Notes on “What Happened to the Cross?”

These are the notes I took while reading the book What Happened to the Cross: Distinctive LDS Teachings by Robert L. Millet. They are my interpretations and thoughts and are not specifically a recounting of what is in the book, nor may they be exactly what Brother Millet intended. However, I tried to stay faithful to the structure and theme of the book. These notes will help to remind me what I learned and may be of some use to others for unique insights into what distinguishes Mormons from the rest of Christianity.

Chapter 1: In the Spring of 1820

• Quakers believed in modern revelation and that the Bible contained errors.
• Unitarians and Eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a separate Godhead.
• Universalists and a Unitarians believed in eventual salvation for everyone.
• Joseph Smith’s first vision prove the reality of Satan.
• It also proved the separateness of God the Father and Jesus Christ.
• Later  Joseph Smith stated that God has a physical body, though this did not seem to be a major doctrinal issue at the time. It was several years (1842) before a statement was clearly made. Or at least that we have a verifiable record of.
• There is a distinct order in heaven with God in charge and Jesus next. This was made clear from the first vision where God the Father spoke first and introduced His Son.
• Joseph Smith is the head of a Gospel Dispensation like Moses, Adam and Jesus Christ. As such, he is the leading prophet and main source for doctrine. Prophets since him are sort of caretakers, though they do have all the same authority as he had. The major and foundational revelations came mainly from Joseph Smith.
• It was specifically revealed that other churches do not contain the complete Gospel and have a few fundamental flaws holding them back. “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Chapter 2: Setting the Keystone

• The Book of Mormon is the “most correct” book in terms of Gospel truths and not necessarily in grammar, structure or other content.
• The Bible contains the fulness of the Gospel, but not in the same coherent form as the Book of Mormon.
• It verifies the reality of miracles and the divine mission of Jesus Christ. It backs up the Bible.
• The Book of Mormon does not contain all the latter-day doctrines, such as eternal marriage, but contains the fulness needed for salvation and leads one to exaltation.
• It makes plain and clarifies the Gospel found in the Bible and other scriptures.
• Acceptance of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon is critical for acceptance of the rest of latter-day doctrine and Joseph Smith as a prophet.
• Book of Mormon precepts are often contained in the “And thus we see…” passages in the book. These are simple and concise restatements of the preceding story or idea. Easy to remember maxims that bring the remembrance of the story or idea and how it may apply today.
• There is no other credible explanation of the origins of this wisdom in the Book of Mormon except as Joseph Smith said.
• The significance, if not the truthfulness, of the book can be attested by the nature and intensity of those who attack it. It is of no harm to them or society in and of itself.
• The Book of Mormon specifically address our time. Unlike the Bible which, though it addresses prophecy, does not talk directly to the people of the future.
• Book of Mormon prophets saw our time and chose stories and writings and speeches that would best apply to our situations.
• The sword of Laban symbolizes the effort, struggle and sacrifice that has been put forth to bring and preserve holy scriptures.
• Valuing the Book of Mormon by studying it regularly has a power beyond the mere words or specific teachings. A power to change your heart, to resist error and to understand life more deeply.

