Symbolism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Bern Switzerland Temple statue of Angel Moroni

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) teaches that "the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (KJV, 1 Corinthians 2:10,14)

One of the many important uses of symbolism by LDS is to enable spiritual discernment of the "deep things of God" in a way that becomes veiled from the "natural" or intellectual mind of man, but reaches the inner heart and soul in a memorable way that may provide new levels of understanding through meditation, prayer, heed and diligence.

Common symbolism

Replica of Thorvaldsen's Christus in Temple Square visitors' center

Because of the central role the Angel Moroni played in the restoration, an image of the angel Moroni blowing a trumpet is used as an unofficial symbol of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moroni is commonly identified by Latter-day Saints as the angel mentioned in Revelation 14:6, "having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people". Moroni appears on the cover of some editions of the Book of Mormon, on USVA headstones, and statues of the angel stand atop most LDS temples. In 2007, the LDS Church claimed that an image of the angel Moroni in an advertisement violated one of the church's registered trademarks.

Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus has great appealed to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a 3.4 m replica is on display in the Temple Square North Visitors' Center in Salt Lake City. There are additional replicas of this statue in many LDS Visitor Centers, including those at the Mesa Arizona Temple, the Los Angeles California Temple, and the Washington D.C. Temple. The LDS Church commonly uses images of the statue in official church media, such as the Internet site LDS.org.

A CTR ring is a common symbol of the Church.

Members may wear a ring with the Choose the Right shield on a daily basis, to remind them to be righteous. The LDS Church does not use the Christian cross, crucifix or ichthys as symbols of faith. Mormons view crucifixion related symbols as emphasizing Jesus' death as opposed to his life, ministry and resurrection.

Other symbols in Mormonism include the Tree of life (also representing the love of God and eternal life, 1 Nephi 11:8-22), the iron rod (the word of God, 1 Nephi 11:25), the tame and wild olive trees (the House of Israel, Book of Mormon Jacob 5), a tree seed (the word of God planted in one's heart, Alma 32:28), the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16-17), the many symbols of Christ and his mission as the Savior of mankind (for example, Isaiah 53:7, 55:1, John 6:35) and many others. Wheat grain on the stem is a symbol traditionally used by the Relief Society, as a historic reminder of their efforts to foster self-sufficiency.

Sacred symbolism

Main articles: Temple (LDS Church) and Endowment (Latter Day Saints)

See also: Temple garment

All of the symbolic elements involved in the LDS temple endowment ceremonies are considered to be very sacred and are thus not discussed publicly. Two symbolic ideas that are discussed in temple open houses before they are dedicated are as follows:

• Members who enter the temple change in private lockers into white temple clothing to remind them of leaving outside the cares of the world, and of becoming one with each other by being dressed in similar clothing that symbolizes purity and "holiness to the Lord."
• Each temple includes a baptismal font similar to the "molten sea" described in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:23-26). The font is placed below ground level, signifying a place of symbolic burial of the carnal individual and a renewal of life as a "born again" individual who has covenanted and become clean through the atonement of Jesus. The font is placed on twelve oxen, three facing each direction, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel whose descendants are scattered throughout the earth. The LDS belief is that as each baptism for the dead occurs, the person being represented by proxy may accept the baptismal ordinance in the Spirit world and thus be joined with the House of Israel in an eternal covenant with Jesus.

Symbols used

Picture	Symbol Name	Description
	All-seeing eye	Appears on Salt Lake Temple exterior and on other early LDS buildings.
	Angel Moroni	Person who revealed location of the golden plates to Joseph Smith.
	Beehive	From the Book of Mormon; refers to deseret, meaning "honeybee." Appears on the Utah state flag, Utah state seal, Brigham Young's Beehive House, Salt Lake Temple, Utah state highway markers, etc.
	Handclasp	Appears on Salt Lake Temple exterior. One modern adaptation is the "Helping Hands" logo on t-shirts worn by LDS members when performing community service (see also: right hand of fellowship).
	Iron rod	Originates with the Book of Mormon; symbolizes the "word of God," meaning the scriptures, the words of the living prophets, or the gospel of Jesus Christ generally that leads one to the Tree of Life.
	Pioneer wagon	Emblem often appearing in Pioneer Day celebrations; evokes connection of living members to deeds of the Mormon pioneers. Variations often include a handcart.
	Sego lily	Image appearing in several LDS Church temples, due to its importance to early Mormon pioneer settlers in Utah as a source of sustenance. As a result of its importance in early LDS Church (and, thus, Utah) history, it also appears on the Utah state flag and is also the official Utah state flower.
	Sunstone	Appeared on original Nauvoo Temple.
	Tree of life	Symbolic element featured prominently in the beginning portion of the Book of Mormon; symbolizes the love of God.

See also

• Christian symbolism
• Culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Symbols
• List of Utah state symbols
• Religious symbolism
• Temple architecture (LDS Church)

References

• McConkie, Joseph Fielding, Gospel Symbolism, 1985.
• McConkie, Joseph Fielding and Parry, Donald W., Guide to Scriptural Symbols, 1990.