Worthy

Worthy

• having worth or value
• having sufficient Worth or importance, having enough good qualities to be considered important, useful, etc
• good and deserving respect, praise, or attention

Synonyms- deserving, good, meritorious

Antonyms - no good, undeserving, valueless, worthless

FYI - if you look up the word "worthy" in the topical guide it says "See also righteous, righteousness

Worth

• the value of something measured by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held
• moral or personal value
• merit or excellence
• deserving of

I am so sorry, but I have a real problem with using this word to describe people in the church. It is judgment. It implies that some of us are better than others. We can find language that is better. At least I intend to use language that is better. A favorite hymn "Sing We Now at Parting: says it best.  Here are the words to verse 2:

Praise him for his mercy;

Praise him for his love.

For unnumbered blessings

Praise the Lord above.

Let our happy voices

Still the notes prolong.

One alone is worthy

Of our sweetest song.

The word "worthy" when used to describe the Savior is fitting. Using it to describe humans sets us all up for trouble.

In the guide to the scriptures online, under "worthy, worthiness" it says "See also righteous or righteousness. Then it gives this definition:  "To be personally righteous and to stand approved in the sight of God and his appointed leaders."

The following examples are cited:

Matthew 10:38 - He that takes not his cross is not worthy of me.

Mormon 9:29 - See that ye do all things in worthiness.

Moroni's 6:1 - They were not baptized save they were worthy.

The index to the Triple Combination says "See also clean, faithful, honorable, noble

This bothers me - perhaps it is because I see the use of the words "worthy and worthiness" as words that separate us and I prefer words that unify. Perhaps it is because the word is used to judge and we are not to judge one another. I am just uncomfortable with the way we call each other "worthy". It implies that some are "unworthy".

I would suggest then suggest there are better words. For example, instead of saying someone is worthy to attend the temple, we could substitute prepared.

Are you prepared to go to the temple?  Have you met with your Bishop?  Are you living by the questions that will be asked you?  Are you ready to now take your desire to live the gospel and make covenants to do so?

How about when a member of the bishopric says about the young men who just passed the sacrament "We’re so proud of these young men who are worthy to pass the sacrament." That language is too vague to be meaningful. That's like when we say "You're a good little girl." when a specific is needed.

Much better to say "I’d like to thank our young men for being here on time today to prepare and pass the sacrament to each of us. This is such a meaningful service to our ward family. Thank you."

Those young men were prepared.

I think back to my first experience in the temple. I was worthy – meaning I was a good person. What I wasn’t, was prepared. The experience had a little meaning and I had no desire to return. It was years before I was ready to have a meaningful experience in the temple.

So you get where I am coming from? You’ll not hear me I utter worthy anymore when describing a fellow human being. The truth is that I see us all as worthy human beings, made clean by the blood of the Lamb. None of us is of more importance, none more deserving of respect, praise or attention.

To my mind you cannot escape the truth that the word worthiness hinges on our worth or value. Both are statements of the value of a human being and we should be very careful of how we use them.

All are alike unto God

The worth of souls is great in the sight of God

Now just be clear – none of this that I have said means I don’t believe that humans are not responsible for directing the course of their lives. A temple recommend interview with a trusted leader gives me a chance to review my life, to change directions if I need to. I believe that we create heaven and that only those who become God-like in attributes will live with God and enjoy being there.

But that is in our far distant future. If we are sincere in our efforts, we will eventually become that kind of a person. 

It's just that in the meantime we don't want to use labels that hurt or divide us. So I suggest we be stingy with our use of the word "worthy". And generous with our praise of all that is good in those around us.