Last week for Family Home Evening, we were learining The Articles of Faith. My kids in Primary are all learning these to get win a ice cream social.
After going over each of them and discussing them, one of my kids asked....
"Where did we get The Articles of Faith"?
I thought that this was a really neat question and we told them how they came to be. And here is how....
The following is from “Chapter 38: The Wentworth Letter,”
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),435–47 and other sources.
March 1, 1842.—At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, editor and proprietor of the
Chicago Democrat,
I have written the following sketch of the rise, progress, persecution,
and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the honor, under
God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth says that he wishes to furnish
Mr. Bastow [Barstow], a friend of his, who is writing the history of New
Hampshire, with this document. As Mr. Bastow has taken the proper steps
to obtain correct information, all that I shall ask at his hands is
that he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without
misrepresentation.
From the Life of Joseph Smith
In addition to being President of the Church, Joseph Smith had many
other responsibilities in Nauvoo. In May 1842, he became mayor of
Nauvoo, which meant that he was also chief judge of the Nauvoo Municipal
Court. He was a lieutenant general and commander of the Nauvoo Legion.
And in February 1842, he assumed the role of editor of the
Times and Seasons, a Church periodical that was published twice a month. The
Times and Seasons
provided a way for Church leaders to communicate with the Saints,
publish revelations and important discourses, and share news of the
Church. John Taylor, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was appointed
to handle many aspects of the publication under the Prophet’s
direction.
In the first edition published while he was editor, the Prophet wrote
that the periodical would provide articles on “the important events
that are daily transpiring around us; the rapid advance of truth; the
many communications that we are receiving, daily, from elders abroad;
both in this country, in England, from the continent of Europe, and
other parts of the world; the convulsed state of the nations; the
epistles and teachings of the Twelve; and the revelations which we are
receiving from the Most High.”
While the Prophet served as editor, the
Times and Seasons
published documents of great importance. The text of the book of Abraham
and two of the facsimiles were published in March 1842, with the third
facsimile published in May. Also in March, the Prophet began publishing
the “History of Joseph Smith,” the account that would later become
History of the Church.
In the
Times and Seasons issue dated March 1, 1842, the
Prophet published what has come to be known as the Wentworth Letter.
Describing his reasons for producing this document, the Prophet
explained: “At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, Editor and Proprietor
of the
Chicago Democrat, I have written the following sketch of
the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of
which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth
says that he wishes to furnish Mr. [George] Barstow, a friend of his,
who is writing the history of New Hampshire, with this document. As Mr.
Barstow has taken the proper steps to obtain correct information, all
that I shall ask at his hands, is, that he publish the account entire,
ungarnished, and without misrepresentation.”
George Barstow ultimately did not include the Prophet’s account in
his history because he decided to cover events only through the year
1819 in his book.
But the Wentworth Letter has immense value to Latter-day Saints. It is
an original account by Joseph Smith testifying of his sacred call from
God, his visions, and his ministry and teachings. It recounts the rise
and growth of the Church and the persecutions of the Saints. It contains
a prophetic declaration of the Church’s future success in the earth
under the protective hand of the Great Jehovah. It also contains several
important details not found elsewhere in the Prophet’s teachings,
including a description of the gold plates and a sketch of the contents
of the Book of Mormon. Significantly, it is the first time that Joseph
Smith himself published an account of his First Vision.
Concluding with the 13 declarations of Church doctrine now called the
Articles of Faith, it stands as a powerful witness of the divine
calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Teachings of Joseph Smith
God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in answer to his prayer.
“I was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, on the 23rd of December,
a.d.
1805. When [I was] ten years old, my parents removed to Palmyra, New
York, where we resided about four years, and from thence we removed to
the town of Manchester. My father was a farmer and taught me the art of
husbandry. When about fourteen years of age, I began to reflect upon the
importance of being prepared for a future state, and upon inquiring
[about] the plan of salvation, I found that there was a great clash in
religious sentiment; if I went to one society they referred me to one
plan, and another to another; each one pointing to his own particular
creed as the
summum bonum of perfection. Considering that all
could not be right, and that God could not be the author of so much
confusion, I determined to investigate the subject more fully, believing
that if God had a Church it would not be split up into factions, and
that if He taught one society to worship one way, and administer in one
set of ordinances, He would not teach another, principles which were
diametrically opposed.
“Believing the word of God, I had confidence in the declaration of
James—‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.’ [
James 1:5.]
