“December 8–14: ‘We Believe’: Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
Detail from To All Worthy Male Members, by Emma Allebes
December 8–14: “We Believe”
The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
Since Joseph Smith’s First Vision, God has continued to guide His Church by revelation. In some cases, that revelation has included changes to the policies and practices of the Church. Official Declarations 1 and 2 announced this kind of revelation—one led to the end of plural marriage, and the other made the blessings of the priesthood available to people of all races. Changes like these are part of what it means to have a “true and living church” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30), with a true and living prophet, led by a true and living God.
But eternal truth doesn’t change, though our understanding of it does. And sometimes revelation casts additional light on truth. The Articles of Faith serve this clarifying purpose. The Church is solidly founded on eternal truth yet can grow and change “according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:15). In other words, “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” (Articles of Faith 1:9).
Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church
The Articles of Faith contain foundational truths of the restored gospel.
Consider this approach to studying the Articles of Faith: For each article of faith, make a “mini-lesson” to explain what you believe. Your mini-lesson could include a related scripture, picture, hymn or children’s song, or personal experience about living a truth that the article of faith teaches.
What difference do these truths make in your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How have the Articles of Faith improved your gospel study or helped you share the gospel with others?
See also Guide to the Scriptures, “Articles of Faith,” Gospel Library; L. Tom Perry, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 46–48; “Chapter 38: The Wentworth Letter,” in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 435–47.
Articles of Faith 1:9; Official Declarations 1 and 2
The Church of Jesus Christ is guided by revelation.
“We believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith 1:9). With this principle in mind, review Official Declarations 1 and 2, and look for words and phrases that strengthen your faith in continuing revelation. How have these revelations affected your life? How have they helped the work of Heavenly Father’s kingdom progress?
What evidence do you see that the Church is led “by the inspiration of Almighty God” today? (Official Declaration 1). Perhaps you could review one or more recent general conference messages, looking for how the Lord is guiding His Church—and your life. The most recent message from the President of the Church may be a good place to start.
What can you do if you or someone you love struggles to understand or accept what the Lord teaches through His prophets? Why are you grateful for a prophet?
See also Amos 3:7; 2 Nephi 28:30; Allen D. Haynie, “A Living Prophet for the Latter Days,” Liahona, May 2023, 25–28; Topics and Questions, “Prophets,” Gospel Library; “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” Hymns, no. 19.
The work of God must move forward.
In the “Excerpts from Three Addresses by President Wilford Woodruff regarding the Manifesto” (at the end of Official Declaration 1), what reasons did the prophet give for the Lord ending the practice of plural marriage? What does this teach you about God’s work?
For more information about the historical background of Official Declaration 1, see Saints, 2:602–15; “The Messenger and the Manifesto,” in Revelations in Context, 323–31; Topics and Questions, “Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah,” Gospel Library.
Wilford Woodruff, by H. E. Peterson
I can trust in the Lord, even when I do not have a perfect understanding.
We don’t know why priesthood ordination and temple ordinances were not available to Church members of African descent for a time. Even when facing difficult unanswered questions about that policy, many Black Latter-day Saints trusted the Lord (see Proverbs 3:5) and stayed faithful to Him throughout their lives. Learning about their faith and experiences could be inspiring to you. Here are some of their accounts, found at history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org:
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“In My Father’s House Are Many Mansions” (story of Green Flake)
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“You Have Come at Last” (story of Anthony Obinna)
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“Break the Soil of Bitterness” (story of Julia Mavimbela)
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“I Will Take It in Faith” (story of George Rickford)
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“Long-Promised Day” (story of Joseph W. B. Johnson)
As you read Official Declaration 2, what do you learn about the Lord’s process for guiding the policies of His Church? Ponder how you have learned to trust the Lord even when you don’t have a perfect understanding.
See also 2 Nephi 26:33; “Witnessing the Faithfulness,” in Revelations in Context, 332–41; Topics and Questions, “Race and the Priesthood,” Gospel Library; Ahmad Corbitt, “A Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood,” parts 1–4, history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org; BeOne.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” While you should try your best to help the people you teach to answer their questions about the gospel, the Lord doesn’t expect you to know everything. When you don’t know how to answer something, admit it. Then point learners to revealed doctrine, and bear sincere testimony of what you do know.
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
People, Places, Events
Ideas for Teaching Children
I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Consider finding and singing hymns or children’s songs that can help your children understand one or more of the Articles of Faith. Perhaps they can help you choose the hymns and songs. Help your children see how the songs relate to the Articles of Faith.
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You and your children could work together to write questions people might have about the gospel of Jesus Christ or His Church. You could then work together to answer those questions using the Articles of Faith. Where else can we go when we have questions about the gospel?
Articles of Faith 1:9; Official Declarations 1 and 2
The Lord guides His Church through His prophet.
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To help your children understand the ninth article of faith, perhaps you could give them a set of scriptures and a picture of the living prophet (or a recent conference issue of the Liahona). Ask them to hold up the scriptures as you read the words “all that God has revealed” and the picture or the magazine when you read “all that He does now reveal” (Articles of Faith 1:9). Why do we need both ancient and modern prophets?
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Your children could learn how the words of the prophets guide us by following instructions to make something, such as food or a toy. You could compare this to the instructions Jesus Christ gives us through the prophet. What are some things the Lord has taught us through His living prophet today?
God calls prophets to lead His Church.
Prophets help us know the will of Heavenly Father.
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Perhaps seeing how the ancient scriptures relate to modern revelation could help your children understand the Official Declarations. You could ask them to read Acts 10:34–35 and Jacob 2:27–30 and invite them to determine which scripture relates to Official Declaration 1 (which led to the end of plural marriage) and which relates to Official Declaration 2 (which announced that priesthood ordination and temple ordinances are available to people of all races). Bear your testimony that the Lord reveals His will to ancient and modern prophets.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.