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Epitome of Faith
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We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in
his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. |
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We believe that men will be punished for their
own sins, and not for Adam's transgressions. |
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We believe that through atonement of Christ
all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and
ordinances of the gospel. |
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We believe that these ordinances 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. |
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We believe that a man must be called of God by
"prophecy, and by laying on of hands" by those who are in
authority to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances
thereof. |
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We believe in the same organization that
existed in the primitive church; viz., apostles, prophets,
pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. |
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We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy,
revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. |
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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. |
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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. |
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We believe in the literal gathering of Israel
and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes, that Zion will be
built upon this continent, that Christ will reign personally
upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive
its paradisiacal glory. |
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We claim privilege of worshipping Almighty God
according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men
the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they
may. |
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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.
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Respectfully, Joseph Smith, Jr.
(From "Times and Seasons" Vol. III, page 710, 1842
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