Do we talk about God enough?

[10THAmendment]

What do you think is the balance is between talking about and worshipping the Father and the Son? I would say that 99% of the time we talk about Christ but aren’t we really supposed to worship the Father and the Father only? There are no other gods higher than Him. Jesus says this over and over again in the scriptures. But how can we not worship our Savior who we would all be doomed without?
 

Is it because Jesus is our way to God so that’s why, at least in this life, we almost exclusively talk about Christ and just mention God in passing? Almost all testimonies given in church center around Christ as well as almost all conference talks.

 

Curious to hear all of your thoughts. 

[teddyaware]

1 hour ago, 10THAmendment said:

What do you think is the balance is between talking about and worshipping the Father and the Son? I would say that 99% of the time we talk about Christ but aren’t we really supposed to worship the Father and the Father only? There are no other gods higher than Him. Jesus says this over and over again in the scriptures. But how can we not worship our Savior who we would all be doomed without?
 

Is it because Jesus is our way to God so that’s why, at least in this life, we almost exclusively talk about Christ and just mention God in passing? Almost all testimonies given in church center around Christ as well as almost all conference talks.

 

Curious to hear all of your thoughts. 

God the Father has only rarely revealed himself in very person to the children of men, choosing instead to reveal to the world his nature, personality, character, divine attributes and even physical appearance through Jesus Christ, whom we are told is in express (exact) image of the Father’s person (anthropos). Therefore when we learn about, speak, teach, testify and glorify the Christ, in a very real way we are simultaneously speaking, teaching, testifying and glorifying God the Father, who has chosen to reveal himself to the world through his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

8 Phillip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14)

Edited December 19, 2023 by teddyaware

[Pyreaux]

Hear, hear! Due to our fallen natures, Jesus is the mediator between God and man. There are some mysteries "about" God that have only been revealed to us by what we know of his Son. Fret not, all glory given to the Son, the Son gives all glory to the Father who sent Him.

Edited December 19, 2023 by Pyreaux

[JLHPROF]

Christ is the only path to God the Father so I think it's impossible to speak of one without the other.

But I also think in our adoration of our Savior we sometimes slip into sectarian habits that contradict the Savior's instructions.

Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The Savior knew it was his Father's kingdom, his Father's will, his Father that answers prayers, and his Father that was good.  He just did the will of his Father and inherited everything from him.

Sometimes I think our members would rather be more Protestant and pray to Christ since they are Trinitarian.  It contradicts the Savior's instructions to me.

[10THAmendment]

12 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

Christ is the only path to God the Father so I think it's impossible to speak of one without the other.

But I also think in our adoration of our Savior we sometimes slip into sectarian habits that contradict the Savior's instructions.

Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The Savior knew it was his Father's kingdom, his Father's will, his Father that answers prayers, and his Father that was good.  He just did the will of his Father and inherited everything from him.

Sometimes I think our members would rather be more Protestant and pray to Christ since they are Trinitarian.  It contradicts the Savior's instructions to me.

I would agree with this. Consider what Bruce R McConkie taught that goes along with this:

 

We do not worship the Son, and we do not worship the Holy Ghost. I know perfectly well what the scriptures say about worshipping Christ and Jehovah, but they are speaking in an entirely different sense—the sense of standing in awe and being reverentially grateful to him who has redeemed us. Worship in the true and saving sense is reserved for God the first, the Creator.

[Tacenda]

Maybe because Jesus is God incarnate? According to other religions, and maybe even the LDS in a way?

[Vanguard]

43 minutes ago, 10THAmendment said:

I would agree with this. Consider what Bruce R McConkie taught that goes along with this:

 

We do not worship the Son, and we do not worship the Holy Ghost. I know perfectly well what the scriptures say about worshipping Christ and Jehovah, but they are speaking in an entirely different sense—the sense of standing in awe and being reverentially grateful to him who has redeemed us. Worship in the true and saving sense is reserved for God the first, the Creator.

It reminds me that my prayers are addressed to my Father and it is with Him alone that I share my life and my struggles. Yes, Christ appreciates the whole experience (and that's certainly an understatement!) but I seek the powers of heaven as they flow from the Father. 

[CV75]

4 hours ago, 10THAmendment said:

What do you think is the balance is between talking about and worshipping the Father and the Son? I would say that 99% of the time we talk about Christ but aren’t we really supposed to worship the Father and the Father only? There are no other gods higher than Him. Jesus says this over and over again in the scriptures. But how can we not worship our Savior who we would all be doomed without?
 

Is it because Jesus is our way to God so that’s why, at least in this life, we almost exclusively talk about Christ and just mention God in passing? Almost all testimonies given in church center around Christ as well as almost all conference talks.

 

Curious to hear all of your thoughts. 

I think it is rare that we talk of one member of the Godhead without thinking about the other two. 

[10THAmendment]

46 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Maybe because Jesus is God incarnate? According to other religions, and maybe even the LDS in a way?

In my opinion Jesus makes it clear in the New Testament that He is not God and the Father is greater. 
 

But I will say that in practice it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between the LDS view of the Godhead and the traditional Nicene Creed view. 

[JLHPROF]

4 hours ago, Tacenda said:

Maybe because Jesus is God incarnate? According to other religions, and maybe even the LDS in a way?

How you interpret God incarnate makes all the difference.

[JAHS]

To me worshipping God is worshipping both of them.
"I and the Father are one" (John 10: 30)

[Tacenda]

51 minutes ago, JAHS said:

To me worshipping God is worshipping both of them.
"I and the Father are one" (John 10: 30)

That's how I feel.