@Matt D. - LDS beliefs focus on a living resurrected Christ, not a Christ dieing on the cross. The cross is seen as the instrument of his death. It's simply a different point of view. If you have any other questions the site below should answer your basic questions.

http://www.mormon.org/welcome/0,6929,403-1,00.html

@Matt D. - Good question.

We focus on the Atonement of Christ which took place in the Garden of Gethsemene previous to the Crucifixion, and on His Resurrection.

We absolutely worship God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. We pray "Father in Heaven" because we pray to God the Father in the name of His Son Jesus Christ.

I hope this answers your question.

@Matt D. - From Gordon B. Hinkley:

(Just copy and past this link to see the artical.)

http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/NewEra/1996.htm/new%20era%20september%201996.htm/qampa%20questions%20and%20answers.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0

A Q&A, cut from the New Era (Sep 1996 ed):

:QUOTE:
I have a friend who is a member of another religion and who asked me why we don’t wear crosses or have crosses on our buildings. Why don’t we?
New Era

“Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, Sept. 1996, 17
We do not use the cross as a symbol on our chapels, temples, or on our scriptures or in jewelry.

President Gordon B. Hinckley explained the reason in a talk delivered in general conference. He told about talking to a Protestant minister following a temple open house. The minister had asked why there were no crosses anywhere if we say we believe in Jesus Christ. President Hinckley answered, “ ‘I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian brethren who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ.’

“He then asked, ‘If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?’

“I replied that the lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship” (“The Symbol of Christ,” New Era, Apr. 1990, p. 4).

President Hinckley further explained, “On Calvary he was the dying Jesus. From the tomb he emerged the living Christ. … Because our Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of his death as the symbol of our faith. But what shall we use? No sign, no work of art, no representation of form is adequate to express the glory and the wonder of the Living Christ. He told us what that symbol should be when he said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ (John 14:15)” (pp. 6, 7).

Even though we do not believe in using the cross as a symbol in our Church, we do not criticize others for wearing or using the cross in their religions. We should understand that the cross is significant and sacred to them. In fact, the 11th article of faith says, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” [A of F 11]

We focus on the great atonement of our Savior, his sacrifice for us that makes eternal life possible. We think of his life and sacrifice every Sunday during the sacrament. Our testimonies become the precious things that we bear, along with our obedience, to show we are true followers of Christ. :/QUOTE:

@Matt D. - Mormons, or as we prefer to be called Latter-day Saints do not have crosses on our buildings because we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not his death. We believe it Christ's death finished his earthly ministry and his resurrection solidified his Godhood. We remember that he suffered and died on the cross, but we acknowledge his resurrection rather than his death. This is why if you visit and LDS church you will see paintings of his life and paintings demonstrating his teachings, but very few showing his humiliation on the cross.
A cross is a tool of destruction like a gun. We do not knock people for using it in worship, but we worship God not an image that reminds us of him.

We believe God is our Father. We believe that he is the father of all people. That makes us all on the earth brother and sister. We usually refer to God as Heavenly Father to show acknowledgement of our relationship to him, and because that is the way Jesus Christ taught us how to pray in the New Testament.

@Matt D. - Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Symbol of Our Faith,” Ensign, Apr. 2005, 3
Following the renovation of the Mesa Arizona Temple some years ago, clergy of other religions were invited to tour it on the first day of the open house period. Hundreds responded. In speaking to them, I said we would be pleased to answer any queries they might have. Among these was one from a Protestant minister.

Said he: “I’ve been all through this building, this temple which carries on its face the name of Jesus Christ, but nowhere have I seen any representation of the cross, the symbol of Christianity. I have noted your buildings elsewhere and likewise find an absence of the cross. Why is this when you say you believe in Jesus Christ?”

I responded: “I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian colleagues who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the Living Christ.”

@Matt D. - Matt-
Good question. I don't know what the official LDS doctrine is as to why we don't have a cross, but have always been told and understood that it's because we want to remember Christ's resurrection and atonement, rather than focus on his death. Yes, he did die for us, and we know that, but he died so that we could live again.

Yes, LDS people do refer to God as Father when they pray. It's out of respect and we know that God is our Heavenly Father.

If you have any more questions, please let us know.

@Matt D. - This is not the official statement from the LDS church but I found a decent answer to this question on the following website: http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Christian.shtml#Son

@Joe M. - yeah, thats where its at

@Joe M. - It is the Helsinki Temple though it is actually in the city of Espoo, maybe a half hour from Helsinki.

@Angie M. - from Novosibirsk what's a few hundred miles. ;)

@Whit D. - Last August, 5 August 2006