Chapter 3: Living Doctrine

• All our doctrine is rooted in the Atonement of Christ and His mediation and mercy. All other doctrines are only appendages.
• Keeping the doctrine pure: 1. Teach directly from the scriptures. 2. Present doctrine in the same way it is taught to us by our prophets and apostles. 3. Use scriptural commentary from apostles and prophets found in General Conference addresses and other sources. 4. Focus on plainness and simplicity. Do not teach on the edge of our knowledge. It is not always wise to relate all truth. 5. Acknowledge there are some things we do not know, but what we have is sufficient.
• The doctrine of “blood atonement” that was spoken of by Church leaders in the past is an example of “revival rhetoric.” (Compare Enos 1:23)
• What is our doctrine?: 1. Teachings of the Church as a whole are narrow and focused on key principles, not on peripheral subjects that have little to do with salvation. 2. Many of the Church leaders’ statements of the past are misquoted or taken out of context. Doctrine taught today supersedes the past. We are commanded to pay more attention to living oracles. 3. If something is questionable, we ask if it is found in any of the following: a) The four Standard Works of scripture; b) official declarations or proclamations; c) taught or discussed in General Conference or other official gatherings of the Church leaders; d) in the General Handbooks of the Church; e) in approved curriculum of the Church. It should meet at least one of these criteria. This does not preclude that their are some things that fall under “sacred silence,” such as doctrine contained within the Temple ceremony.
• We do not believe in prophetic or apostolic infallibility. Not every word of the Bible is exactly how God spoke it. Moses, Peter, Paul, Joseph Smith and others made mistakes and had their human weaknesses. We cannot discount the whole man because of some imperfection in statements or opinion. A whole life and mission must be taken into total context, much like the Bible and other scripture.
• Seeing that the Lord still trusts imperfect leaders shows that there is hope for everyone, even in their weaknesses.
• Every prophet, every apostle, and every Church leader is going to be flawed. They have the right to be wrong at times and to change and improve. The inspiration and guidance from God can still come to them just like it can to each of us.
• True doctrine has “sticking power.” It grows and deepens, clarifies as years go by.
• Innocent speculations are often taken as doctrine by others not of our faith.
• All faiths have imperfect histories. Catholics had the Crusades and the Inquisition. Martin Luther wrote anti-semitic works. Southern Baptists justified slavery.
• Much of Christianity believes in theosis—human deification. The Bible plainly teaches it. See 2 Peter 1:4, Romans 8:17, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Matthew 5:48, 1 John 3:2.
• The light and insight received in revelation in June 1978 supersedes all the speculative slivers of light or darkness that preceded it like the sun would outshine a star. Reasons may only be known to God.
• If some doctrine is not currently being taught or is not found in current official Church publications it does not necessarily mean it is true or not true. It only means it is not important at this time and need not take our undue attention or energy.
• God and humans are not of a different species.
• We know absolutely nothing about God before He became God. It is not a central or saving doctrine. It need not be believed or understood to be in good standing in the Church.
• We do not know whether Jesus was married or not. Such knowledge does not pertain to our salvation. Beware of too much speculation.
• It is just as important to know what we don’t not know as it is to know what we know.
• This does not mean that we should be satisfied with a superficial understanding of doctrine.
• One can have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel without understanding much of it, but to retain that testimony one must continually strive to learn and understand the Gospel on deeper and more complete levels. (Many truths thus revealed are only for ourselves—we paid the price. It is up to others to put forth the effort on their own to get similar insight.)

Chapter 4: Christ’s Eternal Gospel

• God’s plan for human kind is not so readily apparent in the Bible, but is spelled out more clearly in the Book of Mormon.
• In my opinion: This is one reason there are fewer denominations based on the Book of Mormon as opposed to the Bible.
• Acts 10:43, “To [Christ] give all the prophets witness.”
• The Bible gives the impression that God’s plan of salvation evolved over time or changed. A closer look shows that He was battling the weaknesses of the people more and maybe could not reveal as much.
• Scripture was not as valued in ancient times. The king Josiah “discovered” scripture in the Temple.
• We believe the plan of Atonement was always the same from the beginning.
• All covenants and obligations have existed form the beginning and have never changed.
• Ancient prophets had priesthood authority and were called to the office and did not assume their roles on their own.
• Jacob had the temple endowment and “key words” were given to Adam, Noah and others.
• 2 Nephi 29:7,12. The Lord will inspire all people of the earth and they shall write it. All that God thinks they should have. Alma 29:8.
• Relics of truth can be found among other cultures and religions, temple practices and myths.
• All truth comes from God and Jesus Christ.
• Truth is eternal and always has been. Any change is in our own perceptions.
• Though ancient and modern religious rites may be similar to ours, they are a parody of the complete truth. As such they are still of value and worthy of respect. (The ancient Egyptians knew their rites were incomplete.)
• The temple endowment is an allegory of the basic truths of our existence and duties. As such, it is flexible to the understandings of the times, but it is still complete and whole. It was revealed in whole, in its essentials, and was not cobbled together from disparate sources like much of the rites and practices of others.
• Everyone is blessed with a certain amount of light. If they are true to that light, they are blessed with more.
• In many ways, coming to the knowledge of more truth is really an awakening to what we formally knew in the preexistence.
• Converts to the Church don’t “leave” another church, usually, but obtain more or “come home.”

