The Articles of Faith originated from the contents of an 1842 letter written by the Prophet Joseph Smith35 in response to an inquiry by John Wentworth. John Wentworth was the editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, the first newspaper in Chicago, Illinois.
Regarding the Articles of Faith, B.H. Roberts said:
The Articles of Faith are listed below, with commentary:
The Articles of Faith
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
It is because of Joseph Smith the Prophet that the LDS are not mired in the contradictory hard to comprehend doctrines of trinity1, unitarianism2, adoptionism3, and modalism4.
The doctrine of the trinity is considered a “mystery” of Christianity and some LDS critics have decided to label the LDS as “non-Christian” because we do not subscribe to this confusing and oxymoronic (self-contradictory) view. However, the Latter-day Saints accept divine revelation from God via modern prophets and therefore understand the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost36 to be three separate physical entities. Simple. And it makes the scriptures understandable again — as it was in the beginning.
The LDS are monotheistic. There is only one God5 who created us, to whom we owe our total allegiance, and to whom we pray. The LDS do not pray to Prophets, Mary, a Saint or anyone else — and not to Jesus either. To understand the true nature of God the Father and our relationship6 to Him is the foundation of true religion and true worship.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
I think that sounds fair, don’t you? The “fall” of Adam is only responsible for us being exposed to sin and temptation, not for us choosing it. That is up to us when we are old enough to know the difference.
For example, the scriptures teach plainly that John the Baptist baptized unto repentance7 — not to erase “original sin”. It is illogical and wrong to think that God sends babies and little children8 to hell for any reason, and especially for a lack of baptism unto repentance for which they have no control over or need for. This “Article of Faith” #2 is Joseph Smith’s refutation of that doctrine. It’s this kind of original sin doctrine that gives Christianity a bad name to some people. Having authority from God and direct experience on the matter, Joseph Smith clarified the point.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
This is so important, so let’s list each principle:
1. … through the Atonement of Christ …
That Jesus Christ died for our sins is the key concept of Christianity. The LDS view, from ancient and modern scripture, is what scholastics would call an “unlimited penal substitutionary9” atonement, meaning that Jesus died for us to fulfill the law of justice and mercy and thus reconcile us to God by offering forgiveness of sins and universal release from the grave10. Modern scripture is expansive it’s view of the atonement in that it also contains elements of what is called the “moral influence11“, “recapitulation12“, “Christus Victor13“, and “ransom14” views of the Atonement. To the Latter-day Saints, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important event that has ever occurred and the scriptural references of each aspect of it are supplementary rather than contradictory.
2. … all mankind may be saved …
This part proclaims an unlimited atonement rather than the highly limited atonement typical of the Calvinist15 view and frequently found with Baptists and Presbyterians. Calvinism is a simple doctrine16 to explain away why some are saved while others are not, even when they lack knowledge. In my opinion, Calvinist doctrine does not support an inclusive, just, and fair God who is not a “respecter of persons17“. Modern scripture provides new knowledge on the infinite mercy and justice18 of God, what temples are for19, and how salvation is realistically designed for all of Gods children who have ever lived. My suggestion is this: Never underestimate the power of God to save.
3 … by obedience to …
There are many examples in scripture where obedience is taught20 to be paramount21 and requisite22 to the blessings of God, including salvation23. The opposite of obedience is pride — which means “my will” above God’s will24. Without sincere humility and willingness to be obedient, there can be no repentance and with no repentance we cannot expect forgiveness by the grace of God via the atonement of Christ. Although imperfect we must continually repent, and always continue trying our best, and as long as we do His Grace will be sufficient for us. This is well typified by Peter following the example of Jesus by walking on the water. He tried, succeeded, then failed, but continued trying as he reached out to Christ and was thus saved.
4. … the laws and ordinances of the Gospel …
Jesus came to proclaim His law, a higher law, and it was given for the blessing of mankind. It’s not optional for salvation. The ordinances of the Gospel, like baptism, the sacrament of the last supper, and ordination to priesthood — bind us to that law as we voluntarily make holy covenants with God. Many churches today will say the actual ordinances are optional, not really necessary for salvation, but that is wrong: the scripture cannot be broken25. The word of God26 cannot be nullified.
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.
It’s a very specific kind of faith that is required: Faith in Jesus Christ as mediator between mankind and God the Father. It was God The Father Himself that personally taught Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but since the Fall, mankind is separated from their God and can only bridge the gap though Jesus, acting as mediator, who has the Father’s personal stamp of approval and a kind of “power of attorney” to represent the Father in everything related to this earth – even to the extent of speaking for Him in the first person. In fact, the scriptures show that our Father in Heaven personally communicates to fallen mankind only for the purpose of endorsing the role of Jesus as His mediator27.
To get back to our Father in Heaven we have to be clean from sin28 – totally and permanently clean. Thus the importance of repentance made possible by the atonement of Jesus. It’s a long road and it starts with baptism where we sign up for the journey, if we’re interested.
It’s a journey that’s not for the faint of heart. Becoming morally perfect29 is, frankly, beyond us and obviously we could use some direct help in mortality, given our weaknesses, ignorance, and the serious opposition that we face. Thus we have the promise of a spirit Being called the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit to both guide, strengthen, and comfort us. Power from on high30.
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.
