Freemasonry and the Latter Day Saint movement

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[edit] Parallels

The relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Freemasonry began early in the history of Mormonism. Some historians believe that the secret combinations, like those of the Gadianton Robbers, referred to in the Book of Mormon were symbolic for Freemasonry, although Joseph Smith Jr. never explicitly confirmed such beliefs. Many early Church members such as Heber C. Kimball were Masons prior to becoming Mormons; however, the Church had no formal relationship with Masonry until the early 1840s during the Nauvoo period. In 1842, Joseph Smith Jr. was urged to form a Masonic Lodge by those members who were Masons. They longed to participate in the rites of Masonry, which they had been deprived of doing during the many persecutions and travels of the early Mormons. It also appears that the influential newcomer to the religion, John C. Bennett, had an influence in the spread of Freemasonry.

Although Smith had never officially been exposed to the Masonic rites, the day after his initiation in 1842, he knew all that was necessary to become a Master Mason, as indicated by Smith's journal entries:

"Tuesday, 15. — I officiated as grand chaplain at the installation of the Nauvoo Lodge of Free Masons, at the Grove near the Temple. Grand Master Jonas, of Columbus, being present, a large number of people assembled on the occasion. The day was exceedingly fine; all things were done in order, and universal satisfaction was manifested. In the evening I received the first degree in Freemasonry in the Nauvoo Lodge, assembled in my general business office." (History of the Church, by Joseph Smith, Deseret Book, 1978, Vol.4, Ch.32, p.550-1)

"Wednesday, March 16. — I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree." (History of the Church, Vol.4, Ch.32, p.552)

It has been much speculated as to how Smith knew everything he needed to know to become a Master Mason in such a remarkably short time. Members of the Church at the time believed he was divinely inspired.

Critics point out that aside from his close friends and brother, Joseph Smith could have learned about Masonry from one of his wives, Lucinda Morgan, the widow of William Morgan, author of Illustrations of Freemasonry (not to be confused with the book of the same title by William Preston). Morgan disappeared in 1826, and a body washed up on the shores of Lake Ontario in October 1827 that was at first claimed as Morgan's, but later was claimed as someone else. It has long been debated whether William Morgan was murdered for disclosing the "secrets" of Masonry, but the facts of the case are unclear.

In 1844 Smith created the Relief Society, a women's organization, in Nauvoo. Meetings were held in a room above the general store. It is possible that Smith disclosed Masonic secrets to the women in the Relief Society. This could have antagonized a number of Masons, in that Masons pledge never to reveal the secrets of Freemasonry to any non-member and considering also that Masonry is a male fraternity. Some scholars believe it was this that ultimately led to Smith's death in 1844 and to the subsequent disbanding of the Relief Society for the next several decades.

When Smith was killed, it was recorded that he raised his hands in the air and proclaimed, "My Lord and my God" before he was shot. This phrase could be the beginning of an appeal to God or it could be--as is often thought--the beginning words of a Masonic line that is to be used as an emergency call for help. The speculation is that Smith was making a last-ditch effort to identify himself to other Masons, should any have been in the mob that then assassinated him.

[edit] Similarities between Mormon worship and Freemasonry

On May 4, 1842, just a couple of months after his initiation to Freemasonry, Smith instructed other LDS Church leaders "in the principles of and order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments, and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so onto to the highest order of the Melchizedek Priesthood...." (History of the Church, vol. 5, pg. 1, May 4, 1842). This short timeline, coupled with the use of masonic imagery and methodology,^{[citation needed]} lead some^{[citation needed]} to speculate that these particular priesthood ordinances derive from the Freemason tradition. See Endowment (Mormonism).

Mormon temple worship does share some common symbols, signs, and clothing with Freemasonry, although a few of the similarities have been eliminated from temple ceremonies in recent years. It is not necessarily the case that these shared symbols represent similar ideas or are interchangeable with each other.

[edit] Freemasonry and the Book of Mormon

• In 1830, at the time Joseph Smith, Jr. published the Book of Mormon, the United States was enveloped in an anti-Freemasonry movement sparked by the disappearance of William Morgan in 1826 from western New York.

• Some observers purport to see allusions to Freemasonry in the Book of Mormon.^{[citation needed]} Some claim that the secretive Nephite Gadianton Robbers is an allusion by Smith to Masonry in order to gain support from the anti-Masonry movement.^{[citation needed]}

• Enoch in the Masonic Legends passed down ancient wisdom and hid them under a Mt Moriah on a golden plate.^{[citation needed]} Joseph claimed to find ancient wisdom buried under Hill Cumorah on golden plates, and used the code name 'Enoch' in the Doctrine and Covenants (see section 78 and 82 headings). Enoch supposedly left this revelation of God under nine arches. Like a shell within a shell within a shell. It is interesting to note that the "Book of Mormon" which has many many books in it, also contains one called "the Book of Mormon" thereby creating a shell within a shell.

[edit] Freemasonry and modern Mormonism

In past years the Mormon Church in Utah had an often contentious relationship with Freemasonry in general and the Grand Lodge of Utah in particular. The Grand Lodge of Utah was founded in 1872 as an openly anti-Mormon organization.^{[citation needed]} It eventually prohibited Mormons from joining its constituent Lodges.^{[citation needed]} The Mormon Church responded by prohibiting Freemasons from holding priesthood leadership positions in the church.

However, in 1984 the Grand Lodge of Utah officially dropped its anti-Mormon positions and allowed church members to join. That same year LDS church President Spencer W. Kimball removed all remaining prohibitions against Freemasonry. Today there is no formal obstacle preventing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from becoming Freemasons or vice versa.^{[1] [2]}

There is no official statement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as to whether or not Freemasonry is compatible with Mormonism. This position dates from the church presidency of Brigham Young. However, see the following statement by the Salt Lake Tribune: "There is no specific Mormon prohibition of Masonry, but church spokesman Don LeFevre said the church discourages it members from joining it or similar groups. 'The church strongly advises its members not to affiliate with organizations that are secret, oath-bound, or would cause them to lose interest in church activities.'" (Section D1, Monday Feb. 17, 1992).

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration
• Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed; edited by Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera; Signature Books: Salt Lake City; 2005; ISBN 1-56085-186-4
• Freemasonry in Context: History, Ritual, Controversy by Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris; Lexington Books; Lanham, MD; 2004
• The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship by David John Buerger; Signature Books: Salt Lake City; 2002; ISBN 1-56085-176-7
• Wife of Two Martyrs: Lucinda Pendleton (Morgan Harris Smith) In Sacred Lonelines: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith by Todd Compton; Signature Books: Salt Lake City; 1997; ISBN 1-56085-085-X

[edit] External links

• Mormonism and Freemasonry by Nicholas S. Literski
• The Masonic Moroni: Exploring the Historical Relationship Between Early Mormonism & Freemasonry.
• Anthony W. Ivins, The Relationship of "Mormonism" and Freemasonry (Salt Lake City, UT, Deseret News Press, 1934). online version
• No Help for the widow's son A look at parallels between Mormonism, the Book of Mormon and Masonry. Also contains a legend that has striking parallels to early Mormon history and the Laban account in the Book of Mormon.
• Essay discussing possible Masonic influences on Mormonism titled, "Captain Morgan and the Masonic Influence in Mormonism"
• Apologetic discussion of Mormonism and freemasonry, similarities of the two, and what in Masonry was introduced similar to Mormonism after Temple rites were established.]

[edit] See also

• Master Mahan