When Mormons wore crosses

Peggy Fletcher Stack published an interesting article in The Salt Lake Tribune yesterday about a historian at California State University named Michael Reed who just completed a master’s thesis on “The Development of the LDS Church’s Attitude Toward the Cross”:
Reed’s research explains Mormons’ “ambiguous, confused relationship to the cross,” says Rees, a former LDS bishop. “There was a kind of informal acceptance of it among the members, but not the hierarchy. Wanting to be different [from other Christians], they threw the cross out and it has robbed us of one of the most compelling symbols in all of Christendom — even though there’s nothing doctrinally, theologically or scripturally that says we couldn’t embrace it.”
The article lists a number of examples from Reed’s thesis on when Mormons were comfortable with and regularly used the cross as a symbol. It sounds like a fascinating study.
I believe that the LDS church could only benefit from dropping its enmity with cross symbolism. When I was taking the missionary discussions, I was rather put off by the attempts that were made to get me to stop wearing crosses, and some of my LDS friends would go so far as to attack the practice of wearing crosses just to validate Mormonism’s aversion to them. They would have been wise to have just left my cultural Protestant habits alone and instead focused on convincing me of the essentials of the LDS gospel. The church is under no obligation to officially endorse cross symbolism by using it in its architecture or art, but I’d like to see the cultural stigma that comes with choosing to wear them go away.
(H/T: BCC)
UPDATE 8/1/2009: The article is no longer available for free at the SL Tribune, so I have replaced it with the link to the WWRN copy of it.

Comments

When Mormons wore crosses — 20 Comments

  1. I think the aversion to crosses is silly. IMO, wearing a cross can be a beautiful symbol of what you believe (and a bit more visual than G’s… unless of course you’re flashing others every time you bend over). I’ve been thinking about wearing one – partly because they can be simple and beautiful, partly because of the symbolism. Conveniently, DH is not LDS, so if he gives me one as a gift, I’ll wear it and blame him.
  5. I remember the subject coming up somehow way back when I was taking the discussions. (I’m not sure why we were talking about it, as I didn’t have strong feelings one way or another about the choice of symbols and hadn’t worn one for quite a few years before then, when I was attending an evangelical college.) One of the missionaries asked me, if Jesus had been killed by hanging, would you use the noose as a symbol of faith?
    I thought it was the stupidest question I had ever heard (OK, not the stupidest, but close). My quick answer: “I don’t see why not.”
    For reasons that aren’t clear to me, there’s a tendency within LDS circles to try to find some theological justification for things that are cultural in nature. In this case (and many others, for that matter), it’s just not there.
    For what it’s worth, LDS chaplains in the military wear crosses so they can be instantly identified as Christians.
    I can understand the desire to show that we’re a different type of Christianity, so I’m not advocating that we start using the cross as a primary symbol of the church. But neither does it make sense for there to be the aversion that there is in some circles.
    And if I were hosting a missionary discussion and the investigator were told not to wear a cross, I’d be embarrassed.
  6. For reasons that aren’t clear to me, there’s a tendency within LDS circles to try to find some theological justification for things that are cultural in nature.
    I’m not sure, but I’d wager that it has something to do with the fact that many of our cultural quirks find their roots in either the statements or example of our leaders–whom Mormons revere as prophets, seers, and revelators. If the leadership doesn’t make it clear that something is purely cultural in nature, then it’s not too big a jump for many LDS to assume it’s inspired. And if you assume it’s inspired, you’ve got to assume there’s a reason–and, thus, we invent (often silly) theological justifications for all sorts of things.
  7. When I was taking the missionary discussions, it was explained that LDS people try to concentrate more on Christ’s life and teachings than his death. I, personally, have never had a problem with the cross. I visited several of the missions (http://www.californiamissions.com/cahistory/index.html) in California while growing up and I had a few beautiful hand-carved crosses that I’d gotten as souvenirs. I think Christ’s crucifixion is obviously worth honoring, but I guess the whole cross thing never bothered me. And, imo, too many people wear crosses as simply a piece of jewelry, or even more pathetically to show that they’re religious. Now that bugs me.
