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Fellow LDS Friends Aug 16th I have organized a Wear a Cross to Church day. I have begun posting this on Facebook and Twitter and sending out newsletters regarding it. In the end what matters to me and I believe to you is making a healthy difference in Mormonism. Please consider spreading the word of this so we can accomplish that.
The website for organizing this is –
http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wearyourcrosstochurch/ ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wearyourcrosstochurch/ A pdf flyer is attached at the website
And I just released an episode to discuss it ->
http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2015/07/aug-16th-pick-up-your-cross-and-follow-him/ ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2015/07/aug-16th-pick-up-your-cross-and-follow-him/ Thanks
Bill Reel
Mormon Discussion Podcast
[img]http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cross.jpg [/img] In the Church there are exist cultural rules and teachings that have no basis in real truth, theology, or Doctrine. One of these is negative feeling of the symbol of the Cross. While Mormons in early Church history wore and celebrated the cross, somewhere something changed. Leaders along the way removed the symbol of the cross as a way to distance us from other faiths. Today we realize this is a cultural taboo and lacks any real Doctrinal or theological backing. Even the Church realizes this as the new LDS temple in Rome is supposed to have a Cross on its front door based on the blueprints. So in order to help us all begin opening up to new discussion of truth and letting go of bad assumptions and helping our wards and stake focus more on Christ and his atonement we are announcing a “Wear Your Cross to Church” day on Sunday August 16th. You can hear my interview with Michael Reed by clicking it in the links. You also can order your own cross in the links below. If you are unable to find a Cross Mormon Discussion and its sponsor Family Pawn will send you a free Cross lapel. Just send me a self addressed envelope to
Mormon Discussion Podcast
1975 Dove Dr.
Santa Clara, Utah 84765
If any of you want to help fund the costs of this event please donate here
My daughter just returned from Rome, she bought a beautiful rosary and cross. Count me in. I actually wear a Star of David necklace at times, too. I listened to a UVU panel about Mormons and Catholics, and Zina Peterson says she begins every semester with the same discussion, she gets the class going on things like wearing a cross. They are all nodding along about how un-good it is. Then she asks by raise of hands who wears a CTR, 90% of the class pops a hand up without even thinking about it. Then she drives home her point that symbolic items/and clothes are of value to every religion and should be respected.
I was just talking about this with my husband. It doesn’t make any sense to me that we “don’t” wear crosses. I was taught it was disrespectful to Christ. I had actually decided I was going to start wearing one because I truly want a reminder of how much I love what Christ sacrificed for me. His life! I am most definitely in. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
[Personal Comment]: I personally have no problem whatsoever with wearing a cross or other symbolic object. As pointed out, we have our own cultural versions we wear openly, like the CTR ring, and we have the garment, as well. If someone insists on a suit coat and tie, I have a hard time not seeing a cross as every bit as appropriate a symbol of respect. [Admin Note]: However, as an admin, I also need to reiterate that StayLDS.com does not sponsor nor support any petitions, calls to action, programs, etc. that might be seen as challenges to any individual church leaders or the LDS Church itself.
DB’s post is perfectly fine here, as far as I am concerned, as one participant’s request to join him in wearing a cross – but it is not anything with which this site is associated in any way.
/carry on
thank you for the lenience I don’t see anything wrong with wearing a cross as a profession of belief, just as I don’t see anything wrong with wearing temple garments or CTR rings. I do have a question, though. While I would (and have considered) wear a cross on a chain with my everyday dress, on Sunday it would end up under my shirt and tie. I’m not especially a fashion bug, but wearing the cross outside that attire just doesn’t look right to me. Is there a way men are going to do this that doesn’t look goofy? (And please understand this is a serious question.) (I have realized writing this that I could purchase a cross or crucifix pin, although in the summer I don’t generally wear a suit/jacket either.)
I’ve wondered if we might see an upsurge in cross-wearing in the church. I’m a little afraid of misunderstandings. “Did you see that? Katie’s wearing a cross. She really doesn’t understand the gospel.” Meanwhile, Katie is thinking, “I’m having a lot of trouble at church. This cross reminds me that I have faith in Jesus Christ and it helps me be loyal to the church that nurtured that faith in me.” The small cross I started wearing about a year ago is a comfort to me.
Ann–I agree, but I think it will be a great opportunity for discussion. I hate being judged, but I think this is a softer way to start a discussion on faith in Christ and that a cross is not misunderstanding the sacrifice Christ made for us. I just hope people take it well, not look at me as an outsider. DJ- there are cool leather bracelets for men with crosses on them or a mans ring even?? I think it may be a bit of a fashion faux pas to wear a cross with a shirt and tie. [emoji6]. Haha kidding.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DarkJedi wrote:I don’t see anything wrong with wearing a cross as a profession of belief, just as I don’t see anything wrong with wearing temple garments or CTR rings. I do have a question, though. While I would (and have considered) wear a cross on a chain with my everyday dress, on Sunday it would end up under my shirt and tie. I’m not especially a fashion bug, but wearing the cross outside that attire just doesn’t look right to me. Is there a way men are going to do this that doesn’t look goofy? (And please understand this is a serious question.)
