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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 transgressions.
We
believe that through atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by
obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
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.
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.
We
believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church;
viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
We
believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing,
interpretation of tongues, etc.
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
claim privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates
of our consciencs, and allow all men the same privilege, let them
worship how, where, or what they may.
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.
Respectfully, Joseph Smith, Jr.
(From "Times and Seasons" Vol. III, page 710, 1842)
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