No-Cross Protocol ["New" Mormon tradition]

Mormon Coffee ^ | May 18, 2009 | Sharon Lindbloom

[Ottofire]

No-Cross Protocol

May 18, 2009

By Sharon Lindbloom

“It’s no accident that Mormon steeples, temples and necks are free of Christian crosses.

“LDS leaders long have said the cross, so ubiquitous among traditional Christians, symbolizes Jesus’ death, while Mormons worship the risen Christ.”

So begins a recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune (Mormons and the cross).

This interesting article by Peggy Fletcher Stack takes a look at the newly completed master’s thesis, “The Development of the LDS Church’s Attitude Toward the Cross,” by Michael Reed. According to the Salt Lake Tribune,

“[The] Mormon aversion to the cross is a relatively recent development in LDS history, prompted in part by anti-Catholic sentiments.

“‘It first started at the grass-roots level around the turn of the 20th century,’ Michael Reed argues…

“‘It later became institutionalized during the 1950s under the direction of LDS Prophet David O. McKay.’”

Mormon scholar Bob Rees explains further,

“At one time there was an informal acceptance of [the cross] as an overt symbol, but in the 20th century its use has been discouraged by church leaders. Wanting to maintain its distinctive identity among Christian churches, the church essentially rejected outward manifestations of the cross, one of the most compelling symbols in all of Christendom…”

Apparently, crosses were at one time somewhat popular among Mormons, the symbol appearing on early LDS buildings, documents, and members (in the form of jewelry). But the LDS Church’s opposition to Catholicism won out in the middle of the 20th century.

Beginning in the 1920s when then-Apostle David O. McKay became frustrated over the lack of success in converting Catholics to Mormonism, and continuing into the 1930s when LDS leaders (including McKay) believed a Catholic Bishop in Utah was trying to convert Mormons, McKay’s vexation with Catholicism finally came to a head with his 1953 identification of the Catholic Church as one of the “two great anti-Christs in the world” (the second being Communism).

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, in 1957, by then the President of the LDS Church, David O. McKay

“established the LDS Church’s no-cross protocol, saying it was not proper for LDS girls to wear it on their jewelry, saying the cross is ‘purely Catholic.’”

Actually, the Cross of Christ is purely biblical, purely Christian.

The Apostle Paul wrote,

“May it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

Christian pastor John Piper explains,

“Only boast in the cross of Jesus Christ. It is a single idea. A single goal. A single passion. Only boast in the cross. The word can be translated ‘exult in’ or ‘rejoice in.’ Only exult in the cross of Christ. Only rejoice in the cross of Christ. Paul says let this be your single passion, your single boast and joy and exultation. In this great moment called ONE DAY let the ONE THING that you love, the one thing that you cherish, the one thing that you rejoice in and exult over be the cross of Jesus Christ…

“…for redeemed sinners, every good thing — indeed every bad thing that God turns for good — was obtained for us by the cross of Christ. Apart from the death of Christ, sinners get nothing but judgment. Apart from the cross of Christ, there is only condemnation. Therefore everything that you enjoy in Christ — as a Christian, as a person who trusts Christ — is owing to the death of Christ. And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ” (Boasting Only in the Cross).

Mormons don’t choose to use the Cross as a religious symbol. Instead they choose sunstones, CTR rings and representations of a heralding angel to symbolize their distinctive faith.

Nevertheless, be it a method of execution, be it jewelry worn by rap stars, be it misused as a flaming sign of racism, the Cross ever remains for Christians our symbol of hope and peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Comments (89)

[Elsie]

Does that count for anything?

Yes!

It shows you to be a HATEFUL Bigot who stalks COMEDIANS and fails to laugh at them!

--AndyKaufmanWannabe(I might still be alive)

[MarkBsnr]

***MORMONs are not cursed: they are DECEIVED.

JS is CURSED!***

Dante’s Inferno has some interesting imagery about religious frauds and their comeuppance. A number of clergy were identified in such things as fiery coffins. We don’t know what the Good Lord has in store on Judgement for the current crop of conartists and religious frauds.

I’d rather not find out.

[SZonian]

bfl8r

[greyfoxx39]

Thread revival for mormon no-cross protocol.

[dragonblustar]

Blowing of the horn, i.e. boasting of their own works to get to heaven.

