I worry that this thread may have provided a bit of an improper perspective of my Church because most of the questions asked dealt with rather tangential topics that were not core aspects of my faith. I'm sure they are greater interest to most because they are either major sources of criticism or simply are distinctive aspect, but I feel that I should say that most of those things are not core doctrines, and most of them are seldom talked about. Yes we believe them, but they are not essential to our understanding. The following are our Articles of Faith, probably the closest equivalent we would have to a creed, confession, or catechism, though truly none of these. They are copied directly from our primary website and explain the most important teachings (though there are a few things that could have been added, such as the resurrection, eucharist, etc.) These really do sum up what is truly important to understand, and if one seeks clarification or depth, you may ask. I am always happy to answer.
1 We abelieve in bGod, the Eternal Father, and in His cSon, Jesus Christ, and in the dHoly Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be apunished for their bown sins, and not for Adam’s ctransgression.
3 We believe that through the aAtonement of Christ, all bmankindmay be csaved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and aordinances of the Gospel are: first, bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,cRepentance; third, dBaptism by eimmersion for the fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ghands for the hgift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be acalled of God, by bprophecy, and by the laying on of chands by those who are in dauthority, toepreach the Gospel and administer in the fordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same aorganization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, bprophets, cpastors, dteachers,eevangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the agift of btongues, cprophecy, drevelation,evisions, fhealing, ginterpretation of tongues, and so forth. 8 We believe the aBible to be the bword of God as far as it is translated ccorrectly; we also believe the dBook of Mormon to be the word of God. 9 We believe all that God has arevealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet breveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10 We believe in the literal agathering of Israel and in the restoration of the bTen Tribes; that cZion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will dreignpersonally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be erenewedand receive its fparadisiacal gglory. 11 We claim the aprivilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the bdictates of our own cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them dworship how, where, or what they may. 12 We believe in being asubject to bkings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in cobeying, honoring, and sustaining the dlaw. 13 aWe believe in being bhonest, true, cchaste, dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able togendure all things. If there is anything hvirtuous, ilovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. Joseph Smith.