Fundamental Articles or Beliefs

The following tenets of Mormonism are selected excerpts from Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie, Second Edition, published by Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1979.

1. Adam � �He sat in the council of the Gods in the planning and creation of the earth, and then, under Christ, participated in the creative enterprise.� (p. 16)

2. American Indian � �When Columbus discovered America, the native inhabitants, the American Indians as they were soon to be designated, were a people of mixed blood and origin. Chiefly they were Lamanites, but such remnants of the Nephite nation as had not been destroyed had, of course, mingled with the Lamanites. Thus the Indians were Jews by nationality, their forefathers having come out from Jerusalem, from the kingdom of Judah.�Since the days of the Spanish conquests and colonizations of Mexico and South America, there has been a further dilution of the pure Lamanitish blood. But with it all, for the great majority of the descendents of the original inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere, the dominant blood lineage is that of Israel. The Indians are repeatedly called Lamanites in the revelations to the Prophet, and the promise is that in due course they �shall blossom as the rose�, that is become again a white and delightsome people as were their ancestors a great many generations ago.� (pp. 32-33)

3. Apostles Creed � �According to tradition-the source of authority for so many false Doctrinal and historical conclusions for which there is neither evidence nor proof-this creed dates back to apostolic times.� (p. 46) �The most charitable thing that may be said of them [creeds] is that they are man made. Neither their authors, the councils which adopted them, nor those who presently accept them, make any claim that revelation or inspiration was present in their formulation and promulgation, although attempts are made to show that the various articles in them conform to the teachings of the scriptures.� (p. 171)

4. Blood Atonement Doctrine � �But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins, hence, we find the Lord commanding capital punishment.�Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf.� (pp. 92-93)

5. Christianity � �Christianity is the religion of the Christians. Hence, true and acceptable Christianity is found among the saints who have the fullness of the gospel, and a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom.� (p. 132)

6. Church of the Devil - �There is no salvation outside this one true Church, the Church of Jesus Christ.� (p. 138)

7. Doctrine � �True doctrines are always found in the Lord�s true Church because the channel of communication between God and his people is open. False doctrines abound in churches that deny contemporary revelation and consequently have no sure way of checking various views and concepts to see if they conform to the will of Deity.� (p. 204)

8. False Gods � �As pertaining to this universe, there are three Gods: the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All other supposed deities are false gods.� (p. 270)

9. Father in Heaven � �God the Eternal Father, our Father in Heaven, is an exalted, perfected, and glorified Personage, having a tangible body of flesh and bones.� (p. 278)

10. Firstborn � �Christ is the Firstborn, meaning that he was the first Spirit Child born to God the Father in pre-existence.� (p. 281)

11. Godhead � Three glorified and perfected personages comprise the Godhead or supreme presidency of the universe. They are: God the Father; God the Son; God the Holy Ghost. (First Article of Faith.)�Though each God in the Godhead is a personage separate and distinct from each of the others, yet they are �one God�, meaning that they are united as one in the attributes of perfection.�Each occupies space and is and can be in but one place at one time, but each has power and influence that is everywhere present.� (p. 319)

12. Godhood � �That exaltation which the saints of all ages have devoutly sought is godhood itself.�Joseph Smith said: �God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! (p. 321)

13. God of Gods � �Further, as the Prophet also taught, there is �a God above the Father or our Lord Jesus Christ.�If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father, you may suppose that he had a father also. When was there ever a son without a father?�Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that he had a Father also? In this way both the Father and the Son, as all exalted beings, are now or in due course will become Gods of Gods.� (pp. 322-323)

14. God of this World � This world of carnality and lust, of every lascivious and evil thing, belongs to Satan. He created it; he is its father and god.� (p. 324)

15. Holy Ghost � �The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a Personage of Spirit, a Spirit Person. A Spirit Man, a Spirit Entity. He can be in only one place at one time, and he does not and cannot transform himself into any other form or image than that of the Man whom he is, though his power and influence can be manifested at one and the same time through all immensity.� (p. 359)

