The basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are summed up in 13 simple statements penned by Joseph Smith as a response to frequent queries on the teachings and doctrines of the Church.  These statements are now known as the Articles of Faith? of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They are:

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

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

3.  We believe that through the Atonement? of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4.  We believe that the first principles and ordinances? of the Gospel? 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.

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.

6.  We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles?, prophets, pastors, teachers?, evangelists, and so forth.

7.  We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy?, revelation?, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

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.

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.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel? and in the restoration? of the Ten Tribes; that Zion? (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon this the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. 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.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

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. 

Articles of Faith, the

Thirteen statements written by the Prophet Joseph Smith outlining some of the basic teachings and ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Articles of Faith are printed in the Pearl of Great Price, one of the standard works of the Church.

Holy Ghost

Also called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, and the Comforter. He witnesses, or testifies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and reveals and teaches the truth.

Atonement

The suffering and death of Jesus Christ, through which resurrection is provided to all mortals and eternal life is offered to those who have faith in Christ and repent of their sins.

Ordinance

A sacred rite or ceremony performed by the power of the priesthood and intended to bless God’s children. Some ordinances, such as baptism, are essential for salvation. Other ordinances, such as administering to the sick, constitute gifts from God to His children which are not essential for salvation. Many ordinances have symbolic meaning.

Gospel

The “good news” of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. At the center of His plan is the Atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ, in whom alone salvation is possible. In its fulness, the gospel includes all of the commandments, principles, ordinances, and covenants whereby human beings can be forgiven of sin, overcome the world, and attain immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Repentance

The process of experiencing sincere regret or sorrow for wrongdoing, confessing one’s sin and asking for forgiveness, making restitution for any damage done, and committing not to repeat the sin. Repentance is made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who paid the price for the sins of all humanity.

Laying on of Hands

The act by a priesthood holder of placing hands on the head of a person to bless, anoint, confirm, ordain, or heal (Acts 6:5-7).

Prophecy

Inspired words of a prophet about a future event.

Authority

The right to function in certain capacities in the Church.

Apostle

One sent forth to serve as a special witness of Jesus Christ. There are fifteen Apostles living on the earth today. They make up the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church.

Teacher

An office of the Aaronic Priesthood. A worthy young man is normally ordained a teacher at the age of 14. Some of a teacher’s responsibilities are to prepare the sacrament and to teach the truths of the gospel from the scriptures. Those who instruct classes are also referred to as teachers by virtue of their assignment not related to a priesthood office.

Prophecy

Inspired words of a prophet about a future event.

Revelation

The making known of divine truths by communication from God.

Holy Bible

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Bible is divided into two main books: the Old Testament, which contains a history of God’s people before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which is a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Each of these books is broken up into smaller books, which are divided into chapters and verses. A reference from the Bible may look like this: Matthew 7:21.

Gathering of Israel

The spiritual and physical gathering of all the house of Israel in the latter days.

Restoration, The

A series of events, beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision in 1820, that marked the restoration or restitution of Jesus Christ’s Church and gospel to the earth.

Zion

The name given by the Lord to those who are of one heart and of one mind and are righteous with no poor among them (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 7:18). Zion also refers to the name of the place where the righteous gathered anciently and where they will one day gather again.

Worship

Reverence, honor, or devotion to God, sometimes involving prayer, singing hymns, meditation, sacred ordinances, or preaching.

Book of Mormon

A volume of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a collection of writings and teachings of the ancient prophets and followers of Jesus Christ who lived in the Americas from approximately 590 B.C. to 421 A.D. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by divine inspiration from gold plates that he received from the angel Moroni. Books in the Book of Mormon are named after the prophets who kept the records, such as Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, and Mormon. A reference from the Book of Mormon may look like this: Alma 37:35-37.