What is worship & how do you worship G-d?

[Vanhin]

I worship God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. And how I worship, is by the Spirit. President Benson taught:

“If there is one message I have repeated to my brethren of the Twelve, it is that it’s the Spirit that counts. It is the Spirit that matters. I do not know how often I have said this, but I never tire of saying it—it is the Spirit that matters most” (mission presidents’ seminar, 3 Apr. 1985).

I find that anytime I listen to voice of the Spirit and act accordingly, that I feel intune with God and in harmony with His will. Whether I am on my knees, praying to the Father, serving in my callings faithfully, being a good husband or father, or helping my neighbors, it is the same. I believe we are to live our lives in such a way, that the Holy Ghost can dwell in us and teach us the way. This is what I consider true worship. The Spirit of God will teach us and remind us of the words of God. The Lord Jesus Christ taught:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

I believe in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and by following his Gospel, I believe that I can return back to the presence God, with my family, and dwell in eternal glory forever. I thank Heavenly Father for authoring the plan of salvation, and Jesus Christ for making it possible, thus authoring our salvation. I love the words of President Hinckley, from one of his last messages to us.

He is the chief cornerstone of the Church that bears His name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved (see Acts 4:12). He is the Author of our salvation, the Giver of eternal life (see Hebrews 5:9). There is none to equal Him. There never has been. There never will be. Thanks be to God for the gift of His Beloved Son, who gave His life that we might live and who is the chief, immovable cornerstone of our faith and His Church.

We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.

In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.

He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Son of the living God, the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is “risen from the dead, … the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). He is the Lord who shall come again “to reign on the earth over his people” (D&C 76:63; see also Micah 4:7; Revelation 11:15).

None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God. (LDS.org - Liahona Article - We Testify of Jesus Christ)

Sincerely,
Vanhin

[Justice]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

Praise can be worship, but worship can be wrought in ways other than singing. I am just unwilling to minimize the roll of singing, from the earliest books of the Old Testament and through much of Revelation--God has always find singing an acceptable offering of worship. There is something about it...done right, singing can unite the body, soul and spirit.

I am not trying to minimize the value of a good song. I love music and sing hymns often. I think singing hymns does far more for me than it does for Him.

True worship? Now that can only be done by following the example of the One you worship. Singing notithstanding, keeping His commandments: give to the poor, visit the widows, teach His Gospel, etc. are all things we can do to show true love, devotion, and worship.

I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if you sang as you did them.

[tomk]

Originally Posted by Justice

This is true.

However, with everything They have done for us, singing them songs of praise seems like very little in return. We sing songs of praise now. But, I don't believe simply singing a song constitues worship, regardless of the words or tune.

In that scripture you posted, I don't believe "praise Him" and "worship Him throughout eternity" were intended to be the same things. I think it is implied that they are very different things.

Thanks Justice. I agree!

8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.

22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.


Whenever we see phrases like this repeated over and over again in scripture, an alarm should go off inside our heads.

"...in the attitude of..."

"...in the attitude of..."




When something is in the "attitude of" doing something -- it is a metaphor. It is not literal. It is symbolic of something.


"...God sitting upon his throne..."

"...God sitting upon his throne..."


Only a fool would imagine that God sits in some sort of "throne" all day long. He up and about. He is actively involved in our lives, as any good Father would be.


I wish I had this book with me. Essentially what it says is that "endlessly singing praises unto God" is a metaphor for the devotional feeling we feel. Our hearts will sing (inside) with deep and abiding gratitude for what God has given us! We won't literally be singing, except when appropriate. We certainly won't be singing 24 hours a day!

[Traveler]

Am I the only one on this forum that worships by covenant?

The Traveler

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Because of several posters concern about worship, should man become exalted in heaven - I thought I would start a thread about worship. This seems to be a rather broad brush with which many paint but I am not clear what they are attempting to paint. And so this discussion is now open.

What are the methods and things which make up worship?

