In our journey to worship God, it is important to recognise that while emotions are a natural and beautiful part of our spiritual experience, they should not be the foundation of our faith. Emotion alone, although powerful in the moment, can be fleeting and unreliable when it comes to the challenges and trials of life. Our worship, therefore, must be rooted in something deeper—something that stands the test of time. That deeper foundation is knowledge of God’s word, a careful understanding of His commandments, and a deliberate effort to apply them in our lives. It is easy to get swept up in the feelings that accompany spiritual experiences—joy, peace, awe, and sometimes even tears. These emotions are not wrong; indeed, they can be manifestations of the Spirit. However, if our relationship with God is only based on these feelings, we may find ourselves faltering when those emotions fade or when life’s inevitable hardships arise. Faith built on emotion alone often struggles to endure.
The Lord Himself warned of the dangers of a lack of knowledge in the Scriptures: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6) The warning is clear—emotion is not enough. Without proper education in the Scriptures and a firm grasp of the Gospel, we are vulnerable. The enemy would have us remain spiritually immature, reliant only on transient feelings rather than the sure foundation of God’s truth. Knowledge of the Scriptures grounds us. It helps us understand God’s will, His promises, and His expectations of us. It helps us avoid being “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14), enabling us to discern truth from error. This knowledge is not just for scholars or theologians; it is for everyone who desires to walk closely with God. Jesus Christ Himself taught that eternal life is to “know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
Incorporating proper education in the Scriptures strengthens our worship, because it helps us worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Truth and knowledge from God’s word do not diminish the role of emotion in worship, but they guide it, giving our emotions a solid grounding. With that foundation, our joy in worship becomes more profound, our peace more lasting, and our ability to endure trials more resilient.
It is recorded in the Book of Mormon where Samuel the Lamanite spoke of the importance of understanding and making informed choices based on the knowledge of right and wrong. “And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.” (Helaman 14:30-31) Alma teaches about faith and knowledge, showing that faith leads to knowledge, and knowledge brings greater strength and understanding in our relationship with God. This passage teaches us that we are endowed with agency, which carries the responsibility of choosing between good and evil. Samuel the Lamanite emphasises that God has given us the knowledge of right and wrong, and with that knowledge comes accountability for our actions. Emotions, such as feelings of joy or sorrow, might momentarily steer us in one direction or another, but they do not provide a lasting foundation for making righteous decisions.
What Samuel highlights is the freedom to choose based on knowledge, not merely fleeting feelings. If our worship were solely based on emotion, we might find ourselves easily swayed, following whatever emotional impulses arise. Instead, we are called to act according to the knowledge God has given us about His laws and commandments and the consequences of our choices. Emotion may inspire us initially, but it is understanding, grounded in divine knowledge, that leads to enduring righteous action. God’s gift of knowledge enables us to discern between good and evil and to make conscious, informed decisions. Worship that is grounded in this knowledge allows us to choose life and goodness, whereas worship based only on emotions can be unstable and leave us vulnerable to choosing wrongly. Therefore, this verse teaches that true worship requires the intellectual and moral engagement of our agency, not just emotional experiences.
We read in Alma 32:34, “And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.” Alma is speaking of the transformation that comes when faith grows into knowledge. He describes the process of faith leading to perfect knowledge, where one’s understanding is “enlightened” and the mind begins to “expand.” Here, Alma is demonstrating the progression from emotion-driven faith—where a person initially feels the Spirit’s influence—to an informed, enlightened worship based on understanding and experience.
The key point here is that as one’s knowledge becomes perfect, faith (which might begin with emotion) becomes “dormant” because it has blossomed into a sure understanding of truth. While faith often starts with feelings, true worship matures when those feelings are validated and solidified by the knowledge of God’s word and His principles. Emotional experiences, though important, cannot carry us to this state of perfect knowledge alone. Only through the study of God’s word and living according to it does our understanding expand, making our faith stronger and more enduring.
Emotional highs in worship, while valuable, should lead to something deeper—a growth in knowledge and understanding of Heavenly Father. When our minds are “enlightened” and our understanding deepens, our worship is not simply a response to emotion but becomes a deliberate, informed, and powerful expression of our faith in God’s truth.
Both of these passages from the Book of Momron teach that worship based on emotion alone is insufficient. Samuel the Lamanite and Alma both make clear that knowledge—gained through study, experience, and the Spirit—is essential for sustaining a faithful, obedient, and meaningful relationship with God. While emotions may spark our desire to worship, it is the understanding and knowledge of God’s laws and truths that give our worship depth and stability, ensuring that it can endure the trials and challenges of life.
Thus, while we may feel deeply in our worship—and we should—let us ensure that our worship does not stop with feelings. Let it be informed by truth, enriched by study, and empowered by understanding. Let us strive to grow in our knowledge of God’s word, for it is only through this knowledge that we can truly understand and live out His will for our lives. Our worship will then not only be heartfelt, but it will also be pleasing to God, enduring, and life-changing.
