Wearing or showing a cross is a matter of culture, not doctrine.

[kirtland r.m.]

The wearing or showing of a cross on the body, on a sign, or on a building is not against our beliefs, it is a "A Question of Culture, Not Doctrine". https://www.ldsliving.com/what-church-l ... ss/s/10418

It is a symbol of faith, although I once heard someone say, that if my elder brother stepped in front of a bullet for me I would not wear a symbol of a gun around my neck to remind me. If non members visit our homes, church buildings including temples (during open houses, pre-dedications or re-dedications) they can see beautiful paintings depicting this vital event. We in families, church meetings and in our materials missionaries carry, include paintings and depictions of our Savior on the cross. It is a vital part of His Atonement as well as what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. That some would wear a symbol of this event as a sign of faith, and that others would not is personal choice. Both can be faithful Christians.

[blitzinstripes]

I love and wear constantly, a small crucifix pendant that my Mother gave me. She actually found it while metal detecting along the Outer Banks. It had washed up a long the high tide. I prefer it to a CTR ring as far as it being a tangible reminder to me of the Lord and his atonement. I actually love the Christian imagery of the cross and I wholeheartedly wish that the LDS church didn't have such a stigmatism and prejudice against it. Then again, I come from deep protestant roots so perhaps I just connect more with it than pioneer stock Mormons would.

[CuriousThinker]

I felt prompted in August of last year to buy a cross necklace. Two months later, Holland spoke in conference about crosses. I still wear it.

[Reluctant Watchman]

E. Holland may disagree:

One reason we do not emphasize the cross as a symbol stems from our biblical roots. Because crucifixion was one of the Roman Empire’s most agonizing forms of execution, many early followers of Jesus chose not to highlight that brutal instrument of suffering. The meaning of Christ’s death was certainly central to their faith, but for some 300 years they typically sought to convey their gospel identity through other means.

By the fourth and fifth centuries, a cross was being introduced as a symbol of generalized Christianity, but ours is not a “generalized Christianity.” Being neither Catholic nor Protestant, we are, rather, a restored church, the restored New Testament Church. Thus, our origins and our authority go back before the time of councils, creeds, and iconography. In this sense, the absence of a symbol that was late coming into common use is yet another evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of true Christian beginnings.

———
It seems he has made it part of LDS theology and doctrine.

[FrankOne]

As the saying goes, 'it's not what you do that matters, its why you do it'. The symbol of the cross gives scores of people hope, not a memory of blood sacrifice. The words of Holland or any self proclaimed authorities belong to them.
My personal favorite

chi rho 2.jpg (37.71 KiB) Viewed 182 times

[ransomme]

The wearing or showing of a cross on the body, on a sign, or on a building is not against our beliefs, it is a "A Question of Culture, Not Doctrine". https://www.ldsliving.com/what-church-l ... ss/s/10418

It is a symbol of faith, although I once heard someone say, that if my elder brother stepped in front of a bullet for me I would not wear a symbol of a gun around my neck to remind me. If non members visit our homes, church buildings including temples (during open houses, pre-dedications or re-dedications) they can see beautiful paintings depicting this vital event. We in families, church meetings and in our materials missionaries carry, include paintings and depictions of our Savior on the cross. It is a vital part of His Atonement as well as what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. That some would wear a symbol of this event as a sign of faith, and that others would not is personal choice. Both can be faithful Christians.

Correct, but this is downplaying the attitude and discouragement the Church has had toward displays of the cross.

It's a sad tradition to pay so little attention to the altar of God's sacrifice.

[JohnnyL]

The wearing or showing of a cross on the body, on a sign, or on a building is not against our beliefs, it is a "A Question of Culture, Not Doctrine". https://www.ldsliving.com/what-church-l ... ss/s/10418

It is a symbol of faith, although I once heard someone say, that if my elder brother stepped in front of a bullet for me I would not wear a symbol of a gun around my neck to remind me. If non members visit our homes, church buildings including temples (during open houses, pre-dedications or re-dedications) they can see beautiful paintings depicting this vital event. We in families, church meetings and in our materials missionaries carry, include paintings and depictions of our Savior on the cross. It is a vital part of His Atonement as well as what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. That some would wear a symbol of this event as a sign of faith, and that others would not is personal choice. Both can be faithful Christians.

Would you frame two mites and keep them in your office?

[Momma J]

I wear a very delicate crucifix. It is a gift from my husband, a very humble servant of the Lord. The gift was given in love and is both a testament to his love for me and his desire for me to stay strong in the gospel.

It is automaton for me to reach up and touch it throughout the day.... A constant reminder that our Saviour he is here for me, and that I need to strive to be a better person.

As blitzinstripes mentioned ~ I prefer it over the CTR ring. A beautiful reminder of all that our Saviour has done for us and continues to do.

Am I an oddity? When moved to tears as the Spirit of the Holy Ghost courses through the depths of my bowels, I often pull the crucifix up to my lips and thank the Lord for all that he has done for me.

