Watch the video above and talk about it with a friend or mentor.

The cross is more than just the way Jesus died. Christians honor the cross because there Jesus secured our eternal salvation.

Latter-day Saints often don’t understand why Christians make a big deal out of the cross. Yet the Bible treats the cross as very important because of everything God accomplished through Jesus’ death there for us.

[Related: The Cross of Jesus and the Altar]

Video Highlights:

  • For Mormons, the cross is taboo. Many are uncomfortable with the cross. You might hear someone say, “If your mother were killed by a gun, would you wear a gun around your neck?” To Latter-day Saints, the cross is simply the means of Jesus death. The rich theological significance associated with the cross doesn’t seem to be important or understood.
  • In the Old Testament, sin always required death. God set up the whole sacrificial system because sin could only be covered by the death of a substitute. When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled those Old Testament offerings once and for all by dying for our sins. Because he had no sin of his own to atone for, Jesus was the pure and perfect sacrifice.
    • John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
  • The New Testament puts tremendous emphasis on the cross.
    • 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.
  • The cross is a source of hope to believers. Trying to be good enough for God is futile. Instead, we can only put our hope in Jesus’ righteousness and his sacrifice for us. It was an act of tremendous love for him to give his life for us. Your attitude about the cross will change as you understand what was done upon there. That’s where Jesus paid for our sin so we can be forgiven.
  • Christians do not worship the cross. We adorn our buildings and bodies with it simply to remember what Jesus did for us there.

Wondering what is the big deal about the cross? As you read the New Testament, the cross will come up over and over, because it is so significant to everything God did for our salvation. His mercy and grace toward us all revolves around the cross.

[Related: The Cross of Jesus and the Courtroom]

[Related: What It Means to Be Made Right with God]

[Related: Why Was Jesus’ Death Necessary?]

Read more
Read less

Key Points:

  • For Mormons, the Cross Is Taboo
  • In the Old Testament, Sin Always Required Death
  • The New Testament Puts Tremendous Emphasis on the Cross
  • The Cross Is a Source of Hope to Believers
  • Christians Do Not Worship the Cross

See Also: Tags

Talk About It
  1. Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
  2. What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
  3. What was your attitude toward the cross when you were LDS?
  4. Explain the connection between the cross and the Old Testament sacrifices.
  5. Read 1 Peter 2:24-25. How does this explain the importance of the cross?
  6. Why is Jesus the perfect sacrifice for our sins?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

This is part of the Clarifying Salvation After Mormonism series.