Why are the Mormon Temple Rituals just like the Masonic Lodge Intiation Rituals?

Question

If you study these secret/sacred rituals (which can easily be discovered through many published works and websites), they are almost identical. The handshakes, gruesome oaths, penalty signs, and even the wearing of aprons are almost identical between Mormonism and the Masonic Lodge. What's up?

Answer 1

If you look at the history of Joseph Smith, he joined the Masonic Lodge on the trip west. The materials from the lodge show up in the temple ceremonies because they were lifted by Joseph Smith from the Masons!

Answer 2

Ever thought maybe the Masonic rituals came from someone who knew the temple rituals and not the other way around? The gospel we believe in, yes even all those scary temple rituals, we believe were taught to Adam and Eve...and have been around since then whenever there was a house/temple dedicated to the Lord through the correct Priesthood...why then could one not also assume someone formed the Masonic rituals stemming from the original temple ceremonies????
(There are no "gruesome oaths" by the way...everything in the temple is symbolic and sacred.)

Answer 3

I understand the information on the LDS Temple worship is published on the web. I also understand a lot of misinformation and speculation is also published on the web as the information. Good luck sorting out the fact from the fiction. It is sacred and not meant to be out there for people who are not ready to learn the concepts since as you can see on this board even simple religious concepts are often made light of and used to harden people's hearts against the Lord.

The Masons have never confirmed their information is printed on the web. I did catch one documentary that promised to expose their secret ceremony and had to laugh . . . you see the initiation of officers in the Masons, Eastern Star and Rainbows are public ceremonies. The reporter just didn't know enough to know this or was a Mason trying to give th public what they wanted after the DaVinci Code. A requirement of all Masons is to memorize their beliefs and it is never to be recorded . . . today, it is strictly passed down by word of mouth. A new mason spends a lot of time memorizing all the information.

I am a former Rainbow girl--prior to joining the LDS Church. We did wander into the Masonic portion of the lodge and later learned this area is totally private and not for non Masons to enter. I am Mormon, I have been to the Temple . . . there is absolutely no resemblance that I can discern in the physical buildings or decorations. I can tell you further the Rainbow Girl rituals have nothing in common with Temple worship, but are supposed to be in the same pattern format as the Eastern Star and the Masons. I suspect the Masonic ritual is the same and meetings are started with a ritual and then go to a business meeting. Most ritual is used in new member initiation. The use of ritual at their meetings would be very different than than the worship, ordinances and instruction of the LDS Temple.

I have read several say Joseph Smith joined the Masons. This is true and as soon as he did, he backed out. It is possible there is an element of the original temple ceremony in the Mason rituals. It is possible these elements lead Joseph to pray and ask for the information and truths that were revealed to him. I have read the criticism of how many of his revelations were received. Yesterday, I caught a fascinating show on Mysteries of the Bible. A prominent Jewish Rabbi and scholar pointed out that Israel literally means "Struggles with God." He further pointed out the Bible is a record of the results of man's struggles and questioning God. He also pointed out no other religious book came about in this fashion. We are just at a point in history further away from those struggles so we often fail to miss this point when we study the Bible. So before you criticize Joseph Smith and you feel like the early LDS Church changed their doctrine in response to various situations, just realize that going to God with questions and receiving answers has been the pattern of how the Bible and JudeoChristianity developed throughout Biblical history.

PS The information in the LDS Temple comes from the Bible. You would be familiar with the information.

Answer 4

Joesph Smith was a Mason yes and when he got the boot he took the rituals with him. I have not researched all what Mormans do but I have seen Masonic oaths and ritual used. I have also seen old forms which were much like the forms used to join the masons needing two backers or signers etc. Also I have seen pictures of Mormons using aprons. This is not by chance as some try to state above.

in my first link see sections (545, 546, and 547):

Answer 5

I'm not a Mason, so I don't know. But I have heard there are similarities. I like whozethere's answer the best, as she seems to have as close to first hand knowledge as is possible for a woman about the Mason's, and has been through the Temple. My thought is, unless you are or have been both a Mason and a Mormon, you don't know for sure.

Answer 6

First of all, they are not just like the Masonic rituals. Your sources are either flawed or you are not understanding something.
Second, similarities exist between the way the Catholic Church (and many protestant Church's) holds mass and Masonic rituals as well. Further, Masonic rituals have many things in common with Jewish forms of worship.
Hand gestures have always been apart of worship, as to is the wearing of holy robes. They are not the same in Masonic and Mormon rituals. I don't know what you are talking about with gruesome oaths and penalty signs.
Finally, the Mormon Temple is set up to teach truths about Jesus Christ and mankind's relationship with Him. This is done in mostly a symbolic fashion. What symbols Mormons choose to use to explain mankind's complete reliance upon God and Jesus Christ don't matter that much, as long as the point gets across. If Joseph Smith choose to use similarities in Catholic, Protestant, and even Masonic worship, what is wrong with that, as long as it teaches good and wholesome principles.

Answer 7

you are under a wrong impression as there may be similarities in these but they are not exactly alike. many Fraternal Orders have similar degree work but are very different in certain areas. the basic differences in one Religious Belief System and another are the NAMES which they refer to GOD as and the Rituals and Ceremonies which are performed in their Religious Services.

Answer 8

Wasn't Joseph Smith a Mason? It would make sense in that light.

Answer 9

Joseph Smith was a Mason and stole the ceremony. There are some that believe that the mob that killed him were actually created by the Masons to assasinate Joseph Smith.

Answer 10

A very close union among Freemasons, Rosicrucians, Mormons, Occult Churches, Scientologists is in appearance. Such rituals make them attract the members and the prospects.