How and Why Latter-day Saints Worship

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Pacific, and around the world, worshipping God and His Son Jesus Christ is a daily opportunity and blessing.

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In addition to studying the Holy Bible, Latter-day Saints have other sacred scripture, including The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In that book, an ancient prophet, Amulek, shared some of the ways that a person can worship and pray:

Alma 34:17 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 mighty 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 pour 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 full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

Amulek then says that worship and prayer become a foundation which should be built open by doing good, including serving those around us.

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. 

Many members of the Church take the opportunity to worship God and His Son Jesus Christ at home, at work, at school, and while they are going about doing their daily activities. Thus, communion with the divine, aided by the gift of the Holy Ghost, becomes a part of daily life. 

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Latter-day Saints also worship each Sunday, which they join many other believers in referring to as the Sabbath. Church services include a weekly sacrament meeting in which the ordinance of the sacrament is administered. In addition, classes are held to study scriptures and share experiences and faith with one another.

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These services, classes and other activities take place in the faith's meetinghouses, of which there are thousands throughout the world. In many cases, two or more geographically-defined congregations share the same meetinghouse. 

Twice a year, in April and October, members and friends of the Church participate in person or in other ways in General Conference. Beginning in Salt Lake City in the United States, sermons, music and announcements are shared with a worldwide audience in dozens of languages via broadcast, the Internet and magazines.

Prophets, Apostles and other Church leaders speak during these conferences, and music is provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and other choirs.

The highest sacraments of the faith are reserved for temples, of which there are approximately 200 globally ─ either in use, under construction or renovation, or in design and planning stages.

There are ten temples in the South Pacific, with six more announced or under construction.

Speaking of the Auckland New Zealand Temple, which is under construction, Elder Ian S. Ardern, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said: "When we read of a beacon upon the top of a mountain and an ensign on an hill (Isaiah 30:17), many will see the parallel with the Auckland, New Zealand temple. It sits majestically atop of a small hill and those who pass by on the nearby motorway are already witnesses to an edifice which will be a beacon of light, both figuratively and spiritually, and an ensign; or, as the word was used historically, a set standard."

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In temples, members of the Church learn about God's plan of happiness for all of His children, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. They make commitments with God and with their wife or husband to be honest, kind and good. Couples and families are sealed, or bound together for eternity, in sacred ordinances. 

Speaking of the potential for individuals to develop a personal relationhip with God, Elder K. Brett Nattress, of the Pacific Area Presidency, told university students at BYU Idaho in 2019: "God knows you personally. He is in the very details of your lives."

Elder Nattress continued: "He will never give up on you. You must never give up on Him. And you must not give up on yourself. You are a member of His winning team, and an eternal victory is in your future. Let us become devoted disciples. Let us be covenant keepers who humbly yet powerfully live our lives in the strength of the Lord. Let us remember who we are.”

According to Latter-day Saint beliefs, the benefits of worship, and serving others, extend beyond this mortal life. 

Speaking to young people across the Pacific Area in an online meeting in August 2021, Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita, of the Pacific Area Presidency, said: "Family history is good for you."

Quoting Church President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Yamashita said: “I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to ‘Hear Him.’”

To learn more about the Church's approaches to family history research and temple worship, take a virtual tour of the interior of the Rome Italy Temple in this video.

The invitation to "Hear Him" is very important to members of the Church. As recorded in sacred scripture, God the Father has invited all of His children to look to His Son Jesus Christ and seek divine guidance from Him through study, prayer, worship and obedience to commandments.