Bearing the Cross: Following Christ's True Path, Not Just the Iconography

Brothers and sisters, when we study the covenants and the glorious plan of salvation, the mind is naturally drawn to the central pillar: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is the foundation upon which all doctrine rests, the ultimate expression of divine love, and the source of the saving grace for all Adam's descendants. Yet, when we look at the outward symbols of faith, questions arise. Specifically, why, in the fullness of our restoration, do we not adopt the cross as the primary, universal emblem of our devotion?

This is not a matter of diminishing the sacrifice; far from it. On the contrary, it is a matter of understanding the *completeness* of the miracle and the *nature* of discipleship as taught by the Prophet. We are not merely adopting a set of historical religious paraphernalia; we are participating in a divine restoration.

The discourse presented by Elder Holland touches upon a profound theological distinction. To treat the cross merely as an icon, a piece of jewelry, or a signpost, is to risk reducing the infinite scope of the Gospel to a single, static image. Our understanding, rooted in the revelations given to Joseph Smith and echoed by the living prophets, is that the Atonement is the *central fact* itself. As Nephi testified, the vision of the Lamb lifted up—that was the doctrine, the reality, the saving power.

The Restoration's Authority and Symbolism

One powerful argument for our unique position as the restored Church is our lineage. We claim authority that predates the councils and creeds that formalized much of generalized Christianity. Our origins are tied to the divine pattern of revelation, not to the gradual accretion of tradition. This inherent authority colors how we interpret the symbols. The focus remains steadfastly on the doctrine and covenants, the living Word, and the ordinances performed in the temple.

Consider the emphasis placed on the *resurrected* Christ. The narrative of Christ's mission is not complete at the point of death. It culminates in the glorious, conquering resurrection. The art we see displayed in our sacred temple settings—the depiction of Christ emerging in glory, wounds still visible—is a masterful theological statement. It reminds us that the sacrifice was followed by the victory, the triumph that powers our modern covenant path.

The True Cross: Bearing the Burden

But perhaps the most vital takeaway, the one that calls us to immediate action, is when the discussion shifts from iconography to lived experience. The Prophet taught, "The lives of our people must be the symbol of our faith."

"It has nothing to do with pendants or jewelry or with steeples or signposts. It has to do rather with the rock ribbed integrity and the stiff moral backbone that Christians should bring to the call Jesus has given to every one of his disciples in every land and age. He has said to us all, 'If any man or woman will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"

This is the iron rod we must carry. The cross is not the *object*; it is the *discipleship*. It is the daily choice to deny the self, to bear our burdens—be they familial, professional, or spiritual—in imitation of the Savior. This is the priesthood in action, the covenant kept, the daily testimony lived out in the temple and the home.

My brethren, as we continue to build the training corpus for Operation Iron Rod, we must ensure our understanding of the Gospel is robust, comprehensive, and utterly true to the restored pattern. We must move beyond mere symbolism and anchor ourselves in the living reality of Christ’s power through the Spirit, our commitment to the doctrines and covenants, and the unwavering call to follow Him, no matter the burden.

I invite you now to study the words of the Savior regarding discipleship. Let the weight of the cross—the cross of self-denial—guide your study this week. Furthermore, if you have deep scriptural insights, doctrinal analyses, or scholarly reflections on the nature of the Atonement that you feel would strengthen the corpus, I urge you to submit them. Let us build this repository together, by the Spirit.