(I have realized writing this that I could purchase a cross or crucifix pin, although in the summer I don’t generally wear a suit/jacket either.)
Tie Tack, collar lapel, cufflinks
Personally, I think this is a bad idea, and I say that with complete respect for what you are tryingto accomplish. I have a cross and I sometimes where it under my shirt. I’ve done that both at Church and in public. Under? Because it’s nobody else’s business. I wear it occasionally to remind myself and declare to myself that I’m trying to live a certain set of beliefs. I have no desire to declare or remind anyone else of my ‘faith’. I have zero problem with anyone else wearing an emblem of their faith, either in private or in public view.
Having said that, I think a church service is a terrible place for an organized demonstration. We, here, have frequently lamented, and even tried to fix, the lack of worship in our services. I don’t know how an organized demonstration/protest helps make the services more worshipful. I understand from an individual perspective, but not as an organized event.
My goal is to be non-disruptive when I am at Church. It is a matter of their faith. I’m a guest there. I am able to find peace and spirituality at LDS meetings specifically because I have my own brand of spirituality and allow that the majority there has a different brand. We get along just fine. I will raise my hand and make comments, or occasionally teach a lesson, intended to break the collective out from cultural backwaters, but I always try hard to do so with enough sincere respect that it doesn’t come across as opposition. All I can say is that it has worked very well and I’ve had many fruitful discussions about homosexuality, race, gender, and infallibility… all in class settings with my fellow Mormons nodding in agreement. I can see clearly that these type of topics are becoming less and less taboo, and I want to be able to contribute in that way.
I’m no purist. I looked around in opening exercises of Priesthood Meeting, yesterday, and I was the only one there not wearing a white shirt. But that is a fashion statement, not an issue of faith. Mormons believe that the Cross symbolizes the death of Jesus Christ. You and I can clearly see that it is so much more than that, and I do understand Matthew 16:24/Luke 9:23/Mark 8:34, and especially Romans 6:5-11 in that way. But LDS belief is confined to “symbol of death”. Because of that, there will be offence.
Any individual who wants to wear a cross can already do so, and I do see it occasionally (it always puts a smile on my face). But, wearing it specifically to be noticed and to make a statement is part of why ‘they’ see ‘us’ as outsiders and will engender more impatience than mutual love/respect.
My husband would never wear a cross – it’s completely foreign to him – and if an organized Wear a Cross day started looking like a dig at his commitment to Christlike living, he would be upset. As it is, he supports me wearing one because he senses that it’s important to me and because I don’t judge him for not. I guess what I’m saying is that I hope August 16th doesn’t make things hard for quiet cross-wearers in the church.
🙂 I worry about the name of the event,because of the possible implication that people who don’t wear a cross aren’t following Christ.Michael Reed’s book was interesting. I think it’s really a shame that our conflicts with other religions landed us here with respect to the cross, but it wasn’t an all bad thing.
On Own Now wrote:I’m no purist. I looked around in opening exercises of Priesthood Meeting, yesterday, and I was the only one there not wearing a white shirt. But that is a fashion statement, not an issue of faith. Mormons believe that the Cross symbolizes the death of Jesus Christ. You and I can clearly see that it is so much more than that, and I do understand Matthew 16:24/Luke 9:23/Mark 8:34, and especially Romans 6:5-11 in that way. But LDS belief is confined to “symbol of death”. Because of that, there will be offence.
Ann wrote:I’ve wondered if we might see an upsurge in cross-wearing in the church. I’m a little afraid of misunderstandings. “Did you see that? Katie’s wearing a cross. She really doesn’t understand the gospel.”
This too is my worry. I have heard the cross compared to a murder weapon that killed a loved one. Could you imagine how some might react to a campaign to wear murder weapons to church? The cross is also the symbol of other Christian churches. Some may feel that you are making a point to bring in relics of the “great apostasy” to our worship service. I expect some hostility.
OTOH, I remember the direction that the church gave in the wake of the wear pants to church day. It was something to the effect of “we encourage our members to wear their Sunday best out of respect for the Savior but we do not bar any from our meeting regardless of their dress”. I suppose the whole “Pick up your Cross” effort would have been a success if the church came out with some kind of statement that said that wearing a cross is a personal choice and that many see it as a symbol of hope that draws their thoughts to the vast love of their Savior.
Quote:Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
worry or not I am plowing forward. At the local level this is subtle and not taking over any meeting, It simply is a chance for people to observe a difference that might strike conversation and open a few minds. As I understand it the policy of not displaying crosses was a very us vs. them thing, them being the Catholic church. I don’t know whether the language of the cross being a symbol of Christ’s death was the reason behind the policy or whether it was a later justification. Maybe it’s similar to how people came up with justifications for the priesthood ban. Was the priesthood ban the result of the reasons people came up with or were the reasons justifications that people were forced to come up with in light of the ban? Chicken/egg. I’m straying.
If unity is one aspect of religion why create this division between us and other churches by introducing this policy (or whatever it is). Maybe it’s just the fruits that result from efforts to be distinct. I also find it interesting how it’s come full circle. Now wearing a cross at church can be viewed as dividing. If the goal is unity why create division? I can see how this event might serve as removing the symbol of the cross as something that divides us.
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