Mormons:Do you have to become a free mason to become a Mormon?

Question

Inside and outside your temples, plus the masonic markings on your Mormon Under garments, all have: compass and squares; bull statues; all-seeing eyes; Pyramids; etc,etc, which are displayed at all free mason locations, as well as some Jehovah's Witnesses Assembly halls. Obviously, there must be some kind of connection?

Answer 1

Shhhh! Don't tell the poor LDS folks. Joseph Smith and his brother joined the Masons, loved the funky rituals and symbols, adopted them into LDS and then forbid LDS from joining the Masons. Joseph decided he could make more money selling masonic image enhanced underwear.

Answer 2

As you don't know much about history...



So to keep it short and to the point, though many conspiracy theories abound, yet Freemasonry was very popular in colonial America and has continued to grow. Pretty much any male can be a Freemason, you do not have to be connected, sponsored or recommended by another member, and they have very simple requirements that most anyone can meet.



Members of Freemasonry reads like a huge list of significant and often famous figures in United States history up to today, pioneers/frontiersmen, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Supreme Court Justices and others of the political and legal professions, Military leaders, Corporate & Business leaders, leaders of science, the arts and music, famous inventors, athletes, astronauts, different races including Native American and African American, and leaders/scholars in various faiths such as Baptist, Christian Scientist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and even Catholic.



Yet, much is made, primarily by 'religious intolerants', of supposed similarities between certain religious rites of Mormons and the ceremonies of Freemasonry (not a religion - their view). Conveniently overlooked is the fact that such similarities exist in many other institutions also. Freemasonry, as the oldest (by it’s claims) fraternity in the world, certainly had its ceremonies and forms copied either consciously or unconsciously throughout the past 3 or 4 centuries. Likewise, its [Freemason] forms and ceremonies did not arrive 'fully-formed' and have elements from institutions, beliefs, and societies well before their own existence. Whether any of this 'proves' that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet or that Mormonism is a false religion is specious at best.



A very, very short list of well-known, American, Masonic members: John Hancock - the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and President of the Continental Congress, Patrick Henry - American colonial patriot, President George Washington, Benjamin Franklin - During his stay in France, he became Master of the Lodge Les Neuf Sœurs in 1779, President Andrew Jackson, both Lewis and Clark, Daniel Boone, James Bowie, David Crockett, “Buffalo Bill”, “Kit” Carson, all American frontiersmen/pioneers...



That small list is hardly scratching the surface. And don’t forget Joseph Smith. He was a very intelligent man, maybe he too had a good reason for wanting to be a member...





If you want to know more...



www.lds.org



and/or



www.mormon.org





If you really want to know more...

Answer 3

No, although hundreds of early Latter-day Saints were.



Regarding free masonry, after Joseph Smith was introduced to it he said this. [Freemasonry] "was taken from priesthood but has become degenerated. But many things are perfect."



Joseph Smith learned of many things as he became curious and first asked God.



He lived by the scripture in James 1:5-6 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."



Latter-day Saints are commanded to be extremely careful about what they say about what we do in our temples. Not because we wish to be secretive, but because what is discussed is considered so sacred, and should be approached with the same faith that James speaks of.

Answer 4

Not Mason markings. Temple of Jesus Christ markings. Masons trace their history back to the Temple of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. (as told by Josephus in his book called Josephus).



Until recently Mormons were not allowed to be Masons. And Masons were not allowed to be Mormons. There was bad blood on both sides.



So to say that Masons and Mormons are somehow interconnected is just plain silly. One is a fraternal organization, the other is the most dynamic and important religion in the World.



Aside from that the rituals are completely different. It is like comparing apples and baseballs or something. Not even in the same ball park, really.



http://Mormon.org Chat.





God bless.

Answer 5

a lot of the early mormons especially were masons....they built the temples....but the markings you talk of are not necessarily "masonic" in nature. they have been used by the masons, yes, but they originated elsewhere (ie: all seeing eye - omnipresent God, egypt, etc)

http://www.fairlds.org/authors/misc/ask-the-apologist-similarities-between-masonic-and-mormon-temple-ritual

garments are a private symbolic representation of promises between an individual and God made in the temple. not all LDS (aka mormons) attend the temple...thus not all LDS members wear garments.

http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_temples/Garments

Answer 6

No, When Joseph and Brigham were in Nauvoo, they were both participating in Free Masonry. I believe that there were others as well. This inevitably led them to ask questions about the Masonic symbols. Typically, God answered their questions as they asked them. Therefore, it is my speculation that when they asked God, He revealed to them the true origins of those symbols and what they mean. Thus, what we see in the temples and on our garments represent the covenants we make with God in the temples. What connection they still have with Masonics, I do not know. It is my speculation that the ancient origin of the Masonic symbols were corrupted from the original symbols possessed by the ancient Biblical patriarchs, such as Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Moses. Yes, I believe that they have been around that long. Joseph did not come up with them by himself and no, he did not steal them from the Masons. The symbols may look the same but the meaning has been corrected from what the Masons offered.

There is a book out from Deseret Book Publishing entitled Mormons and Masons. It explores this connection. No, I have not read it yet but it is on my to do list.

Answer 7

Nope! I'm a lifelong member of the LDS church and I'm not a Mason. I don't think they allow women as members.



Bull statues? Don't know where you got this little bit of garbage info but it's wrong.

Answer 8

Mormanism and Freemasonry actually have little in common. I know a great many Masons, none of whom are Morman. You can most certainly be one without the other. In fact, 99% are.

Answer 9

Actually the Freemasonry is made up of mainly protestant men, and the Masonry is more of a philanthropological society than anything else.

Answer 10

Most religions will take your money without requiring other memberships.

Answer 11

I'M AN ATHEIST, AND I EVEN KNOW THAT THAT'S RETARTED XD

HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT!!!??!?

YOU'RE AN IDIOT.

BAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAH

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS BRO.