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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 50: December 8 - 14: "We Believe"

ARTICLES OF FAITH

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • Prophets act as the Lord’s mouthpiece, declaring His will and guiding His Church according to present needs. From ancient days to the present, this pattern has ensured that God’s people are never left without inspired direction (Amos 3:7). Modern prophets receive revelation tailored to the challenges and opportunities of our time.

The Lord’s Church is not static — as conditions change, the Lord provides guidance to move His work forward. The ending of plural marriage (Official Declaration 1) and the extension of priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy men (Official Declaration 2) illustrate God’s pattern of guiding His Church according to His wisdom and timing.

The Articles of Faith outline core doctrines — faith, repentance, ordinances, and enduring to the end — that remain unchanged across time. Practices may adjust to fulfill God’s purposes in different eras, but those adjustments are expressions of His unchanging love and eternal plan.

God reveals truth “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). As Saints live the gospel, they receive additional light that clarifies doctrine and deepens discipleship. This ongoing process invites humility and a willingness to follow God’s timing, trusting that greater understanding will come as we act in faith.

  • The reasons behind some divine decisions — such as the former restriction on priesthood for those of African descent — are not fully known. However, faithful members have demonstrated that it is possible to remain committed to the Lord and His Church while awaiting fuller understanding, trusting His perfect knowledge and timing.

Scripture affirms that God “inviteth them all to come unto him” (2 Nephi 26:33). Official Declaration 2 reflects the fulfillment of that truth in Church policy, showing the Lord’s ongoing effort to remove barriers and extend His blessings universally. This teaches disciples to likewise reject prejudice and embrace unity in Christ.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The Articles of Faith were written by Joseph Smith in 1842 as part of the Wentworth Letter, a summary of Latter-day Saint beliefs for publication. Official Declaration 1 came in 1890 during President Wilford Woodruff’s administration, ending the practice of plural marriage in the Church. Official Declaration 2 came in 1978 during President Spencer W. Kimball’s presidency, announcing that priesthood and temple blessings would be extended to all worthy male members regardless of race.
  • Each of these declarations came at a time when the Church was facing pivotal challenges that impacted its ability to fulfill its divine mission. The Articles of Faith were a public declaration to clarify and defend the Church’s doctrines in a climate of misunderstanding. The Manifesto (Official Declaration 1) came when the U.S. government was enforcing strict anti-polygamy laws that threatened the Church’s survival. The 1978 revelation (Official Declaration 2) came amid global Church growth, particularly in areas where the priesthood restriction had limited the Church’s ability to serve all members fully.
  • These events highlight the role of continuing revelation in navigating both doctrinal clarity and practical realities. They show that God will reveal His will to His prophet to guide the Church through times of transition and into greater alignment with His eternal purposes.
  • For us today, these moments underscore the importance of trusting in God’s timing, sustaining living prophets, and recognizing that the Lord’s work is a living process. As His purposes unfold, He may reveal truths or changes that invite us to adjust, grow, and more fully embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Official Declaration 1 did not change the eternal doctrine of marriage but ended the practice of plural marriage when it no longer served the Lord’s purposes for His Church. Likewise, Official Declaration 2 did not alter the eternal doctrine that all are alike unto God but removed a policy restriction that had prevented some from accessing priesthood and temple blessings. Both moments required prophetic revelation and courageous leadership.

     

  • These changes came after prayerful seeking by prophets who desired to follow God’s will, not public opinion. In both cases, Church leaders bore testimony that the change was directed by the Lord.
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  • The underlying doctrines of family, salvation, and God’s love remained unchanged, but the application of those doctrines adjusted to fulfill the Lord’s larger purposes.
  • “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and… that He will yet reveal many great and important things” is a statement of both faith and flexibility. It acknowledges that God’s work is ongoing and that revelation is a process, not a static event. This perspective can help members reconcile their faith with historical or future changes in Church policies and practices.

     

  • Recognizing this principle helps us avoid viewing the Church’s history as inconsistent — instead, we see it as a continuing story of God’s work unfolding over time.
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  • This also invites personal application: if God continues to reveal truth to His prophets, He can also reveal guidance to individuals for their personal lives, line upon line, according to their willingness to receive it.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Changes like Official Declaration 1 and 2 prove the Church is inconsistent.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: God has frequently given specific instructions to His people that were later adapted as circumstances changed (e.g., Acts 10:34–35 ending the Jewish-Gentile division in the early Church). This pattern is consistent with scriptural precedent.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Official Declarations 1 and 2 came after extended prophetic seeking and were confirmed by united testimony from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Many members, including those directly impacted, have testified that these changes were answers to fervent prayer and felt the confirming witness of the Spirit.
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  10. Logical Analysis: If God’s work is to gather all His children, then occasional adjustments to policies — while preserving eternal truths — are necessary to meet global needs and advance His kingdom
  • Claim: “A divine Church would never have implemented such a policy.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The reasons for the restriction were never canonized as doctrine, and Church leaders have acknowledged the lack of revealed explanation for its origin.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Faithful Black Latter-day Saints like Jane Elizabeth Manning James and Anthony Obinna lived devoted lives in the Church despite the restriction, testifying of the gospel’s truth.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The 1978 revelation was accompanied by a profound, unified spiritual witness to all General Authorities present, described as one of the most powerful experiences of their lives.
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  • Logical Analysis: The existence of a difficult policy does not negate the truth of the restored gospel; rather, the eventual removal of that policy through revelation shows God’s ability to correct and guide His Church toward greater inclusion.
  • Claim: “The Manifesto was purely a political move, not a revelation.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: President Wilford Woodruff recorded that he sought the Lord’s will on the matter and received a revelation directing the cessation of plural marriage to preserve the Church and its temples.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Multiple leaders affirmed publicly and privately that the decision was spiritually confirmed, not merely politically expedient.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Lord’s direction allowed the Church to continue its mission without forfeiting sacred ordinances and temple worship.
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  • Logical Analysis: God can use external pressures to bring about His timing, as seen in biblical examples where circumstances prompted new revelation while keeping divine purposes intact.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Study the background of Official Declarations 1 and 2 and identify how God’s timing was evident in each.

