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Joseph Smith and Freemasonry Although Joseph Smith's early writings are filled with material which condemns secret societies, the presence of the Danite band among the Mormons indicates that by 1838 his attitude toward secret societies had changed. The Danites were a secret fraternal oath-bound society and that the members were to be punished with death if they made public the secrets of the order. The Mormon Kingdom Vol. 1 p. 52-65 of by Sandra and Jerald Tanner:Utah Lighthouse Ministry When the Mormon leaders found themselves in serious trouble with the law because of the Danite band, Joseph Smith went back to the teachings of the Book of Mormon and publicly repudiated secret societies. In a letter written from Liberty Jail, dated March 25, 1839, Joseph Smith joined with four others in stating: "We further, caution our brethren, against the impropriety of the organization of bands of companies, by covenant, oaths, penalties, or secrecies, but let the time past of our experience and sufferings by the wickedness of Doctor Avard suffice, and let our covenants, be that of the everlasting covenant, as it is contained in the holy writ, and the things which God has revealed unto us; pure friendship, always becomes weakened, the very moment you undertake to make it stronger by penal oaths and secrecy." Times and Seasons, pg.133 a monthly periodical After Joseph Smith went to Nauvoo, he again took an interest in secret societies. In fact, it was in Nauvoo that Joseph Smith became a Mason, formed the Council of 50, and established the secret Temple ceremony. Many of the converts to the Mormon Church were Masons or had been Masons in the past. The Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated: "Many members of secret societies have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Evidences and Reconciliations, pg. 113 by John Widtsoe: Bookcraft 1951 On pages 357-358 of the same book, Dr. Widtsoe stated: "With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo. In March of 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nauvoo and to induct new members, Joseph Smith became a member. The following statement is recorded in Joseph Smith's History under the date of March 15, 1842: "In the evening I received the first degree in Freemasonry in the Nauvoo Temple, assembled in my general business office." History of the Church, pg.551 by Joseph Smith] and "the next day I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the subline degree." History of the Church, pg. 552 The Mormons who joined the Masonic lodge soon found themselves in trouble with other members of the fraternity. S. H. Goodwin states: "Not long after this lodge had been set to work, rumors of unusual proceedings therein became a current. Report had it that the Nauvoo brethren set at naught certain established and well-known Masonic laws and usages. This gossip persisted and finally crystallized into open charges. On the 16th day of July following, Bodley Lodge No. 1, of Quincy, held a special meeting called for the purpose of considering the matter and taking action. After discussion, the sentiment of the meeting took the form of resolutions. One of these called upon Grand Master Jonas to suspend the dispensation of Nauvoo Lodge until the annual communication of Grand Lodge. The resolution read: " 'Resolved: That Bodley Lodge No. 1, of Quincy, request of the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinios, that a committee be appointed at the next annual meeting of said lodge to make enquiry into the manner the officers of the Nauvoo Lodge, U.D. were installed, and by what authority the Grand Master initiated, passed and raised Messrs. Smith and Sidney Rigdon to the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, at one and the same time, and that the proceedings of the committee be reported for the benefit of this lodge.' " Mormonism and Masonry, pg. 90, by Cecil McGavin: Salt Lake City, 1956 Finally, the Masons refused to allow the Mormons to continue "a Masonic Lodge at Nauvoo" Mormonism and Masonry, pg. 34. Commonalities 1.
Masonry Dressing Room
Mormon Dressing Room 2.
Masonry Compass Mormon Compass 3.
Masonry Square Mormon Square 4.
Man representing Adam in Masonic ceremony Man representing Adam in
Mormon endowement 5.
Masons present a new name to the candidate Mormons present a new name
to the initiate
6.
Man representing Deity in Masonic ceremony
Man representing God in Mormon
ceremony 7.
Masons and the mallet Mormons and the mallet 8.
Masonic Oath (First Degree) Mormon Oath 9.
Masonic Oath (Second Degree) Mormon Oath “We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal the secrets of this the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Should we do so, we agree to have our breasts cut open and our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies " Temple Mormonism, pg.20
10.
Masonic Name Given Mormon Name Given 11.
Masonic Penalty Sign Mormon Penalty Sign 12.
Masonic Grip Mormon Grip (Slightly
Different Method of Grip)
13.
Masonic Grand Hailing Sign
And Due Guard
Mormon Pay, Lay, Ale 14.
Masonic Apron 15.
Masonic Five-Points of Fellowship Mormon Five-Points of
Fellowship at The Veil Joseph Smith used other Masonic symbols--the beehive, (Utah is known by Mormons as the Beehive State) the all-seeing eye (on the Utah Tabernacle), the clasped hands, and the point within the circle and the list goes on and on. The Masonic square and compass are sewn into the temple undergarments above each breast. There is also a slash sewn in the garment across the abdomen, symbolic of the disemboweling that would be the fate of anyone who reveals the sacred oaths.
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