Mormonism and Freemasonry/Relationship between Freemasonry and temple ceremonies

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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.

The use of ritual in gospel ordinances

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

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.