The apostate religion practiced by the Zoramites, besides contradicting true doctrine, violated the spirit of "pure religion . . . undefiled before God and the Father" as explained in James 1:27.
Zoramite worship ignored any practical application, focusing instead on an outward demonstration of false piety; specifically the recitation of a perfunctory prayer from the top of a stand they called a Rameumptom. The prayer reflected the arrogant belief that they were superior to the Nephites in the eyes of God. (See Alma 31:22.)Moreover, their worship was confined to a single occasion during the week, after which they would return to their homes, "never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner." (Alma 31:23.)
The belief system seemed to have had little positive effect on their day-to-day behavior. Alma observed that "they were a wicked and perverse people; yea he saw that their hearts were set upon gold and upon silver and upon all manner of goods" and that "their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting in their pride." (Alma 31:24-25.)
Such a condition is not unique to the Zoramites or to Book of Mormon times.
President Joseph F. Smith counseled:
". . . Religion is not outward show and pretense, and being religious does not altogether consist in compliance with outward forms, even when these are the ordinances of the gospel. Neither is it an unfailing sign that a person is conscientious who takes an active part in organizations of the Church. Evil men may use these for selfish and wicked purposes. I have known men who joined our organizations for such ends, and men who have been baptized who never repented.
"Then what is religion? James declares: `Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.' This may be interpreted as meaning that a person who is religious is thoughtful to the unfortunate, and has an inner spirit that prompts to deeds of kindness and to the leading of a blameless life; who is just, truthful; who does not, as Paul says, think more highly on himself than he ought to think; who is affectionate, patient in tribulation, diligent, cheerful, fervent in spirit, hospitable, merciful; and who abhors evil and cleaves to that which is good. The possession of such a spirit and feeling is a true sign that a person is naturally religious." (Gospel Doctrine, pages 120-121.)