[Godzilla]

1Cr 1:17 KJV - For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1Cr 1:18 KJV - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Gal 6:14 KJV - But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Eph 2:16 KJV - And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Phl 2:8 KJV - And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phl 3:18 KJV - (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Col 1:20 KJV - And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

Col 2:14 KJV - Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Hbr 12:2 KJV - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[Secret Agent Man]

Really? You’re relating Calvin to a non-Christian group that rips a (albeit very heterodox) Christian group? You can look at my posts regarding the RCC, I will tell you while the RCC has distorted ideas of theology, they are not ashamed of the cross of Christ.

The leader of the non-Christian mormons was so frustrated after 30 years of trying to convert Christian (and yes, heterodox) RCC folks but wasn’t having luck, that he finally called their denomination antichrist because they were rejecting the Mormon push to convert. He’s didn’t do it on any theological ground, he’s said that because he’s pissed they won’t convert to Mormonism, and that they actually had the gall to try to convert Mormons on their own turf.

[Secret Agent Man]

Not all protestants have a extreme aversion to the crucifix.

A crucifix can help one remember that He was on the cross and did suffer that way. For us. If it helps one to see it to reflect on Jesus being there personally for them, if it helps them in their worship, I have no problem with it.

However I don’t think it being on the primary cross in the church is really the way we ought to look at Him, all year. Because He is not on the cross, He is alive and risen. In short, I could see perhaps having a personal or smaller processional crucifix around Easter, but not the rest of the year.

[G Larry]

It IS the way we ought to look at it!

The point is to remind us that our sins put Him there!!!

The simple cross avoids that recognition.

[Secret Agent Man]

Yes our sins did put Him there.

However the reason for our hope and why we love God is because of Jesus’ victory over death, and that the story did not just end for Him (and therefore, us) on the cross.

The cross is the beginning, not the end. He is not forever on the cross. No more than He is not forever in the tomb.

I believe most people most times of the year understand the sacrifice that went on the cross, for them. I think around Easter time I don’t have a problem with crucifixes because we are specifically remembering and being especially grateful and thankful for what Jesus went through for us.

But for me personally I don’t think crucifixes are necessary as the primary cross in church because Jesus is no longer on the cross broken and dying - I know where He is now and He’s alive and ruling and reigning in Heaven. As Christians we all know what happened on the cross and the significance of it. Whether it is a crucifix or a cross.

[G Larry]

Then you have no use for either the cross or the crucifix.

The logical conclusion for your position is to carry a sculpture or picture of Christ.

[Secret Agent Man]

Sorry, we are not connecting. Take care.

[Elsie]

Thread revival for mormon no-cross protocol.

It's ALIVE!!!!

[Elsie]

Pick up YOUR cross daily...

It’s hard to do that if someONE else is hanging on it.

[G Larry]

The “reason” we’re not connecting is because I’m tired of being told that Catholics have a crucifix because we don’t understand that Christ has risen.

The truth is Protestants are uncomfortable with the reminder that our sins put Him there.

All this business about “we carry the simple cross because we believe He is risen” is nonsense.
Where do you suppose the “no consequences” culture began?

[Elsie]

[Elsie]

The truth is Protestants are uncomfortable with the reminder that our sins put Him there.

Shouldn't we ALL be?

[michigancatholic]

The Christology of Mormons is much different from that of other Christian groups, including the Catholic Church.

Mormons don’t believe in the Trinity, for one thing. And they don’t believe that salvation comes through Christ’s sacrifices. They think of him as more of a model for what they have to do to gain their own salvation. Recall the famous Mormon saying:

“As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.”
[Lorenzo Snow Summarizing Joseph Smith, Jr.’s King Follett Discourse]

[michigancatholic]

The Christology of Mormons is much different from that of other Christian groups, including the Catholic Church.

Mormons don’t believe in the Trinity, for one thing. And they don’t believe that salvation comes through Christ’s sacrifices. They think of him as more of a model for what they have to do to gain their own salvation. Recall the famous Mormon saying:

“As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.”
[Lorenzo Snow Summarizing Joseph Smith, Jr.’s King Follett Discourse]

[michigancatholic]

BTW, they are walking this whole “small-g god was once a man” business back now a bit because of the reaction that it gets among non-Mormons.

For much of rest of the Christian world, although theology itself can develop, the deposit of faith is “set in stone” and unchangeable as part of revelation which is now closed. This is especially true for Catholics and Orthodox. However, it’s not at all true for Mormons.

Revelation is not closed according to the Mormon church and the “essentials” of what is commonly believed by members of the Mormon church can shift and have several times. It’s really all very fluid.

PS. I have a Mormon uncle and Mormon co-workers with whom I have discussed this many times.