Chapter 5: The Infinite and Intimate Atonement

• The Atonement is timeless. It is “retroactive” and has always applied even before it actually occurred in time.
• The Atonement overcomes death. Corruption must put on incorruptibility.
• The Atonement defies mortal law and logic. How we are forgiven defies our complete explanation. The justice of right and wrong, mercy and forgiveness, restitution and punishment are not all fully understood.
• The Atonement is infinite and eternal because Jesus Christ is an infinite and eternal Being.
• The Savior redeems all that He creates. The Atonement is infinite in time, putting and end to preceding prototypes and animal sacrifice, and infinite in the number of people redeemed. This includes all people on other worlds created by Him.
• The Atonement goes beyond payment for sins. It covers all infirmities, mistakes and weaknesses—anything that is corrupt or corruptible.
• Christ can heal us, cure us of burdens and fears. We can leave our burdens at His feet and trust Him. By following Him like a righteous parent we can be at peace.
• The Atonement is infinite in power or scope, but personal enough for every single person. Christ knew each of us individually, incomprehensibly, through His atonement and suffering on the cross.

Chapter 6: What Happened to the Cross?

• We need to probe and ponder the Atonement and try harder to understand it on a much deeper level. Each of us is not limited, except by ourselves, from the same knowledge of it as the prophets. Though probably none of us fully comprehend it in this life.
• Paul gloried in the cross precisely because the Jews and Romans despised it. The Jews believed anyone “hung from a tree” was the vilest of scum (as indicated by God in Deuteronomy) and crucifixion had a long heritage of being the most degrading way to execute the despised. (Think of ways many people would think of “disposing” of Adolph Hitler.) How could a God allow Himself such an end? Paul thought that that was the very reason Christ chose such a form—to show He descended below all things to understand and raise all.
• The symbol of the cross did not come into use until the 4th and 5th centuries.
• We have no quarrel with the use of the cross as a symbol. We use symbols ourselves like the angel Moroni and CTR rings as reminders of the holy.
• Baptists too did not use the cross until the 1830s.
• Puritans did not use the cross and may of the early LDS were of Puritan descent.
• There are many direct references to the cross in our latter-day scriptures and hymns and official writings.
• We have no official doctrinal position on the use of the cross as a symbol.
• We are somewhat unique among many Christians in that we put more emphasis on the part of the Atonement that took place in the Garden of Gethsamane.
• The Garden Scene is not depicted in art and ceremony as much as it should.
• It is in the Garden that Jesus necessarily suffers the withdrawing of God the Father’s spirit. This is to complete the Atonement in some form, but this also happens on the cross.
• Sweating blood from every pore is only found in the Gospel of Luke. Scholars have argued that it might have been a later addition to prove Christ’s divine nature.
• The sweating of blood has been backed up as a reality by modern scripture.
• All the agonies of Gethsmane reoccurred upon the cross. The cross is still the culmination of the Atonement sacrifice.

Chapter 7: The Greatest Gift

• All the programs of the Church do not save or redeem us. Our salvation lies only in Christ the Person.
• All our works and efforts are ultimately insufficient. We have not the power within ourselves.
• Faith unto repentance is made possible to us through giving us the Atonement to look to.
• The Gospel of Christ is not only of salvation in “the by and by,” but is an influence for change here and now. The power to forgive, overcome weaknesses, and restore what we cannot restore can have their effect here in mortality to make us happy and give us peace. Not all may be reconciled or fully overcome in this life, life by its very nature is hard and a struggle, but comfort—supernatural power—can be a gift to everyone through their faith in Christ’s Atonement.
• True faith always manifests itself through works, righteous actions, and proper relations. Not always perfectly, but neither is our faith always perfect.
• It is therefore important that we are judged by our works. Someone who has done non-repented evil works cannot abide the presence of God.
• We cannot rely on ourselves to be saved, but must work in concert with Christ to produce the change of heart within us to become as He is. He will not save us against our will. Once our will is changed, faith and works are inseparable.
• We must open our hearts and put forth our hand (works) to accept the proffered gift of grace. His grace will not save us if we do not accept it, or go through the effort of accepting it—meaning the effort to be close to Him by doing and being as He would have us be.
• Hebrews 12:2. We are incomplete. Christ is the “finisher” of our faith that fills in a huge gap. We are complete “in him.”
• We are not saved “after” all we can do, but more in spite of all we can do. Sometimes all we can do is turn from our sins and the Lord takes it from there. This is a daily and lifetime pursuit, a maturity and growth.
• We need to always balance our longing to improve with the hope and happiness or comfort that with Christ we will make it.