  8. Interesting find.
    Mormonism’s aversion to the image of the cross is not for doctrinal reasons but is largely a result of geography. When Mormonism began, the image of the cross did not have much widespread use among american non-Catholic Christian churches. It was while the LDS church was relatively isolated in the west that the cross became more prominent in American protestant congregations. by the time Mormon and protestant cultures began to more fully interact with each other in the twentieth century, Mormonism had missed the boat on crosses. By then the cross was seen as a way to distinguish the LDS faith from other religions.
    Hostility on the part of Mormons to crucifixes is inappropriate even from the LDS perspective. Mormon leaders consistently emphasize that there is nothing wrong with the image of the cross, it is simply something that is not the focus of LDS imagery.
  9. Sgarff,
    That’s also what I had heard (from Bob Millet), but haven’t been able to historically classify that viewpoint.
    There’s another reason for an aversion. Imagine those loving ministers of Christ, like the inquisitor Gestapo, coming to expel the Saints by any means necessary. Not all of the symbolism man has joined to the cross is good.
    Of course, the Biblical symbolism that Paul gave us, is right, and Mormons should not have an aversion to it. And I also think Mormons should be less judgemental of Christians for a part of their faith. Of course, I’ve never made fun of an Evangelical because of how “unsexy their cross was.” Maybe we can teach our Evangelical friends to leave alone our curious faith actions.
    Of course, Paul also didn’t tell Christians to wear it around their neck or put it on their churches, so there’s no biblical reason to do so. Looks like there’s a lot of blame to go around.
    I could wear it if I felt it would strengthen my faith. However I disagree with Nicole, Garments are meant to not be seen by others. President Hinckley taught that our lives and actions are how others should recognize our Christianity, not the clothing or the jewelry we wear.
  10. PC ~ Of course, Paul also didn’t tell Christians to wear it around their neck or put it on their churches, so there’s no biblical reason to do so.
    There’s no commandment in the LDS scriptures to put polygamy Jesus on the walls of LDS churches, but that hasn’t stopped ‘em…
  11. psychochemiker #9,
    A good historical classification of the viewpoint, I think the type you may be looking for, can be found in People of Paradox by Terryl Givens, pages 114-115. Givens gives a brief historical sketch that describes Puritan aversion to the cross for its evocation of Catholicism. And argues that the fact that Mormonism did not embrace the use of the cross was typical of the protestant churches of the region. It was only when Mormonism was isolated in the west that these protestant groups began to accept the cross. By then many LDS had began to associate the cross with the apostasy.
  12. Tere’s no commandment in the LDS scriptures to put polygamy Jesus on the walls of LDS churches, but that hasn’t stopped ‘em…
    Actually, Jack, I’m pretty sure it’s commanded in the Journal of Discourses somewhere… ;)
    After reading this thread, I almost bought a funky cross necklace at the local Renaissance Fair today, but figured it would probably blow my cover. So I didn’t.
  13. Just to clarify: I don’t think garments are meant to be seen by others. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see them when some lady bends over to pick up her child displays a good 8″ of them. And I don’t even live in Utah.
    And while many claim we should not be identified by our clothes, our clothing styles often identify us. I’ve been asked more than once if I’m LDS simply because I’m wearing knee length shorts, and one reason we give our youth for dressing [our version of] modestly is to be an example and look different.
  14. First of all, I don’t buy this guy’s Master’s Thesis that claims that official Mormon antipathy toward the symbol of the cross began in the 20th century. Where are the crosses on the Kirkland and Nauvoo temples? This guy is just stirring the pot.
    I buy Robert Millet’s explanation
    “It appears that crosses were seldom if ever placed on our meetinghouses. Inasmuch as many of our early converts came from a Puritan background, they, like the Puritans, were essentially anti-ceremonial, which included not using crosses.”