I retired to a secret place in a grove, and began to call upon the
Lord; while fervently engaged in supplication, my mind was taken away
from the objects with which I was surrounded, and I was enwrapped in a
heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled
each other in features and likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light
which eclipsed the sun at noon day. They told me that all religious
denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of
them was acknowledged of God as His Church and kingdom: and I was
expressly commanded ‘to go not after them,’ at the same time receiving a
promise that the fullness of the Gospel should at some future time be
made known unto me.
The Book of Mormon was written anciently upon gold plates and delivered to Joseph Smith by a divinely sent messenger.
“On the evening of the 21st of September,
a.d.
1823, while I was praying unto God, and endeavoring to exercise faith
in the precious promises of Scripture, on a sudden a light like that of
day, only of a far purer and more glorious appearance and brightness,
burst into the room; indeed the first sight was as though the house was
filled with consuming fire; the appearance produced a shock that
affected the whole body; in a moment a personage stood before me
surrounded with a glory yet greater than that with which I was already
surrounded. This messenger proclaimed himself to be an angel of God,
sent to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with
ancient Israel was at hand to be fulfilled, that the preparatory work
for the second coming of the Messiah was speedily to commence, that the
time was at hand for the Gospel in all its fullness to be preached in
power, unto all nations that a people might be prepared for the
Millennial reign. I was informed that I was chosen to be an instrument
in the hands of God to bring about some of His purposes in this glorious
dispensation.
“I was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this
country and shown who they were, and from whence they came; a brief
sketch of their origin, progress, civilization, laws, governments, of
their righteousness and iniquity, and the blessings of God being finally
withdrawn from them as a people, was made known unto me; I was also
told where were deposited some plates on which were engraven an
abridgment of the records of the ancient Prophets that had existed on
this continent. The angel appeared to me three times the same night and
unfolded the same things. After having received many visits from the
angels of God unfolding the majesty and glory of the events that should
transpire in the last days, on the morning of the 22nd of September,
a.d. 1827, the angel of the Lord delivered the records into my hands.
“These records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of
gold; each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not
quite so thick as common tin. They were filled with engravings, in
Egyptian characters, and bound together in a volume as the leaves of a
book, with three rings running through the whole. The volume was
something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The
characters on the unsealed part were small, and beautifully engraved.
The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity in its construction,
and much skill in the art of engraving. With the records was found a
curious instrument, which the ancients called ‘Urim and Thummim,’ which
consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a
breast plate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated
the record by the gift and power of God.
“… This book … tells us that our Savior made His appearance upon this
continent after His resurrection; that He planted the Gospel here in
all its fulness, and richness, and power, and blessing; that they had
Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists, the same order,
the same priesthood, the same ordinances, gifts, powers, and blessings,
as were enjoyed on the eastern continent; that the people were cut off
in consequence of their transgressions; that the last of their prophets
who existed among them was commanded to write an abridgment of their
prophecies, history, etc., and to hide it up in the earth, and that it
should come forth and be united with the Bible for the accomplishment of
the purposes of God in the last days. For a more particular account I
would refer to the Book of Mormon, which can be purchased at Nauvoo, or
from any of our Traveling Elders.
“As soon as the news of this discovery was made known, false reports,
misrepresentation and slander flew, as on the wings of the wind, in
every direction; the house was frequently beset by mobs and evil
designing persons. Several times I was shot at, and very narrowly
escaped, and every device was made use of to get the plates away from
me; but the power and blessing of God attended me, and several began to
believe my testimony.
Although persecution may rage against the Church, nothing can stop the progress of truth.
“On the 6th of April, 1830, the ‘Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints’ was first organized in the town of Fayette, Seneca county,
state of New York. Some few were called and ordained by the Spirit of
revelation and prophecy, and began to preach as the Spirit gave them
utterance, and though weak, yet were they strengthened by the power of
God, and many were brought to repentance, were immersed in the water,
and were filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They saw
visions and prophesied, devils were cast out, and the sick healed by the
laying on of hands. From that time the work rolled forth with
astonishing rapidity, and churches were soon formed in the states of New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri; in the last
named state a considerable settlement was formed in Jackson county:
numbers joined the Church and we were increasing rapidly; we made large
purchases of land, our farms teemed with plenty, and peace and happiness
were enjoyed in our domestic circle, and throughout our neighborhood;
but as we could not associate with our neighbors (who were, many of
them, of the basest of men, and had fled from the face of civilized
society, to the frontier country to escape the hand of justice,) in
their midnight revels, their Sabbath breaking, horse racing and
gambling; they commenced at first to ridicule, then to persecute, and
finally an organized mob assembled and burned our houses, tarred and
feathered and whipped many of our brethren, and finally, contrary to
law, justice and humanity, drove them from their habitations; who,
houseless and homeless, had to wander on the bleak prairies till the
children left the tracks of their blood on the prairie. This took place
in the month of November, and they had no other covering but the canopy
of heaven, in this inclement season of the year; this proceeding was
winked at by the government, and although we had warranty deeds for our
land, and had violated no law, we could obtain no redress.