16. Gold Plates � �As we now have it, the Book of Mormon is a translation of a portion of the Gold Plates.�Joseph Smith said that �each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not quite so thick as common tin,� that they were �filled with engravings, in Egyptian characters,� and that they were bound together with three rings, forming a volume �something near six inches in thickness, a part of which is sealed.�� Moroni deposited the plates in the Hill Cumorah in about 421 A.D., and then as a resurrected being revealed the hiding place to the Prophet on September 22, 1823. Four years later the Prophet was permitted to obtain possession of them, but the actual translation of the portion we now have as the Book of Mormon did not take place until between April 7 and June 11, 1829. Thereafter the plates were returned to the custody of Moroni.� (pp. 326-327)

17. Inspired Version of the Bible � �As all informed persons know, the various versions of the Bible, do not accurately preserve the words, thoughts, and intents of the original inspired authors. In consequence, at the command of the Lord and while acting under the spirit of revelation, the Prophet corrected, revised altered, added to, and deleted from the King James Version of the Bible to form what is now commonly referred to as the Inspired Version of the Bible.� (p. 383)

18. Jews � �The conversion of the Jews as a people, however, will not take place until after the Second Coming of the Son of Man.� (p. 393)

19. Joseph Smith the Prophet � �In the providence of Almighty God, and according to the plan ordained in the councils of eternity, Joseph Smith Jr., was born into mortality, December 23, 1805. As a pre-existent spirit he had ranked with Adam and Abraham; he was one of the noble and great ones of who Abraham wrote, a truth which President Joseph F. Smith also saw in vision. In that prior existence, by diligence and obedience, he gained the spiritual stature and capacity which entitled him to be foreordained to stand as the head of the greatest of all gospel dispensations.�Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.� (pp. 385-396)

20. Kolob - �Kolob means �the first creation.� It is the name of the planet �nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God.� �It is �first in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time�One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth.�� (p. 428)

21. Lamanite Curse � �Because they rebelled against the truth, a two-fold curse came upon the Lamanites: 1. They were cut off from the presence of the Lord and thus died spiritually. Scales of darkness covered their eyes because they did not accept the saving principles of the gospel. They became apostates and the descendants of apostates. 2. �After they had dwindled in unbelief,� that is, after they had forsaken the Church and the gospel, �they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations.� So that they �might not be enticing� unto the Nephites, �the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.��

22. Mary � �As such a virgin, she gave birth to a Son whose Father was the Almighty God.�As the wife of Joseph, she was the mother of other sons and daughters.� (p. 471)

23. Michael the Archangel � �Our great prince, Michael, known in mortality as Adam, stands next to Christ in the eternal plan of salvation and progression. (p. 491)

24. Mother in Heaven � �Implicit in the Christian verity that all men are the spirit children of an Eternal Father is the usually unspoken truth that they are also the offspring of an Eternal Mother. An exalted and glorified Man of Holiness could not be a Father unless a Woman of like glory, perfection, and holiness was associated with him as a Mother. The begetting of children makes a man a father and a woman a mother whether we are dealing with man in his mortal or immortal state.� (p. 516)

25. Negroes � �In all past ages and until recent times in this dispensation, the Lord did not offer the priesthood to the Negroes. However, on June 1, 1978, in the Salt Lake Temple, in the presence of the First Presidency, and the Council of the Twelve. President Spenser W. Kimball received a revelation from the Lord directing that the gospel and the priesthood should now go to all men without reference to race or color.� (p. 527)

26. One Hundred Forty-four Thousand � �These 144,000 are Gods, as the name on their foreheads specifies; their callings and elections have been made sure; they are exalted personages; they are �redeemed from among men,�And in their mouths was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.� They have attained perfection.� (p. 546)

27. Plurality of Gods � Three separate personages-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-comprise the Godhead. As each of these persons is a God, it is evident, from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of Gods exists. To us, speaking in the proper finite sense, these three are the only Gods we worship. But in addition there is a infinite number of holy personages, drawn from worlds without number, who have passed on to exaltation and are thus gods.� (pp. 576-577)