Chapter 8: Beyond the Veil

• Death is only a transition from one state to the next. We died from pre-mortality to come here.
• Joseph Smith said that God instilled in us a natural fear of death so that we would not corrupt His purposes by trying to go before our time. We would do everything we could to get there if we did not have this fear.
• Prophets and other Church leaders have hinted and hypothesized about the nature of the joy and rest the righteous have awaiting them in the next world unencumbered with bodies and certain limitations.
• No righteous person is taken from this life before his time.
• It is our limited vision that keeps us from rejoicing at the opportunities given to the righteous dead.
• The post-mortal spirit world is here on this earth around us.
• Those who go to Spirit Paradise grow in wisdom, have no pain and rest.
• The entire spirit world is a prison of sorts because we are incomplete without our bodies.
• Persons in the spirit world are aware of the happenings in this world.
• 1 Peter 3:19 refers to the prison of the spirit world as not having bodies. Christ did not go to the “hell” part but organized missionaries to go (D&C 138:30).
• Once ordinances are done for the dead, they are free to go over to Paradise if they accept the Gospel.
• Lorenzo Snow believes a great majority of those in the Spirit Prison will accept the Gospel. The conditions of Satan’s temptations will be gone and our own characteristics will come forward. Habits, traditions and flaws developed  in this life will need to be overcome, however.
• Spirit matter will course through our veins instead of blood in our resurrected bodies.
• Our resurrected bodies will be raised to that glory for which we are worthy. These bodies will be given a “portion” of that glory we attained to and then a “fulness.” We will grow to a complete joy in our eternal world. Except the sons of perdition. D&C 88:28-32.
• We will always retain our individual identities. Others will recognize us and us them. We will grow to everlasting and unchanging perfection just like Jesus Christ and God the Father, but, like Them, retain our own identity.
• The atonement redeems everyone in the sense that we will all be allowed back into the presence of God, at least temporarily, to be judged and sent to our kingdoms of glory.

Chapter 9: God and Human Tragedy

• God will not force us to be careful or righteous. To do so would violate our agency for which we are here to prove.
• Many of us don’t want a Father in Heaven so much as a senile grandfather in heaven. A benevolent force that ensures a good time is had by all. But growth and understanding cannot be acquired this way.
• God cannot give us free will and at the same time ensure we always use it the right way.
• We are in the “second act” of the Plan in this mortal life. We are here to learn and grow through trial, suffering and tragedy. Most rewards and happiness is reserved for the next life. “Happily Ever After” does not occur here.
• The Lord Jesus Christ can reveal to us the lessons we need to learn and how to overcome. He has descended below it all.
• We learn more about ourselves and our strength and faith through trials. We learn more about who we are.
• Continual repentance is the best contribution anyone can make toward solving the problem of evil.
• Evil is never just “out there,” but is also “in here.” We need to address our personal issues and control what we can.
• We can borrow on God’s eternal perspective to help us deal with pain and sorrow here and now. God does not “mope” around in despair over the suffering and choices of His children. Past, present and future are all one eternal now for Him. He has an infinite and eternal perspective.
• We can have confidence despite our trials because we know in the end the Lord and righteousness will prevail no matter what the “score” is at the moment.
• A key to Christ’s mission in mortality and the doctrine of His Gospel is to give us hope, a promise of a better world, a reason to “hang on,” to replace despair with peace.

