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Articles of Faith and Declarations 1 and 2
New from BMC
Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Book of Mormon Central produces weekly videos from Tyler Griffin, Taylor Halverson, John Hilton III, Anthony Sweat, Casey Griffiths, Stephanie Dibb Sorensen and Marianna Richardson. Read commentaries and other resources from KnoWhys, Steven C. Harper, Casey Griffiths, and Susan Easton Black.
Videos
Official Declaration 1
Official Declaration 2
Daily Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.
Monday
- Scripture: Articles of Faith 1:1–6
- KnoWhy 261: Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Doctrinal Ideas About Christ?
- KnoWhy 276: Where Does the Book of Mormon Declare the First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel?
- KnoWhy 364: Why Do We Need Prophets?
Further Reading
- KnoWhy 266: How Are the Book of Mormon’s Teachings About the Godhead Unique?
- KnoWhy 269: Why Did Lehi Teach that the Fall was Necessary?
- KnoWhy 289: What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about the Priesthood?
Tuesday
- Scripture: Articles of Faith 1:7–13
- KnoWhy 299: How Did the Book of Mormon Help the Early Saints Understand Spiritual Gifts?
- KnoWhy 56: Why Is There a Need for the Testimony of Two Nations?
- KnoWhy 290: Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas about the Physical and Spiritual Gathering of Israel?
Further Reading
- KnoWhy 247: Why Do the Prophets Speak of Multiple Jerusalems?
- KnoWhy 318: What Did the Early Saints Learn about the Second Coming from the Book of Mormon?
Wednesday
- Commentary: Official Declaration 1 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: Official Declaration 1:1–8 (paragraphs)
- KnoWhy 64: What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy?
Thursday
- Scripture: Official Declaration 1:9–16 (paragraphs)
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Official Declaration 1.
Friday
- Scripture: Official Declaration 1:17–20 (paragraphs)
- Video: (Casey)
Saturday
- Commentary: Official Declaration 2 Context, Steven C. Harper
- Scripture: Official Declaration 2:1–8 (paragraphs)
- KnoWhy 278: Why Did Nephi Say That All Are Alike Unto God?
Sunday
- Scripture: Official Declaration 2:9–18 (paragraphs)
- Commentary: Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, Official Declaration 2.
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Quote: As we become aware of God’s watch-care and as we turn to Church leaders to help us learn how to become worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we learn that we can reach the status of worthiness for each goal along life’s path. Yet we must strive for worthiness.
In Official Declaration—2 [OD 2], accepted by the Church on September 30, 1978, we are reminded that certain privileges have worthiness as a prerequisite. In this official declaration, the word worthy or worthiness is used six times. This leaves little doubt as to the importance of being worthy if specific blessings are to be available to us.
Marvin J. Ashton, “On Being Worthy,” General Conference April 1989.
Bibliography
Articles of Faith
“Articles of Faith,” Gospel Topics.
“Articles of Faith,” Guide to the Scriptures.
Ryan S. Gardner, “The Articles of Faith: A Framework for Teaching the History and Doctrine of the Restoration,” in Foundations of the Restoration: Fulfillment of the Covenant Purposes, eds. Craig James Ostler, Michael Hubbard MacKay, and Barbara Morgan Gardner (Salt Lake City and Provo, UT: Deseret Book and BYU Religious Studies Center, 2016), 81–98.
Matthew L. Bowen, “Not Leaving and Going On to Perfection,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 16 (2015): 131–150.
Mark J. Johnson, “Scriptures through the Jeweler’s Lens,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 36 (2020): 85–108.
Articles of Faith 1:1
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is 3 Nephi Important for Understanding the Godhead? (3 Nephi 19:23),” KnoWhy 213 (October 20, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Are the Book of Mormon’s Teachings About the Godhead Unique? (3 Nephi 11:27),” KnoWhy 266 (January 25, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “How is Christ Both the Father and the Son? (Mosiah 15:2),” KnoWhy 92 (May 4, 2016).
