Mormons don't worship Joseph Smith

[Guest]

I mean they kind of do, in the same sort of way Catholics kind of worship Mary. But not really. No, what Mormons really worship is their church. The most important teachings of the LDS church all center on the church itself, and how true it is, and how essential it is, and how great it is. Our lives center around the church. Everything we do is to further the goals of the church.

So get down on your knees, my fellow Mormons, and praise the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

[_zeezrom]

Except that the Catholic Church does not rest on the shoulders of Mary.

[_bcspace]

I mean they kind of do, in the same sort of way Catholics kind of worship Mary. But not really. No, what Mormons really worship is their church.

Doesn't seem to be the case with either. Mormons simply recognize the role of the Church as the dispenser of the true doctrine and prophets to lead it (Ephesians 4:11-14).

[_Buffalo]

I mean they kind of do, in the same sort of way Catholics kind of worship Mary. But not really. No, what Mormons really worship is their church.

Doesn't seem to be the case with either. Mormons simply recognize the role of the Church as the dispenser of the true doctrine and prophets to lead it (Ephesians 4:11-14).

Don't forget the Church's role as the center of our lives and object of our devotion!

[_bcspace]

Don't forget the Church's role as the center of our lives and object of our devotion!

I've never prayed to the Church or Joseph Smith.

[_Buffalo]

Don't forget the Church's role as the center of our lives and object of our devotion!

I've never prayed to the Church or Joseph Smith.

Or Jesus.

[_bcspace]

I've never prayed to the Church or Joseph Smith.

Or Jesus.

Correct.

[_Buffalo]

]

Correct.

Which means you don't worship him, of course.

Actually, there's nothing about worship that requires prayer.

wor·ship
   /ˈwɜrʃɪp/ Show Spelled [wur-ship] Show IPA noun, verb, -shiped, -ship·ing or ( especially British ) -shipped, -ship·ping.
–noun
1.
reverent honor and homage paid to god or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.
2.
formal or ceremonious rendering of such honor and homage: They attended worship this morning.
3.
adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success.
4.
the object of adoring reverence or regard.
5.
( initial capital letter ) British . a title of honor used in addressing or mentioning certain magistrates and others of high rank or station (usually preceded by Your, His, or Her ).
–verb (used with object)
6.
to render religious reverence and homage to.
7.
to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing).
–verb (used without object)
8.
to render religious reverence and homage, as to a deity.
9.
to attend services of divine worship.
10.
to feel an adoring reverence or regard.

[_bcspace]

Which means you don't worship him, of course.

Actually, there's nothing about worship that requires prayer.

I suppose it depends on the context. Mine is that neither of these things is God to us and that is typically what one means when one claims one worships this or that.

[_Buffalo]

I suppose it depends on the context. Mine is that neither of these things is God to us and that is typically what one means when one claims one worships this or that.

http://LDS.org/ensign/1990/01/no-other- ... y=Idolatry

“No Other Gods before Me”

“Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters and titles can become idols. …

“Many people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first—and then find they ‘cannot afford’ to pay tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of heaven and earth, for we serve whom we love and give consideration to the object of our affection and desire. Young married couples who postpone parenthood until their degrees are attained might be shocked if their expressed preference were labeled idolatry. … Whom do they love and worship—themselves or God?” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 40–41.)

Who do you worship? God or the church?