Cross
From MormonWiki.org
Mormons typically do not want anything to do with the symbol of the cross, stating such things as, "If they had shot Jesus with a firing squad, would they hang a gun on the church?"
"Latter-day Saints object to the use of a cross on their buildings and the wearing of the cross. They view the symbolism of the cross as having a pagan origin and that it symbolizes Christ's torture and death, not his resurrection." [1]
This is a precarious position Mormons take, as they have no problem with various pentagrams on Mormon buildings.
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[edit] Quotes
- "The sectarian world falsely suppose that the climax of his (Christ’s) torture and suffering was on the cross …-- a view which they keep ever before them by the constant use of the cross as a religious symbol. The fact is that intense and severe as the suffering was on the cross, yet the great pains were endured in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.555)
- "Many who join the [Mormon] Church who come from a Catholic or Protestant background while trying their utmost to live the gospel, and rid themselves of past, unconsciously bring some of the customs of their former environment with them. One of these is the wearing of the crucifix on a necklace, bracelet, or in some other form. The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seem to indicate that this is improper because we do not hold any special reverence for the cross as such, nor do we have crosses in our chapels or homes or wear a crucifix as jewelry." LDS "Prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4, p. 16.
- "To many [Mormons]...such a custom is repugnant and contrary to the true worship of our Redeemer. Why should we bow down before a cross or use it as a symbol? Because our Savior died on the cross, the wearing of crosses is to most Latter-day Saints in very poor taste and inconsistent to our worship. Of all the ways ever invented for taking life and the execution of individuals, among the most cruel is likely the cross. This was a favorite method among the Romans who excelled in torture. We may be definitely sure that if our Lord had been killed with a dagger or with a sword, it would have been very strange indeed if religious people of this day would have graced such a weapon by wearing it and adoring it because it was by such a means that our Lord was put to death." LDS "Prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4, pp. 17-18.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Non-Mormon
- Calvary or Gethsemane? The Atonement According to Mormonism, by Bill McKeever
- The Director's Chair: Appalling - Cross Not Appealing!, by Tom Forehand
- Mormons Don't Wear Crosses (ExMormon.org)
- An Answer to the Pentagram Controversy, by Bob Betts
[edit] Mormon
- Why Don't the Saints Wear Crosses?, by Stephen R. Gibson
- The Cross, by Roger R. Keller
- Sunstone speaker attempts to explain LDS 'aversion' to cross
- Cross (LDS.org)