Was Joseph Smith A Mason?

[VideoGameJunkie]

Temple content comment removed

[AndyDnom]

yes, and yes.

 

although when i went through the temple i was told that Adam invented the temple ceremony, and its been passed down through him, occasionally corrupted into what we call "freemasonry" and then restored to its celestial form through joseph smith, brigham young, and the 10-20 changes that have been made between Brigham Young and now.

 

Personally, I think Joseph Smith believed in Light and Dark Masonry (see George Miller's podcasts with Mormon Expression to learn more about this ) and it also explains how the Book of Mormon can rail against secret combinations, but also be pro-masonic.

[Rivers]

I've heard it said that there is a difference between the endowment and the presentation of the endowment.  Masonry is the vehicle by which the endowment is presented.

 

The fact that Joseph Smith was a mason also sheds some light on his final words.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Rivers

[rick7475]

His father, uncles, and older brother were masons for much longer. I believe Joseph Smith only went for a few times. I also recall some early Christian documents about temple ordinances similar to masonic rites.

[VideoGameJunkie]

Ok that's what I thought, but I know we got the temple ceremony right.

[omni]

His father, uncles, and older brother were masons for much longer. I believe Joseph Smith only went for a few times. I also recall some early Christian documents about temple ordinances similar to masonic rites.

I believe it was the Mormon Stories podcast where an active LDS and master mason explained that Joseph was very involved in masonry and the Nauvoo lodge was one of the busiest in the country because of Joseph's insistence/encouragement on the saint's participation. He also confirmed what most experts believe that masonry started in the fifteenth century dispelling the myth that it dates back to the time of Solomon's Temple.

[VideoGameJunkie]

But why would he be involved in masonry when he already has Mormonism?

[omni]

But why would he be involved in masonry when he already has Mormonism?

You're allowed to do both, but for some time LDS were not allowed to become Masons because of the belief that Joseph plagiarized their ceremony.

[theplains]

I came across a document on Freemasonry some time ago and uploaded it to scribd.  There

is more to it than meets the eye. The author (not specified) apparently went through all the

degrees. I found it interesting in that there's also a reference to a 'golden plate' which is

buried in the earth.

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Calm]

If the author is not specified, how do you know he was ever actually a Mason?

[Tsuzuki]

Yes, Joseph Smith was a Mason, and very public about it.

[Stone holm]

yes, and yes.

 

although when i went through the temple i was told that Adam invented the temple ceremony, and its been passed down through him, occasionally corrupted into what we call "freemasonry" and then restored to its celestial form through joseph smith, brigham young, and the 10-20 changes that have been made between Brigham Young and now.

 

Personally, I think Joseph Smith believed in Light and Dark Masonry (see George Miller's podcasts with Mormon Expression to learn more about this ) and it also explains how the Book of Mormon can rail against secret combinations, but also be pro-masonic.

Masonry is not a secret combination , secret combinations are ones whose very existence is secret. Under your definition we would be considered such.

[thesometimesaint]

Yes he was a Mason, anything beyond that simple fact is speculative at best.

[JLHPROF]

I consider certain essential parts of the Temple endowment to be eternal, and the theatrical delivery component to have changed frequently through the course of history.

And since the essential parts of the endowment have remained the same throughout history, why should it surprise anyone that pieces and similiarities are found in masonry, early christianity, ancient egyptian rites, far eastern philosophies, and more.

 

The fact that Joseph saw things in masonry that led to questions that brought some revelation and the restoration of the endowment should be the last reason someone starts to question mormonism.

[Tacenda]

I came across a document on Freemasonry some time ago and uploaded it to scribd. There

is more to it than meets the eye. The author (not specified) apparently went through all the

degrees. I found it interesting in that there's also a reference to a 'golden plate' which is

buried in the earth.

Thanks,

Jim

I never knew about the gold plate reference, do you have a link? That's very interesting. I think Mormonism and Masonry are nearly the same. Both want to climb the ladder, so to speak, to Godhood, and do good in the world, but doing work for the dead is different.

[thesometimesaint]

They are not nearly the same. There are substantial and significant differences. That being said you can be both a Mason and a Mormon. We have at least one that I know of on this MB.