28. Plural Marriage � �According to the Lord�s law of marriage, it is lawful that a man have only one wife at a time. Unless by revelation the Lord commands plurality of wives in the new and everlasting covenant.�In the early days of this dispensation, as part of the promised restitution of all things, the Lord revealed the principle of plural marriage to the Prophet. Later the Prophet and leading brethren were commanded to enter to enter into the practice, which they did in all virtue and purity of heart despite the consequent animosity and prejudices of worldly people. After Brigham Young led the saints to the Salt Lake Valley, plural marriage was openly taught and practiced until the year 1890. At that time conditions were such that the Lord by revelation withdrew the command to continue the practice and President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto directing it cease. Obviously the holy practice will commence again after the Second Coming of the Son of Man and the ushering in of the millennium.� (pp. 577-578)

29. Pre-existence � �Pre-existence is the term commonly used to describe the pre-mortal existence of the spirit children of God the Father. Speaking of this prior existence in a spirit sphere, the First Presidency of the Church (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund) said: �All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of �Deity�; as spirits they were the �offspring of celestial parentage.��These spirit beings of exalted parents, were men and women, appearing in all respects as mortal persons do, accepting only that their spirit bodies were made of a more pure and refined substance that the elements from which mortal bodies are made.� (p. 589)

30. President of the Church � �The President of the Church is the mouthpiece of God on earth.� (p. 592)

31. Races of Men � �Racial degeneration, resulting in differences in appearance and spiritual aptitude has arisen since the fall. We know that the circumstances under which the posterity of Cain (and later that of Ham) were born with the characteristics of the black race. The Book of Mormon explains why the Lamanites received dark skins and a degenerate status. If we had a true and full history of all races and nations , we would know the origins of all their distinctive characteristics. In the absence of such detailed information, however, we only know that all these changes from the physical and spiritual perfections of our common parents have been brought about by departure from the gospel truths.��The race and nation in which men are born in this world is a direct result of their pre-existent life. All the spirit hosts of heaven deemed worthy to receive mortal bodies were foreordained to pass through this earthly probation in the particular race and nation suited to their needs, circumstances, and talents.� (p. 616)

32. Resurrection � �Joseph Smith said: �In the resurrection some are raised to be angels, others are raised to become gods.�� (p. 640)

33. Revelation � �The Lord appears personally to certain spiritually receptive persons; he speaks audibly by his own voice, on occasions, to those whose ears are attuned to the divine wave length; angels are sent from his presence to minister to deserving individuals; dreams and visions come from him to the faithful; he often speaks by the still small voice of the Spirit, the voice of prophesy and revelation; he reveals truth by means of the Urim and Thummim, and he gives his mind and will to receptive mortals in whatever ways seem appropriate as circumstances require.��Every person who is sufficiently faithful has the categorical promise that God himself will appear to him.� (pp. 644-645)

34. Sacrament � �Bread and wine or water are �the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ�; expressions relative to the partaking of his flesh and blood are figurative and not literal. The so-called doctrine of transubstantiation which teaches that al who partake of the sacrament are literally eating the body and drinking the blood of Christ is a false doctrine, devised by uninspired men, which helps to hide the true meaning and purport of the sacramental ordinance.� (p. 661)

35. Salvation for the Dead � �Since the Lord views man�s progress from the pre-existent state to an eventual inheritance in one of the degrees of glory as one continuing course, it is not material (from the eternal perspective) whether the opportunity to accept the gospel of salvation comes in this mortal sphere or in the spirit world hereafter. Sometime after birth into this life and before the resurrection and judgment, every living soul will hear the gospel message and will be judged by his reaction thereto. The millions who pass to the spirit world without receiving an opportunity during mortality to hear the truths of salvation will receive their chance subsequent to what men call death.� (p. 673)