    Evangelicals have just as much aversion if not more so crucifixes as Mormons have to crosses. Catholics, Mormons, and Evangelicals all realize that Christ has risen and do not dwell on his death over his reasurection. The aversions to these symbols have more to do with brand behind them then the symbols themselves.
    I would not mind wearing a cross myself, I think they are cool, but I would not want anyone to think I was an evangelical.
  15. #10 Jack.
    Ah yes, but are Mormons accusing Evangelicals of not being Christian because they don’t have that picture up in their churches? Are they accusing other Mormons of not being Mormons because they don’t have the picture in their home? Gotta say, that picture has never been in my home (and it probably never will), yet no one has accused me of being a bad Mormon bcz of that (wouldn’t you like to know what they HAVE done it for. Sorry that’s just one of my secrets I’ll share only with my online buddies, so they can tell everyone how funny it was, and you will all be left wondering what was so funny. Hahahahahaha.).
  16. PC ~ In my opinion, anti-Mormons will latch onto anything that can be turned into a case for “Mormons aren’t Christians.” The cross is just one example in a long line.
    And frankly, I think the fact that your home lacks a picture of polygamy assassin Jesus makes you a terrible Mormon. Shame on you.
  17. Jack, did you ever listen to Huntsman give his tirade against cross-hating Mormons? He brought up the very good point that cross-symbolism is even in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 11:33; 2 Nephi 9:18; Jacob 1:8; 3 Nephi 12:30; Ether 4:1), not to mention the D&C.
    This thread gives me an idea. Akin to Katie Langston’s “Adventures Confessions of a Licked Cupcake” you should do a series of posts (or maybe just one post) devoted to silly reasons Mormons have given about why you should avoid the cross. Examples could include:
    The Cross is the symbol of the Apostasy.
    It’s important to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection rather than his death.
    If Jesus were killed by a gun, would you have a rifle up in your church?
    Personally I kind of like the non-cross as a symbol of Mormonism’s separation from mainstream Christianity. But then again I like the cross as a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice. So I’m ambivalent, as are many Mormons I presume. I had a cross on my Bible on my mission, and no one looked twice when I brought it to church. It gave a couple of people pause when I brought it back to Utah, though.
  18. I’m just going to jump in with the observation that I have never understood the LDS aversion to the cross as a symbol of Christianity, and I’ve even read several books and articles on it. I think that the geographical/historical use of the cross as cited above is probably the only one that makes any sense.
    And beyond that, I know quite a few LDS people who do wear the cross as jewelry. So I am guessing that, more than anything, it is a cultural thing that has missed us out here in Illinois.
  19. I wore a cross in high school because there were lots of Evangelical kids where I lived and I wanted them to know that I believed in and loved Jesus too. Never got any flak for it at church until I went to BYU and then lots of heads turned. I think it’s silly.
    The main argument I’ve heard is that we don’t dwell on Christ’s death, we focus on his life and resurrection. This is stupid for 2 reasons. 1: We SHOULD focus on his death. What else is the sacrament about? When Jesus appears in the Book of Mormon, what’s the first thing he talks about? Doctrinally Christ’s suffering and death is and should be a very big deal. And 2: The cross itself IS a symbol of life and resurrection, because it is an empty cross.
  20. I am LDS. I have a strong testimony of the church but I DO display a cross on my wall and I do wear a cross around my neck at times. I have read the book of Mormon. I know the stand of those who created the BOM when it comes to crosses and I do not believe it is wrong at all to display one based on my readings. We should remember ALL that Christ did for us, in my opinion the cross is part of that “all”. Besides, I display an empty cross which to me represents so much more than his death but also his new life.
    Honestly I believe not displaying the cross within the church is more of a distinguishing factor between LDS & other religions more than anything else. Not actually something having to do with the cross itself and the reasoning thereof.
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