“There were many sick, who were thus inhumanly driven from their
houses, and had to endure all this abuse and to seek homes where they
could be found. The result was, that a great many of them being deprived
of the comforts of life, and the necessary attendances, died; many
children were left orphans, wives [were left] widows, and husbands,
widowers; our farms were taken possession of by the mob, many thousands
of cattle, sheep, horses and hogs were taken, and our household goods,
store goods, and printing press and type were broken, taken, or
otherwise destroyed.
“Many of our brethren removed to Clay county, where they continued
until 1836, three years; there was no violence offered, but there were
threatenings of violence. But in the summer of 1836 these threatenings
began to assume a more serious form, from threats, public meetings were
called, resolutions were passed, vengeance and destruction were
threatened, and affairs again assumed a fearful attitude; Jackson county
was a sufficient precedent, and as the authorities in that county did
not interfere, they [the Clay county authorities] boasted that they
would not in this; which on application to the authorities we found to
be too true, and after much privation and loss of property, we were
again driven from our homes.
“We next settled in Caldwell and Daviess counties, where we made
large and extensive settlements, thinking to free ourselves from the
power of oppression, by settling in new counties, with very few
inhabitants in them; but here we were not allowed to live in peace, but
in 1838 we were again attacked by mobs, an exterminating order was
issued by Governor Boggs, and under the sanction of law, an organized
banditti ranged through the country, robbed us of our cattle, sheep,
hogs, etc., many of our people were murdered in cold blood, the chastity
of our women was violated, and we were forced to sign away our property
at the point of the sword; and after enduring every indignity that
could be heaped upon us by an inhuman, ungodly band of marauders, from
twelve to fifteen thousand souls, men, women, and children, were driven
from their own firesides, and from lands to which they had warranty
deeds, houseless, friendless, and homeless (in the depths of winter) to
wander as exiles on the earth, or to seek an asylum in a more genial
clime, and among a less barbarous people. Many sickened and died in
consequence of the cold and hardships they had to endure; many wives
were left widows, and children [were left] orphans, and destitute. It
would take more time than is allotted me here to describe the injustice,
the wrongs, the murders, the bloodshed, the theft, misery and woe that
have been caused by the barbarous, inhuman, and lawless proceedings of
the state of Missouri.
“In the situation before alluded to, we arrived in the state of
Illinois in 1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly
home: a people who were willing to be governed by the principles of law
and humanity. We have commenced to build a city called ‘Nauvoo,’ in
Hancock county. We number from six to eight thousand here, besides vast
numbers in the county around, and in almost every county of the state.
We have a city charter granted us, and charter for a Legion, the troops
of which now number 1,500. We have also a charter for a University, for
an Agricultural and Manufacturing Society, have our own laws and
administrators, and possess all the privileges that other free and
enlightened citizens enjoy.
“Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only
added fuel to the flame, it has spread with increasing rapidity. Proud
of the cause which they have espoused, and conscious of our innocence,
and of the truth of their system, amidst calumny and reproach, have the
Elders of this Church gone forth, and planted the Gospel in almost every
state in the Union; it has penetrated our cities, it has spread over
our villages, and has caused thousands of our intelligent, noble, and
patriotic citizens to obey its divine mandates, and be governed by its
sacred truths. It has also spread into England, Ireland, Scotland, and
Wales, where, in the year 1840, a few of our missionaries were sent, and
over five thousand joined the Standard of Truth; there are numbers now
joining in every land.
“Our missionaries are going forth to different nations, and in
Germany, Palestine, New Holland [Australia], the East Indies, and other
places, the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can
stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine,
armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go
forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every
continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in
every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great
Jehovah shall say the work is done.
The Articles of Faith describe fundamental doctrines and principles of our religion.
“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 ordinances of the Gospel.
“We believe that the first principle and ordinances of the Gospel
are: (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Repentance; (3) Baptism by
immersion for the remission of sins; (4) 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 in the ordinances thereof.
“We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive
Church, viz.: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
“We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.
“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, 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.
“We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration
of the Ten Tribes; that Zion 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.
“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 be
able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of
good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. [See
Articles of Faith 1:1–13.]
“Respectfully, etc.,
“J
oseph S
mith.”
