Alma 31:12–38

Our Worship of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Worshipping Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is intended to bring us closer to Them. But what if we lose sight of the real reason for worship? The Zoramites, who had once belonged to the true Church of God, began to believe in false teachings. Their corrupt form of worship drew their hearts away from God and led them to judge unrighteously and mistreat others. This lesson can help you improve your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you evaluate how pride and humility influence your relationship with Them and with others.

Evaluating the effects of our worship

We worship God when we “give Him our love, reverence, service, and devotion” (Gospel Topics, “Worship,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). As you look at these pictures, think about how worshipping in these and other ways has helped you feel closer to God.

• How often do you feel you are sincerely trying to show your love to God through worship?

• In what ways, if any, do you feel that your worship might be less sincere or focused on the wrong things?

The Zoramites worship on the Rameumptom

When Alma and his brethren discovered the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, they journeyed to Antionum. There they found the Zoramites worshipping in a way they had never seen (see Alma 31:12).

1. Copy the following chart in your study journal, and throughout the lesson fill in each section.

   The Zoramites’ prayer	Alma’s prayer

   Read Alma 31:13–23, and fill out the left column of the chart with what stands out to you about how the Zoramites worshipped. You could also watch the video “Alma and His Brethren Preach the Word of God among the Zoramites” from time code 0:22 to 3:58, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

   • What did you notice about how the Zoramites worshipped? How do you think this affected their relationship with God?

Alma prays for the Zoramites

Seeing the corruption among the Zoramites, Alma prayed for them.

Read Alma 31:24–38, looking for Alma’s focus, feelings, and desires in his prayer. Fill out the right column of the chart based on what you find. This can help you contrast Alma’s prayer with the Zoramites’ prayer.

You could watch the video “Alma and His Brethren Preach the Word of God among the Zoramites” from time code 4:03 to 5:55, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. In this portion of the video, you will hear Alma’s prayer while seeing Alma and his companions’ efforts to teach the Zoramites.

• What did you notice by contrasting Alma with the Zoramites?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

When our hearts are filled with pride, we commit a grave sin, for we violate the two great commandments. Instead of worshipping God and loving our neighbor, we reveal the real object of our worship and love—the image we see in the mirror. Pride is the great sin of self-elevation. It is for so many a personal Rameumptom, a holy stand that justifies envy, greed, and vanity. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Pride and the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 56)

Read Alma 32:1–5, looking for how the Zoramites were treating people.

• How did the Zoramites treat others?

• How did Alma feel about and treat others? (see Alma 31:1–2, 24–25, 34–35).

• What principles can we learn about the effects of pride or humility?

One principle we can learn is that our pride or humility affects our relationship with God and others.

• How do you think our pride or humility can influence how we worship Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• How do you think our pride or humility influences how we treat others?

• What do you learn from Alma about humility? What has Jesus Christ taught you about being humble?

2. Complete the following:

   Choose two or three ways we might show humility in how we worship God. Write each in your study journal.

   Take a moment to evaluate how you personally worship Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how your worship influences your relationship with Them. Also, reflect on how pride and humility affect the way you treat others. Decide if there are any changes you would like to make.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Why does God invite us to love and worship Him?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

God the Eternal Father did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny, or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval, or admiration.

No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!

For what we love determines what we seek.

What we seek determines what we think and do.

What we think and do determines who we are—and who we will become. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 21–22)

How can we worship in every part of our lives?

For resources and information, see “Worship” in Gospel Topics, available at topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

How can I improve my prayers?

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asked some great questions and provided this counsel:

Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same? Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you sometimes bore yourself as you pray?

Will prayers that do not demand much of your thought merit much attention from our Heavenly Father? When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don’t have to be grand or glorious. Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Improving Our Prayers,” Ensign, Mar. 2004, 26)

Why is it important to pray for others?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Petitioning Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others, both those whom we love and those who despitefully use us, is also an important element of meaningful prayer. … Praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord. (David A. Bednar, “Pray Always,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 43).