The Articles of Faith tell us about God, His servants, and ourselves, and the relationships between us.
First, we learn who God is: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” God is our Eternal Father. Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost share His power and knowledge, and they work as a team. They agree in all things. We can become one with them, and each other, in the same way they are one (John 17:20-24).
Then we learn who we are: “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.” All of us are in Adam’s shoes. We were created by God, given the rules, and then we went ahead and broke them anyway. While it is comforting to know that we will avoid being punished for other people’s sins, we still have our own sins to worry about. We are identified in terms of a predicament—our identity includes the label FALLEN. We are lost and liable to suffer. What shall we do?
The next article of faith tells us what God has done for us: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” A price was paid by Christ to atone for our sins, and new rules are given to us in order to access the grace, power, sanctification, and all the gifts and blessings that stem from that sacrifice. What are these rules?
“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.” If we believe in Christ, change our attitudes and behaviors, receive baptism and confirmation, the gift of the Holy Ghost, then we have access to the Atonement. Faith and repentance are principals for individuals; baptism and the laying on of hands are ordinances administered to us by someone else.
The next five articles of faith, 5 through 9, tell us who is qualified to administer these ordinances: They must be called of God by revelation to preach. They are ordained as was Aaron, by the laying on of hands. They bear the titles of apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, all the stations that were originally part of Christ’s Biblical Church. They exhibit the gifts and manifestations recorded in the Bible—tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, etc. They teach from the scriptures. They have power to give us new revelations from God, as well as quoting previous ones.
When we find qualified ministers from God who can baptize and confirm us, as well as giving us all the other ordinances and knowledge we need, we can then benefit from the Atonement. We “can lay hold upon every good thing” (Moroni 7:20).
The Articles of Faith outline our predicament, and the way to overcome it. They explain whom to trust, and what to do. Jesus sent out ordained ministers to teach and act in His name anciently (see Matt. 10:40), and does so today. “...my words shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).
My testimony is that there are properly ordained ministers on earth today. There are Twelve Apostles on the earth today, just as there were anciently in Christ’s Church. Contrary to what some people think, the title of apostle was not scattered and distributed generally like a pamphlet to be picked up. After Judas’ death, the remaining eleven apostles wanted to fill the vacancy in their quorum. They found two men who seemed worthy to fill the post. Instead of saying, “Let’s make them both apostles—everyone should be an apostle,” they chose only one man, Matthias. They were part of an organization created by Jesus, and they were attempting to maintain that organization. It was important to Jesus’ disciples then, and it still is today.
The manifestations of the Spirit that were in the original Church are found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel the power of God in all the ordinances conducted in the Church. They are administered under the direction of one who holds the keys here on the earth, as Peter received and held them anciently. Thomas S. Monson holds those keys today. He and the other leadership of the Church will be speaking in General Conference in April. They will probably be teaching old things, building on the foundation established in the scriptures, as well as providing any new direction needed for the Church. I hope we will listen, repent, and follow the counsel and commandments they offer us.
I eagerly anticipate each General Conference because it includes both learning and invitations to act. Just as the Articles of Faith expose the dangerous predicament of our situation, and awaken us to the need to find shelter from the storm, I hope that all who watch and hear the messages at General Conference will do so with a measure of discomfort and anxiousness about their eternal welfare. Instead of viewing Conference as a lullaby or a pat on the back, we should see it as an opportunity to learn how to prepare for the fiery trials awaiting us. (Many daydream and doze during Conference, or skip it altogether, though the speakers are representatives of Jesus. Would we nod off if He were speaking?) It is true this life is a gift to us, but it is also a test, a “probation.” No one was ever put on trial for neglecting what came in a box under a Christmas tree, but we will be held to strict account for every minute of life here on earth. We are in peril, whether we are aware of it or not.
What shall we do? Identify those who are qualified to preach the Gospel and administer its ordinances. Receive these ordinances to get the Holy Ghost; the Holy Ghost will lead us to Christ, and Christ will lead us back to the Father. That is the solution to our predicament.
The last articles of faith, 10 through 13, explain the fruits that come to a community comprised of individuals who are spiritually reborn. The building up of Zion, beneficial worship, righteous leadership, and the panoply of virtues integrated into the soul by spiritual rebirth are all outcomes of knowing who God is, knowing our relationship with Him, and then making the leap of faith to trust His messengers.
