In the Church there are exist cultural rules and teachings that have no basis in real truth, theology, or Doctrine. One of these is negative feeling of the symbol of the Cross. While Mormons in early Church history wore and celebrated the cross, somewhere something changed. Leaders along the way removed the symbol of the cross as a way to distance us from other faiths. Today we realize this is a cultural taboo and lacks any real Doctrinal or theological backing. Even the Church realizes this as the new LDS temple in Rome is supposed to have a Cross on its front door based on the blueprints.
So in order to help us all begin opening up to new discussion of truth and letting go of bad assumptions and helping our wards and stake focus more on Christ and his atonement we are announcing a “Wear Your Cross to Church” day on Sunday August 16th. You can hear my interview with Michael Reed by clicking it in the links. You also can order your own cross in the links below. If you are unable to find a Cross Mormon Discussion and its sponsor Family Pawn will send you a free Cross lapel. Just send me a self addressed envelope to
Mormon Discussion Podcast
1975 Dove Dr.
Santa Clara, Utah 84765
If any of you want to help fund the costs of this event please donate here
RESOURCES
Aug16thCross – PDF Flyer that can be emailed to friends or shared on Facebook
Purchase your cross jewelry:
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I prefer to take my Christian-symbolism’s guidance from Christ, who said of the Sacrament, “THIS do in remembrance of me.” As I take the Sacrament, I think among other things that I’m even following him in the symbol I use.
This difference between the Sacrament that He told us to use and the man-invented symbols He did not tell us to use is one of the ways that show my allegiance to him and not to leaders of the Apostasy.
It’s a restored-gospel thing for me.
You are aware that you are being selective of which scripture you use right? As Christ himself also refers to each of us picking up the symbol of the cross in both New Testament as well as Book of Mormon Scripture? Picking one scripture to justify your point misses the boat. What about a Moroni statue, pictures of a temple, CTR rings, etc? We symbolize Christ and his gospel in all kinds of ways. How about those nail ornaments your wife makes in Relief Society around Christmas time?
I’m not offended at all about the cross symbol. Symbols can mean many things and a cross with it’s four gammas or four quadrants has reference to the earth, the body and it’s particular configuration as being planted in the ground and of wood reminds one of a tree. A wooden cross would have been made from a tree, obviously, but then we have Christ, the tree of life, hanging upon a dead tree bringing life.
Could the cross not then stand as a symbol for the tree of life? Can we not see the echoes of a cross in Nephi’s vision?
Symbols are communication and the meaning depends on what you are trying to communicate. I think the cross is a fine symbol to remember Christ by. Personally, I prefer octagons, octagrams and quatrefoils myself, but I have absolutely no issues with the cross.
I hope you don’t mind if I share this, but I produced a mini documentary about LDS symbolism and “reading temples” and here a portion where I talk about the cross an how it’s not a negative thing:
https://youtu.be/zIJhLOwam7I?t=5m3s
I have had trouble explaining to my children why we don’t use the cross. I’ve given the “we prefer to celebrate his resurrection rather than death” excuse and often wondered about somehow creating a “stone rolled away” type pendant. Obviously no one would know what that is. I like talking to someone wearing a cross necklace–automatically tells me we have something in common. It’s Friday before the Sunday to wear it, an I’m about 99% sure my ward has no idea about this. But I want to do it anyway. All the more impact since I teach RS this week. Maybe I can make it to a jewelry store today! Or I could just wait and wear it in two weeks–the day I’m speaking in church!
And to Bill–please don’t confuse tradition with doctrine. It’s confusing, especially to people in faith crisis.
“I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian colleagues who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the Living Christ. …
“… The lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), “The Symbol of Our Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, April 2005, 3.
I just want to point out that we aren’t instructed to NOT wear it–just that it’s not the most important thing. You can’t live an un-Christlike life and call it good because you wear a cross. BEING Christlike is more important. But did he say you absolutely shouldn’t wear one? No not really. That’s wear we mistakenly jump from tradition that we don’t wear crosses, to doctrine.
All this being said, do I have the courage to break tradition? I’m not sure of that yet.
I think this defensive view is based on defending a position rather than what really propelled the position. Those who say as much seem unaware of the cross’s history in Mormonism. We worship the living Christ is a silly response
President Gordon B. Hinckley explained the reason in a talk delivered in general conference. He told about talking to a Protestant minister following a temple open house. The minister had asked why there were no crosses anywhere if we say we believe in Jesus Christ. President Hinckley answered, “‘I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian brethren who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ.’
“He then asked, ‘If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?’
“I replied that the lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship” (“The Symbol of Christ,” New Era, Apr. 1990, p. 4).
President Hinckley further explained, “On Calvary he was the dying Jesus. From the tomb he emerged the living Christ. … Because our Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of his death as the symbol of our faith. But what shall we use? No sign, no work of art, no representation of form is adequate to express the glory and the wonder of the Living Christ. He told us what that symbol should be when he said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ (John 14:15)” (pp. 6, 7).
Even though we do not believe in using the cross as a symbol in our Church, we do not criticize others for wearing or using the cross in their religions. We should understand that the cross is significant and sacred to them. In fact, the 11th article of faith says, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
We focus on the great atonement of our Savior, his sacrifice for us that makes eternal life possible. We think of his life and sacrifice every Sunday during the sacrament. Our testimonies become the precious things that we bear, along with our obedience, to show we are true followers of Christ.
To me (i myself am a mormon) Love seeing people wear crosses.. Because I know that they are a believer in christ.. but me personaly.. I will never wear one for a few reason..
1. It’s the Weapon that killed Christ (I would never carry around the weapon that killed the most important person to me)
2. I chose to celebrate his life, rather than his death
3. I like to seperate myself from other religion.. Altho I love all Christian Religions- even non christian religions.. I usualy Bring the Buddists treats durring their celebrations– such nice people =)
Anyway.. Have a GREAAAAT! day!!!!
– 17 Y/O Male (Trevor Fox) Love You =) [(CTR!) Choose The Right!]
Pres. Gordon Hinckley’s teaching on the cross reveals that he has not understood the Gospel of John.
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15). To have eternal life is to believe Jesus. And to believe Jesus is to look at him as he is lifted up, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert for all Israel to see.
The death of Jesus on the cross is the hour of his glorification:
“And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be GLORIFIED. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and DIES, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:23-24).
The lifting up of Jesus on the cross to die is what will draw all men to him:
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.” (John 12:32-33).
The death of Jesus by being lifted up on the cross is his moment of glorification. That is the moment he attracts all people to himself. To believe in the dying Jesus on the cross is to be healed of sins just as the Israelites looked up at the serpent that Moses lifted up and were healed. The dying Jesus is the Jesus of glory. Why then are Mormons like Hinckley repelled by the dying Jesus?
Because they understood not the scriptures nor the power of God.