I am pained to see Latter-day Saints get carried away in cynicism over the Temple because some elements are linked to modern sources such as Masonry. This is an important theme in some attacks that have gained publicity recently, where it is argued that the Temple is a fraud because it does not contain elements from Solomon’s temple but from modern Masonry. As I explain on my LDSFAQ page on the LDS Temple and Masonry, neither Masonry nor any other modern source explains the ancient majesty of the LDS temple concept, which is completely foreign to the modern world and to Joseph Smith’s world. Numerous aspects of the LDS temple concept such as washings and anointings, baptism for the dead, and the sealing of families have no relationship to Masonry or and/or predate Joseph’s exposure to Masonry, making Masonry a completely inadequate source to explain the content of the Temple. The LDS Temple is much more at home in a very ancient setting and offers strong evidence for an actual Restoration. As for Solomon’s temple, the relationship might be stronger than blind critics could ever see, as I’ll explore below.
[Read more…] about Temple Blindness
freemasonry
An Interesting Quote
I offer up this quote for your collective consideration:
“Because of their Masonic characters the ceremonies of the temple are sacred and not for the public.”
October 15, 1911; Messages of First Presidency, 4: 250.
Hell has frozen over…
Those of us who have followed the history of Masonry in Utah will take note that Grand Master Cook, the first Latter-day Saint ever elected to that office, quotes President Gordon Hinckley in his inaugural address.
Hell hath indeed frozen over. 🙂
