The Garden Atonement and the Mormon Cross Taboo

Michael Reed's 2012 book Banishing the Cross: The Emergence of a Mormon Taboo sets out an excellent account uncomfortable relationship between Church Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints and core symbol Christianity: cross. Reed persuasively demonstrates that taboo was late development in Saint history locates much taboo's roots anti-Catholicism early to mid-twentieth century.This article presents modest contribution scholarship by accounting for role distinctive belief about Garden Gethsemane Christ's atonement its cross taboo. As taught Church's official Guide Scriptures, “suffered sins mankind.”1 We can refer this as “garden atonement.” That is itself, but many articulations doctrine also place garden over above Jesus's crucifixion. Thus, described Encyclopedia Mormonism, which turn quoting multiple twentieth-century church leaders, “for Saints, scene greatest agony, even surpassing he suffered on cross.”2 According view, ‘the pains all men . principally Gethsemane.”3 Yet, like taboo, not founding-era belief, one based teachings “modern leaders.”4 Specifically, it later theological innovation largely coincided with rise formalization (from around 1916 mid-1950s), same reasons—reliance anti-Catholic polemics desire distinctiveness amid assimilation into Protestant America came demise polygamy theology.Reed's work establishes “emerged at grass-roots level twentieth century became institutionalized mid-century under direction David O. McKay.”5 historical evidence compels conclusion had no discernible aversion To contrary, made substantial use variety religious contexts, some would likely make today uncomfortable, from belongings sacred architecture (including Cardston, Alberta temple, Laie Hawaii Salt Lake Assembly Hall), floral arrangements deceased presidents displayed their funerals, marriage certificates, decorations hanging temples, stained glass windows buildings, jewelry both women, cross-stitch art quilt designs Relief Society.6A turning point began 1915–16. (through presiding bishop Charles W. Nibley) petitioned City Council build large cement Latin top Ensign Peak. Its proponents, including Nibley B. H. Roberts, took broad ecumenical defense “the Christianity” should be used honor ‘Mormon’ pioneers,’” who entered valley 1847, well Catholic church,” “be given credit” arriving “seventy years before” contributing settling area.7 But significant opposition arose numerous sides, LDS non-LDS, united least part project impression Utah “a State.”8 Apostle Orson F. Whitney publicly spoke against Peak “of Church,” saying associated pioneers.9 This provoked series private exchanges Whitney, each claiming backing higher authorities his position.10 Whitney's correspondence other leaders feature devotional cross, raising if one's friend were unjustly killed gibbet, you hang your house reminder.11 Numerous people accused unwittingly or otherwise acting agent Rome, ultimately proposal dropped.12Division personal public still existed decades among high-ranking leaders.13 opinion prove formative matter McKay, future president. His experiences Catholicism soured him it, causing vent diary 1923, “O what Godless farce organization is!”14 And feuded hierarchy.15 Although suggests may have toned down these feelings life, president 1950s, declared “Catholic Church” “two great anti-Christs world” alongside communism.16 It thus rather unsurprising 1957, McKay effectively cemented letter response inquired propriety “L.D.S. girls purchas[ing] crosses wear,” responded: “This purely purchase wear them. I stated form worship. They images, crosses, etc. Our worship our hearts.”17 Other prominent although sometimes differing rationales, espoused view J. Reuben Clark Jr., Mark E. Peterson, Bruce R. McConkie, Joseph Fielding Smith Gordon Hinckley.18 From there, holds within devotion today.To understand connection atonement, first important latter, former, development.19 believed until near end nineteenth century. follows review available Smith, catechisms treatises, hymns, scriptural texts.As recent scholarly commentary notes, “Joseph never presented systematic Atonement.”20 corpus shows teaching atonement. Hilton Barringer conclude, did provide any regarding Gethsemane.”21 What little exists expect someone background believe Atonement period. Searches “Gethsemane” currently Papers Project online yield only two results. One original manuscript Smith's revisions New Testament contains nothing import subject,22 second Hyde, discussed further below. it. translation Bible alterations text Luke 22:44. When speak Atonement, views align cross-centric understanding it: “It must shedding blood Only Begotten atone man, plan redemption, without remission” sins.23 In 1830 revision Bible, when describing visions Enoch coming Messiah, whose mission redeem mankind sins, does