Mormonism and Freemasonry/Relationship between Freemasonry and temple ceremonies

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Relationship between Freemasonry and temple ceremonies

Relationship between Freemasonry and temple ceremonies

Origins of Freemasonry

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).

Temple endowment and Freemasonry

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.

Should the temple ceremony be based upon an earlier version of Freemasonry?

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?

Freemasonry did not originate with Solomon's Temple

Summary: Why is the endowment considered sacred if Freemasonry is unrelated to Solomon's Temple and has no religious elements?

Alterations to temple ceremonies

Summary: Why was it allowable to alter the temple ceremonies over the years if they were revealed by God?

The ordinance versus the ritual used to present the ordinance

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.