Well, Pastor Bill down the street should close up shop and get with the program that God endorses. There are now modern prophets and apostles with direct actual authority and to deny that authority or fight against it is a sin. If a resurrected Peter or Paul would come to earth, would Pastor Bill refuse to listen to them and continue to teach his own personal brand of gospel? What would be the point? It is really no different. Thomas S. Monson is, in fact, the modern Peter31.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
“Primitive” is used here in the sense of meaning “Original”. “Apostles” have a special assignment to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world. Pastors have a responsibility for the local membership, what we call today “Bishops” and “Stake Presidents”. “Teachers” refers to an office in the Aaronic priesthood but also anyone with a direct assignment to teach Gospel principles, like Sunday School or Seminary Teachers. “Evangelist” is another word for missionary – one who is ordained to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The amazing truth is that the fundamental church organization is eternal. It exists in Heaven now and also existed before this world was created. As it is given to mankind in mortality, this organization is adapted to the times and capacities of the people but the framework principles of it are always the same.
Right now, the Church is organized more fully than ever on the pattern of Heaven. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church which purpose aligns exactly with His purpose: to help us be worthy to be brought back to the presence of God, our Father in Heaven.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
See Power in the Priesthood37.
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.
In rejecting the reality of living prophets and apostles, the protestant world is backed into the corner of having to replace the Biblical pattern of ongoing revelation with our current day Bible alone. It is an untenable position. The very idea that the Bible is “infallible”, “perfect”, “inerrant”, or “complete” is patently ridiculous and easy to prove as incorrect. So while the Bible is inspired and inspiring, as a physical entity it is nowhere near perfect or complete. See also, The Marvelous Book of Mormon38.
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.
Nothing could be more powerful and clear than the word of the LORD Himself on this subject:
6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
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.
Well, this is the very topic of this blog: Gathering to Zion for the return of Jesus Christ. This is when Heaven and Earth will meet, literally, when the New Jerusalem descends from above:
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down fromGod out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord.
4 Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. …
10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; …
62 … for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.
63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;
64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.
See also: Zion The New Jerusalem39
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.
The idea that God has given each person the right to believe and to act as they wish is called, by the Latter-day Saints, “freedom” or “free agency”. The concept is actually very similar to professional sports where they use the same term “free agency” to describe the right of players to contract and play with any team they wish. Of course, that means we are also free to enjoy the benefits of good choices and are likewise free to fail. Free agency leads to personal accountability — and failure can have a good side to it, if we respond to it in a positive way. God Himself, being all powerful, could literally force us to obey Him but he does not, because He is wise and good. We should follow His example in our own conduct towards others. The Holy Scriptures are extremely clear on this point:
78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;
The opposite of free agency is force, taking away choices — that’s always been Satan’s plan and is always what he is about. Let us never go there.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
Rulers and their laws are not always just so why do the LDS follow them? It is certainly not because we believe in “knowing our place” (a Calvinistic point of view) or that we believe in the the “divine right of Kings” or anything remotely like that. Rather, it is a matter of priorities and assignment. Priority #1 is to promote and build up the spiritual Kingdom of God and the way that is best done is to be honorable, good citizens32, and to work within the political frameworks available. Meanwhile God has promised He would fight33 the worldly battles as might be necessary to pave the way. We have our work and He has His. Individually, of course, we try to promote the positive on the political and secular front in whatever ways are available and honorable — but do not get involved as a Church. Political neutrality. This has worked great so far. It turns out that being honest and true to our word has earned respect and opened many doors for the Church throughout the world, including former Soviet bloc countries, and in Asia. Whenever the Church is strong enough in missionaries to expand, God opens another door. It continues this way until the Gospel of Christ is preached everywhere34, and always through the front door, patiently and peacefully — never sneaking around the back way.
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.
This is how the Latter-day Saints conquer and revolutionize the world — in Gods way — with righteousness.
Doctrine & Covenants 121
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.
Joseph Smith
References
A belief that God is three distinct persons of one being.
Unitarians are monotheists who maintain that Jesus was a great man and a prophet of God, but not God himself
A Christian belief that Jesus was adopted as God’s son at his baptism
A belief that God is one person appearing and working in the different modes of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
17 Jesus saith unto her, … go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
8Moroni 8, Luke 18, Matthew 18, Mark 10 
19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.
5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
112 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 18, 2 Nephi 31
29 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.
10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?
12Mormon 9, 1 Corinthians 15, Mosiah 3
12 Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
131 Corinthians, Mosiah 3, Mosiah 16, Alma 27, Alma 22
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.
28 And they did look upon shedding the blood of their brethren with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren; and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.
14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.
14Helaman 5, Mark 10, Mosiah 27, 2 Nephi 7
10 … for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many
24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver?
15Fisher Humphreys, theology professor
\”If you believe that from eternity … God decided to create one set of people who would be saved and one set who would not, you are indeed a Calvinist.\”
For every complex issue there is always a simple solution (presented). And it is always wrong.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.
11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
1 The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell.
2 I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire;
3 Also the blazing bthrone of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.
4 I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold.
5 I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept;
6 And marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;
9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.
57 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.
58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee …
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—
7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.
8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
25Moses 4, 2 Nephi, Moses 5, DC 1
30 For as I, the Lord God, liveth, even so my words cannot return void, for as they go forth out of my mouth they must be fulfilled.
17 O the greatness and the justice of our God! For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled.
15 And as many as believed in the Son, and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
273 Nephi 11, Luke 3, Matthew 3, John 12, JS-History 1
7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour…
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
17 … When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are awitnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
8 Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high;
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
8 Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;
12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;
13 Unto whom I have acommitted the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
22 Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.
1 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil–I will fight your battles.
31 And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked;
38The Marvelous Book of Mormon