Articles of Faith 1:2
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Lehi "Suppose" the Existence of Satan? (2 Nephi 24:12).” KnoWhy 43 (February 29, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Lehi Teach that the Fall was Necessary? (2 Nephi 2:22-25),” KnoWhy 269 (February 1, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:3
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Would Mankind “Unavoidably Perish” without the Atonement of Jesus Christ? (Alma 34:9-10),” KnoWhy 317 (May 24, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Doctrinal Ideas About Christ? (Mosiah 4:7).” KnoWhy 261 (January 13, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Are Atonement, Resurrection, Judgment, and Redemption Interconnected? (Mosiah 3:17), KnoWhy 275 (February 15, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:4
Book of Mormon Central. “Where Does the Book of Mormon Declare the First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel? (3 Nephi 27:20).” KnoWhy 276 (February 17, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Are Ordinances So Important? (Alma 13:16),” KnoWhy 296 (April 5, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “At Baptism, What Do We Covenant to Do? (Mosiah 18:10),” KnoWhy 97 (May 11, 2016).
Articles of Faith 1:5
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about the Priesthood? (Mosiah 23:17),” KnoWhy 289 (March 20, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:6
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Do We Need Prophets? (3 Nephi 5:1),” KnoWhy 364 (September 14, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about Prophets? (Helaman 13:4),” KnoWhy 284 (March 8, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:7
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did the Book of Mormon Help the Early Saints Understand Spiritual Gifts? (Moroni 10:8).” KnoWhy 299 (April 12, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why is a Seer Greater than a Prophet? (Mosiah 8:15).” KnoWhy 86 (April 26, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Do We Need Prophets? (3 Nephi 5:1),” KnoWhy 364 (September 14, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:8
Book of Mormon Central. “Why is the Book of Mormon a Classic? (Ether 12:25).” KnoWhy 63 (March 26, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is There a Need for the Testimony of Two Nations? (2 Nephi 29:8),” KnoWhy 56 (March 17, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Is the Book of Mormon’s Historical Authenticity So Important? (Moroni 10:27),” KnoWhy 480 (October 30, 2018).
Articles of Faith 1:9
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Do We Need Prophets? (3 Nephi 5:1),” KnoWhy 364 (September 14, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:10
Book of Mormon Central. “Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas about the Physical and Spiritual Gathering of Israel? (2 Nephi 21:11).” KnoWhy 290 (March 22, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Do the Prophets Speak of Multiple Jerusalems? (Ether 13:3-6),” KnoWhy 247 (December 7, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “What Did the Early Saints Learn about the Second Coming from the Book of Mormon? (3 Nephi 29:2).” KnoWhy 318 (May 26, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:11
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Does the Book of Mormon Say We Must Worship God with Our Whole Soul? (2 Nephi 25:29),” KnoWhy 467 (September 13, 2018).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Was Singing Hymns a Part of Nephite Worship Services? (Moroni 6:9),” KnoWhy 251 (December 13, 2016).
Articles of Faith 1:12
Book of Mormon Central, “What is the Purpose of Democracy in the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 29:27),” KnoWhy 380 (November 8, 2017).
Articles of Faith 1:13
Book of Mormon Central, “What Does It Really Mean to Have Charity? (Moroni 7:45),” KnoWhy 361 (September 5, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “How Can Honest Labor and Self-Reliance Bring Lasting Happiness? (2 Nephi 5:17),” KnoWhy 365 (September 19, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Should Latter-day Saints Beware Fraudulent Artifacts? (2 Nephi 26:23),” KnoWhy 493 (December 13, 2018).
Official Declaration 1
Steven C. Harper, “Official Declaration 1,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 377–381.
Susan Easton Black, “The Manifesto - Insight Into Official Declaration 1,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Wilford Woodruff,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Jed Woodworth, “The Messenger and the Manifesto,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Antipolygamy Legislation,” Church History Topics.
“Growth of Missionary Work,” Church History Topics.
“Manifesto,” Church History Topics.
“Plural Marriage in Utah,” Church History Topics.
“Political Neutrality,” Church History Topics.
“Joseph Smith and Plural Marriage,” Church History Topics.
James T. Duke, “Eternal Marriage,” in Latter-day Saint Essentials: Readings from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism,ed. John W. Welch and Devan Jensen (Provo, UT: BYU Studies and the Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2002), 105–8.
Douglas E. Brinley, “Marriage and Family Relationships—The Lord’s Way,” in Sperry Symposium Classics: The Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Craig K. Manscill (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 1–9.
