Mormons and Masons

[CHRISTINE77]

Do Mormons acknowledge the fact that much of their religion was influenced by rites and beliefs of Freemasonry?

I found this on the Internet:

Specific areas of Mormonism that were undoubtedly influenced by Masonry include degrees of glory, sacred treasures hidden in the earth, the exaltation of mankind in the presence of deity, interest in ancient Egypt and Israel, emphasis on the creative role of a supreme being, symbolic clothing, and secret means of recognition. Both Masons and Mormons made extensive use, architecturally and otherwise, of motifs such as the beehive, square and compasses, handclasps, sun, moon, and stars. Even more mundane features of Mormonism, such as administrative structure and ritual secrecy, bear the unmistakable imprint of the Fraternity.

 

[BDawg]

Do Mormons acknowledge the fact that much of their religion was influenced by rites and beliefs of Freemasonry?

I found this on the Internet:

Specific areas of Mormonism that were undoubtedly influenced by Masonry include degrees of glory, sacred treasures hidden in the earth, the exaltation of mankind in the presence of deity, interest in ancient Egypt and Israel, emphasis on the creative role of a supreme being, symbolic clothing, and secret means of recognition. Both Masons and Mormons made extensive use, architecturally and otherwise, of motifs such as the beehive, square and compasses, handclasps, sun, moon, and stars. Even more mundane features of Mormonism, such as administrative structure and ritual secrecy, bear the unmistakable imprint of the Fraternity.

Hi Christine,

Joseph Smith was a Mason, and it is widely acknowledged that he borrowed some symbolism from the Lodge when designing the Temple Liturgy. Smith himself implied that Masonry was a corrupted descendent of the true Temple rites, which are ancient.

If you want to read a typical Mormon party-line take on the similarities/differences, you should read the Encyclopedia of Mormonism article, “Freemasonry and the Temple”. Just do a Google search for “Encyclopedia of Mormonism,” and you will find it online at the BYU library site.

A more complete exploration of the kinds of charges you quote can be found here:

jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_masons.shtml

 

[Robert_in_SD]

Hi Christine,

Joseph Smith was a Mason, and it is widely acknowledged that he borrowed some symbolism from the Lodge when designing the Temple Liturgy. Smith himself implied that Masonry was a corrupted descendent of the true Temple rites, which are ancient.

If you want to read a typical Mormon party-line take on the similarities/differences, you should read the Encyclopedia of Mormonism article, “Freemasonry and the Temple”. Just do a Google search for “Encyclopedia of Mormonism,” and you will find it online at the BYU library site.

A more complete exploration of the kinds of charges you quote can be found here:

jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_masons.shtml

The Jeff Lindsay site gave the response I’ve heard before from LDS members - i.e. that Joseph Smith drew upon the Masonic symbols he knew in his time as teaching tools to impart revealed and restored truths. Another explanation given is that both Masonry and LDS ritual have similar sources in ancient history, and LDS ritual is not borrowing from modern Masonry, but drawing from the same source as did modern Masonry.

Peace,
-Robert

 

[AMDGtoo]

Hi Christine77–

I don’t think the “Mormon in the pew” knows (or particularly cares). However there seems to be some sort of thing going on with it–been told that the FreeMasonry symbols and the Mormon endowment ceremony was really all about the Temple of Solomon (and the LDS just “restored” how it is supposed to be done because the Masons didn’t have it right. But then I have heard that Mormons are not supposed to be FreeMasons–or is it that the Masons refuse to allow Mormons join after the incident with JS and so the Mormons have refused to allow Mormons to be Masons–I don’t know.) I do know that my Mormon neighborlady is not allowed her Mormon endowments because her husband has chosen to join the Masons, but for some reason, although she’s sad about not being allowed, it doesn’t particularly bother her.

 

[BDawg]

Hi again, Christine,

Let me give you an example of how LDS believers could attribute some of the things you mention to a common ancient origin for LDS beliefs/practices and things found in freemasonry. A couple of the things you mentioned were the “degrees of glory,” and “sun, moon, and stars” as symbols.

