The Cross

Shawn McCraney contrasts the differing views on the cross between biblical Christianity and Mormonism, highlighting that while Christians see the cross as a central symbol of their faith, many Mormons tend to overlook its significance, leading to a deeper divide between the two religious doctrines. He emphasizes that symbols like the cross evoke profound emotional and spiritual responses, and points out the absence of biblical references in recent LDS teachings, suggesting a divergence from traditional Christian values.

The teaching emphasizes the multifaceted significance of the cross in Christianity, highlighting its material, metaphorical, and metonymical meanings. While the material cross serves as an instrument of physical death, the metaphorical cross represents the afflictions and spiritual crucifixion that believers are called to embrace, illustrating the broader theological understanding and personal transformation that occurs through the acceptance of Christ.

The teaching emphasizes the nuanced understanding of the cross within Christianity, highlighting its spiritual symbolism beyond a mere instrument of death. It critiques the LDS interpretation, which often focuses strictly on the cross's physical aspect, and stresses the importance of recognizing its metonymical representation for the entirety of the gospel, encompassing Christ's work, justification, sanctification, and eternal life.

Shawn emphasizes that the cross is essential in Christianity, representing the power and love of God, and serving as the pivotal event for humanity's reconciliation with God through the sacrifice of Jesus. He criticizes the LDS Church for allegedly downplaying the significance of the cross and shifting focus away from its centrality to faith.

The teaching emphasizes the transformative significance of the cross, highlighting how Christ's sacrifice on it fulfilled the law, removed the need for old ordinances, and reconciled humanity with God, granting peace and freedom. There is a call for Latter-day Saints to incorporate the cross into their religious symbolism as a symbol of respect and worship for Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice.

The Brother of Jared story from the Book of Mormon recounts how, through faith, he received divine assistance to illuminate the submersibles for the Jaredites' underwater journey to the Americas, as Christ touched stones to make them glow. Despite lacking propulsion, the Jaredites' vessels traveled across the ocean, driven by wind for 344 days, withstanding various sea creatures without harm.