Understanding how God has directed past changes strengthens faith in His ability to guide current and future developments. It also fosters patience and humility when we do not yet have all the answers.

  1. – Read the text of both Official Declarations in the Doctrine and Covenants.
  2. – Review their historical background in Saints or Revelations in Context.
  3. – Identify principles about revelation and timing from each event.
  4. – Pray for the ability to sustain prophetic counsel, even amid uncertainty.

Encouraging Thought:

“We believe all that God has revealed… and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things” (Articles of Faith 1:9).

Action Step: Memorize at least one Article of Faith and use it in a gospel discussion this week.

The Articles of Faith are concise, clear summaries of core doctrines, making them effective tools for explaining the gospel to others. They also strengthen your own understanding when you prepare to share them.

  1. – Choose one Article of Faith to focus on this week.
  2. – Memorize it and study its related scriptures.
  3. – Look for opportunities in conversation to share it naturally.
  4. – Bear simple testimony of the truth it teaches.

Encouraging Thought:

Elder L. Tom Perry taught, “The Articles of Faith stand as a guide to help us live as Latter-day Saints.”

  • Action Step: Read or listen to the most recent general conference message from the President of the Church and identify one principle to apply this week.

Following the prophet’s counsel brings safety, unity, and alignment with God’s will. It also invites personal revelation to help apply that counsel in your own life.

  1. – Find the prophet’s most recent general conference message in the Gospel Library app.
  2. – Read or listen prayerfully, highlighting phrases that stand out.
  3. – Write down one clear action you can take to follow that counsel.
  4. – Report your experience to a family member or friend to reinforce your commitment.

Encouraging Thought:

  • President Russell M. Nelson taught, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners visualize how God has guided His Church through revelation in different time periods.

Large sheet of paper or whiteboard, markers, scripture references for Articles of Faith 1:9, Official Declarations 1 & 2, and modern conference quotes.

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Show a blank timeline and ask learners to name examples of when God revealed new instructions to His people in scripture or Church history.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Articles of Faith 1:9 and discuss past revelations (plural marriage beginning and ending, priesthood extension, etc.), placing them on the timeline. Add current counsel from the living prophet.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to write down one personal question or decision where they need God’s guidance, representing their own “future revelation” space on the timeline.

Follow-Up Question: How does knowing God has revealed truth in the past strengthen your confidence that He will guide you now?

Objective: Help learners internalize and recall the Articles of Faith for teaching and testimony purposes.

Printed slips of each Article of Faith, stop watch or timer, chalkboard/whiteboard.

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Share how the Articles of Faith were part of Joseph Smith’s Wentworth Letter and have served as a missionary tool since 1842. Ask learners if they could explain their beliefs clearly in under one minute.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): In pairs, learners read one assigned Article of Faith and its related scriptures. Discuss how it summarizes a gospel truth.

Application (5 min): Time each pair as they teach their assigned Article of Faith to the group in under 60 seconds. Encourage clarity and testimony.

Follow-Up Question: Which Article of Faith do you most want to share with someone this week, and why?

Objective: Show how following prophetic counsel connects us to the Savior and prepares us for future revelation.

Index cards with short excerpts from the current prophet’s most recent general conference message, picture of the prophet, scriptures (Amos 3:7; 2 Nephi 28:30).

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Display the prophet’s picture and ask, “What are some ways God has guided His people through prophets in the past year?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Amos 3:7 and 2 Nephi 28:30, discussing how they apply to prophetic counsel today.

Application (5 min): Divide learners into small groups; each group draws one counsel card, explains why it’s important, and shares one action step to apply it this week.

Follow-Up Question: How have you personally seen blessings from following the prophet’s counsel?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • The Articles of Faith summarize foundational gospel truths and are a clear, inspired statement of Latter-day Saint belief.

     

  • Continuing revelation is a defining characteristic of a “true and living” Church, guided by living prophets.

     

  • Official Declarations 1 and 2 demonstrate God’s pattern of revealing His will to meet the needs of His children in changing circumstances.

     

  • Eternal truths do not change, but their application can be adapted under God’s direction.

     

  • Trusting God’s timing helps disciples remain steadfast amid unanswered questions or challenging changes.
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  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • Prophets have always been God’s chosen means to guide His people (Amos 3:7).

       

    • Modern prophets seek revelation through study, fasting, prayer, and united council; changes like those in Official Declarations 1 and 2 came after extended spiritual seeking.

       

    • The consistency of prophetic guidance over time — centered on Jesus Christ and His gospel — demonstrates divine direction, not shifting personal opinion.
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • God works through mortal leaders, and mortality includes human limitation. This does not negate divine guidance but shows that His purposes can still unfold despite imperfection.

       

    • Scriptural history is filled with examples where God corrected His people or adjusted practices in His timing (Acts 10:34–35; Alma 37:12).

       

    • Trusting in God means believing He can use imperfect instruments to accomplish His perfect work.
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Official Declaration 2 — Extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy men.

Gospel Topics Essays — “Plural Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”; “Race and the Priesthood.”