CHAPTER TEN

A Brief Statement of Belief

          There is no official creed endorsed as such by the Church of Jesus Christ. It has been well stated that the creed of the church is "all Truth." Such truth we believe to be fundamentally stated in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants.

          Certain of the basic truths, however, have stood out in bold relief because of their very nature and have been gathered together in a statement or Epitome of Faith. This basic list is worthy of study and understanding which, of course, can only come as a member searches diligently in the scriptures just mentioned and in the standard literary works of representative church writers.

WE BELIEVE

In God the Eternal Father, creator of the heavens and the earth.

In the divine Sonship of Jesus Christ the Saviour of all men who obey his gospel;

In the Holy Ghost whose function it is to guide all men unto the truth.

In the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is the power of God unto salvation.

In the six fundamental doctrinal principles of the gospel: Faith; Repentance; Baptism by immersion in water; The Baptism of the Holy Ghost; The Laying on of the Hands for the healing of the sick, for conferring of the Holy Ghost, ordination, and blessing of children; Resurrection of the dead; and the Eternal Judgment.

In the justice of God who will reward or punish all men according to their works, and not solely according to their profession.

In the same kind of organization that existed in the primitive church: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders, bishops, seventies, etc.

In the Word of God contained in the Bible, so far as it is correctly translated.

In the Word of God contained in the Book of Mormon, being a record of divine dealings with men in the new world as in the old.

In the Word of God revealed today and recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants of the church.

In the willingness and ability of God to continue his revelation of his will to men to the end of time.

In the powers and gifts of the gospel: Faith, discernment of spirits, prophecy, revelation, healing, visions, tongues, and their interpretation, wisdom, charity, temperance, brotherly love, etc.

In marriage as instituted and ordained of God whose law provides for but one companion in wedlock, for either man or woman, excepting in case of death. When the marriage contract is broken by transgression, the innocent party is free to remarry.

In the Book of Mormon declaration: "There shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none."

In the Doctrine of Stewardships; that is, that every man is accountable to God for the conduct of his life and the use of his material blessings.

In the Divine Commission to the church to establish a Christian community called Zion built upon the basis of stewardship and the principle of equality of opportunity, and where each member shall give according to his capacity and receive according to his needs.

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