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

"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 an unprecedented 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. William Morgan supposedly disclosed the "secrets" of Masonry, for which he was purportedly murdered.

In 1844 Smith created the Relief Society, a women's organization, in Nauvoo. Meetings were held in a room above the general store. Smith may have disclosed many of the Masonic secrets to the women in the Relief Society. This appears to have antagonized a number of Masons, as membership in Freemasonry was restricted to males. Some scholars

When Smith was martyred, it was recorded that he raised his hands in the air and proclaimed, "My Lord and my God" before he was assailed with bullets. This phrase is the beginning of a Masonic plea for help, and it appears Smith was making a last-ditch effort to appeal to or identify Masons who might be among the mob that assassinated him.

Similarities between Mormon worship and Freemasonry

Similarities include handshakes and oaths, the symbols of aprons and beehives, and frequent references to breastplates, the Urim and Thummim, and Melchizedek the priest.

On May 4, 1842, 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). See Endowment (Mormonism).

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. 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.

• Enoch in the Masonic Legends passed down ancient wisdom and hid them under a Mt Moriah on a golden plate. 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.

Freemasonry and modern Mormonism

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. 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).

References

• Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration
• ; edited by Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera; Signature Books: Salt Lake City; 2005; ISBN 1560851864
• Freemasonry in Context: History, Ritual, Controversy by Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris; Lexington Books; Lanham, MD; 2004
• by David John Buerger; Signature Books: Salt Lake City; 2002; ISBN 1560851767
• Wife of Two Martyrs: Lucinda Pendleton (Morgan Harris Smith) by Todd Compton; Signature Books: Salt Lake City; 1997; ISBN 156085085X