I've tried to define what makes a christian and tried to show that Mormon's fit, perfectly, into the teachings of Jesus Christ and conclusively demonstrate how Mormon's are Christian. When Joseph Smith was asked, in March 1842, "[a]t 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", he included 13 of the definitive collection of Mormon's collective faith, which are:
"1 We a believe in b God, the Eternal Father, and in His c Son, Jesus Christ, and in the d Holy Ghost.
3 We believe that through the a Atonement of Christ, allb mankind may be c saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and a ordinances of the Gospel are: first, b Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,c Repentance; third, d Baptism by e immersion for the f remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of g hands for the h gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be a called of God, by b prophecy, and by the laying on of c hands by those who are in d authority, toe preach the Gospel and administer in the f ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same a organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, b prophets, c pastors,d teachers, e evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the a gift of b tongues, c prophecy, d revelation,e visions, f healing, g interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the a Bible to be the b word of God as far as it is translated c correctly; we also believe the d Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has a revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet b reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal a gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the b Ten Tribes; that c Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will d reignpersonally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be e renewedand receive its f paradisiacal g glory.
11 We claim the a privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the b dictates of our own c conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them d worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being a subject to b kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in c obeying, honoring, and sustaining the d law.
13 a We believe in being b honest, true, c chaste, d benevolent, virtuous, and in doing e good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we f hopeall things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able tog endure all things. If there is anything h virtuous, i lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith."
JPS
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