administered by local bishops under the supervision and direction of the local
congregations.
20. We believe that marriage is ordained of God, and that the Law of God provides for
but one companion in wedlock for either man or woman. In case of breach of
this covenant the innocent one may remarry.
21. We are opposed to war. Men are not justified in taking up arms against their fellows
except as a last resort in defense of their lives and to preserve their liberty.
22. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten lost tribes.
23. We believe a Temple will be built in this generation, in Independence, Missouri,
wherein Christ will reveal Himself and endow His servants whom He chooses with
power to preach the Gospel in all the world to every tongue and people, that the
promise of God to Israel may be fulfilled.
24. We believe that a New Jerusalem shall be built upon this land "unto the remnant of
the seed of Joseph.” (Ether 6:6-8; IIINephi 10:1-4), which shall be built, beginning
at the Temple Lot.
25. We believe the ministry and membership should abstain from the use of tobacco,
intoxicating liquors and narcotics and should not affiliate with any society
which administer oaths or covenants in conflict with the Law of God, or which
interfere with their duties as freemen and citizens.
Ruler and Judge of all; unchangeable and without respect of persons.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ the manifestation of God in the flesh, who lived, suffered
and died for all mankind; who we own as our Leader, Witness and Commander.
3. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which searcheth
the deep things of God, brings to our minds things which are past, reveals
things to come, and is the medium by which we receive the revelation of Jesus Christ.
4. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's
transgression, and that as a consequence of the atonement of Christ "all little
children are alive in Christ, and also those that are without the Law. For the
power of redemption cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is
not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent, and unto
such, baptism availeth nothing." (Moroni 8:22)
5. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all men may be saved by obedience
to the Laws and Ordinances of the Gospel; viz: Faith in God and in the Lord
Jesus Christ; Repentance and Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
Laying on of Hands for: (a) Ordination, (b) Blessing of Children (c) Confirmation
and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17) (d) Healing of the sick.
6. We believe in the literal second coming and Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ; in
the Resurrection of the Dead, and in Eternal Judgment; that men will be rewarded
or punished according to the good or evil they may have done.
7. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel: viz: the word of
wisdom; the word of knowledge; the gift of faith; the gift of healing; working
of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits; divers kinds of tongues;
interpretation of tongues.
8. We believe the fruits of the Spirit to be love, joy, peace, long suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
9. We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God; that the Record of
the Nephites is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the
"fullness of the gospel."
10. We believe in the principle of continuous revelation; that the canon of Scripture
is not full, that God inspires men in every age and among all people, that He
speaks when, where, and through whom he may choose.
11. We believe that where there are six or more regularly baptized members, one of whom
is an elder, there the Church exists with full power of church extension when
acting in harmony with the Law of God.
12. We believe that a man must be called of God by revelation and ordained by those
having authority, to enable him to preach the Gospel and administer the
Ordinances thereof.
13. We believe in the same Church organization as existed in the time of Christ and His
apostles. The highest office in the Church is that of an apostle, of whom there
are twelve, who constitute special witnesses for Jesus Christ. They have the
Missionary Supervision and the General Watchcare of all the Churches.
14. The primary function of the General Church, of which each local Church is a
component part, is missionary and the building up and extension of the
Kingdom of God in all the world.
15. We believe that Local Churches should govern their own affairs and that General
Church officials should not dominate or interfere therewith. On invitation such
general officers may, with propriety, give counsel and assistance. Local
congregations are subject to The Articles of Faith and Practice and must be
governed thereby.
16. We believe the Church of Christ comprehends the true brotherhood of man where each
esteems his brother as himself and wherein the Divine command to "love your
neighbor as yourself" is demonstrated by the prevalence of social equality.
17. We believe that all men are stewards under God and answerable to Him not only for
the distribution of accumulated wealth, but for the manner in which such wealth
is secured. The primary purpose of stewardship is not the increase of Church
revenue or the mere contribution of money by those who have to those who have
not, but to bring men to a realization of the common fatherhood and the
universal brotherhood of man in all the affairs and expressions of life, and to
maintain such social adjustments that each may enjoy the bounty and gifts of
God, and be free to exercise his talents and ability to enrich the life of all.
18. We believe that men should labor for their own support and that of their dependents.
Ministers of the Gospel are not absolved from this responsibility, but when
chosen or appointed by the Church to devote their entire time to missionary
work, their families are to be provided for out of the General Church fund.
The admonition of Christ that the ministry should not provide purse or
scrip for their journey, but go trusting in God and the people, is applicable.
19. We believe that the temporal affairs of the General Church are to be administered
by the general bishopric under the supervision and direction of the general
conferences of the Church. The temporal affairs of the Local Churches shall be
administered by local bishops under the supervision and direction of the local
congregations.
20. We believe that marriage is ordained of God, and that the Law of God provides for
but one companion in wedlock for either man or woman. In case of breach of
this covenant the innocent one may remarry.
21. We are opposed to war. Men are not justified in taking up arms against their fellows
except as a last resort in defense of their lives and to preserve their liberty.
22. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten lost tribes.
23. We believe a Temple will be built in this generation, in Independence, Missouri,
wherein Christ will reveal Himself and endow His servants whom He chooses with
power to preach the Gospel in all the world to every tongue and people, that the
promise of God to Israel may be fulfilled.
24. We believe that a New Jerusalem shall be built upon this land "unto the remnant of
the seed of Joseph.” (Ether 6:6-8; IIINephi 10:1-4), which shall be built, beginning
at the Temple Lot.
25. We believe the ministry and membership should abstain from the use of tobacco,
intoxicating liquors and narcotics and should not affiliate with any society
which administer oaths or covenants in conflict with the Law of God, or which
interfere with their duties as freemen and citizens.