Why Not the Cross?

There is not a cross to be found inside a Mormon church. This might seem strange considering that the cross is a worldwide symbol of Christ and we are a Christian church.

We absolutely believe in the resurrected Christ. We know he suffered in Gethsemane for our sins. We know he was crucified. We know he rose again. We know he lives.

So why not the cross?

In the time of Christ's mortal ministry, crucifixion was a very common method of coporal punishment. Like hanging was in early American history. Many a man left the earth nailed to wood in front of his peers in that day. We know of at least two that were hanging on either side of the Savior at the very same time on the very same day.

Although the manner in which he was persecuted and killed was gruesome, it's not what separated him from the other men who were hung up upon the crosses at that time.

What separates Christ is that he rose again.

As a church, we don't focus on the symbol of the cross as a representation of Christ. We see Christ as a literal, living being. And therein lies the miracle, that he lives.

The lack of a cross on or in our building, upon our chests or on our clothing isn't a sign of disrespect. Rather, for us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it is our way of looking toward the hope Christ provides. That we, too, will be resurrected. That we can overcome this world. That we can live with him again.