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Articles Of Faith

"We have an excellent teaching resource in the Articles of Faith. Written by the Prophet Joseph Smith, this document refers to many doctrines that undergird our religion. It mentions the Godhead, moral agency, the Fall of Adam, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It spells out the foundational principles and ordinances of faith, repentance, baptism, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. It addresses matters of priesthood authority and organization. It notes as sacred scripture the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and an open canon of continuing revelation from God. And it proclaims the actuality of the gathering of Israel. What a treasure-house of truth is this precious document as we teach of our religious roots."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Roots and Branches," Ensign, May 2004, 27)

Faith Articles

The Articles of Faith are extremely important to explain our beliefs, as it does a wonderful job of summarizing the Church's doctrines. When I read those truths the Spirit was very strong and bore witness that they were true. This can be helpful in teaching the gospel and discussing our religion with other non-members. The Spirit teaches better than man can and I have the hope that others will feel that same Spirit. After just reading the Articles of Faith, there really isn't any one article that sticks out as being the most important one. They are all needed since we have many belief's. We are fortunate as a church to have a statement outlining what our convictions are. I haven't seen many other church's have one.

Just in case you would like to take a quick look at them click the website below:

https://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,106-1-2-1,FF.html

Offtopic but, I wanted to note that it is interesting that in our ward the primary children no longer have to memorize the Articles of Faith. I searched on the Church's website but I couldn't find anything about whether or not that is official policy. The children only need to understand them.

Articles Of Faith Studies Doctrine Mormon

As far as I know, the Church does not have an official policy regarding what exactly the Primary children should memorize. There is an official curriculum, but no particular requirement in that regard of which I am aware.

Elder L. Tom Perry came to speak to our mission, and he mentioned that a while ago, there were preachers from another church on the streets of Salt Lake, trying to humiliate members of the Church and convince them to change. This was reported in the news, and Elder Perry decided to prepare for them by re-memorizing the Articles of Faith! He did an in-depth study of them, and then he felt prepared. He even said he hoped he would run into the bible-bashers, but he never did. He then proceeded to give us an excellent discourse on the Articles of Faith and the pure and essential doctrines they teach. He is a great teacher.

I don't think I appreciate the Articles of Faith enough - I need to study them much more. Many of the phrases contained in them can be found in the writings of Paul and other Biblical text. They succinctly teach the basics of the Gospel of Christ, and if our teachings stray from them or attempt to speculate beyond their scope, we must examine whether we are really teaching the restored gospel, rather than personal speculation.