Joseph Smith was very much against forming a Creed. He remarked, that Methodists
“have creeds which a man must believe or be kicked out of their church. I want the liberty to believe as I please, it feels so good not to be tramelled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.” (Rough Stone Rolling, Bushman) (History of the Church, vol 5, pg 340)
Joseph felt that creeds set limits, “and say ‘hitherto shalt thou come & no further’ — which I cannot subscribe to.”
He explained that the difference between the Christian sects and The Latter Day Saints was that the sectarians
“were all circumscribed by some peculiar creed, which deprived its members the privilege of believing anything not contained therein; whereas the Latter Day Saints had no creed, but are ready to believe all true principles that exist, as they are made manifest from time to time.” (Rough Stone Rolling, Bushman, p. 285)
Each individual has the responsibility to receive Heavenly guidance — to teach, to guide, to lead your family. I realize that times have changed since Joseph Smith, and the church has as well.
I seek truth and sometimes it differs from things that have become traditions or others claim is doctrine. I guess you could say it is the precepts of men that have crept into the church. Actually, I am sure the precepts of men crept into the church during Joseph’s day. I’m willing to say that I’m flexible and always learning, so sometimes what I once believed will change when I discover more truths in my studies.
Most Christians follow the
Nicene Creed, set in 325 A.D. They believe the Book of Revelation to be the last word of God through the Apostle John. I believe that God speaks in all times. I believe in the Old Testament, the New Testament, but that’s not all. When things like the
Dead Sea Scrolls are found, I anxiously read them, finding greater light and knowledge. My beliefs are more in-line with First Century Christians compared to those of the 4th Century and their Nicene Creed and Holy Trinity.
