Articles of Faith. A list of thirteen fundamental and characteristic doctrines of the Mormon Church. Originally known as the Wentworth Letter, it was intended to briefly outline the basic tenets of the Mormon faith. The Articles of Faith is also a book written by Mormon Apostle James Talmage.

 Apostates. 12th President Spencer W. Kimball“Apostasy usually begins with question and doubt and criticism. Apostasy usually begins with question and doubt and criticism. It is a retrograding and devolutionary process. The seeds of doubt are planted by unscrupulous or misguided people, and seldom directed against the doctrine at first, but more often against the leaders. They…

Anti-Christ. Depending on the context, can mean a variety of things. Second President Brigham Young said “every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist, no matter whether it is found in a pulpit or on a throne“ (Discourses of Brigham…

Angels. According to D&C 132:16-17, angels are those who did not qualify for the celestial kingdom. Instead, they have become “ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but…

Anti-Mormon. The term first appeared in 1833 in an article by the Louisville (Kentucky) Daily Herald (“The Mormons and Anti-Mormons”). Mormon J.

Ancient of Days. Adam. Joseph Smith stated, “Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157).  According to 10th President Joseph Fielding Smith, “When Adam was placed on this earth all his former knowledge was taken away.

Agency. The ability to choose right from wrong, which goes back to man’s pre-existence. “Agency makes our life on earth a period of testing to see whether we are worthy to become like our Heavenly Father…. Without the gift of agency, we would have been unable to show our Heavenly Father whether we would do all…

Adam-Ondi-Ahman. Supposedly taken from the “pure Adamic language” meaning “the place or land of God where Adam dwelt.” Mormonism teaches Adam-Ondi-Ahman was located in Daviess County, Missouri (Mormon Doctrine, p. 20), showing that Adam lived on the North American continent.

Age of Accountability: Begins at age eight, when Mormon children are allowed to be baptized. Before then, children are considered to be innocent.

Adam – Known in the pre-existence as Michael. Adam “sat in the council of the gods in the planning of the creation of this earth” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 16). According to Joseph Smith, Adam participated in the creation of the earth and occupied a position of authority next to Jesus Christ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,…