Education - Statement for the World Almanac, January 1896 [E-14]

The Mormons.

The Mormons.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

(Statement prepared for THE WORLD ALMANAC by First President Wilford Woodruff.)

The following statement of the doctrines of the Church was issued with the approval of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

[##Articles of Faith 1:1##] 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

[##Articles of Faith 1:2##] 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

[##Articles of Faith 1:3##] 3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

[##Articles of Faith 1:4##] 4. We believe that these ordinances are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by im mersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

[##Articles of Faith 1:5##] 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.

[##Articles of Faith 1:6##] 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz.: Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers evangelists, etc.

[##Articles of Faith 1:7##] 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.

[##Articles of Faith 1:8##] 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.

[##Articles of Faith 1:9##] 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.

[##Articles of Faith 1:10##] 10. 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 paradisic glory.

[##Articles of Faith 1:11##] 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping 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.

[##Articles of Faith 1:12##] 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

[##Articles of Faith 1:13##] 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.

GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH, 1896.

First Presidency—Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith.

Twelve Apostles—Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Mariner W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, Abraham H. Cannon.

First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted, B. H. Roberts, George Reynolds, J. G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Ed. Stevenson.

Presiding Bishops—William B. Preston, Robert T. Burton, John R. Winder.

Latter-day Saints in Utah and scattered throughout the inter-mountain region in some 50 branches or congregations have a total membership of about 300,000.

In the Latter-Day Saints' Sunday-School Union in Utah and adjoining States and Territories there are some 600 schools, with an attendance of scholars and teachers of about 96,000.

For the history of the Church and an account of its method of organization, see THE WORLD ALMANAC for 1895, page 318.