[Elphaba]

What a difference thirty years makes.

When I was 12 or 13-years old, we were explicitly told not to wear a cross, ever. It was a symbol of Christ's death, and all of the other horrors most of you already know, such as his gory death.

About this time, my music teacher, who I no idea had even taken the lessons, joined the Church. As he lived in a different ward, I did not think anything of his baptism and conversion; thus he had been given the call to teacher earlier morning seminary.

Of course, as kids that age were sometime wont to do, Brother Karamenko was aghast when we told him Mormons do not wear the cross. He could not believe this, as to him the cross was a powerful symbol to him, and one that he revered. In that particular seminary class he was visibly upset, and actually left the class alone; however, I met him in Church again a few months later, and he seemed fine.

Another example, which I have given before: I lived in Boston, Massachusetts. We had a woman who had converted to the Church, but she attended Church wearing pants. To us this was sacrilegious, though if it were today, I don't think anyone would think much of it. But at the time, Women just DID NOT go to Church in pants, and really let her have it about wearing pants. Women just DID NOT do that!

She was highly offended by our self-righteous manner of telling her she was wrong, and we were right! Like Mr. Maramenko, she had been a convert as well, and did not take lightly to being told what to do. Although, she did wear dresses from that day forward.

One last story I've told her before. When I lived in Boston, there was a yount man, okay, a GORGEOUS man, who had joined the Church. He was given the opportunity to speak one Sunday. And I will NEVER forget what he said.

This man got up and told us how we should not put the emphasis on Mormon that we did. He thought the Book of Mormon was not an appropriate title, because the book spoke of Christ, and His message. He gave a number of examples where we, in the early '70s, were giving the wrong impression. He said while Moroni was an explemplary personage, he did not done anything to warrant his name on the book.

We were aghast. Everyone avoided him for the rest of the meeting, and I suspect he left after I did, as he didn't have that feeling every more.

FF 35 years, and what he suggested has come true. The Church of Jesus Christ is the Church's focus. He had spoken that day about how the Church's official letterhead, which was used in the '70s, emphasized the word "Mormon" when in fact it should have been emphasizing Christ.

In fact, he felt that most of the Church's standardized business forms did not emphasize Christ, but Mormon. This was because that is how most people recognized the Church, so it is under stable.

But I think every one of these people have a valid point, and this is being addressed by the Church. And that is a good thing.

As far as wearing a cross, I say go for it. If it is symbolic to you, and you want to wear it, then you should wear it. The Church should not dictate to you what you want or don't want to do with your bodies beyond the temple ceremonies.

However, I have never been through the temple, so I admit there is probably more about wearing these symbols than I am aware. I just take President Hinckley's comments to heart about how we would learn from each other if we would listen. Mormons' take on the early doctrine from other religious instructions, such as Catholics, are a common.

We all learn from each other. Especially doctrine from other religious institutions such as Catholics, who see wearing the cross as a religious commandment. (I do not know if the Catholics are united in this. I am only quoting two Catholic friends of mine.)

So, I think Latter-day Saints would do well to be considerate of other people's religious symbols they wear. This is one of the reasons I loved President Hinckley. He taught inclusiveness, and respect for those not who are not Latter-Day Saints.

Elphaba