My take on the LDS Articles of Faith
I believe the Articles of faith are a good summary of God's will from a Christian perspective. I think anything that is TRUE needs to be able to be applicable worldwide ... I believe there are Christ figures in every major religion (like, couldn't the Buddha be a Christ figure?) and Christ is an earthly representation of the Father ... and God tries to manifest himself to us in whatever way works for US.
So there has to be something unifying in all religions that everyone will recognize as truth so we can be united.
I think the Church has it backwards - it's trying to be everything for everyone, and attempts to control and direct people (Satan's plan, actually) so everyone can return to God. Christ's plan was for everyone to have agency and choose whether or not they want to come back. So, honestly, I believe every person on earth who is seeking truth or god can be "saved", whether it's through their Christian tradition, or Buddhism, or Hinduism, or Shintoism, or any other cultural faith tradition, or any kind of honest desire to be with God. Remember how we were taught that when the tribes of Israel gather together, all of their books will be combined? What if all of the sacred texts of all of the world's religions ARE the word of God, as He has revealed to His children in a way they understand?
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
~I believe in God as whatever it is behind the wonder of the universe; I believe there are people on earth who understand and teach God's will (Christ figures, figures of God incarnate); I believe our consciences (the Spirit, the light of Christ, the divine light within each of us ... every religion has a word for that unifying spirit force we feel as humankind) are evidence of the existence of a God. Because we all pretty much have consciences and innately recognize what is good and right. The trick is teaching ourselves and our children to be in tune with that spirit (think of how all world religions try to draw towards that spirit).
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
~We believe in personal accountability and accepting the consequences of our actions.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
~I believe that God finds a way to save us all, and for Christians, that is through Jesus Christ, and for Buddhists, that is by ... whatever they do to achieve Nirvana, etc ... and I suspect every religion has a similar-sounding path of a way to return to god, and I believe they are all correct.
4 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.
~Sure, if that works for you. If you need "faith" to draw unto God, he'll accept that. I don't necessarily think baptism by immersion is necessary ... Christ did it because it was something the Jews could understand in THEIR tradition. Christ (or each religion's "God Incarnate") taught "the way" by example in every faith tradition in a way that worked within each individual's culture, in a way that made sense to them.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
~Again, if people need authority (ie. Children of Israel) God will give them that framework to allow them to commune with Him. I believe Christ taught differently when he said he fulfilled the law... we no longer needed the religious authority the Jews thought they needed, we just needed the desire to follow Him (and ultimately follow God) ... We do have direct access to God, but Jesus is a helper for those who don't feel like they can directly commune with God.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
~If that's what you need, it's right. There does need to be some kind of organization, but I think it is individual and should be adapted to each individual's needs ... to draw closer to God and become of one heart and mind.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
~Yes, and nobody has the corner of the market on that.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
~I also believe there are many things that are the word of God. Anything our spirit recognizes as truth is God's word to us. True principles will strike everyone as true, applications of those principles can be suggested and we can find a way to uniquely operate those true principles in our lives.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
~God will reveal anything to us if we earnestly seek that knowledge and seek Him. That knowledge will bring us peace and comfort.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
~I'm not entirely sure how much I believe this ... but as far as the Gathering of Israel goes, yes. I believe there IS a way for all world religions to be united in purpose and spirit and follow God's will regardless of dogma ... we will all recognize the same truths and that's how we know we will all recognize God's face. And also how every knee will bow and every tongue confess a knowledge of Jesus Christ. He goes by different names in different faiths, but He is real ... in that sense ...
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
~THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE MORE THAN ANYTHING.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
~I ALSO BELIEVE THIS. WE NEED TO RESPECT AND HONOR THE LAW AND THE THINGS WE ARE SUBJECT TO.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
~Yes. Always be honestly and earnestly seeking after things that are good.
I think there is so much good in the world, and so many people who are striving to be close to God, and He is reaching out to all of His children in any way He can. I think the Church is trying to do that, but I really don't feel it coming from the CHURCH, I feel it in my heart.
So there has to be something unifying in all religions that everyone will recognize as truth so we can be united.
I think the Church has it backwards - it's trying to be everything for everyone, and attempts to control and direct people (Satan's plan, actually) so everyone can return to God. Christ's plan was for everyone to have agency and choose whether or not they want to come back. So, honestly, I believe every person on earth who is seeking truth or god can be "saved", whether it's through their Christian tradition, or Buddhism, or Hinduism, or Shintoism, or any other cultural faith tradition, or any kind of honest desire to be with God. Remember how we were taught that when the tribes of Israel gather together, all of their books will be combined? What if all of the sacred texts of all of the world's religions ARE the word of God, as He has revealed to His children in a way they understand?
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
~I believe in God as whatever it is behind the wonder of the universe; I believe there are people on earth who understand and teach God's will (Christ figures, figures of God incarnate); I believe our consciences (the Spirit, the light of Christ, the divine light within each of us ... every religion has a word for that unifying spirit force we feel as humankind) are evidence of the existence of a God. Because we all pretty much have consciences and innately recognize what is good and right. The trick is teaching ourselves and our children to be in tune with that spirit (think of how all world religions try to draw towards that spirit).
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
~We believe in personal accountability and accepting the consequences of our actions.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
~I believe that God finds a way to save us all, and for Christians, that is through Jesus Christ, and for Buddhists, that is by ... whatever they do to achieve Nirvana, etc ... and I suspect every religion has a similar-sounding path of a way to return to god, and I believe they are all correct.
4 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.
~Sure, if that works for you. If you need "faith" to draw unto God, he'll accept that. I don't necessarily think baptism by immersion is necessary ... Christ did it because it was something the Jews could understand in THEIR tradition. Christ (or each religion's "God Incarnate") taught "the way" by example in every faith tradition in a way that worked within each individual's culture, in a way that made sense to them.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
~Again, if people need authority (ie. Children of Israel) God will give them that framework to allow them to commune with Him. I believe Christ taught differently when he said he fulfilled the law... we no longer needed the religious authority the Jews thought they needed, we just needed the desire to follow Him (and ultimately follow God) ... We do have direct access to God, but Jesus is a helper for those who don't feel like they can directly commune with God.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
~If that's what you need, it's right. There does need to be some kind of organization, but I think it is individual and should be adapted to each individual's needs ... to draw closer to God and become of one heart and mind.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
~Yes, and nobody has the corner of the market on that.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
~I also believe there are many things that are the word of God. Anything our spirit recognizes as truth is God's word to us. True principles will strike everyone as true, applications of those principles can be suggested and we can find a way to uniquely operate those true principles in our lives.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
~God will reveal anything to us if we earnestly seek that knowledge and seek Him. That knowledge will bring us peace and comfort.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
~I'm not entirely sure how much I believe this ... but as far as the Gathering of Israel goes, yes. I believe there IS a way for all world religions to be united in purpose and spirit and follow God's will regardless of dogma ... we will all recognize the same truths and that's how we know we will all recognize God's face. And also how every knee will bow and every tongue confess a knowledge of Jesus Christ. He goes by different names in different faiths, but He is real ... in that sense ...
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
~THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE MORE THAN ANYTHING.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
~I ALSO BELIEVE THIS. WE NEED TO RESPECT AND HONOR THE LAW AND THE THINGS WE ARE SUBJECT TO.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
~Yes. Always be honestly and earnestly seeking after things that are good.
I think there is so much good in the world, and so many people who are striving to be close to God, and He is reaching out to all of His children in any way He can. I think the Church is trying to do that, but I really don't feel it coming from the CHURCH, I feel it in my heart.