Join Mike and John as they discuss Mormonism’s early connection with Masonry through Joseph Smith and the unique problems it creates for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to grapple with today.
Covered topics include the timeline of Joseph becoming a Master Mason before introducing the similarly-themed rituals of the Temple Endowment Ceremony, why many members and apologists claim Masonry to be of ancient origin despite evidence to the contrary, the many parallels between the secret rituals of both organizations, and whether or not the Temple Endowment involved false doctrines.
Show Notes:
Related Mormon Stories Content
Other Sources & Links
- Nemo the Mormon YouTube channel
- Elder Holland on the BBC (Thoughts on Things and Stuff)
- Now You Know: Joseph Smith & Masonry – Church Official YT Channel
- Dialogue Journal: “Shake Off the Dust of Thy Feet”: The Rise and Fall of Mormon Ritual Cursing – Samuel R Weber
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Show Notes:
Related Mormon Stories Content
Other Sources & Links
- Nemo the Mormon YouTube channel
- Elder Holland on the BBC (Thoughts on Things and Stuff)
- Now You Know: Joseph Smith & Masonry – Church Official YT Channel
- Dialogue Journal: “Shake Off the Dust of Thy Feet”: The Rise and Fall of Mormon Ritual Cursing – Samuel R Weber
10 Responses
Joseph Smith was introduced to the Royal Arch rite on May 4, 1842. General James Adams, Deputy Grand Master of second Grand Masonic Lodge of Illinois and a member of the church was visiting Nauvoo. The upper room of Joseph Smith’s store had been hurriedly prepared for the ceremony on May 3. Nine Master Masons, the number needed for a Royal Arch Lodge, participated. William Law was later edited out of the record. Joseph Smith records “attending to washings, anointings [sic], endowments and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchisedek [sic] Priesthood” May 4, 1842 is remembered as the date of the first endowment.
When I took out my endowment, I was so creeped out that I vowed I would never go again. I did but always felt dirty after. The endowment wasn’t too bad after the 1990 changes although I still thought of the old creepy parts every time. Not suffering through the endowment ceremony is one of the best blessings of going inactive.
Thank you for this great series! The Masons, and copycats, maintained that their rites were of ancient origin. This was great for recruiting because who doesn’t want to be in on a powerful secret. Eventually it was revealed by Masons that had access to their archives that it was all made up. Protect those archives if you want to keep the money rolling in!
I wanted to comment that the picture of the Royal Arch Masons is incredible! Do you see the old Gmail symbol on the aprons too?
I also went through the temple early 1980’s. I went once and wouldn’t go back for 10 years until my husband begged me to go with him again. The five points of fellowship was it for me. I, as a woman, don’t want to get that close to any man except my husband.
What Dialogue article was he referencing when he read about the curses towards the end of the discussion?
Hi Caleb,
I’ve added it to the show notes. It’s called “Shake Off the Dust of Thy Feet”:
The Rise and Fall of Mormon Ritual Cursing by Samuel R Weber
https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V46N01_526d.pdf
Does anyone know when the “covenant path” started to be taught? Joseph Smith and Brigham Young just talked about the signs and tokens. The signs and tokens were also what I remember being mentioned in the introduction but no covenant path.
I would like to point out that Joseph Smith took some of the most private and sacred teachings from Masonry, without permission. That showed such a lack of respect for an organization that had been around for hundreds of years and the men who practiced it and held it sacred! No wonder so many Non-Mormons hated him.! Joseph’s narcissism, knew no bounds, even down to thievery.
One of the biggest issues I have is very simple but often overlooked. Let’s just pretend all of Joseph smiths claims are true and the Church has the true endowment. Why then, do modern prophets and apostles practice Masonry? 1. It should do them no good.
2. They are practicing the ceremonies OUTSIDE of the temple. Which is evidently a huge no no according to temple instruction.
Is that not enough alone to put a nail in the coffin?
Can I get the link to where you found the clip on the mason ceremony?