13 Articles of Faith and 13 Principles of Faith Compared

16 January

13 Articles of Faith in Mormonism AND 13 Principles of the Jewish Faith Compared

       For those who are students of Mormonism, including me, it is interesting to take note of “coincidences” that present themselves for comparison.  What I find fascinating is how many times Joseph Smith came up with the idea of incorporating so many genres of religions and ideologies into what we know today as Mormonism. 

     Belief in a pre-existence reminds me of Hinduism and re-incarnation.  You can essentially make yourself over, so to speak, and try the best you can to become a god.  In Mormonism we see the temple oaths which obviously come from Masonry; Mormonism mimics Catholicism by having to repent to man for forgiveness.  It is very much like Islam by the way they worship the founders, Muhommad and Joseph Smith.  Not to mention the way they both treat women by subjugating them to a class just under cow status. 

     I don’t know how many times I’ve been reminded that Mormonism is nothing more than modern day Gnosticism.  Or how they seem to be like the early Israelites when Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to speak with God and receive the Ten Commandments; remember how they worshipped around the golden calf and forgot the promises they made to God?    And let us not forget the modern-day custom of bigotry and slavery based on skin color.

     The subject of this article is one of those examples as I’m having a difficult time believing this is a “coincidence”.  So come along with me as we look at the Thirteen Articles of Faith in Mormonism and the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith. 

     Before we begin let me clarify one major point.  I am not well versed in the Jewish faith.  It was only a few short weeks ago that I learned of the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith!  I’ve never seen this in the Bible and have been unaware.  Since then I have tried to learn as much as possible about it, but by no means am I an expert.  If you are intimate with these Thirteen Articles of the Jewish Faith and have more insight to share, please write to us!  Please forgive me if I have sounded ignorant enough to offend and know that is not my intention.  I e-mailed a friend of mine who is a director for Chosen People Ministries and asked him to give me a short synopsis of these Thirteen Principles so my thanks go out to Daniel!  He shared with me that the “wording varies in the different ways the articles are enunciated”. 

     Because there are various sets of these “principles” that have been adapted by different sects within Judaism, I am using what seemed to be the most common.  I’ve listed another set at the end of this article.

     Below are side by side comparisons of the LDS Thirteen Articles of Faith and the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith.  The LDS’ version won’t be in order as this makes it easier to show the similarities. The Jewish Principles are in order. 

     You can also find a copy of the Thirteen Articles of Faith in order at the back of any Pearl of Great Price, or on the Mormon website here: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/a_of_f/1   

     This particular version of the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith used was taken from the website of Wikipedia at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_principles_of_faith and are listed at the end of this article as well.

     You the reader may find that you would have placed the LDS Articles of Faith with a different Jewish Principle of Faith, so please share your ideas.  My purpose in putting this on the site is to show the members of the LDS faith how similar Smith’s “revelation” was to something that had been created by a Jewish rabbi who lived from 1135 to 1204 AD.  The Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon formulated the principles while studying at the University of Fes in Morocco.  It wasn’t until after the “Enlightenment Period” that his teachings were widely accepted by a large majority of the Jewish believers.  They now serve as part of their daily prayers. You can learn more about Rabbi Maimon at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides  

     Again, the reason we write these articles and share them with you the reader, is to plant the idea that it’s okay to ask questions.  It’s all right if you want further clarification on the doctrines of the Church or any church for that matter!  Your eternal soul is at stake and I would hope this fact would mean more than the fear you may harbor inside. 

     If you’d like more information on Mormonism or would like to add someone to our prayer list, send us an e-mail!

 With love in Christ;

Michelle Grim

1 Cor. 1:18

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created; He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.”

LDS – “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is One, and that there is no unity in any manner like His, and that He alone is our God, who was, and is, and will be.”

LDS – “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is not a body, and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that there can be no (physical) comparison to Him whatsoever.”

LDS – “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the first and the last.”

LDS – “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.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, and to Him alone, it is right to pray, and that it is not right to pray to any being besides Him.”

LDS – “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.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.”

LDS – “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.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded him and of those who followed him.”

LDS – “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.”

Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that is now in our possession is the same that was given to Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him.”

LDS – “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.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be exchanged, and that there will never be any other Torah from the Creator, blessed be His name.”

LDS – “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.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows all the deeds of human beings, and all their thoughts, as it says: “Who fashioned the hearts of them all, Who comprehends all their actions.” (Psalm 33:15)

LDS – “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, rewards those that keep His commandments and punishes those that transgress them.”

LDS – “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and even though he may tarry, nonetheless I wait every day for his coming.”

LDS – “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.”

 Judaism – “I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator, blessed be His name, and His mention shall be exalted for ever and ever.”

LDS – “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

 Maimonides’ 13 Principles of Faith

 From the website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_principles_of_faith

 1 I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created; He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.”

2 I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is One, and that there is no unity in any manner like His, and that He alone is our God, who was, and is, and will be.

3 I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is not a body, and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that there can be no (physical) comparison to Him whatsoever.

4 I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the first and the last.

5 I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, and to Him alone, it is right to pray, and that it is not right to pray to any being besides Him.

6 I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.

7 I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded him and of those who followed him.

8 I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that is now in our possession is the same that was given to Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him.

9 I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be exchanged, and that there will never be any other Torah from the Creator, blessed be His name.

10 I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows all the deeds of human beings, and all their thoughts, as it says: “Who fashioned the hearts of them all, Who comprehends all their actions.” (Psalm 33:15)

11 I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, rewards those that keep His commandments and punishes those that transgress them.

12 I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and even though he may tarry, nonetheless I wait every day for his coming.

13 I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator, blessed be His name, and His mention shall be exalted for ever and ever.

 LDS 13 Articles of Faith

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

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

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

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, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

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 (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.

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.

 http://www.moshiach.com/discover/articles/thirteen_principles_of_faith.php

1. Belief in the existence of the Creator, be He Blessed, who is perfect in every manner of existence and is the Primary Cause of all that exists.

2. The belief in G-d’s absolute and unparalleled unity.

3. The belief in G-d’s noncorporeality, nor that He will be affected by any physical occurrences, such as movement, or rest, or dwelling.

4. The belief in G-d’s eternity.

5. The imperative to worship Him exclusively and no foreign false gods.

6. The belief that G-d communicates with man through prophecy.

7. The belief that the prophecy of Moses our teacher has priority.

8. The belief in the divine origin of the Torah.

9. The belief in the immutability of the Torah.

10. The belief in divine omniscience and providence.

11. The belief in divine reward and retribution.

12. The belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the messianic era.

13. The belief in the resurrection of the dead.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply