When was Joseph Smith ever given a revelation that he should be justified in committing plagiarism?
As a High Priest, you should ask yourself when was Jesus ever justified in committing plagiarism? Did he not speak the same words as those old men in the OT. Oh wait, they were prophets. Does the Book of Mormon also commit plagiarism because if has prophesy, revelations and the very words of Christ as spoken in the old world? Is God a changeable God, or does he speak the same to all his children? Why would the temple ordinances and practices handed down through different dispensations have to be different? I would think that you would expect them to be the same given what you understand about dispensations and God's dealing with men on earth?
I would say that God is the same. But in Mormonism it seems that God is always changing his mind on things. Just look at where Mormonism is now compared to 150 years ago. Adam is no longer God the Father. Blood atonement is out. Jackson County Missouri is no longer talked about as being the centerplace of Zion. Monogamy is no longer a great evil institution. The Book of Abraham is no longer considered by LDS scholars to be a translation of a record written upon papyrus by Abraham. The ancestors of the American Indians are no longer the descendants of Father Lehi who were kept hidden from the knowledge of all other nations. Immediate death is no longer the Lord's law for interracial marriage. Polygamy is no longer required for exaltation. The Law of Vengeance is gone. The penalties and five points of fellowship are gone.
>> Why would the temple ordinances and practices
>> handed down through different dispensations have
>> to be different? I would think that you would
>> expect them to be the same given what you
>> understand about dispensations and God's dealing
>> with men on earth?
The origination of the Masonic ceremonies was around the renaissance or late middle ages years amongst the construction workers. It was not handed down from ancient origins with the five points of fellowship, tokens with names, signs and penalties; and other wordings that are so consistent between the 1843 Masonic rites and the 1843 Endowment introduced by Joseph Smith. Interestingly, there is more in common between the 1843 Masonic rites and the 1843 LDS Endowment than there are between the 2007 LDS Endowment and the 1843 LDS Endowment. Claims that the Masonic ceremonies are of ancient origin is what's called "bearing false witness"; and I think many Freepers would know what the Bible says about bearing false witness.