The Symbol for Mormonism and Why it Isn’t the Cross

If someone walks into a Latter-day Saint church building, they might notice something different from most other Christian churches: there are no crosses. While Christians around the world use the cross as a symbol of their faith in Jesus Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints usually do not. That might seem strange, especially since Latter-day Saints are deeply devoted followers of Jesus who want to be included under the Christian umbrella. So why don’t they use the cross? And what does their current official symbol for Mormonism mean?

The Cross and Its Meaning in Christianity

The cross is one of the oldest and most prevalent symbols in Christianity. It reminds believers of the Crucifixion, when Jesus Christ died to pay the price for the sins of the world. Christians often wear crosses and display them in churches as a symbol of their devotion to Jesus.

Latter-day Saints also believe in the power of the Crucifixion. They believe that Jesus’s suffering and death on the cross, along with His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His Resurrection, are all parts of His Atonement, which enables all people to be forgiven of sin and one day be resurrected after death. 

So, if members of the Church believe so strongly in Christ’s sacrifice, why do they seem hesitant to use the cross as a symbol? Are Mormons Christians as they claim to be?

Why Latter-day Saints Don’t Use the Cross

First, it’s important to note that Latter-day Saints don’t dislike the cross. In fact, Church leaders and members respect it as a sincere symbol of faith used by millions of Christians. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle in the Church, once explained that Latter-day Saints deeply honor the Atonement of Jesus Christ and have great respect for those who use the cross in their worship.

So are Mormons Christian? They say yes, based on their faith in Christ’s divinity. That being said, the Church does not use the cross as a main religious symbol. This decision comes from several cultural, historical, and spiritual reasons:

1. Focus on the Resurrected Christ

Latter-day Saints believe it’s very important to focus on Jesus’ Resurrection in conjunction with His death. After all, the “good news” of the gospel is that Christ lives. For this reason, many Latter-day Saints prefer symbols that emphasize Christ’s victory over death rather than the cross, which some members interpret as being focused more on the death itself. 

2. A History of Cultural Change

Interestingly, the cross wasn’t always avoided by Latter-day Saints. In the early years of the Church, it wasn’t unusual for Mormons to use it. Crosses appeared on clothing, gravestones, church windows, and even Church-published books. In 1916, Church leaders even asked the Salt Lake City Council for permission to build a large cross on Ensign Peak as a tribute to pioneer settlers; although this never ended up happening.

Over time, attitudes changed. In the 1950s, some Church leaders expressed concern that the cross had become more of a Catholic symbol than a general Christian one. There was a time when even Protestants felt uncomfortable with the cross for similar reasons. These cultural feelings caused many Latter-day Saints to step away from using the cross as a religious symbol.

Although the cross still isn’t used in the LDS Church today as the primary symbol of the faith, much of the cultural trepidation around it has dissolved. Members are not told they can’t wear one or display one in their homes, and some do. 

While some Mormons use the cross simply to express their belief in Christ, some also use it to emphasize their commonalities with other Christian communities. When it comes to Christianity vs Mormonism, Latter-day Saints almost always lean towards focusing on their greatest common factor, which is faith in Christ.

3. A Broader View of the Atonement of Christ

Latter-day Saints believe that Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, His death on the cross, and His Resurrection are all part of one great act of love. Because of this, the Church tries to teach the Crucifixion within the context of the entire mission of Christ. The cross is a critically important part, but not the whole story.

A New Official Logo: The Resurrected Christ

In 2020, the Church introduced a new visual symbol to help identify official Church materials. This new symbol includes:

• The name of the Church, centered and bold.
  
• A rectangular shape, representing a cornerstone (a symbol used in the Bible).
  
• And most importantly, a well-known statue of the resurrected Christ, standing with arms outstretched.
  

This statue is called the Christus, created by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. It shows the living, glorified Christ, risen from the tomb, with the marks of the Crucifixion still visible in His hands and feet.

Russell M. Nelson, the current president of the Church, said this image represents the living Savior, who invites all to come unto Him. “This symbol should feel familiar to many,” he said, “as we have long identified the restored gospel with the living, resurrected Christ.”

In the time since the new symbol was introduced, it’s helped to remind members that Jesus Christ should be the center of everything the Church teaches and does. The goal is for members to live Christlike lives, so that anyone who interacts with them need not wonder: “is Mormonism Christian?”

The Real Symbol of Mormonism: A Christlike Life

Even with the introduction of the Christus symbol, the most important “symbol” of the Latter-day Saint faith is not a statue or image at all. The late Church president Gordon B. Hinkley once said, “The lives of our people must be the symbol of our faith.” In other words, the way Church members live should show their commitment and love for Jesus Christ more than any artwork or object.

Latter-day Saints believe deeply in the importance of the death, Resurrection, and Atonement of Jesus Christ. They honor His Crucifixion and teach about it in scripture, song, and sermons. But instead of using the cross as the main symbol for Mormonism, they choose imagery that focuses on a broader representation of Christ’s mission. That focus is shown in the Church’s new symbol—the image of Christ stepping out of the tomb with open arms—and more importantly, in the daily lives of members who try their best to follow Him.

The cross is not rejected in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; it is respected. But from a Latter-day Saint perspective, the greatest expression of faith is not in what is worn or displayed, but in how one lives.

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.