Worship
To demonstrate honor, respect, admiration, or deep reverence towards God, whether as individuals or collectively, often accompanied by religious rituals or ceremonies.1 Jesus is clear about the source of true worship: God Himself. He is the author of worship. No man can come unto me except he follows the path of my Father, who has sent me as His messenger of salvation. And this is what my Father expects of you, that you heed his Son. For the Father testifies he sent me, and anyone who accepts the Father’s testimony, and has the faith in him to heed his testimony, I will raise upward in the resurrection of the just (TSJ 5:18). What is the object of true worship? We worship a perfect God who sent a perfect Son. All true worship is properly limited to God the Father in the name of His Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost.2 Moses provides a definitive example of worship. Satan came tempting him, saying, Moses, son of man, worship me. But Moses lifted up his eyes and looked upon Satan, and said, Who are you? For behold, I am a son of God in the similitude of his Only Begotten, and where is your glory that I should worship you?… I say, where is your glory? For it is blackness unto me, and I can judge between you and God. For God said unto me, Worship God, for him only shall you serve (Genesis 1:3). In the present day, the Lord has commanded men to worship: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your might, mind, and strength, and in the name of Jesus Christ you shall serve him (T&C 46:2).
The nature of true worship is in following Christ. Those who follow me know how to worship….The hour has arrived when the true worshipers are being taught how to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father wants mankind to know Him. The Father will share his Spirit with those who know him. His Spirit is truth and light. And they who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth (TSJ 4:5).
The restoration of the gospel began in a grove of trees with a condemnation of false worship: They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me (JSH 2:5). Mankind fails to practice true worship. Without the ordinances of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it is impossible to worship God. Worship should result in men becoming more like God. It should bring enlightenment or greater light and truth into the minds of those who worship. It should result in angels ministering to mankind and the veil separating the heavens being opened to those who worship.3 True worship by a true disciple is never impaired by his or her circumstances. No one should allow anything to distract them from their own praising and blessing of God.4 God doesn’t want or need a synagogue, a chapel, or a house of worship. He wants men to worship and teach in their homes. The early Christians did not build any buildings; they worshiped in homes, just as Christ taught.5 Worshiping together (by assisting one another) allows everyone to feel a great part of what it is that Christ is and does. It allows all to know who they worship and how to worship Him. It allows them to know what makes all one with one another.6 The role of God the Father is critical to acknowledge and understand for salvation. Jesus Christ is the essential Savior and Redeemer whose atoning sacrifice is the means ordained by God to now rescue mankind from sin and death. Salvation depends on knowing, confessing, and worshiping Christ.7 “Worship Christ by imitating Him. Worship Him by doing His works. Worship Him by making a living sacrifice. Set aside the junk that occupies you, and go do something that is holy for someone else… Relieve the suffering of others… Seek to be like Him whom you worship.”8
Christ explains the characteristics of worship by describing who He is, the relationship He has with the Father, His position in the cosmos, and how men and women are not only capable of seeing His face in mortality but are actually invited to do so. I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness, for if you keep my commandments, you shall receive of his fullness and be glorified in me as I am glorified in the Father. Therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace (T&C 93:7). This teaches men what to worship and how to worship. God’s children grow in grace as they exhibit the grace that is given to them.9 Christ gives these sayings or instructions to teach men how to worship. This is the essence of what they must do to worship the Father. They worship Him by keeping His commandments, and by keeping His commandments, they follow the example of His Son.10 By following the will of the Father in all things as Christ did, all men will know how they worship and who they worship, because He was the Word of God, the embodiment of what the Father’s will was. The Father declared what is true, and the Son does it. As a consequence, the Son became the Word of God because He fulfilled what the Father bid Him do. “If you would be a son or daughter of God, do what He bids you do. This is how the Son worshipped; this is what you must do if you will worship Him also.”11
All mankind has been invited to worship God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.12 The Lord extends His hand to each of His children so that they can worship on their own, as well as together with fellow sojourners on Earth. True, as well as practical, worship was taught by Alma to his son, Helaman: Cry to God in prayer — in all that you do — for help, strength, and comfort; and do everything you do for the Lord. And no matter where you go, go with the Lord. Direct all your thoughts to the Lord and always place your heart’s desires on the Lord. Consult the Lord in everything you do, and He’ll direct you for good. When you lie down at night, lie down directing your thoughts and feelings to the Lord, asking Him to watch over you in your sleep. When you get up in the morning, let your heart be full of thanks to God. And if you always do these things, you’ll be lifted up on the last day (Alma 17:14 CE).
1 Oxford English Dictionary, September 2022 edition, www.oed.com/, s.v. worship, 1a–1b.
2 Come, Let Us Adore Him, 95–96.
3 Nephi’s Isaiah, 267.
4 “Continual Worship,” March 19, 2010, blog post.
5 “Turned Out of Synagogues,” February 28, 2018, blog post.
6 “A Visit with Denver Snuffer,” May13, 2015, transcript, 20.
7 “Our Divine Parents,” March 25, 2018, Gilbert, AZ, transcript, 26.
8 “Repentance,” 40 Years in Mormonism Lecture Series, Lecture 3, September 29, 2013, Logan, UT, transcript, 18–19.
9 “A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit,” 40 Years in Mormonism Lecture Series, Lecture 8, July 25, 2014, Las Vegas, NV, paper, 9.
10 The Second Comforter, 295.
11 “Christ, Prototype of the Saved Man,” 40 Years in Mormonism Lecture Series, Lecture 7, June 28, 2014, Ephraim, UT, paper, 21–22.
12 “Our Divine Parents,” March 25, 2018, Gilbert, AZ, transcript, 36.