The Cross

[WANDERER]

I don't wear a cross or own one. I have as a kid. I owned a really cool one with a minute, not very obvious, lense on the front and when you looked into it you could read the Lord's prayer (my sister and I shared this one, my sister eventually gave it to me as it was hers and I wore it the most and I remember when we both decided to give it to a friend in hospital...) and another that was given as a gift from a boy (aged 12 LOL...he'd been through some difficult things in his life, he had a close friendship with a young girl that died from cancer...I underwent a difficult life as a kid...the gesture was nice and there was a bit of a chat about whether I should accept gifts from boys or not at a young age LOL, and we decided it was okay)...and a little fillagree one from my sister (my first year of secular university..I'd bypassed the Christian one due to the fact that it was too much financial pressure for the family but it was a difficult decision and it helped because of the condemnation I felt)...all presents. Though my mother drew the line at one with a present and rather graphic Christ on it that had been given to me (religion teacher...it was something given to everyone) and said it was 'not right'..it was rather large and gothic inspired. So I didn't wear it.

I gave the others away long before I hit my mid-twenties...it seemed right and it's one of the few very personal things that you give people when they're undergoing huge troubles that people understand through a blanket of misery. One went to a friend whose father committed suicide. The other went to a guy that was depressed...who I wasn't interested in that way and wanted to do the right thing by, and it was all I could think of.

I find it painful that people would hurt someone's feelings over wearing a cross. It's not right to do that...whether they choose to wear one...or not. In the same way, I don't think I'd wear one if it upset others. The spirit in which you wear one is more important than the symbol...and .... the way in which you treat others on this is more important than the symbol.









In all things understanding and compassion.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by MrNirom

This scripture tells us what we are not to do. How many people do you know that have the Cross in their churches.. and kneel to it.. and pray in front of it? Carry it and kiss it? Almost in a way.. worship it? This is the 2nd Great Commandment. We choose not to be associated with the "Standard Symbol" of the rest of the Christian World. We are a peculiar people.

You might be surprised to know that Jehovah's Witnesses agree with you on this one. Although, they'd level the same accusations against you for the plethora of Jesus statures and pictures, as well as "idols" of the angel Moroni. You might want to think twice before going down this particular road...especially since it's one that, to my knowledge, is not traveled by church leaders.

[Over43]

My sister in law gave my wife a gorgeous crucifix for her birthday last year. My wife was ill, and we all thought she might not make it. She did, but aside from that, when she opened it my brother who hasn't been in a Ward building in 30 years pops off with "Geez, Mormons don't wear crosses!" My sister in law was embarrassed. My wife looked uncomfortable.

She has never worn it, which I think is a shame because 1) it was a gift during a time when she was ill, and 2) it is beautiful.

Maybe I'll start wearing it. Although as fat as my neck has become it might be a bracelette.

Jon

[MrNirom]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

You might be surprised to know that Jehovah's Witnesses agree with you on this one. Although, they'd level the same accusations against you for the plethora of Jesus statures and pictures, as well as "idols" of the angel Moroni. You might want to think twice before going down this particular road...especially since it's one that, to my knowledge, is not traveled by church leaders.

Chaplain,

As I stated.. this was the Gospel according to me. I don't know what the church leaders say about it. This is my opinion.

Being raised Catholic.. I do have some issues with it. I kinda know it first hand and practiced it for years. We were encouraged to put a cross with Jesus hanging on it above every bed. To put him in our cars on the dash. To make the sign of the cross anytime we saw something that bothered us. We use to go into the church and kneel before the giant statue of Christ being crucified on the cross.. and pray to it. As a matter of fact, the rest of my family is still Catholic. So I do understand. I don't do that anymore.

In the book of revelation, the Apostle John said (Rev. 14:6) "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth" That angel was Moroni, and his place on the top of the temple is significant because of his participation in the restoration of the gospel to the earth in these latter days.

We don't stand outside of the temples and worship him or pray to him or kneel to him. I think the worst thing we do is probably take a picture of him way up there.

Neither pictures of Jesus nor Jesus statures are found inside the chapels where we do worship. So if they level the same accusations.. it would not quite be the same.

[prisonchaplain]

Mr.Niron, I know of what you speak. We Protestants are sometimes guilty of ignorantly accusing Catholics of praying to Mary, of bowing before idols of saints, etc. And, in some folk practices, the line may indeed be crossed between using statuary and symbols for reflection, and misplacing adoration towards the objects themselves.

