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I know as a religion we do not practice wearing a cross. I even bought for myself a little small cross but feel so uncomfortable wearing it that I do not wear it. I don’t want the negative repercussion it would bring to me or my family. It seems so silly to me to not recognize the meaning of the cross. I have read talks by General Authorities on the subject and I just don’t understand why it is so important that we stand apart from other christian religions. It makes me sad when I see some punk kid all decked out in several crosses on his neck being used for bling but that is not what it means to me. To me it is a reminder of my savior, a reminder that he died for me, that through him I am forgiven, that I have eternal life & that I acknowledge that I need a savior. I am a convert to the church so I grew up recognizing the cross as a sign of the sacrifice of a loving savior and to wear one to me is an honor to him and the place he holds in my life and in my heart. Please share with me your feeling on this subject it is so important to me. Thank You Absolutely – as long as you are willing to deal with people who won’t understand. and as long as you don’t hold it in front of you in public and pray to it.
😆 There’s a good post somewhere (Mormon Matters, I think) about this. I’ll try to find it, if my old brain remembers. (Hawk and Brian, if you know where it is, please link it.)
I agree with Ray. But I wouldn’t flaunt it or anything. HiJolly
The LDS church chooses not to use the cross as a symbol but we, as individuals can use and wear whatever symbols we want. I could see myself asking someone at church why they are wearing a cross because they obviously have a viewpoint that differs from the norm and I’d be curious. No judgement of course. So you may just want to have some responses thought out a little bit for when people ask. I have always liked seeing a small cross pendant on a necklace.
I love symbolic jewelry, and have always wanted to have and wear a cross. I never have for reasons the same as you. I have never seen anyone in church wear one, but if I ever did I would be impressed that they were courageous enough to wear such a beautiful and meaningful symbol, which obviously means something to them. I have always heard that we don’t use the cross as a symbol because we don’t want to focus on Christ’s death, but rather his resurrection. Yet, the cross is such a recognized symbol of Christianity. Are we not Christians? I don’t get how a cross should in anyway be a negative thing to wear.
You could get your nose pierced at the same time you start wearing a cross and see which one gets the most attention… 😈 😆 There was a very good podcast on Mormon Expression about this awhile ago. As I recall the aversion to the cross is a more modern concept. In the early days of the church it was not such a big deal. Hmm. This thread makes me wonder what might be a nice UU pin I could put on my shirt. 
I recognize I’m outside the norm, but I would love to see someone wearing a cross to church. Like nightwalden, I would be curious and want to know more! I say wear it. Act like there’s nothing wrong with it (since there isn’t). The reason, really is entirely cultural. It’s one of those things that a leader once alluded to and the members now insist it’s doctrine (see the one earring “doctrine” for a modern equivalent).
Interestingly, there seems to be a major trend amongst non-Christians, or post-Christians, i.e. people in traditionally Christian societies to criticise the cross. One comedian – and I hope you don’t mind me saying this – said it was sick for Christians to parade around a torture instrument like that, and that it would be the last thing Jesus would wish to see if he came back. In fact I think the joke was that if Jesus has gone to the chair, Christians would wear miniature electric chairs around their neck… (I’ve heard another variant of it, with gallows) Well, that’s in extremely bad taste, and I don’t really find it funny, but I can understand why some people might say it. I believe some churches now use a crown to represent Jesus (a symbol which originate in Mithraism, so I’m told) to represent his kingship. While fundamentalists don’t like this, all the evidence points towards early Christians NOT using the current cross, but the Chi-Rho*, the sign of the fish, alpha and omega etc. Fundamentalists are opposed to this as they seem to think that we should remember the cross as a sign of God’s love, and willingness to serve us. I have some friends who are Catholics, and Catholic art, as you’ve probably noticed has often emphasises the gruelling torture and suffering of the crucifixion. The Twelve Stations are a common feature in their churches… Mel Gibson’s bloodfest
The Passion of the Christis a really extreme example of this – and I don’t recommend seeing it. However, I’ve always wondered if perhaps all this emphasis on the death and suffering of Jesus overshadows the rest. For example, I think it is a bad thing to emphasise the cross at the expense of his other teachings, as it could engender a sado-masochistic streak. Also, in the COJCOLDS, there is a major emphasis on his resurrection (more so than his crucifixion? Not sure…) which is a positive thing, and a sign of conquest, rather than just the suffering aspects. I do have a confession to make… Even when I haven’t been anywhere near a church (of any description) or been a real believer, I’ve had a cross up in my room. I used to get some really bad nightmares, but since having the thing up, I’ve had far fewer, so it’s either keeping something nasty at bay, or has had some kind of positive subliminal effect on me.
I read somewhere (maybe NOM or a book my DH was sharing with me) that the tradition of not using crosses came from one of the earlier prophets. Sorry I can’t remember with one. That prophet had a personal dislike for the cross which was currently on Mormon chapels and initiated the practice to cease. This tradition had been handed down over time and evolved it’s self into Mormon culture. Although I agree it is better to focus on the life of Christ (meaning his resurrection) we never would have had that if it hadn’t been for his death. They are each important parts of Christianity. Maybe you could explain to people (if they quesion you on it) that remembering Christ’s death through the symbol of the cross is important to you and not something you want to abandon for the sake of a tradition which is not doctrine. Or you could simply say everyone relates to Christ in their own way and this is how I do it. Others should know better than to judge you and if they do you can throw that at them too, no one likes the threat that they are being judgemental. as long as you don’t call them a vomitous mass while you call them judgmental. 
Euhemerus wrote:I recognize I’m outside the norm, but I would love to see someone wearing a cross to church. Like nightwalden, I would be curious and want to know more!
I started wearing a cross last Fall, around Halloween time, and continue to do so – and I don’t take it off when I go to church either. I don’t “flaunt it”, but members have seen it on occasion. I started wearing it after the YW Pres. grilled my 13 year old daughter as to why she was wearing a cross necklace. (She received it as a “moving away” gift from her close catholic friend). My kid went home from church that day pretty upset. The whole incident stuck in my craw. Anyway, I’ve been asked by several members, “why?” I get very serious when they ask and say in a concerned voice, “protection from vampires of course.”
findingmyownfooting wrote:I read somewhere (maybe NOM or a book my DH was sharing with me) that the tradition of not using crosses came from one of the earlier prophets. Sorry I can’t remember with one. That prophet had a personal dislike for the cross which was currently on Mormon chapels and initiated the practice to cease.
Not positive, but I think it was David McKay. I know he had serious issues with the Catholic church early in his ministry.HiJolly
If you like crosses, by all means wear them. I also have angels “with wings” on my Christmas tree. When we returned from my brother’s funeral fifteen years ago, his same gender S.O. immediately installed the cross given by the priest just inside the entry to their home (Bill had joined the Catholic church to share the same faith community with his companion). I thought it a nice remembrance. It hangs there today and my brother’s friend visits the cemetery nearly every week. Love lasts.
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