Bernard Gui

e) some variety of ---phobe

Should have been from the start.

Could be a practice run. Such things often escalate.

I pass it to Sister Gui as a priest would do to the deacon would do to the member, and then she passes to me. I'm not the bishop. The nice thing is that the piece of bread is substantial....not the morsel or crumb we usually get in church. I'm sad that the teachers usually throw away half the bread in the trays. Just break them a little bigger.

Wonderful thoughts from the Catholic perspective. I admire your devotion to the Lord. We LDS also have sacred physical emblems that help us recall his Atonement. We wear them privately next to our bodies as constant personal reminders. Every Sunday we partake of the emblems of his flesh which was broken and his blood which was spilled for us in hope and remembrance of his grace and forgiveness. We promise to God that we will take his name upon us, always remember him, and keep his commandments. Furthermore, our most intimate temple rites are implicitly and inextricably associated with his crucifixion. These are as sacred and significant to us as your practices are to you. I’m not telling you something new. I’m sure you understand and respect these things that we do.

I believe early use of the cross is a holdover from previous practices or simply a general cultural act. The fact that LDS leaders never counsel the Saints to use the cross as an ornament or object of veneration is significant, IMO. You are free to disagree. The material cross is a frequent topic in Protestant and especially Catholic sermons and writings. It is emphasized in LDS discourse but not as an object of adornment or veneration. There are far more substantial doctrinal reasons they consIder us non-Christians. I have had many discussions with folks about our religion. My not having a cross around my neck has never come up. Except here and on anti-Mormon websites. Hanging crosses on our necks tomorrow and topping our ubiquitous steeples with them the next day that would do nothing to change their minds. There are much bigger fish they fry. I think it is a non-issue. Making President McKay the bad guy is sad. That this has been affirmed by subsequent prophets is significant. Perhaps he was right. How does putting up a cross on a wall or wearing one make a person a better Christian? While it is a tradition I respect, It doesn’t make any difference. In any case, if a member of the Church wants to wear a cross or place one on a wall in their home, please do. Who says one must wear a cross to show you are a Christian? Other than identifying ourselves as Christians to others who may question our devotion, what would be the benefit? Jesus said, Isn’t this sufficient?

I have been reviewing references to the cross in the Journal of Discourses and Conference talks from the 1800s. So far there have been no references to it as a material object of veneration, something to wear or display in a home or put on buildings. Almost all are in reference to Christ’s suffering, narratives about the crucifixion and resurrection, and discussions on the Atonement. I have found one reference in which Brigham Young was critical of making the sign of the cross. This is typical... I don’t believe it is on the list of The Top 100 Things Wrong With Mormonism. In my experience, most non-LDS would not even be aware that using a physical representation of the cross is not a feature of our worship unless it were pointed out by critics. Besides, there are other Christian sects that do not use the cross.

Perhaps Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress is a better candidate than Shakespeare.

Would it not be relatively simple to compare the BoM with those books to determine if any of the authors might be a candidate for BoM authorship?

This is where I would have to part company. As a Latter-day Saint, I have such reminders next to me 24/7, and I take a sacrament each Sunday in which I promise to take his name on me, always remember him, and keep his commandments. Sadly, just as you point out, those things can be taken for granted, but even so they also can be there as constant reminders of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Thank you. I respect your desire to do that. It is a wonderful exhibition of faith.

Choosing not to display or venerate the physical representation of a cross does not mean one diminishes or rejects the meaning and efficacy of Jesus’ death on the cross.

I agree wholeheartedly. I also believe that choosing not to wear or display a physical representation of a cross does not diminish that testimony in any way. Would you agree?

The way Washington DSHS handled the Charlie and Braden Powell custody issue is a good place to start.

Wouldn’t it be possible to use various literary analysis tools to identify writing styles similar to that of the a Book of Mormon?