Insight into the Articles of Faith

[The Folk Prophet]

I was just looking over the Articles of Faith and I saw them for the first time in a different perspective, as a carefully ordered list of subjects that define us, rather than a bunch of random concepts. When you take the Articles of Faith in terms of subjects as a whole, it's very interesting:

 

1. God's existence

2. Agency

3. The Atonement

4. Principles and Ordinances

5. Authority

6. Organization of the Church

7. Gifts of the Spirit

8. Scripture

9. Revelation

10. Missionary Work and the Building of Zion

11. Right to Worship

12. Law of the Land

13. Character

 

Maybe I'm late in coming to the game on this thinking, but putting it together as a subject list this way gave me some interesting insight, and so I thought I'd share.

 

The first 5 I find particularly important as to order.

[Just_A_Guy]

No, I agree with you in principle. They build on each other.

My take (still under development) is: Godhead --> man\'s relationship to God/fall --> salvation possible via Christ and Gospel --> the Gospel defined --> definition of who can administer the rituals that are part of the Gospel --> how the people having said authority (and those who believe in that authority) are to be organized --> the manner in which God reveals Himself to that organization --> the manner in which God has revealed Himself in the past --> the relationship between past, present, and future spiritual manifestations --> the manner in which God\'s revealed will is announced to world, and the anticipated culmination thereof --> our responsibilities towards those who reject the message generally --> our responsibilities in a secular society via a vis government --> our responsibilities in a secular society vis a vis all mankind.

[The Folk Prophet]

No, I agree with you in principle. They build on each other.

My take (still under development) is: Godhead --> man\'s relationship to God/fall --> salvation possible via Christ and Gospel --> the Gospel defined --> definition of who can administer the rituals that are part of the Gospel --> how the people having said authority (and those who believe in that authority) are to be organized --> the manner in which God reveals Himself to that organization --> the manner in which God has revealed Himself in the past --> the relationship between past, present, and future spiritual manifestations --> the manner in which God\'s revealed will is announced to world, and the anticipated culmination thereof --> our responsibilities towards those who reject the message generally --> our responsibilities in a secular society via a vis government --> our responsibilities in a secular society vis a vis all mankind.

 

I liked this except the difficulty of reading it. (Hint: bullet points  :)  )

[Connie]

That sounds so similar to the talk Elder Perry gave in the priesthood session last general conference.

[The Folk Prophet]

That sounds so similar to the talk Elder Perry gave in the priesthood session last general conference.

 

Hey, look at that! The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith

 

Hmm. I listened to conference, took notes, etc...but the connections I made today I did not make at that time. Reading through that talk now.......

[The Folk Prophet]

That sounds so similar to the talk Elder Perry gave in the priesthood session last general conference.

 

Oh boy...you really would think that I'd have clued in when that talk was given. The talk says pretty much exactly what I was starting to put together in my own mind. Pretty cool. Thanks!

[Just_A_Guy]

I feel very silly for having missed that talk, Connie.  Many thanks for posting it! 

[Connie]

Well, it was Folk Prophet who posted it.  I was having trouble figuring out how to do that on this new system.  But you're welcome.  And thanks to Folk Prophet for actually posting it.  Maybe someday i'll figure out how to post links again. :)

[Wingnut]

Several years ago, Elder Bednar visited our stake for stake conference.  My husband was in the ward YM presidency at the time, and got to attend a Q&A with Elder Bednar for the youth.  I went with him, and I remember several things he taught that day.  One was about the Articles of Faith.  I don't remember the question, bu I think it was probably something along the lines of "what's the best way to share the Gospel with our friends or answer questions when they ask?"  He taught the youth that they should memorize the articles of faith, because everything they needed to know started there.  Any and every question they might come up against about the Gospel could be tied into an Article of Faith, and then expounded upon.  But the Articles of Faith are the most distilled doctrinal summation we have, and are absolutely crucial to knowing the Gospel.

[Traveler]

There is one other element.  It seems to me that the Articles of Faith are more than just a statement of LDS beliefs.  Rather than a comprehensive indication of our beliefs it appears to me that the Articles are intended to be more centered in distinguishing our understanding of truths restored, that were lost in the Traditional Christian landscape.  Thus the particular wording is more intended to differentiate rather than identify common ground with other Christian sects stand on doctrine.