A taxicab driver in Washington, D.C., displayed a picture of two adorable children on the sun visor in front of him. I asked, "Are those children your son and daughter?" In a thick African accent, he acknowledged with a wide grin that they were. "They are beautiful children," I said. "You must love them very much to carry their photos in your cab."

      "Yeah, Mahm, I love them.""I have children, too, and grandchildren," I said. "I miss them when I am away from them."

      "Why are you away?"

      "Because I am here for Church meetings. Are you a religious man?" I ventured.

      Then he looked wide-eyed at me in his rear-view mirror. I felt he did not have that question asked of him often. "Yeah, Mahm, I am a Christian."

      "So am I! That's wonderful!" I said. "You and I are alike in two ways - we both love our children, and we both are Christian."

      "Mahm, do you believe in the Holy Spirit?" he asked.

      "I do," I replied. "I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

      He looked puzzled. I'd better help him, I thought.

      "The Mormons. Have you heard of the Mormons?"

      "Yeah, Mahm."

      "That's another name for our Church," I explained. "We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

      Thus I was launched into an animated discussion given direction by the first five Articles of Faith. The fifth Article of Faith led to a discussion of authority and the power to seal families forever. This concept intrigued and pleased him. He had seen the beautiful Washington Temple. I asked if he'd like to know more. He said he would, and agreed to listen to the missionaries. I had him write his name and address for me and as soon as I reached my hotel, I telephoned the mission office and gave his name to the elder who answered.

      The Articles of Faith are a most effective basis for our understanding and sharing the gospel. While the Articles of Faith certainly are not inclusive of all the basic doctrines, they were written by a Prophet of God, Joseph Smith. They are scripture, part of the Pearl of Great Price. They have stood the test of time as a way to help us understand in a simple and concise way, the foundation of our knowledge of the gospel.

      "When the Prophet Joseph Smith outlined the Articles of Faith, he set forth in clear, unmistakable terms the foundations of our worship and of our relationships with one another." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 679.)

      When we understand these concepts in the simple terms expressed in the Articles of Faith, our minds and hearts are prepared for more detailed instructions, study, and inspiration regarding the principles of the gospel. For example, it was easy for me in my conversation in the taxi cab to bridge from authority as explained in article five to a discussion about eternal families. The topics of the Apostasy and Restoration are natural transitions from article five as well.

      Because of the long-recognized value of the Articles of Faith, they are an important part of the Primary curriculum. Our children in Primary begin to learn the Articles of Faith at age 3 when they learn, "We believe in God the eternal Father. . . ." That is the beginning. Each year they review and add more concepts to their understanding.

      I believe today's children, if their Primary teachers are conscientious, know and understand the Articles of Faith better than any generation of children before them. This is because the learning is extended to the very young years, rather than giving them a crash course when they are 10 and 11. They learn each concept at their level of understanding, and it is repeated and reviewed through the nine years the Articles of Faith are taught in Primary.

      Ten- and 11-year-old girls and boys have the opportunity to earn the Gospel in Action award. One requirement of that award is to repeat and explain the meaning of the Articles of Faith. Parents and leaders who would like their children to have the blessing of knowing the Articles of Faith can help ensure that by encouraging their daughters and sons to earn the Gospel in Action award.

      Although the award is designed for children, sometimes leaders and parents have earned it along with the children. This gives them a common point of reference for giving encouragement. When a teacher can say, "I've learned the first six Articles of Faith!" children feel a sense of unity with that teacher in a worthwhile endeavor.

      Sometimes a Primary president who is presenting a Gospel in Action award to a child in Primary will ask the child to be prepared to repeat his or her favorite Article of Faith aloud. This is reinforcing to the child and encourages other children to do the same.

      We also see families who help their children learn the Articles of Faith.

      Our youngest daughter stayed for a few days with a friend's family in Idaho. This family of seven children followed daily family prayer with a recitation of one of the Articles of Faith. Those children, even the tiny ones, could repeat the words without hesitation. Another family we know play games at family home evening or while riding in the car that help children learn the Articles of Faith. Many parents we know are teaching their little ones the Articles of Faith songs found in the Children's Songbook. One mother sings one of the songs with each child as she tucks them into bed at night. We can ensure that our children understand some of our basic beliefs when we teach them the Articles of Faith.

      A friend of mine was on vacation with her family in Hawaii. She returned to their car in the parking lot, where she rolled down the windows and lay down on the seat to rest. In a few minutes she heard the voices of a mother and little boy as they returned to the car in the next stall.

      "While we're waiting, honey, let's review the fourth Article of Faith," my friend overheard.

      She then witnessed, unseen, a tender interchange between mother and son. The boy would be baptized the next day, and they discussed that sacred occasion as it related to faith, repentance and the Holy Ghost.

      Another friend told me that she had overheard two tiny children in a supermarket shopping cart who could hardly talk without lisping. One said, "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. Now you say it!" They repeated it back and forth to one another.

      President Spencer W. Kimball loved the Articles of Faith and knew them well. How did he learn them?

      "I used to milk cows. I typed with two fingers, and I would type out these Articles of Faith on little cards and put them down in the corral right by me when I sat on the one-legged stool and milked the cows. And I repeated them over, I guess 20 million times. I don't know. But at any rate, I have claimed that I could say the Articles of Faith now after these many, many years and could say them word-perfect. And I think it has been most valuable to me." (October 1975 General Conference.)

      Not many of us today milk cows, but we ride in cars, buses, and subways daily. We walk for exercise and recreation or ride bicycles or walk on treadmills. We sit in reception rooms waiting for appointments. Learning or reviewing the Articles of Faith is a worthy use of such minutes that are sandwiched into our lives.

      Learning the Articles of Faith is only worthwhile to us as we let them be part of our lives. That's why they are associated with the Gospel in Action award for Primary children. Putting the gospel into action in our lives is truly following the Savior who is the foundation for all living. I can think of nothing finer for all people than to strive to be honest, true, chaste, and benevolent.

      If we wanted a checklist for true refinement and noble living that would make us worthy indeed to be in the presence of the elite, even the King of kings Himself, such a checklist would surely include being virtuous, doing good to all men, hoping all things, enduring all things and seeking the virtuous, lovely and praiseworthy.

      Think what living like this would do! It would guide our choices of entertainment, our language, our music, our personal habits, our associates, and the way we treat one another. These are most certainly worthy ideals to pursue. Thus the Articles of Faith are words and beliefs to plant firmly in our hearts and minds.