Jeni Broberg Holzapfel and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, eds., “Scenes and Incidents in Nauvoo,” in A Woman’s View: Helen Mar Whitney’s Reminiscences of Early Church History (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997), 135–239.
J. Spencer Fluhman, “‘A Subject That Can Bear Investigation’: Anguish, Faith, and Joseph Smith’s Youngest Plural Wife,” in No Weapon Shall Prosper: New Light on Sensitive Issues, ed. Robert L. Millet (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011), 105–119.
A Keith Thompson, “Joseph Smith and the Doctrine of Sealing,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 21 (2016): 1–21.
Brian C. Hales, “The Case of the Missing Commentary,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 29 (2018): 197–218.
Brian C. Hales, “Joseph Smith: Monogamist or Polygamist?,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 25 (2017): 117–156.
Brian C. Hales, “Dating Joseph Smith’s First Nauvoo Sealings,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 20 (2016): 1–16.
Brian C. Hales, “Stretching to Find the Negative: Gary Bergera’s Review of Joseph Smith’s Polygamy: History and Theology,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 6 (2013): 165–190.
Brian C. Hales and Gregory L. Smith, “A Response to Grant Palmer’s ‘Sexual Allegations against Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Polygamy in Nauvoo,’” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 12 (2014): 183–236.
Craig L. Foster, “Much More than a Plural Marriage Revelation,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 29 (2018): 219–226.
Craig L. Foster, “Assessing the Criticisms of Early-Age Latter-Day Saint Marriages,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 31 (2019): 191–232.
Craig L. Foster, “Separated but not Divorced: The LDS Church’s Uncomfortable Relationship with its Polygamous Past,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 10 (2014): 45–76.
Craig L. Foster, “An Easier Way to Understanding Joseph Smith’s Polygamy,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 15 (2015): 21–28.
Suzanne Long Foster, “Providing a Better Understanding for All Concerning the History of Joseph Smith’s Polygamy,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 15 (2015): 15–20.
Gregory L. Smith, “A Welcome Introduction,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 15 (2015): 3–14.
Robert L. Millet, “Doctrines, Covenants, and Sweet Consolation, 1843,” in Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer, ed. Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and Kent P. Jackson (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010), 467–94.
John C. Hancock, “A Compelling Case for Theosis,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 30 (2018): 43–48.
Book of Mormon Central, “How Do the Bible and Book of Mormon Help Us Understand the Sealing Power? (3 Nephi 25:5-6),” KnoWhy 348 (August 4, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy? (Jacob 2:30).” KnoWhy 64 (March 28, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy? (Jacob 2:30).” KnoWhy 64 (March 28, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “Is there Precedent for General Conference in the Book of Mormon? (3 Nephi 11:1),” KnoWhy 199 (September 30, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central, “What Are the Nephite Articles of Faith? (Alma 33:22),” KnoWhy 141 (July 12, 2016).
Official Declaration 2
Steven C. Harper, “Official Declaration 2,” Doctrine and Covenants Contexts (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021), 382–387.
Susan Easton Black, “All Worthy Male Members - Insight Into Official Declaration 2,” Restoration Voices Volume 2: Insights and Stories of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Spencer Woolley Kimball,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Nathan Eldon Tanner,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
Susan Easton Black, “Marion G. Romney,” Restoration Voices Volume 1: People of the Doctrine and Covenants (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2021).
James Goldberg, “Witnessing the Faithfulness,” Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
“Growth of Missionary Work,” Church History Topics.
“Priesthood and Temple Restriction,” Church History Topics.
E. Dale LeBaron, “Official Declaration 2: Revelation on the Priesthood,” in Sperry Symposium Classics: The Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Craig K. Manscill (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 332–346.
Richard E. Bennett, “‘That Every Man Might Speak in the Name of God the Lord’: A Study of Official Declaration 2,” Religious Educator 4, no. 2 (2003): 41–56.
Book of Mormon Central, “Why Did Nephi Say That All Are Alike Unto God? (2 Nephi 26:33),” KnoWhy 278 (February 22, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “What Does it Mean to be a White and Delightsome People? (2 Nephi 30:6).” KnoWhy 57 (March 18, 2016).