Chapter 10: The Blessings of the Temple

• 1 Corinthians 15:19. “If in this life only we have a hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Why or how would someone in the afterlife need a “hope” in Christ? If this life is their only chance, it would be too late for “hope.” They either accepted Christ or they didn’t. We would be most miserable if we or loved ones did not have a fair opportunity to accept Christ regardless of our state of life.
• Concerning baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:28-29), Paul would not, of all people, have argued for the foundation doctrine of the Resurrection using a questionable practice. Baptism for the dead had to be authentic.
• There are several account of preaching to the dead in the Apocrypha, and the accepting of Christ by the dead. Coincidence? Even if the Apocrypha can’t be fully trusted?
• Peter’s brief mention of preaching to the dead suggests that is was common knowledge to the extent he didn’t need to expound upon it (1 Peter 3:19 & 4:6). Taken at face value there is no other interpretation other than what they say, namely that Christ’s redemption practices extend beyond the grave.
• Joseph Smith: “It is no more incredible that Christ should save the dead than that he should raise the dead.”
• The endowment in the Temple seals us to the Abrahamic covenant.
• Jesus taught many things pertaining to the kingdom of God during the 40 days of His post-resurrection ministry to the apostles and others. This was the time the Church was fully established and with the day of Pentecost became endowed with power.
• Many ceremonies such as washings, anointings, sacred clothing, new names and sacred marriages are mentioned in the apocryphal ancient Forty Day literature.
• Similar outpourings of the Spirit and visitations and visions, like the days of Pentecost, occurred during a four month period to many Church members in 1836.
• The temple ordinances affirm our link to the ancient priesthood, the power of God and the eternal covenants He made with Abraham and gives those same promises to us.

Chapter 11: The Living Canon

• Many of the Apocrypha books are included within the scriptures of the Old Testament up through Martin Luther’s time. They were usually designated as such by being placed together after the Writings.
• The books of the New Testament were slowly cobbled together during the first centuries. They did not reach their present order and content until the end of the fourth century. Many books were disputed that we consider authentic simply because of long tradition.
• Much of the Apocrypha writings do not have the restraint the canonized works of the New Testament have. They try too hard to fill in the gaps and expound too deeply on fanciful ideas.
• However, with a limited canon one might assume if the scriptures don’t specifically address an issue, God must not care. This can also lead to scripture worship or “Biblioidolatry.” (This is what the Jews were guilty of in part with their worship of the Law found in their scriptures.)
• Revelation precedes scripture which is merely the product of revelation. Revelation is the true source of knowledge even when we have scriptures.
• Those who have reason to fear are the ones who cry, “We have enough and need no more.”
• Is not our message as Latter-Day Saints the same as the early Church—that the heavens have been opened and revelation has come again?
• All Christian churches rely on doctrine and tradition outside the scriptures. Even Evangelicals rely on post-New Testament councils and creeds and linguistics.
• And there is no final authority on scriptural interpretation when differences arise.
• The Bible is a record of revelations and the ministries of Christian churches turned it into a handbook. The Bible became a text to be interpreted rather than an experience to be lived.
• Joseph Smith stood for direct divine revelation in the same way as the earliest Church, not on a mild influence-like revelation or the single revelation serving for all time in the incarnation of Christ.
• The Bible is foundational in nature. The Book of Mormon assumes a working knowledge of the Bible and the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ.
• Although each canon of scripture (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants) contains the fulness of the Gospel individually, they build upon each other, and particularly upon the Bible, to reach fuller understanding.
• We revere divine revelation whenever it comes and from sources like living apostles and prophets as well as ones past on, but the ones canonized in the Standard Works are the ones binding upon all saints.

Chapter 12: A Personal Witness

• Our testimonies are always fragile. They change and grow. The testimony we have now may not be the same as we have years from now.
• You usually don’t need to answer anti-Mormon questions and arguments because it is not answers they are looking for. They only wish to tear down and are filled with hatred though calling themselves Christians.
• Refuse to allow things you don’t know to tarnish or unsettle the things you do know.
• God is pleased with all sincere and inspired religious devotion, no matter the specific circumstances of church membership, but the Latter-day Saints have special gifts to offer to the world’s religious discussion—our pre-mortal existence, the real purpose of our being here, eternal perspectives on marriage that would revolutionize and revitalize society.
• The work of God and His Church is ongoing, expansive and everlasting.