Latter-day Saints believe there are three main levels of heaven, which differ in glory. This difference in glory is compared to the difference between the appearance of the sun, moon, and stars. We point to Paul’s description of the Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42 and his assertion that he had been caught up into the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). A belief in multiple heavens (usually 3 or 7) was very common among early Jewish and Jewish Christian groups. Anyway, 1 Cor. 15:40-42 (talking about the Resurrection) says:

“There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.”

Now, most Christians just interpret these verses to mean that there is a difference between earthly bodies and resurrected (heavenly) bodies. That seems like a reasonable reading to me. But notice how the early Church Father, Origen (mid-third century) said Christians of his day interpreted verse 41.

"Our understanding of the passage indeed is, that the apostle, wishing to describe the great difference among those who rise again in glory, i.e., of the saints, borrowed a comparison from the heavenly bodies, saying, “One is the glory of the sun, another the glory of the moon, another the glory of the stars.” (Origen, De Principiis 2:10:2, in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, 4:294.

So it seems to me that this is a much stronger parallel with LDS belief and practice than anything I’ve ever seen with Masonry.

 

[BDawg]

Hi Christine77–

I don’t think the “Mormon in the pew” knows (or particularly cares). However there seems to be some sort of thing going on with it–been told that the FreeMasonry symbols and the Mormon endowment ceremony was really all about the Temple of Solomon (and the LDS just “restored” how it is supposed to be done because the Masons didn’t have it right. But then I have heard that Mormons are not supposed to be FreeMasons–or is it that the Masons refuse to allow Mormons join after the incident with JS and so the Mormons have refused to allow Mormons to be Masons–I don’t know.) I do know that my Mormon neighborlady is not allowed her Mormon endowments because her husband has chosen to join the Masons, but for some reason, although she’s sad about not being allowed, it doesn’t particularly bother her.

That’s weird. I know several Mormon masons who are allowed to go to the Temple.

 

[DallasTexas]

Hi Christine77–

–or is it that the Masons refuse to allow Mormons join after the incident with JS and so the Mormons have refused to allow Mormons to be Masons–I don’t know.)

AMDGtoo,

Thank you for your posting.

I am a Freemason and know that Freemasonry would not exclude (or, at least, should not exclude) membership to any man for being a member of LDS.

Thank you again for your posting.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

As the Mormons left Nauvoo, they found ready aid from Masons in Iowa who were willing to ignore the directives of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Provisions were donated, comfort given, and those who lingered for a time were readily accepted into Iowa lodges. When the Saints reached Utah, their official involvement with Masonry was curtailed. Apostle George A. Smith suggested forming a “Mormon Grand Lodge,” but Brigham Young felt that “no good could come of it”; the situation further calcified when “Gentile” lodges were established in Salt Lake City. In time, not only did the Utah lodges prohibit Mormons, but Mormons prohibited Masons from holding priesthood leadership positions in the Latter-day Saint Church.

While the mutual ban may have seemed necessary at one time, people on both sides of the divide began over time to question the legitimacy or need of such antagonism. Freemasons knew that their fraternity historically required that one believe in a “supreme being” without further distinctions, and Mormons gradually lost much of the fear and resentment which had formed during the Illinois years.

In 1984, President Spencer W. Kimball removed the prohibition against Latter-day Saints becoming Freemasons. Later that year, the Grand Lodge of Utah removed its own ban on Mormon membership so that, in the twenty ensuing years, many Latter-day Saint men began to reclaim this part of their heritage. Respected men in the LDS Church have since become leaders in the Masonic fraternity throughout the world.

 

[zerinus]

Do Mormons acknowledge the fact that much of their religion was influenced by rites and beliefs of Freemasonry?

I found this on the Internet:

Specific areas of Mormonism that were undoubtedly influenced by Masonry include degrees of glory, sacred treasures hidden in the earth, the exaltation of mankind in the presence of deity, interest in ancient Egypt and Israel, emphasis on the creative role of a supreme being, symbolic clothing, and secret means of recognition. Both Masons and Mormons made extensive use, architecturally and otherwise, of motifs such as the beehive, square and compasses, handclasps, sun, moon, and stars. Even more mundane features of Mormonism, such as administrative structure and ritual secrecy, bear the unmistakable imprint of the Fraternity.

I don’t know enough about Masonry to judge the extent of the similarities or dissimilarities. I know of some of the main similarities; but much of what you have posted appears farfetched.