write garden, Son man lifted upon cross.”24The period through most similarly espouse identify suffering Moreover, do teach Gethsemane, they agony anticipation crucifixion.There are 208 references “atonement” Journal Discourses. A qualitative case anyone expiatory manner garden. Public statements Brigham Young,25 Wilford Woodruff,26 George Q. Cannon,27 Daniel Wells,28 Pratt,29 Heber C. Kimball,30 Penrose,31 others,32 consistently occurred mention regard. References speeches exceedingly sparse before century.33 referenced, proposition come deny: (in humanity) contemplation impending torture crucifixion,34 Lorenzo Snow making expressly 1893.35Hilton Barringer, statistical general conference addresses Discourses, supposed counterexample. Respectfully, analysis flawed. contend John Taylor “explicitly connect[ed] sins” “1859.” assert “when ‘came transgressions men. Then again, left alone, so struggle that, we told, sweat, were, drops blood.’”36 “explicitly” such discourse, material omitted Barringer's ellipses makes clear. lists number temporally disparate events (let alone “explicit” one) implausible.37 full says men—to stand head Saviour necessary body ours, subject weaknesses flesh,—that Devil let loose him, tried Then, alone; told blood. day sacrifice said, “My God, my why hast thou forsaken me?” He has passed this, sees passing trials afflictions, knows how feel towards you—how sympathise you. pass fiery ordeal; position things, decrees All-wise Creator.38Hilton acknowledge “it possible reference atoning to” crucifixion,39 immediately jump Taylor's thirty Mediation suggest 1850s. Apart quoted simply supporting asserted connection, argument presupposes uniformity scrutiny bear out. Prior publishing consisted Lamb God Calvary.”40 Indeed, itself perhaps strongest lack century.Catechisms doctrinal while rare spheres today, summations past. These presentations on.John Jaques known Mormonism Catechism Children, published 1854. Jaques's catechism print thirty-five editions, printed seven languages, received endorsement conference.41 1854 edition asked, “How then redemption effects Fall wrought out?” Answer: “God sent begotten Son, knew sin, die world, satisfy demands justice.”42 formulation reprinted 1872,43 1877 editions well.44Eliza produced catechism, entitled Questions Answers detailed questions answers surrounding Rather, asked “His Father [r]emove cup Him.”45 asks, “What mean cup?” answer “The awful death Him,” noting, suggestion expiatory, “Q—In sweat? A—Like blood.”46James Talmage's 1899 Articles Faith, offers entire section third faith (i.e., “We Christ, saved, obedience laws ordinances gospel.”), all. Talmage 1899, atonement”—“a leading [taught] sects Christianity”—consisted vicarious nature [Christ's] death.”47 centrality Calvary” achieved “on cross,”48 readily apparent.49John A. Widtsoe's Rational Theology, treatment beliefs 1915, (indeed, all), rather, speaking “need Savior,” states “Jesus actually earth time act Adam might atoned for.”50 discern Elder treatise.Early hymns offer additional understood be. Mormons strongly emphasized songs addressing Atonement. 1835 Collection Sacred Hymns hymn mentions Gethsemane. reflect cross- death-centric Atonement.51 1840 Manchester hymnal referencing “thy bloody sweat” verse, count as, most, ambiguous passages seem quite clearly aimed painting picture “yonder tree,” uttered (“Forgive them, Father”), “passion death, “bleeding feet.”52 1841 there,53 unequivocal using imagery atonement.54 1845 centered sacramental traditional crucifixion “Five bleeding wounds [r]eceiv'd Calvary,” “pour effectual prayers” “strongly [us]” Father.55The theme texts, specifically, Book called Doctrine Covenants. Mormon, connects minimal, any, importance.56 revelations compiled Covenants focus garden57 instead being is, “through own blood.”58 implausible read phrase “shedding” sweating blood, means bloodletting.59 context texts rely developing atonement: Mosiah 3:7 19.In 3:7, self-styled pre-Messianic prophecy, states, “And lo, shall suffer temptations, pain body, hunger, thirst, fatigue, more than suffer, except unto death; behold, cometh every pore, anguish wickedness abominations people.” meaning sin sweat broader chapter Mormon's reading doubtful. context, verse merely prophecy noting people,” sense today. say word (odd discusses name times). There event spoken 3, crucifixion, resurrection verses 9, 11. Understanding sync rest slaughtered lamb Mosaic law.Doctrine 19 seems stronger footing represents, best, proto-teaching. passage's immediate odd vehicle revealing oblique way. notably, candidly admit there “paucity Gethsemane,” “make explicit” speaks “from pore,” Gethsemane.60In analyzing “translation” 22:43–44 impact tendency toward “King James Version onlyism,” Grant Adamson cites posits put “emphasis cross.”61 necessarily “unique,” “popular biblical commentaries” contained ideas could been something exposed directly indirectly.62Adamson contends Christians held theory, difficult sustain did. cite source outside conclusions reason fault Adamson—there source.63 recognizes “quantitatively, cross/crucifixion Mormon” Still, indicates weight because describe “agony” “much intensely.”64 However, overwhelmingly, indeed seemingly exclusively, connected garden.65 explicit anywhere scripture per se. garden-atonement interpreted differently. note Petersen, garden.66 appears done 1899.67 consideration available, relevant appeared life Mormonism.If raises question become “unique” Saints.68 will consider question, concluding initially search during fertile redefinition solidified emerged formalized, starting formalizing 1950s. Setting up foil (the archetype apostate Christianity) factor process.The appearance idea 1882 book, where connect Atonement.69 At point, suspect theory sentiments. President reports interactions European Mission (particularly Paris) positive, decrying sort Catholicism; was, is,” meant, lived people.70 praised priests” “more honest” hardworking counterparts, intelligent, know[ing] basis founded,” able “reason principles Protestants cannot enter into.”71 elsewhere noted Catholics pieces truth,” Protestants, Mahometans, Heathens.”72President however, ambiguous. Talmage, seen crucifixion.73 others 1888, Roberts repeated viewed involving More location event, focused importance sorrows (apart penalty sin).74 Importantly, Roberts's involves rejecting Christian (and five later), arguing “there Messiah [in garden] ordinary pangs terrors death,” “as Taylor,” mystically weight, responsibilities burden men.”75 Connecting underlying causes complex, fittingly Roberts. On hand, proponents proposal, struck tone capacity, buried underneath tombstone.76 Yet give “aggressively anti-Catholic” radio addresses,77 influential apostasy-narrative writings relied heavily “anti-Catholic polemics.”78 Outlines Ecclesiastical History, recounted skeptical Constantine's vision Milvian bridge (fair enough, call question), strangely motivation story cunning invention interested priests seeking object veneration,”79 linking apostasy consummated Rome's embrace faith. While occurs after adopted narratives increasingly important.The watershed moment publication revised 1916, year controversy raged brought issue fore. noted, cross.”80 By wrote changed. Because federal government's actions suppress Utah, polygamy's concomitant decline (or the) central organizing soteriological concept faith, “profound transformation Mormonism” occurred.81 principle “set them apart” evaporating government pressure, resulting “LDS authors attention fully crafting theology Atonement,” Atonement.82 “an extremely era definition,”83 played singlehandedly reshaping very Deity Church.84 period, owing ongoing America,85 looking reestablish ways set apart faiths,86 straightforward oft-appealed-to narratives, foundational 1909 work, Great Apostasy. Such works times, “strident[ly] anti-Catholic,”87 drawing writers Enlightenment advocates Voltaire Hume.88Following suit, apostasy—some Mormonism—decried “tyranny [of] thoroughly utterly corrupt Rome,”89 leaving nearly practice untouched. For Mosheim's words own, Real Presence Eucharist “‘an absurd tenet,’ ‘monstrous unnatural doctrine.’”90 Eucharistic adoration pernicious idolatry.”91 criticized emergence desert monasticism “perverted life,” “unnatural,” “frenzied,”92 argued Church, fourth century,” “that virtue deceive lie, interests promoted.”93 Liturgically, claimed abandoned pristine simplicity worship” replaced “elaborate ceremonies, patterned Judaistic ritual heathen idolatries,”94 including, “burning incense” (a “pagan origin significance”),95 introduction pictures, effigies.”96 last critical. Like keen decry sincerity conversion, “Christianity religion state,” fact “he royal standard” “had already apostate.”97 reaffirms sign Christianity, admixture worldly paganism idolatry.With presupposed, understandable find novel move dramatically distanced Catholicism, subordinating apparently leader so. Contrary thought [Christ] fear untenable.”98 Instead, struggled groaned conceive possible. physical pain, nor mental caused Him produce extrusion pore; spiritual soul capable experiencing manner, actual terribly real though incomprehensible, Savior Himself world.Talmage tragedy night, cruel inflictions awaited morrow, culminate frightful tortures exceed bitter successfully passed.”99 “Eloi, Eloi” cry includes afterthought: seems, addition fearful incident recurred, intensified beyond human power endure.”100 fights supreme contest powers evil.”101Given emphasis increasing discomfort associating all-important Catholicism), particularly definitively scriptures (Mosiah 19) cross-taboo driven, small part, disassociate [the church] Church,”102 figures ways. Subsequent apostasy, restored knowledge, o