Why do Mormon churches seem to have a lightning rod instead of a cross?

Answer 1

The steeple really is a lightning rod.
lds (Mormon) church doesn't use the cross as a religious symbol. The cross was but a weapon that our savior was killed with. We worship the resurrected Christ, not the weapon that he was crucified on and with. And we do know he was crucified on a cross, not a steeple.

Answer 2

Couple of things here.
First of all, the "lightning rod" is called a steeple. It is merely intended to remind people to look heavenward, to God.
(Granted, they may double lighting rods rods as well, but that would only be common sense seeing as they are the tallest part of the building.)

Now about the cross.
I've never heard it called a stake. That must be a different religion.
We don't use the cross as a symbol because we believe that Jesus was resurrected and the cross symbolizes his death. We use the way we live our lives as a symbol, so to speak. By living our lives how Jesus would is symbol enough.

Answer 3

The Mormon church chooses to focus on Christ's life, and not his method of execution. That is why you will not find crosses in or on their churches. The "lightning rod" is called a steeple, and most churches have them. However, I suspect you already know what steeples are, and are just trying to be clever by calling it a lightning rod.

Answer 4

Latter-day Saints are among several Christian groups who do not have the cross as part of their regular service or on their buildings. This doesn't mean that their theology is not Christ-centered—it just isn't cross-centered. Latter-day Saints remember the blood shed for us on Calvary each Sunday as we partake of the Sacrament.
To us, the message of Christ far exceeds the idea that he was tortured and died in one of the most brutal, painful ways known to man—by hanging on a cross for hours. Our central message is that after Christ died on the cross, he was physically resurrected and overcame death, and that he lives today with a resurrected body of flesh and bones. Through his resurrection all mankind will be resurrected.

Organizations often seek symbols or logos which differentiate them from similar organizations. Latter-day Saint architecture has long utilized a single spire as a distinctive symbol on its chapels, which are clearly recognizable because of their design. To some Latter-day Saints, this spire represents the glory of Christ's rising from the dead and the hope it brings to all mankind. It also represents man's upward reach toward God. This is a fitting contrast to many other demoninational buildings with crosses, which focus on what Latter-day Saints regard as the sorrow and grief of our Saviour's death.

Answer 5

Mormons don't believe in the cross. They think he was tied to a "torture stake".

I'm not sure just how a person can be nailed, hands and feet, to a wooden stake, but that's what that "lightning rod" thiny is supposed to represent.

The Bible, however, says that the cross is a curse to those who are perishing, so people who reject the cross accept God's curse, I guess. (???)

Edit:
The cross is "foolishness" to those who are lost: 1Corinthians 1:18 (MKJV): "For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God."

Additional comments to beta_fishy:
Maybe I'm getting the Mormons confused with the JWs? I know ONE of the two believe it was a torture stake. I was told several times by people who came to my door.

Answer 6

Maybe they're realistic.

A lightening rod will prevent your church from getting hurt. A cross has no utility at all.

Answer 7

Latter-day Saints object to the use of a cross on their buildings and the wearing of the cross. They view the symbolism of the cross as having a pagan origin and that it symbolizes Christ's torture and death, not his resurrection.

Answer 8

Any building which has a pillar of jealousy and is worshiping a mighty one would do well to have a lighting rod.

Answer 9

Maybe they advocate Baal, his symbols were the lightening rod and staff. Oh wait, those are the same symbols associated with god in the The Shepherds Prayer. Good question.

Answer 10

They're just being prepared.

I love Mormons.