A Statement of Principles
A Guide & Standard to Follow​​

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Mormonism Embraces All Truth

Knowledge of
​Eternal Truths

"Mormonism is truth; and every man who embraces it feels himself at liberty to embrace every truth: consequently the shackles of superstition, bigotry, ignorance, and priestcraft, fall at once from his neck; and his eyes are opened to see the truth, and truth greatly prevails over priestcraft...The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, when that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds, and we have the highest degree of evidence of the same."
     Joseph Smith, March 1839
     Letter from Liberty Jail
The following are adapted from the Articles of Faith, originally composed by Joseph Smith in 1842:
1. There are two personages who constitute the great and governing power over all things: These are God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
2. The combined mind of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is known as the Holy Spirit. These ‘three’ together also constitute the great governing influence in all the universe, and are one.

3. The Holy Ghost is the result of the Holy Spirit acting upon the spirit of man or woman, which varies in degree according to the heed and diligence given to the commandments of God, thus making holy the spirit or ghost of the man or woman as they become possessor of the same mind of Christ, becoming one in Him.
​4. Men and women are blessed in accordance to their obedience to the commandments of God, and also are punished for their own sins, but not for Adam’s transgression.

5. Through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
​6. The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are also called the Doctrine of Christ and include: repentance and belief in Jesus Christ; baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, in living water, by proper authority, using the words of the appropriate baptismal prayer(1); and to all who do these things, the Father will visit him or her with the bestowal of the Baptism of Fire, and the Holy Ghost.
7. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel, viz., visions, healings, tongues, prophecy, revelation, interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, etc.
8. Followers of Jesus Christ organize themselves into fellowships which are each independent of all other fellowships and are managed by the common consent of those who attend. In these fellowships we take care of each other and the poor among us by contributing our resources as we are able. We partake of the Sacrament using the emblems of bread and wine. We give blessings, collect and manage tithes and offerings, pray, sing, and succor those in need.
9. Men ordained by proper authority to priesthood are sustained in their priesthood by a certificate signed by at least seven women of their fellowship, including the man’s wife, who know the nature of the man’s walk, in order that he may officiate in his duties, as needed, in public. Otherwise men have the prerogative to exercise priesthood only within the confines of their own immediate family.

10. The Bible is the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly, and revised through revelation by Joseph Smith Jr. We believe the Book of Mormon, as translated and edited by Joseph Smith Jr., and containing corrections inspired by the word of God, to be the word of God. We also believe in the word of God contained in all other good books.

11. 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.

12. There will be a literal gathering of the House of Israel and a restoration of the Ten Tribes; Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon this, the American continent, in the tops of the mountains; Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

13. 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.

14. During the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, all men and women will bend the knee, and bow before Christ as their Savior, the God of this earth.

15. Partaking of the Sacrament in memory of the Lord's sacrifice is a saving ordinance. This ordinance must be administered by a man [or men] who, having authority from God, recites the appropriate prayers, and uses the emblems of bread and wine (2,3). This ordinance should be reverenced upon bended knee by all who are able. 

16. Marriage is between one man and one woman, who live in accordance to the law of chastity before and after marriage. We believe this marriage union can extend into eternity upon ratification by The Holy Spirit of Promise.

17. 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 of truth, anything virtuous, or lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Footnotes:
1) Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
2) O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
3) O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen