The LDS church (and other “Mormons”) are insistent that Gethsemane was an essential part of the atonement, the main focus. But when we go to the letters of the New Testaments, never once is Gethsemane ever even mentioned! But over and over, the apostles write to their audiences, looking back to the cross. The price paid on the cross, the blood of the cross, the reconciliation of the cross, over and over and over!
Here are just a few:
1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
Galatians 6:14 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Ephesians 2:16 “And might reconcile us both to God …through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”
Colossians 1:19–20 “through him to reconcile to himself all things… making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Colossians 2:13–14 “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
Hebrews 12:2 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
John 3:14–15 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
But why does this even matter? Is the location important? Personally I say no, it’s not. This is a small issue. It shouldn’t be an issue. However, the Mormons made it an issue! It was them who wanted to disagree with Christians. It was them who wanted to introduce new scripture, to supersede God’s word in the Bible.
Why?
Why is it an issue?
As I studied Christianity and compared with all the doctrines of Mormonism I grew up with, I was struck with the fact that on every single little point of doctrine, the Mormons had to trump Christians. They had to know better! Their prophets, their scriptures were better! The Mormons are elite! (And it’s no wonder, when they are based on secret esoteric societies.)
So, no, I don’t think it’s an important issue, except for one more thing where Christians only have a little truth and Mormons are the right, real church. Their battle cry!
One more scripture about the cross —
1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
This is the most poignant. Because maybe now we have landed on why Mormons don’t want to focus on the cross, don’t want to wear crosses, don’t want to put crosses up on their churches, and continually argue against the payment paid in FULL on the cross.
The message of the cross is salvation! And I am not ashamed!
All I Possess 