[Stone holm]

They are not nearly the same. There are substantial and significant differences. That being said you can be both a Mason and a Mormon. We have at least one that I know of on this MB.

I used to be a Mason and know of several others. I was once told that the Pratt Brothers were led to JS by seeing Masonic symbols in the sky. Not sure it would be appropriate to discuss the similarities and differences. There is, however, a great book which is sympathetic to both freemasonry and Mormonism, entitled I believe Masonry and Mormonism. It is a great book.

[pogi]

He was a Mason.  In fact, his last words were a masonic sign of distress.  According to Masonic code, any Mason hearing the call of distress is bound to come to their aid.  It is believed that he was crying out for mercy from those fellow Masons in the mob to save him and his friends. 

 

"Zina D. H. Young wrote in 1878:

I am the daughter of a Master Mason [Heber C. Kimball]! I am the widow of a Master Mason [Joseph Smith] who, when leaping from the window of Carthage jail pierced with bullets, made the Masonic sign of distress; but...those signs were not heeded"

 

http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith/Martyrdom/Masonic_cry_of_distress

[VideoGameJunkie]

What were his last words?

[JLHPROF]

 "Zina D. H. Young wrote in 1878:

I am the daughter of a Master Mason [Heber C. Kimball]! I am the widow of a Master Mason [Joseph Smith] who, when leaping from the window of Carthage jail pierced with bullets, made the Masonic sign of distress; but...those signs were not heeded"

 

http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith/Martyrdom/Masonic_cry_of_distress

 

Heber C. Kimball was not Zina's father.  Her father was WIlliam Huntington.

[pogi]

With his hands raised he exclaimed "Oh Lord my God…"  The full distress call is, with hands raised,"Oh Lord my God, is there no help for the widows son?"  It is believed that he was shot before being able to finish the distress call.  

[pogi]

Heber C. Kimball was not Zina's father.  Her father was WIlliam Huntington.

 

Huh, I guess they got that one wrong.  It was taken from - Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia (Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Company, 1901), Vol. 1, 698

 

I wonder if they meant Helen Mar Kimball who was the only daughter of Heber C. Kimball and was also married to Joseph Smith. 

Edited November 18, 2013 by pogi

[halconero]

Personal opinion:

 

Joseph was commanded to become a Mason, to participate in the rites, and to begin their introduction and reformation into the Church.

 

Also, I believe that Jesus' profession was not a carpenter, but an engineer/stonemason. The greek word "tekton" used to describe Joseph and Jesus' occupations does not necessarily mean a wood worker, but was also applied to designers, iron workers, and stonemasons. 

 

We find numerous references to stone, rock and its use in architecture, but little to wood. Jesus does not teach any wood metaphors, but does call himself the chief cornerstone. His intellectual enemies did not berate him for not knowing how to build a temple, but that he couldn't in such short a time.

 

I won't make any guesses as to the origins of the Freemasons, but I will say that stone-working, and architecture are not concepts foreign to the Gospel.

[strappinglad]

Maybe Joseph was a carpenter who made scaffolding and forms for the stonemasons. Union rules you know.

[Stone holm]

Personal opinion:

 

Joseph was commanded to become a Mason, to participate in the rites, and to begin their introduction and reformation into the Church.

 

Also, I believe that Jesus' profession was not a carpenter, but an engineer/stonemason. The greek word "tekton" used to describe Joseph and Jesus' occupations does not necessarily mean a wood worker, but was also applied to designers, iron workers, and stonemasons. 

 

We find numerous references to stone, rock and its use in architecture, but little to wood. Jesus does not teach any wood metaphors, but does call himself the chief cornerstone. His intellectual enemies did not berate him for not knowing how to build a temple, but that he couldn't in such short a time.

 

I won't make any guesses as to the origins of the Freemasons, but I will say that stone-working, and architecture are not concepts foreign to the Gospel.

Having been a Master Mason and been through both Scottish and York Rites, I know of nothing in Masonic lore that supports the idea that either Jesus or Joseph were masons or engineers. What is the basis of this belief?