While commuting each day between my home and work, I committed myself to memorizing the Articles of Faith. I had learned them, as a youth, but that memorization had faded. The incentive for my decision came from my stake president. I was a member of the high council, and something our president said impressed me so that I wanted to be able to recite each one from memory. He later decided the Articles of Faith would be the topic of high council talks for a year. That decision pleased me.

With memorization came a greater understanding. Now, each time I recite one of the Articles, a vision or thought about the principles behind the words floats through my mind. I can't seem to stop thinking about those meanings.I have placed the Articles into distinct categories: The first four encompass the bedrock of Church doctrine - Who is God? Who is the Son? How does the Holy Ghost work? What is the purpose of my coming here on earth? What does Adam have to do with me? What is the Atonement? Faith? Repentance? Baptism? the Gift of the Holy Ghost? These are mighty thoughts placed into so few words.

Articles 5, 6, and 7 show the Church's structure; a way to implement the first four through proper authority. Articles 8, 9, and 10 remind me of how I feel about the scriptures - past revelation that shows me how the ancients believed as I do, and modern revelation to help me now. These revelations teach me about the future of my earthly home.

Finally, 11, 12, and 13 help me understand personal freedom of worship within the homeland I respect and sustain; and the qualities necessary to be a good citizen.

Today, I'm serving as a bishop, and my first responsibility is the youth of our ward. Memorizing the Articles of Faith has given me a guiding rod to follow as I work with these youth. When Primary children come in for their graduation interview, they know they must be prepared. In a kind way I work with them until they can repeat each article. It's fun for them to know that their "old" bishop can recite the Articles right along with them.

Recently the Young Men and Young Women gave me a special birthday party. The theme was the Articles of Faith. They sang each Article to me because they knew how much I loved these statements of our faith.

Like me, you may ask - why memorize them? We memorize things we love. Our own name, the names of those we hold dear, our birthday when we came from Heavenly Father's presence. We memorize important things we want to get exactly right such as our Social Security numbers, telephone numbers and addresses of home, work, or school. Since every young man has the responsibility to go on a mission and many young women also choose to go, what better tool could they take with them than 13 succinct statements of their faith? They are prepared to tell anyone instantly what they believe.

One of the methods I developed for memorizing the Articles was to replace the word we with I. I, Jack O'Driscoll, BELIEVE. What a difference that made! I often asked myself, "do I really believe that?" What a thrill it was when I could truly answer, "YES!"

Memorizing the Articles has led me to a further study of good books, such as The Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith in Everyday Life by John A. Widtsoe, and A New Witness for the Articles of Faith by Bruce R. McConkie. These have enriched my life greatly.

I learned that the Articles of Faith are scripture, and are contained in the Pearl of Great Price.

Perhaps the greatest benefit from my memorization of the Articles has come with the depth of understanding that I now feel for the doctrines of the Church. An example may illustrate how I've come to feel: The first Article of Faith is "We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

As I recite this wonderful statement, other thoughts come to my mind. "Our Father who art in heaven" from the Lord's prayer (3 Ne. 13:9-13). I feel that God is my father. He has an immortal, physical body. He is the creator of my spirit. He conceived this plan of life and gave me freedom to enjoy it. That freedom was of vital importance. He knew that some would not be able to appreciate this freedom and would abuse it. He foresaw my problems; the errors I would make, and He blended together the wonderful laws of justice and mercy that make it possible for me to repent and to someday return to live in His presence.

I understand more fully my relationship with Jesus Christ. He was more than a man. I know that. He is also the Savior of all men and women.

It was Jesus who redeemed me. He paid with His own suffering for my sins. That is beyond my comprehension, but I've come to know that it's true. Jesus will judge me and determine my future dwelling place in worlds to come.

The Holy Ghost is a spiritual being, separate and apart, who teaches, and comforts me, one who testifies to me of spiritual things, and strengthens me.

The Apostle Peter is a great example in showing what the Holy Ghost can do to help and strengthen us. When Christ was about to be crucified He said to Peter (and others): "All ye shall be offended because of me this night." Peter answered and said unto him, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." (Matt. 26:31,33).

The next morning, after Peter had denied Christ three times, he remembered the words of Jesus, who said unto him, "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly." (Matt. 26:75.)

All this happened before the Holy Ghost had come to comfort, strengthen, and be a constant companion to the apostles. But it was a changed Peter who refused to deny the Savior after the Holy Ghost became his companion.

Peter and John were called before the Jerusalem Council and arrested, for teaching of Jesus, and they were asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, "Ye rulers . . . Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole."

And the council commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, Judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:7-8,10,18-20.)

What great strength Peter and John received from the Holy Ghost!

These are some of my thoughts as I study, memorize, and quote the first Article of Faith.

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