36. Scripture � �Any message, whether written or spoken, that comes from God to man by the power of the Holy Ghost is scripture. If it is written and accepted by the Church it becomes part of the scriptures or standard works and ever thereafter may be read and studied with profit. Much of what is in the scriptures was given orally in the first instance and was thereafter recorded either by the uttering prophet or an inspired scribe. Other portions of what is in holy writ were written by the inspired authors by way of revelation and commandment.� (p. 682)

37. Theogony � �The term theogony has reference to the genealogy of the gods. In view of the revealed latter-day knowledge of how, as the Prophet expressed it, �God came to be God�, and of the power which righteous men have to go on to their exaltation so that they may become gods, the term theogony takes on a meaning for Latter-day Saints which is far beyond anything the world has supposed.� (pp. 789-790)

38. Tithing � �One tenth of the interest or increase of each member of the Church is payable as tithing into the tithing funds of the Church each year. Salaries, wages, gifts, bequests, inheritances, and increase in flocks, herds, and crops, and all income of whatever nature are subject to the law of tithing. Payment of the requisite tenth does not comply with the law unless the property and money so donated go into the tithing funds of the Church; it is not left with the individual to choose where his tithing contribution shall be made.�The law of tithing is a test by which the people as individuals shall be proved. Any man who fails to observe this principle shall be known as a man who is indifferent to the welfare of Zion, who neglects his duty as a member of the Church� (p. 796-797)

39. Tithing Settlement � �At the end of each year certain convenient days are set apart for tithing settlement. On these days Church members are privileged to go over their personal tithing records with their bishop, and to receive counsel from him, so that the tithing status of each member is clearly known to both him and his ecclesiastical judge. As a matter of wisdom, tithing should be paid when income is received, though it is possible to comply with the law by a lump sum contribution at the time of tithing settlement.� (p. 799)

40. Urim and Thummim � �From time to time, as his purposes require, the Lord personally, or through the ministry of appointed angels, delivers to chosen prophets a Urim and Thummim to be used in receiving revelations and in translating ancient records from unknown tongues. With the approval of the Lord these prophets are permitted to pass these instructions on to their mortal successors. A Urim and Thummim consists of two special stones called seer stones or interpreters. The Hebrew words Urim and Thummim, both plural, mean lights and perfections. Presumably one of the stones is called Urim and the other Thummim. Ordinarily they are carried in a breastplate over the heart. Because of the sacred nature of these holy instruments, they have not been viewed by most men, and even the times and circumstances under which they have been held by mortals are not clearly set forth.�President Joseph Fielding Smith, with reference to the seer stone and the Urim and Thummim, has written: �We have been taught since the days of the Prophet that the Urim and Thummim were returned with the plates to the angel. We have no record of the Prophet having the Urim and Thummim after the organization of the Church.� (p. 818)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: �Bruce Redd McConkie (July 29, 1915 � April 19, 1985) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1972 until his death. McConkie was a member of the First Council of the Seventy of the LDS Church from 1946 until his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.�

In 1958 McConkie published the first edition of Mormon Doctrine: A Compendium of the Gospel, which he described as "the first major attempt to digest, explain, and analyze all of the important doctrines of the kingdom" and "the first extensive compendium of the whole gospel�the first attempt to publish an encyclopedic commentary covering the whole field of revealed religion." He included a disclaimer that he alone was responsible for the doctrinal and scriptural interpretations, a practice unusual at the time.

In writing the book, McConkie relied heavily upon the scriptures and recognized doctrinal authorities. Church leaders were surprised by its publication (since he had not asked permission and was not asked to develop such a work) and responded that while they applauded the attempt of the book to fill a need, it used a harsh tone and, in the words of Mark E. Petersen, was "full of errors and misstatements, and it is most unfortunate that it has received such wide circulation." Church president David O. McKay asked McConkie not to reprint, but later McConkie was asked to revise it with the editorial help of Spencer W. Kimball. The 1966 second edition incorporated many changes, especially a softening of the tone.