Smith wore a "Jupiter talisman," or what his wife called "his Masonic jewel," and LDS temple ceremonies bear a striking resemblance to Masonic rituals, he said. The speech was so controversial that Durham's superiors in the LDS Educational System forced him to issue a public apology. The speech was never published but was surreptitiously taped and has floated around on the Internet for years. It may have also caught Brown's attention, Shugarts speculates, and may provide one plot twist in Brown's next book, tentatively titled The Solomon Key.
Brown confirmed in a speech last year that the book's mystery will be set in Washington, D. He provides a broad history of Mormonism, including its brush with Masonry in the 19th century. It also offers nuggets about Masonic history such as these: At least eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons, as were 13 U.
A Freemason released Paul Revere from British custody on the night of his famous ride, after he determined that Revere was a Mason. The Washington Monument and a similar monument on Bunker Hill in Boston, were not just coincidentally shaped like an Egyptian obelisks, but intentionally designed to honor Masonic allusions to ancient Egyptian mystical wisdom.
Much of the symbolism is mathematical, even geometrical, which could explain why the fraternity has attracted rationalists such as Voltaire, Goethe, Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain.
Today there are nearly 2 million Masons in the United States, with 2, members in 29 Utah lodges. Gilmour was adamant the Masonry is not a "secret society," but a fraternal order with large-scale charitable giving built on deeply held American values of family, God and country. It remains to be seen how much Mormon history will feature in the novel, Brown's wife reportedly was raised in the LDS Church but if the reaction to Durham's speech is any indication, any link between the two could be controversial in Utah.
For his part, Nicholas S. Literski, an active Mormon and Mason living in Nauvoo, thinks Latter-day Saints misunderstand the similarities. But they are significant. Everything about Joseph and his family was tied into Masonic legends. How can my husband learn more about the Priesthood?
How can I help my new convert wife strengthen her testimony? Are church members today Masons? Who is Gramps? Learn about Clay Gorton The man behind Gramps. All Rights Reserved. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. Pratt, who was on a mission in England. Mormons in Nauvoo who experienced both Masonic rites and the endowment acknowledged similarities between some elements of the two ceremonies, but they also testified that the endowment was the result of revelation.
Emphasis on the similarities between the teaching styles and outward forms of Masonry and the temple endowment obscures significant differences in their substance. Masonic ceremonies promote self-improvement, brotherhood, charity, and fidelity to truth for the purpose of making better men, who in turn make a better society.
The endowment employs similar teaching devices, but it draws primarily upon the revelations and inspired translations given to Joseph Smith for its content. Another significant difference between Masonic rituals and the endowment was access. Moreover, most Masonic groups excluded women. Many women in Nauvoo were prepared for this ordinance through their involvement in the Relief Society. Grid View. Cook says "Freemasonry should be an adjunct to your faith and not a barrier to its exercise.
Cook said he will focus on the fraternal tenets of brotherly love, belief and truth. Mike Terry, Deseret Morning News. Mitt Romney says young people are key With a stroke of Gov. Sign up for the newsletter Morning Edition Start your day with the top stories you missed while you were sleeping. Thanks for signing up! Check your inbox for a welcome email. Email address required. First Name. Last Name. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy.
The Latest. All are safe after gunmen rob 70 missionaries, assault mission president and his wife during zone conference in Mexico By Tad Walch.
0コメント