{"id":21145,"date":"2026-07-22T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/morefaith.in\/?p=21145"},"modified":"2026-07-20T17:35:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T12:05:16","slug":"%e0%b0%95%e0%b0%a1%e0%b0%b5%e0%b0%b0%e0%b0%bf-%e0%b0%a6%e0%b0%bf%e0%b0%a8-%e0%b0%aa%e0%b0%b0%e0%b0%bf%e0%b0%b6%e0%b1%81%e0%b0%a6%e0%b1%8d%e0%b0%a7%e0%b1%81%e0%b0%b2%e0%b1%81-%e0%b0%b8%e0%b0%bf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/morefaith.in\/en\/reflection\/%e0%b0%95%e0%b0%a1%e0%b0%b5%e0%b0%b0%e0%b0%bf-%e0%b0%a6%e0%b0%bf%e0%b0%a8-%e0%b0%aa%e0%b0%b0%e0%b0%bf%e0%b0%b6%e0%b1%81%e0%b0%a6%e0%b1%8d%e0%b0%a7%e0%b1%81%e0%b0%b2%e0%b1%81-%e0%b0%b8%e0%b0%bf\/","title":{"rendered":"Why don't Latter-day Saints use the symbol of the cross?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perhaps you have been to a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and haven't seen a cross. Or perhaps you visit the home of a Church member and have also never seen a cross. Maybe you've noticed that most Church members don't wear necklaces with crosses. But have you ever wondered why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We're going to talk about that today. But before anything else, let's understand a little more about the history of the symbol of the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image: ChurchofJesusChrist.org<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pre-Christian use of the cross as a symbol<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In almost every corner of the ancient world, numerous objects have been found, dating from periods well before the Christian era, marked with crosses of different styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of the cross as a religious symbol in pre-Christian times and among non-Christian peoples can be considered almost universal and, in numerous cases, was related to some form of nature worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an undeniable fact that, in times long before the birth of Christ, and since then in lands untouched by the teachings of the Church, the cross has been used as a sacred symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the oldest representations is the swastika or hooked cross, which, in various religions, especially Hinduism, symbolizes fire or the sun (due to its daily rotation), as well as lightning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another symbol related to the cross is the Egyptian ankh, a symbol of life, which was later adopted by Coptic Christians in Egypt, perhaps merging its meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Bronze Age, a cross similar to the Latin cross appeared in various objects in Europe, perhaps for purposes not only of ornamentation but also religious significance, given its frequent use in cemeteries and sacred places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image: ChurchofJesusChrist.org<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Modern times<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Christianity, the cross represents Christ's victory over death and sin, since, according to their beliefs, thanks to the cross He conquered death itself and redeemed humanity from sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Copts make the sign of the cross, moving their right hand and drawing a cross over themselves, to begin their daily prayers and rites. The sign of the cross was already a common practice among Christians in the time of Saint Augustine (5th century).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican bishops sign their documents by placing a cross (+) before their names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cross is the radical, primordial symbol for Christians: one of the few universal symbols, common to all denominations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the first three centuries, it seems that the cross was not represented artistically: figures of the shepherd, the fish, the anchor, and the dove were preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was in the 4th century that the cross gradually became the preferred symbol to represent Christ and his mystery of salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Emperor Constantine's dream in 312 (\" In hoc signo vinces \", \"with this sign you will conquer\"), which preceded his victory at the Milvian Bridge, and the discovery of the true cross of Christ in Jerusalem in 326 by the emperor's mother (Helena), the attention of Christians regarding the cross has been growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earliest pictorial or sculptural representations of the cross show a glorious Christ, with a long robe and a royal crown: he is on the cross, but he is the victor, the Resurrected One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artists only began to depict Christ in his state of suffering and pain later, with the spirituality of the Middle Ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the cross is a very frequently repeated symbol in its various forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why don't Latter-day Saints use the cross?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Latter-day Saints are not opposed to the cross. They simply were not part of a historical period or tradition in which its use was common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Christians claim that Latter-day Saints are not Christians, pointing to the fact that the Church generally does not use the symbol or sign of the cross in decoration, personal jewelry, or architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since there is nothing in the scriptures that commands the use of the cross as a symbol or object of worship, Latter-day Saints prefer to demonstrate their Christian discipleship by the way they conduct their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding this issue, Elder Marvin J. Ashton, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you have crosses on your places of worship? Why aren\u2019t your chapels built in the shape of a cross? Don\u2019t you encourage your people to wear and display crosses? What is the Church\u2019s policy regarding crosses? The answer is in Matthew 16:24-25 :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Jesus said to his disciples, \u201cIf anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in response to these questions, try to teach our people to carry their crosses instead of displaying or wearing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another very important point that members consider is to focus on the joy of the Resurrection, instead of concentrating on the pain caused by death on the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like our fellow Christian brothers and sisters, we affirm that Jesus Christ allowed himself to be crucified for our sins. His sacrifice became known as the atoning sacrifice, meaning He atoned for (paid for) our sins!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image: ChurchofJesusChrist.org<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The central focus should be Jesus Christ.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We believe in the scripture from Mark which says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they compelled a certain Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was passing by on his way in from the country, to carry the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they took him to the place called Golgotha, which means, when translated, Place of the Skull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They gave him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he did not drink it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots to see what each one would take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the third hour, and they crucified him.

And above him was written the accusation against him: THE KING OF THE JEWS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross, as you can see, is something we share in common with other Christian religions. However, what sets us apart is that we prefer to remember Jesus Christ for his Resurrection and not for his death! We carry the name of Christ in the name of the Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and therefore, we prefer to remember the living and resurrected Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The joy of Christ's resurrection is even greater when we remember that it extends to each one of us \u2013 we too will one day be resurrected. The scripture in 1 Corinthians 15, verse 22 tells us that: <\/a>tells us that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we also reverently remember the Savior\u2019s suffering. However, since the Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as a symbol of our faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our lives should be an expression of our faith. When we are baptized and confirmed, we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. The way we live should demonstrate our love for the Savior and His work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Church permits only LDS chaplains to use the symbol of the cross, as they place it on their military uniforms to indicate that they are Christian chaplains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith. But what shall we use? No symbol, no work of art, no tangible representation serves to express the glory and wonder of the Living Christ. He told us what that symbol would be when He said: \u2018If ye love me, keep my commandments.\u2019( John 14:15 )\u201d<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christ lives and He loves each one of us! It is the living Christ whom we always want to remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

resorce Cross | LDS.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Symbol of Our Faith<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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