Mormon Symbols

Nobody really picked up on my brief discussion of Christian and Mormon symbols in yesterday's post, so I'll prod y'all a little with this week's online essay, "Symbolism." There are actually two articles at that link, one an essay by Todd Compton from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism and one an entry from Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie.

I'm pleased to find that Compton's treatment of the subject doesn't make me look foolish. He writes that "many Christian symbols are absent from LDS religious practices." And: "More connected to Hebrew traditions than most Christian churches and at the same time eschewing many traditional Christian symbols, LDS symbolism is unique among modern religions." It's always nice when someone who knows what they're talking about agrees with one of my speculative guesses.

In my earlier post, I noted the following as candidates for being LDS symbols: the First Vision, the miraculous translation of the Book of Mormon, the angelic restoration of priesthood authority, Zion, and the sealing power exercised in LDS temples. Compton adds a number of LDS symbols that didn't make my short list: the iron rod; the great and spacious building; the tree; the handcart; the seagull; the beehive. Compton concludes: "Because it has some unique scriptures and theology and because it has both correspondence with, and independence from, its Judeo-Christian roots, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue to have its own unique symbolic system."

Typical LDS faith claims, presented as statements, raise the question of truth: statements can be true or false. Symbols can't really be true or false in the same way that statements can. Instead, they take on meaning, and there's nothing to stop different people or different groups of people from ascribing different, even radically different, meanings to a given symbol. A particularly stark example is the cross, which for Romans symbolized execution and the power of the state, but for Christians came to symbolize Christ's death and, by extension, the atonement and even the resurrection. But Mormons have not adopted the cross as a preferred symbol. It's not clear what fills the gap left by the absence of the cross in the set of Mormon symbols: Gethsemane? The Christus statue in the Temple Square Visitors' Center? The First Vision as a revelation of God and His Son?

Comments

[Rob Osborn]

You know it is kind of strange that we want to separate ourselves from Christianity main line. That has always bothered me. I remember when I was little and wondering why we didn't also have a cross as one of our symbols of the sacrafice and atonement. People always said that we do not worship his death but instead his resurrection. But is not that wahat the cross represents- His resurrection. The symbol was always made between the staff of Moses and Christ being lifted on the cross that all those that looked might live.

And yet we do not have that type of symbol to look up at and live. It is almost like we are afraid of the cross and it'e very symbol. We also don't call ourselves born again Christians even though that word symbol is exactly what Latter Day Saints are. We are in every sense "born again Christians" we are exactly what the BOM testifies abouth being born again.

And yet we are afraid of that symbol too. The trend seems to be to try to distance ourselves from mainline Christianity so that we fit in one of those "cult" religions because we are not viewed as a Christian religion. I mean really, can you imagine if I went to church on Sunday and put up a picture of the cross next to the pulpit and started my talk about being born again and being saved by grace people would automatically think I was talking about being a Catholic or Baptist or something. It is no wonder we fit outside of Christianities symbol qualifications for the most part- we don't want no association with those other Christian religions even though behind the scenes we work hand in hand in doing God's work together.

There is one other symbol of our Religion- that of the Temple and the Angel Moroni.

[Matt W.]

Dave: I think we've been asked by General Authorities to let the temple be the Symbol of our faith, in place fo the cross. Of course, the question then may be, "What does the Temple Symbolize?" The word I would use is redemption, but I doubt others would share my perspective.

In any case, I am not wearing any temple jewelry...

[Matt W.]

I just realized I am obviously wearing something temple related... I am having a dumb afternoon it seems...

[David J]

From Todd Compton's essay: ...this word [symbol] can be translated "token."

Sorry Todd, that's the fallacy of illegitimate totality transfer. It doesn't work on every occurrence of the Greek word sumbulon. But it's the thought that counts, I suppose. ;)

"Our symbol" to outsiders, whether we like it or not, would have to be the SLC temple, or two Viking-looking strapping young men w/ suits and nametags, or perhaps a covered wagon. Maybe there are others.

[chris g]

I am not sure how much I understand about the formation of symbols. I did get this paraphrased idea from a Deal & Peterson article on symbolic leadership in education:

Symbols arise when all aspects of practice merge together to produce actions in tune with existing culture.

The synergies that occur as a symbol takes root seem pretty unique to place and time. It seems like quite a projection for religions to assume the emergence of identical symbols (ala the cross) is indicitive of correct groundwork (ala proper interpretation of the bible).

As you mention, I wonder if it isn't better to look at how symbols resonate with those looking at them? For instance what mormon symbols lead to similar goals to cross symbolism? Like you, I would guess the garden. However if other symbols replace some aspects of the cross, then the garden symbol wouldn't need to recreate those. Or, more likely, today's culture may not need to get hit over the head with Jesus' cruxificition to make meaning that is on the same order as those who have grown up with it. On that note, I wonder how Joseph's death and early church persecution would change the weight of the symbol needed?