If you would please offer your opinions. I would also like to know what elements of your worship you reserve exclusively for G-d.

Several years ago I read an article about the ancient worship of Baal and I was quite amazed and finely understood why so many in Israel thought they could worship both G-d and Baal. I see many similar reflections in modern day worship.

The other interesting facet of worship concerns the discussion or debate between the Scribes and Pharisees and Jesus. There was something about what the Pharisees and Scribes saw in the manner in which Jesus worship that convinced them that Jesus should be put to death. As we discuss worship it might be interesting to review what the criticism was – but I thought I would reserve this for later.

Also if you would indicate why and how something is worshiped. For example: If you list prayer as a method of worship please indicate what about prayer makes it worship opposed to other forms of communication that include the same elements as does prayer. Like praising someone for their good and kind efforts and praising the L-rd in prayer or other verbalizations. Thanks

The Traveler

I do worship fast cars…as my wife tells me. I can attest, I do love and worship my FATHER and my elder Brother - Jesus the Christ. It in a sense is no different than Baal worshiping. If I could diagnosis this answer, it is how much of our daily activity we devote to that desire. We had prophets in the past that love the world and yet, love GOD. Even modern day prophets have worldly interests but what amount of time do we give that interest? Do you remember that prophet in which I speak of [hint: Elisha mentor]? Yet, he processed that power of a prophet and over the elements of the earth.

What is truly worship itself is at the very core of our spirit.

[prisonchaplain]

Traveler...great post...covenant, imho, though is the initial act of worship--the foyer, so to speak...whereas worship is the sanctuary, the "entering in" to the life of Christ. And, love (God) must be the source of our worship, and that which satuates our acts. I'm thinking that most of us focused on the mechanics of worship, rather than the heart of it. :-)

[Nappaljarri]

Moses: 5
1 And it came to pass that after I, the Lord God, had driven them out, that Adam began to till the earth, and to have adominion over all the beasts of the field, and to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, as I the Lord had commanded him. And Eve, also, his wife, did clabor with him.
2 And aAdam knew his wife, and she bare unto him bsons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth.
3 And from that time forth, the sons and daughters of Adam began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land, and to tend flocks, and they also begat sons and daughters.
4 And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence.
5 And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.
6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.
9 And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will.

and another one....

17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is amighty to save.
19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.
21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.
22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.
23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.
24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.
25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
26 But this is not all; ye must apour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.

To worship is to emulate and copy. If our ultimate goal in this life is to become as the Savior, then our every action should be to that end. So from these two scriptures and many more I am sure, we can understand that living God's law (through partaking of his covenant) and repenting continually is worshipping him. I for one know that even when I am washing the clothes and doing the ironing (which equates to making my home a heaven on earth) is in very deed worshipping the almighty.

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

Traveler...great post...covenant, imho, though is the initial act of worship--the foyer, so to speak...whereas worship is the sanctuary, the "entering in" to the life of Christ. And, love (God) must be the source of our worship, and that which satuates our acts. I'm thinking that most of us focused on the mechanics of worship, rather than the heart of it. :-)

It is my impression that covenant is more than the entering - it is the journey. It is the way and it is the path. It is the only relationship possible - ever - for anything between man and G-d. Anything done outside of a covenant is not worship of G-d and is accounted as evil and a sin before him. Jesus is the example and he did nothing but that he was commanded (through covenant) from the Father.

The Traveler

[WANDERER]

Doing God's will is an act of love and worship, I would agree that keeping His covenants is an outward sign...yet it isn't worthy worship if it is not from inward and from a heart that leans towards God...what Jesus had to say about the Pharisees sums up that sense of *not worshipful* for me.

[Nappaljarri]

I see singing hymns of praise as a blessing more than an act of worship (although it is in my catagory of worship for obvious reasons). It is a blessing because when singing songs of praise, I personally feel the spirit and it is during these times of praising that sometimes I receive personal revelation on things I need to do and change in my life.