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: 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 of Mormonism often confuse an ordinance with the manner in which the ordinance is administered. They there claim that changes to the presentation of the ordinance are not allowed.
