I don’t see the issue is that the people were wrongly performing the ceremony, per se, but that ceremony, tradition and religious festival had become culturally ensnared instead of functioning as an outward symbol of an inward commitment. Righteousness was not being seen as something God bestows, but something that is gained by following the steps of tradition. Ceremony was no longer a type, a symbol, a parable of God’s relationship with and redemption for mankind; it had become a substitute for a relationship that is only found through living pure religion. Had tradition of the Law overextended its place as a cultural marker of the only nation who worshipped YaHWeH? Had tradition become the vine instead of the fruit of the true vine?

I see the New Testament as a clearer lens through which to view this issue that Amos (and Isaiah) raises more so than the chosen D&C one. However, I would agree that if one is pursuing one’s culturally religious walk of obedience, tradition and loyalty as a symbol of an inward commitment that recognizes righteousness is granted by God, not by our merit of following said things with exactness, and that we are hearkening foundationally to the imperatives of pure religion, then the D&C scripture can be better harmonized. Otherwise, it is less clear, and could be interpreted to equate righteousness with legalistic exactness to sacraments and oblations.

I loved the song on the link:

When I was a boy, each week
On Sunday, we would go to church
And pay attention to the priest
As he would read the Holy Word.
And consecrate the holy bread
And everyone would kneel and bow
Today the only difference is
Everything is holy now….

This morning outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush
Singing like a scripture verse
It made me want to bow my head
and I remember when church let out
how things have changed since then,
everything is holy now.

I think we need to make all of our services and everything we do holy.

Some fun times. The memories linger . . .