AoF: Article 2

The Articles of Faith

Article 2

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

We do not believe that when Adam transgressed the commandment given to him while in the Garden of Eden, namely, "... of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat ..." (Genesis 2:17), that his offspring would be punished. The effects of his transgression was to die, and because he freely chose to partake of the forbidden fruit, death came into the world; Adam became a mortal man. Mortality is not a punishment for Adam's transgression, but an opportunity for each of us to be born, receive a physical body, and be tested "to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]" (Abraham 3:25). Because no one other than Adam is responsible for Adam's choice, each of us are born into this world free from the tarnish of sin. As such, the practice of infant baptism is contrary to God's plan. One reason we are baptized is for a remission of sin, the other is an outward witness of a choice we have made, to follow Christ's example. If we are all free from sin when we're born and incapable of making our own choices, any baptism performed on an infant has no effect.

Old Testament references

• Exodus 32:33. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."
• Deuteronomy 24:16. "...every man shall be put to death for his own sin."
• Ezekiel 18:19-20. "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:"

New Testament references

• Romans 2:6, 11 (5-11). "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: ... For there is no respect of persons with God."
• 2 Corinthians 5:10. "...that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,..."
• Galatians 6:7. "...for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Modern-day Revelations

• 2 Nephi 10:23. "...ye are free to act for yourselves - to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life."
• Moses 6:53-54. "... I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the Garden of Eden. ... the Son of God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, ..."
• Moroni 8:8, 11, 19 (2-23). "... [Christ] came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in [Christ], ... little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance ... Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, ..."
• Doctrine and Covenants 18:42. "For all men must repent and be baptized, and not only men, but women, and children who have arrived at the years of accountability."
• Doctrine and Covenants 68:25, 27. "... children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, ..."

I know that God has a plan for us all; and that if we adhere to the teachings of His Son, each of us can once again return to live with Him. I know that as a mortal I make mistakes that will keep me from the ultimate blessing of living with God. I know that I must answer for my own actions and no one else's; that I must choose to follow the commandments and repent when I fall short. I know that my Savior lives and has made it possible to be forgiven when I fall short.

AoF: Article 1

The Articles of Faith

Article 1

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

We believe that these three persons make up the Godhead and are three separate, distinct individuals, just like you and I, but are one in purpose - "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

Old Testament references:

• Genesis 1:26. "And God said, Let us make man in out image, after our likeness..."
• Genesis 3:22. "And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil..."

New Testament references:

• Matthew 3:16-17. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto [John], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon [Jesus]: And lo a voice from heaven, saying This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
• John 5:19 (17-23).  "...The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do..."
• John 17:3. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
• Acts 7:55-56. "But [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,..."

Modern-day Revelations

• Doctrine and Covenants 76:23 (19-24). "For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-"
• Joseph Smith - History 1:17 (5-20). "...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!'"

I know, just as I know the sun will rise, that I have a Father in Heaven who is loving and kind. Who wants me to be happy in this life and return to live with Him some day. I know that His Son chose to come to this Earth to make that possible. I know these things because the Holy Ghost has spoken to my heart and let me know these things are true.