Articles of Faith/Differing versions/Text of various versions/1853 (Haven)

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Articles of Faith: 1853 (Haven)

Source: David J. Whittaker [Historians Corner, edited by James B. Allen], "Early Mormon Imprints In South Africa," Brigham Young University Studies 20 no. 4 (Summer 1980), 401-416. Original: Jesse Haven, Some of the Principle Doctrines or Belief of the Church (Cape Town, South Africa, 1853), PAGES? ^{[citation needed]}

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The appearance in Cape Town, South Africa, on 8 June 1853 of Some of the Principal Doctrines of Belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints marks the printed beginnings of the Mormon missionary effort in that area of the world. Its author, Jesse Haven, was the first president of the South African Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Called during a special missionary conference in Salt Lake City on 28-29 August 1852….

SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL DOCTRINES, &c.

"We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

We believe that God is a distinct personage, having body and parts like man, for we read that God said "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness."

We believe the personage of God, can no more than the person of man, be in two separate and distinct places at the self same instant of time.

We believe the personage of God is filled with the Holy Ghost, and this Holy Ghost or Spirit of God, is diffused through all space, and by this spirit, God is every where present beholding the works of his hands.

"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression."

We believe Christ atoned for the original sin of Adam, therefore little children that die, without one exception, will be saved.

"We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

"We believe that these ordinances are; 1st. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 2nd. Repentance, 3rd. Baptism by immersion for the remission of Sins; 4th. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"We believe that a man must be called of God by "prophecy, and by laying on of hands" by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church, viz. Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelist, &c.

"We believe in the gifts of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, &c.

"We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly," and a history of the House of Israel.

"We believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God," and a history of the branch of one of the Tribes of Israel, viz: the Tribe of Joseph, it also contains a short history of a people called "Jaredites."

"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.

"We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes. That Zion 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 paradisiac glory."

We believe in the baptism for the dead, a doctrine spoken of by Paul but not explained. This doctrine when rightly and fully understood, appears one of the most glorious doctrines revealed for the salvation of the human family.

We believe in future rewards and punishments, and that mankind will be rewarded according to their works or deeds done in the body. Paul speaks of three different glories, viz. "One glory of the Sun, and another glory of the Moon, and another glory of the Stars," to one of these glories all of the human family will go, except those who commit the unpardonable sin; for them there is no kingdom of glory, but they will become the sons of Perdition, and will have no forgiveness in this world nor in that which is to come. All the human family, except these sons of Perdition, by the death and resurrection of Christ, will be redeemed in the own due time of the Lord from the power of the devil, and be brought into one of the above glories. Paul speaks of being "caught up to the third heaven," showing distinctly that there are three different degrees of glory.

We believe that those who obtain the glory of the Sun, will enjoy the presence of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

We believe that those who will be like the glory of the Moon, will enjoy the "presence of the Son, but not the fulness of the Father."

We believe those who will be like the glory of the Stars, will not enjoy the presence of the Father neither of the Son, but will receive the "Holy Spirit through the ministration" of the other glories, and will also be administered to by Angels. These will not come forth in the first resurrection, but will be shut up in prison through the millennial reign of Christ and His Saints upon the earth, after which, they will be brought forth to inherit a glory they have lived for.

We believe God has raised up a Prophet to whom He has revealed the fullness of the everlasting gospel, and as the forerunner of the second coming of Christ upon the earth.

We believe the Lord is now sending forth His servants for the last time to prune His vineyard,--calling upon all to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

We believe as soon as a person receives and obeys the gospel, it is his duty, as soon as circumstances will permit, to gather out from amongst the wicked, and go to the place the Lord has appointed for the gathering of His people in the last days.

We believe the judgments of God, such as war, famine, pestilence, &c. are soon to be poured out upon the nations of the earth. Therefore the Lord is now saying by His Servants, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

We believe woman is naturally more virtous, pure, and religiously disposed than man, therefore, more women than men, will receive and obey the gospel in the last days, and be gathered to Zion.

We believed there has been a law revealed, by which a man in Zion, and in Zion only, or at the place the Lord has commanded His people to gather, can have more than one wife; and this law is under the strictest regulations.

We believe this law is not given to gratify the lusts of men but given for the exaltation of both men and women,--giving to every woman the privilege of filling up the measure of her creation, and lawfully, and honorabley and virtuously obeying the first and great command, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth."

We believe on the account of the wars that are soon to be amongst the nations of the earth, the the wicked will slay the wicked,--men will be killed off, and the women will flee to Zion for safety; then this prophecy will be fulfilled, "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, we will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach." Isaiah.--4th.--1st. Does a woman take the name of a man unless she is married to him?

We believe in marrying for time and for all eternity; and this ordinance must be attended to in this life, if it is not, husband and wife will be deprived of each other in the life to come. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the Angels of God in Heaven," that is, "they remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity," and "are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory."

"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.

"We believe in being subject to Kings," Queens, "Presidents, Rulers, Magestrates" and all who are in authority over us, "and in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtous, and in doing good to all men."

"We believe in seeking after truth, and are willing to receive and embrace it, from any and every one that has truth to impart.