LDS 13 Articles of Faith

Why This Matters

Mormonism is often described as the “restored gospel of Jesus Christ,” meaning that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is believed to be a reestablishment of the church originally organized by Jesus Christ and His apostles nearly two thousand years ago.

But does it restore the teachings and practices of Christ and the early church? To answer that question, it is important to understand what Latter-day Saints actually believe—and what they mean when they use familiar Christian terms.

Mormons often speak of:

• Jesus Christ dying for the sins of humanity
• belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
• salvation
• the Ten Commandments
• and the authority of the Bible

They may also carry additional scriptures unique to Mormonism, including:

• the Book of Mormon
• the Doctrine & Covenants
• and the Pearl of Great Price

Latter-day Saints are generally known for strong moral standards and a health code intended to honor the body as a temple. However, the key to understanding Mormonism is recognizing that many shared terms—such as God, Jesus, salvation, and grace—are defined differently within LDS theology than they are within historic Christianity.

Rather than debating labels or making assumptions, this section examines the official 13 Articles of Faith of the LDS Church in order to understand what Mormonism teaches in its own words.

What You’ll Find in This Section

Each of the following pages explores one of the LDS Articles of Faith by examining:

• Why This Matters
• Common LDS Perspective
• Biblical Contrast
• Reflection Questions