Relationship between Freemasonry and temple ceremonies
Summary: When studying the relationship between Mormonism and the fraternal order known as Freemasonry it is important to acknowledge and understand the perspective expressed by nineteenth century Latter-day Saints. This article includes examples of what some Mormons thought about where the rites and teachings of the Masons came from (some of these people were also Masons).
Summary: Some critics of Mormonism see similarities between the rites of Freemasonry and LDS temple ceremonies and assume that since Joseph Smith was initiated as a Freemason shortly before he introduced the Nauvoo-style endowment he must have plagiarized elements of the Masonic rituals. This viewpoint leads them, in turn, to conclude that the LDS endowment is nothing but a variant form of Masonic initiation and therefore not from a divine source.
Summary: It is claimed that the LDS temple ordinances were either made up by Joseph Smith or borrowed, by him, from an earthly source.
Summary: It is claimed that Joseph Smith copied Masonic material in order to create the LDS temple rites
Summary: If the temple ceremony is based upon Freemasonry, why doesn’t it more closely resemble an earlier form of Freemasonry than that of Joseph Smith's day?
Summary: Why is the endowment considered sacred if Freemasonry is unrelated to Solomon's Temple and has no religious elements?
Summary: Why was it allowable to alter the temple ceremonies over the years if they were revealed by God?
Summary: Critics point out that a former version of the endowment used to contain mention of various "penalties" associated with the breaking of the temple covenants. They use this fact to claim that the temple encouraged violence or vengeance against those who violated its covenants, or that the Church sought to use fear to motivate members to keep their covenants, however, critics misrepresent this part of the temple ceremony, which is relatively easy to do since members endowed since April 1990 will have had no direct experience with the penalties mentioned.