IMHO, most of this is not anything close to a violation of the 2nd Commandment. On the other hand, we prefer to have no statues, crosses, or pictures of Jesus decorating our house. If I need religious art, some of the best is nicely crafted scripture verses.

[MrNirom]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

Mr.Niron, I know of what you speak. We Protestants are sometimes guilty of ignorantly accusing Catholics of praying to Mary, of bowing before idols of saints, etc. And, in some folk practices, the line may indeed be crossed between using statuary and symbols for reflection, and misplacing adoration towards the objects themselves.

IMHO, most of this is not anything close to a violation of the 2nd Commandment. On the other hand, we prefer to have no statues, crosses, or pictures of Jesus decorating our house. If I need religious art, some of the best is nicely crafted scripture verses.

Chaplain,

I can see your point. I did post the 2nd commandment just as a reference point and guidance tool. If one sees themself getting to this point.. one should reflect and maybe reconsider.

Joseph Smith once said something like.. I teach them the doctrine.. and they govern themselves.

I notice that when I am speaking here in these forums.. I am encourage to speak my mind and feelings. But when I am actually with people.. I may think things.. but never speak them.. and most of the time I am re-evaluating my thinking.. and asking the Lord for forgiveness, and try not to do it again. It is so easy here that when you do say how you feel.. it is always IMHO. Kinda gets us off the hook a bit if we are wrong..

And believe me.. I am wrong often.

[Moksha]

One of the things I like about the Orthodox Church is all their Icons and iconic art. Of course, I like all the murals and video presentations in the LDS Visitors Centers too.

When Mike Reed talked about the early 20th Century plan for a huge Cross to be erected on one of the Salt Lake Peaks, I couldn't help but think that would have been a marvelous idea that unforunately never came to fruition.

[Traveler]

We know from scriptures that at one time an image of a snake was used as a symbol as commanded by G-d. By this we can know that that imagery has place within the community of believers. But when the snake became more than a reminder of covenants and became connected with worship G-d commanded that the image be destroyed.

It is my personal belief that during the early history of Christianity, Pagan influences not only influenced the traditions but infiltrated and became a part of worship to the point that such symbols became defining symbols of what was a Christian.

I am most pleased to learn that many Protestants have backed away from the imagery of the cross in worship choosing instead to use the image as a reminder of something sacred and not as a sacred or defining object.

There is no question in my mind that Jesus never intended, implied or is pleased that the symbol of the cross be thought of as a defining image as to what constitutes a Christian or a Christian place of worship.

Much more than the symbol of the cross Jesus commanded that his disciples be identified by their love and compassion for others and in this I agree with the Jehovah Witnesses – the cross, through traditions and motions of time, has become more a false image of mistaken and misunderstood Christianity.

I have posted in the past that if someone uses anything before or other than love and compassion for others, as something to define what a Christian is - I believe whatever they substitute will not please G-d.

The Traveler

[jimuk]

I myself have no problem with others wearing a cross, if thats what floats their boat so be it, today it is mostly worn as just another piece of jewelry by some that do, and those that do not believe in Jesus Christ.
Personally, i would not wear this as a symbol of my faith, if my son was tortured with a knife which then led to his death i would not need a knife hanging around my neck from a gold or any other chain to remind me of this terrible pain he must have gone through before he finally died. I know every day what Jesus done for us, and i love him for it, and i can testify, with a surety not hope but a surety that he and our father in heaven love each and every one of us, or we would not be here today.
So no you do not need a cross, if you need reminding take a look at the smiling faces all around when you go to meetings, and at the babies that are so loved that they need no baptism until they have been around for eight years, at the missionarys who save up their own money to be able to spread the words of heavenly father, this is "The church of Jesus christ of Latter day saints" Not a piece of Jewelry.
Please prey about these things that are troubling you, either on your own or with a couple of missionary's, these guys really know how to get through to heavenly father, they have helped me no end in the past.

[MrNirom]

Originally Posted by Moksha

One of the things I like about the Orthodox Church is all their Icons and iconic art. Of course, I like all the murals and video presentations in the LDS Visitors Centers too.

When Mike Reed talked about the early 20th Century plan for a huge Cross to be erected on one of the Salt Lake Peaks, I couldn't help but think that would have been a marvelous idea that unforunately never came to fruition.

Moksha,

In another thread that is closed now.. I asked you about your tag lines.. What I meant by my question was How do you do that. I have not figured it out.