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.

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.

    6.  We believe in the same organization that existed in
    the primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets,
    pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.

    7.  We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy,
    revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues,
    etc.

    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.

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.

10.  We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this [the American] continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

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.

    12.  We believe in being subject to kings, presidents,
    rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and
    sustaining the law.

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.—­JOSEPH SMITH.

This brief summary of “Mormon” doctrine appears over the signature of Joseph Smith—­the man whom the Latter-day Saints accept as the instrument in divine hands of re-establishing the Church of Christ on earth, in this the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.  Let it not be supposed, however, that these Articles of Faith are, or profess to be, a complete code of the doctrines of the Church, for, as declared in one of the “Articles,” belief in continuous revelation from Heaven is a characteristic feature of “Mormonism.”  Yet it is to be noted that no doctrine has been promulgated, which by even strained interpretation could be construed as antagonistic to this early declaration of faith.  Nor has any revelation to the Church yet appeared in opposition to earlier revelation of this or of by-gone dispensations.