As regards the genuine similarities are concerned, just because there are similarities between two systems, it does not prove that they must have been derived from each other. It could be that both have been derived independently from the same source. We believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the temple endowment ceremony that he established was given to him by revelation, not derived from Freemasonry. The fact that there are similarities between the two only proves that Freemasonry was also originally derived from the same source; although its true origin, purpose, and history may now have been forgotten or lost in antiquity.

By the way, the source of your quotes is here. You should give proper references to your quotes so that people can look them up, and judge it for themselves.

zerinus

 

[CHRISTINE77]

What does it matter where I found it - it’s not anti-Mormon. Why do Mormons not want to acknowledge their Masonic roots? This country has a lot of Masonic roots, look at the all-seeing eye in the pyramid on the dollar bill for example. Also many of the founding fathers were Masons. I have also heard that Mormons believe that the US Constitution is divinely inspired (correct me if I’m wrong). What’s the big deal?

 

[teancum79]

What does it matter where I found it - it’s not anti-Mormon. Why do Mormons not want to acknowledge their Masonic roots? This country has a lot of Masonic roots, look at the all-seeing eye in the pyramid on the dollar bill for example. Also many of the founding fathers were Masons. I have also heard that Mormons believe that the US Constitution is divinely inspired (correct me if I’m wrong). What’s the big deal?

The big deal is our claim to divine revelation. Claims that we borrowed stole etc. ideas from others is much like calming the CC’s ideas are biased on paganism not the words of Christ.

 

[BDawg]

What does it matter where I found it - it’s not anti-Mormon. Why do Mormons not want to acknowledge their Masonic roots? This country has a lot of Masonic roots, look at the all-seeing eye in the pyramid on the dollar bill for example. Also many of the founding fathers were Masons. I have also heard that Mormons believe that the US Constitution is divinely inspired (correct me if I’m wrong). What’s the big deal?

Hi Christine,

If you look at the URL I gave, you will see that the Mormon who wrote it did acknowledge some Masonic roots–just not as deep roots as your source claimed.

Citation is important, though. In this case, your source was an essay from a book published by Signature Books. Signature isn’t “anti-Mormon,” but much of their stuff is by Mormon secularists. The guy who owns Signature is an ex-Mormon atheist, and he definitely has an agenda as a publisher. So what I’m saying is that a Mormon like me, Z, or Teancum could look at your citation and have some idea who is saying it. (If I posted something about Catholicism and abortion, for instance, wouldn’t it be useful for you to know that the source is the Catholics for Choice web site?) Also, we could see their footnotes to determine what kind of evidence they give for their claim. That’s even more important.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Yeah, well maybe Masonry is divinely inspired too. Is Joseph Smith the only person in the world who can receive divine inspiration? I think he (or shall I say God) was answering a lot of questions about religion and origins of Native Americans that were prevalent at the time that the book of Mormon was written. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing your religion, I think it is very original and very American.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I’ll show my sources in the future, BDawg. I see what you mean.

 

[zerinus]

What does it matter where I found it - it’s not anti-Mormon. Why do Mormons not want to acknowledge their Masonic roots? This country has a lot of Masonic roots, look at the all-seeing eye in the pyramid on the dollar bill for example. Also many of the founding fathers were Masons.

Why is it so difficult for you to accept that people can receive direct revelation from God in our time?

I have also heard that Mormons believe that the US Constitution is divinely inspired (correct me if I’m wrong).

That is correct, we do.

What’s the big deal?

Nothing! What is the big deal with you?

Yeah, well maybe Masonry is divinely inspired too.

Or was!

Is Joseph Smith the only person in the world who can receive divine inspiration? I think he (or shall I say God) was answering a lot of questions about religion and origins of Native Americans that were prevalent at the time that the book of Mormon was written.

We think that anybody can receive revelation or inspiration from God for their own benefit, or to help them to minister to others. But the revelations that Joseph Smith received were of a different kind. He was the prophet of a new dispensation of the gospel. He established a new religion that is destined to become the greatest dispensation of all time. He was somebody like Moses, or Abraham, or Noah. The revelations that he received were canonized and became scripture. That is the difference.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing your religion, I think it is very original and very American.

It is more than original or American. It is true! That is what makes all the difference.

zerinus