Do the Mormon temple ordinances contain Masonic symbols?

Anonymous, 5/6/2008

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El Santo Gringo from La Jolla, California:




Hi friend. It's true that a few Mormon-temple symbols are similar to symbols used by the Masons. It's important to point out, however, that that which is symbolized is very different. The Mormon temple ceremonies are very Christian, but Masonry is not necessarily a Christian organization. According to Greg Kearey, a Mormon who's also a Mason, there are many differences between the teachings and symbols of the two groups, and many of the symbols they have in common are simply common biblical symbols.

Some Mormons believe that the symbols of these two groups are similar because they come from the same source. According to Masonic mythology, Freemasonry was founded by the stonemasons that constructed Solomon's temple. Mormons worship in temples today because they believe that God restored in our days the ancient form of worship had in the temple. Because both Mormons and Masons derive their rituals from the same ancient temple, it makes sense that the rituals of the two groups would share some similarities.

Perhaps this theory has some merit, but I personally doubt this version of history. Most of the historic evidence suggests that Masons had their beginnings in the Middle Ages, and Joseph Smith taught the principle temple ceremony (the endowment) shortly after his brief experience with Masonry.

The temple ceremonies are highly symbolic. God knows that human beings learn well from symbolism, and He has used symbols to teach His children for many millennia, in both the Old and New Testaments. What's important is not the symbol itself, but that which is symbolized. God could have chosen any symbol to represent the sacred promises made in the temple. In fact, the symbols Mormons use in their temples have changed occasionally to improve the teaching process. Since Joseph Smith had had some limited exposure to Masonry and was familiar and comfortable with the symbols of that movement, perhaps God simply suggested that he incorporate a few of the Masonic symbols into the temple ceremony, changing that which was symbolized but maintaining the symbol itself. This example of symbol repurposing is hardly unprecedented; for example, Christmas originally corresponded to a Roman festival celebrating the winter solstice, but its symbols were repurposed to serve Christianity. Similarly, the cherubim over the Ark of the Covenant were originally Assyrian symbols, but they were likewise repurposed to serve Judaism.

Would you like a free copy of the Holy Bible?

Anonymous:


It is true that some early members of the mormon church were masons. Mormons in the 19th century were a very persecuted people. The governor of missouri at one point even authorized the extermination of the mormon people! It is commonly believed that some mormons joined masonry in the 19th century because they were a very influential group. The desperate hope was likely to find some sort of protection for the mormon people. Once mormons fled to utah, there was no real need for protection, so masonry fell out of popularity. In fact, for many decades in the 20th century the masonic lodge of salt lake city did not allow mormons to participate.

While mormons did borrow a few masonic symbols for use in their Cristo-centric temple ceremony, anti-mormons grossly, grossly exaggerate the similarities between masonic and mormon rites. The mormon temple ceremony is all about men and women's relationship with God/Christ. Masonry is not affiliated with any religious movement; it is not necessarily a Christian organization.
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