For me it is personal and someone telling me that the bond is somehow wrong, I just feel a twinge of sadness that they are focused on a piece of metal rather than the love that courses thru.

[Wolfwoman]

I got a free necklace with a cross on it when I bought some shorts.
I personally don’t feel right wearing it. But I don’t mind if other people wear it.

[Jamescm]

I used to wear a cross necklace, but I gradually stopped. I did it more as an outward statement than anything truly meaningful to me, and I grew tired of keeping track of it.

That's my story. Otherwise, I don't care for or against the cross as a symbol. This thread alone contains fantastic arguments both for and against its use. The idea that the institution can reject using it while its members could faithfully use it doesn't cause me any dissonance.

[Mindfields]

Cross bad. Picture of Church leaders good.

[BigT]

On one of the Iron Rod Podcasts they said Pres. David O didn't like crosses, due to something that happened on his mission way back when, so he banished them to outer darkness. So, philosophies of man.

I'm still indoctrinated to a degree that it might take me a while to get used to wearing one. Strange how that works.

[Momma J]

Food for thought....

What if one day an evil run government (even more evil than present day) began rounding up all Christians for execution. How many would be discarding their crucifixes and their scriptures.... burning their pictures of the Saviour?

How many would allow a tattoo to be places on their heads or hands which showed they followed an abomination?

How many would turn in their neighbors, their friends, their family.... for a warm meal and a bed?

just random thoughts...

[SJR3t2]

Where wearing tzitzit is a commandment, and it's even in the BoM.
https://seekingyhwh.org/resources/tzitzit/

[FrankOne]

Food for thought....

What if one day an evil run government (even more evil than present day) began rounding up all Christians for execution. How many would be discarding their crucifixes and their scriptures.... burning their pictures of the Saviour?

How many would allow a tattoo to be places on their heads or hands which showed they followed an abomination?

How many would turn in their neighbors, their friends, their family.... for a warm meal and a bed?

just random thoughts...

A bed , a warm meal and not being shot and thrown in a trench. 99% will turn in their neighbors. 75% will turn in their brothers and sisters.

Police at the door: "Who do you know that is a threat to the security of this nation?"

TBM Lady: "Hey honey, what was the name of that family that left the church and told us that getting the vakkks was wrong?"

[blitzinstripes]

E. Holland may disagree:

One reason we do not emphasize the cross as a symbol stems from our biblical roots. Because crucifixion was one of the Roman Empire’s most agonizing forms of execution, many early followers of Jesus chose not to highlight that brutal instrument of suffering. The meaning of Christ’s death was certainly central to their faith, but for some 300 years they typically sought to convey their gospel identity through other means.

By the fourth and fifth centuries, a cross was being introduced as a symbol of generalized Christianity, but ours is not a “generalized Christianity.” Being neither Catholic nor Protestant, we are, rather, a restored church, the restored New Testament Church. Thus, our origins and our authority go back before the time of councils, creeds, and iconography. In this sense, the absence of a symbol that was late coming into common use is yet another evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of true Christian beginnings.

———
It seems he has made it part of LDS theology and doctrine.

I wonder if Holland knows that the symbolism of the fish was one of the EARLIEST Christian symbols? By his logic, our "restored" church would likely be using the symbol of the fish. But I just can't recall seeing that symbol in an LDS church anywhere, ever.

[RaVaN]

Taking a bunch of hyssop dipped in blood of the lamb and striking the lintel and sideposts of your door makes the sign of the cross...just saying.

[FrankOne]

E. Holland may disagree:

One reason we do not emphasize the cross as a symbol stems from our biblical roots. Because crucifixion was one of the Roman Empire’s most agonizing forms of execution, many early followers of Jesus chose not to highlight that brutal instrument of suffering. The meaning of Christ’s death was certainly central to their faith, but for some 300 years they typically sought to convey their gospel identity through other means.

By the fourth and fifth centuries, a cross was being introduced as a symbol of generalized Christianity, but ours is not a “generalized Christianity.” Being neither Catholic nor Protestant, we are, rather, a restored church, the restored New Testament Church. Thus, our origins and our authority go back before the time of councils, creeds, and iconography. In this sense, the absence of a symbol that was late coming into common use is yet another evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of true Christian beginnings.

———
It seems he has made it part of LDS theology and doctrine.

I wonder if Holland knows that the symbolism of the fish was one of the EARLIEST Christian symbols? By his logic, our "restored" church would likely be using the symbol of the fish. But I just can't recall seeing that symbol in an LDS church anywhere, ever.

I've seen the "all seeing eye" a few times in LDS buildings. Does that count?
Don't forget to feel guilt from "he who watches".

[ransomme]

On the way to the YM/YW activity, my son asked about getting a cross pendant to show that he believes in Jesus. As I was wearing one of my Jesus John 14:6 shirts, I told him it was a good idea. We talked about Adam being commanded to offer sacrifice in the similitude of the Son of Man, the Atonement, and the cross as the altar. It was a good conversation. All that is left is to pick one out.