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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS)
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS)
Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Articles of Faith
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for
Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be
saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinancesof the Gospel.
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.
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 the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive
Church, namely, apostles, prophets , pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so
forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophesy, revelation, visions,
healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
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.
We believe all that God has revealed, and that He does now reveal,
and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Isreal and in the restoration
of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built on the
American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and,
that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
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.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and
magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
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 endure all things. If there is anything virtuous,
lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
By Joseph Smith
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Basic Beliefs of the RLDS Church
What do you use for scriptures?
The RLDS Church recognizes three books of scripture: The Holy Bible, the
Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. We believe in continuing
revelation and an open canon of scripture.
OUR FAITH AND BELIEFS:
GOD:
God is the eternal Creator, the source of love, life, and truth. All things
exist and have their being in God. God alone is worthy of our worship. God
actively loves and cares for each person.
CHRIST:
Jesus Christ is "God with us," the Son of God, and the living expression of
God in the flesh. Jesus Christ lived, was crucified, died, and rose again.
The nature, love, and purpose of God are most clearly seen in Jesus Christ,
our Savior.
SPIRIT:
The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of God in the world. The Spirit
works in our minds and hearts through intelligence, comfort, guidance,
love, and power to sustain and inspire us. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit
are One.
SALVATION:
God loves us even though we are sinful. Through the ministry of Christ and
the Holy Spirit we are able to turn to God and to receive the gift of
salvation and eternal life. Those who accept the gospel are called to
respond to Christ though baptism and by becoming committed disciples. As
individuals exercise faith in Christ, and mold their lives to his example
and teachings, they become new people.
THE CHURCH:
The church, as the body of Christ, is the means through which the ministry
of Christ continues in the world today. It is a community of people that
seeks to bring God's love to all through compassionate ministry, worship,
and witness. The church proclaims the gospel through word and action and
administers the sacraments through which Christ is revealed.
REVELATION:
The process through which God reveals divine will and love is called
revelation. God continues to reveal today as in the past. God is revealed
to us through scripture, the faith community, prayer, nature, and in human
history.
SCRIPTURE:
The scriptures provide divine guidance and inspired insight for life when
responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied. The Bible is the central
book of scripture for the church. The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and
Covenants are additional witnesses of the love of God and the ministry of
Christ.
SACRAMENTS:
The sacraments express the continuing life and ministry of Christ through
the church. They provide meaningful worship experiences and symbols to
establish or reaffirm our covenant (commitment) to God in response to God's
grace. The sacraments of the church are: Blessing of Children Baptism
Confirmation of Membership The Lord's Supper (Communion) Marriage
Administration to the Sick Ordination to the Priesthood Evangelists
Blessing.
HUMAN WORTH:
God loves each of us equally and unconditionally. All persons have great
worth and should be respected as creations of God with basic human rights.
The willingness to love others is essential to faithfulness to the gospel
of Christ.
ALL CALLED:
All people are given gifts and abilities to enhance life and to become
involved in Christ's mission. Some are called to particular responsibility
as ordained ministers (priesthood) in the church. The church provides for a
wide range of priesthood ministries through calling and ordination of men
and women.
FREE CHOICE:
All people have freedom to choose. Our choices bring real consequences -
good and evil - to our lives, to the lives of others, and to our
environment. Commitment to Christ, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and
participation in the faith community help us to make responsible choices
that enhance human life and respect creation.
STEWARDSHIP:
All things were created by God and should be used for the purposes of God.
Stewardship is the wise management of gifts and resources to enrich
personal, family, congregational, and community life. Wise stewardship of
natural resources is a critical concern.
THE KINGDOM:
God's kingdom is present wherever people acknowledge the lordship of God
over life, relationships, and creation. The full coming of the Kingdom
awaits the final victory over evil when divine rule is established and
justice, peace, and righteousness prevail.
ZION:
The "cause of Zion" expresses our commitment to pursuing God's kingdom
through the establishment of Christ-centered communities in families,
congregations, neighborhoods, cities, and throughout the world.
PEACE:
Because of our commitment to Christ and our belief in the power of
community and the worth of all people, we are compelled to spend ourselves
in the pursuit of justice and peace.
RESURRECTION:
God conserves and renews life. This truth is revealed in the resurrection
of Jesus Christ which is a sign of God's ultimate victory over death. We
find hope and courage for living through the resurrection of Christ. By the
power of God in Christ, people move from death into life. Through
resurrection, God transforms individuals, bringing them into the fullness
of eternal life.
JUDGMENT:
Our eternal destiny is determined by God according to divine wisdom and
love, and according to our response to God's call to us. God's judgment is
just and is primarily concerned about the kind of people we have become in
relation to the potential of our lives.
ENDTIME:
God is acting in history to reconcile all aspects of creation to divine
purpose. The meaning and end to which history moves is revealed in Christ.
The ultimate victory of righteousness and peace over injustice, evil, and
sin is assured because of the unfailing love of God and the conviction that
Christ is coming again.
What are the differences between the RLDS and LDS (Mormon) faiths?
Both faiths recognize Joseph Smith, Jr. as founder. However, when Joseph
Jr. was killed in 1844, the church found itself in a state of confusion and
disorganization for several years. Thus, a number of factions developed.
One group moved west to the Great Salt Lake Valley (Utah) under the
direction of Brigham Young. This group is now known as the Mormons. Other
members believed that Joseph Smith, Jr. had designated his eldest son,
Joseph III, to be his successor as president/prophet of the church. This
group remained in the midwest and became known as the "Reorganization." The
Reorganized CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints was officially
organized on April 6, 1860, at Amboy, Illinois, under the leadership of
Joseph Smith III. Since 1920, the church has been headquartered in
Independence, Missouri.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"Epitome of Faith" (1993AD)
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 men may be saved by
obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
4. We believe that these ordinances are: (1st) Faith in God and in the Lord
Jesus Christ. (2nd) Repentance. (3rd) Baptism by immersion for the
remission of sins. (4th) Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(5th) We believe in the resurrection of the body; that the dead in Christ
will rise first, and the rest of the dead will not live again until the
thousand years are expired. (6th) We believe in the doctrine of eternal
judgment which provides that men shall be judged, rewarded or punished,
according to the degree of good or evil they shall have done.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God and ordained by the laying
on of hands of those who are in authority, to
entitle him to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same kind of organization that existed in the
primitive church, viz: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists,
etc.
7. We believe that in the Bible is contained the Word of God, so far as it
is translated correctly. We believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of
God.
8. We believe that the canon of Scripture is not full, but that God, by His
Spirit will continue to reveal His word to men until the end of time.
9. We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel, viz: the
gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, healing,
visions, tongues and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity,
brotherly love, etc.
10. We believe that marriage is ordained of God, and that the law of God
provides for but one companion in wedlock, except in cases where the
contract of marriage is broken by death or transgression.
11. We believe that in all matters of controversy upon the duty of man
toward God, and in reference to preparation and fitness for the world to
come, the Word of God should be decisive and the end of dispute; and that
when God directs, man should obey.
12. We believe that the religion of Jesus Christ as taught in the New
Testament Scriptures will (if its precepts are accepted and obeyed) make
men and women better in the domestic circle, and better citizens of town,
county, and state, and consequently better fitted for the change which
comes at death.
13. We believe that men should worship God in "spirit and in truth," and
that such worship does not require a violation of the constitutional law of
the land.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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