Posted on 08/07/2010 10:39:17 AM PDT by Colofornian
Mormons believe that the higher level of salvation, or exaltation, a person earns after their time on Earth determines the extent of their power and responsibilities throughout eternity. Temple ceremonies on earth are connected to the Mormon view of the hereafter. As can be expected, energetic Mormons have done temple work for just about all of the U.S. presidents and even founding fathers. For a long time, there was one key exception: the eighth U.S. president, Martin Van Buren.
Although it wasn’t true, I was told as a child by more than one adult LDS Church member that temple ceremonies had not been performed for President Van Buren as punishment for his deliberate betrayal to the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith and the early LDS church members. And indeed, Smith was very bitter when, on a visit to Washington D.C. in 1839, President Van Buren emphatically rejected the young church’s pleas to allow church members to settle peacefully in Missouri or at least be paid for their losses at the hands of that state’s anti-Mormon mobs. In early 1840, Smith met again with Van Buren, who uttered these LDS-iconic words: “…your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you.”
Although the incident — to Van Buren — was probably one of many minor annoyances a president had to deal with, to the early, clannish, persecuted Saints, Van Buren became the scapegoat, or at least symbol, of what members perceived as indifference and mistreatment from the federal government. Before he died, Smith said that Van Buren “was not as fit as my dog, for the chair of state; for my dog will make an (effort) to protect his absurd and insulted master …” Later, when the LDS members moved to Utah, then-Prophet Brigham Young condemned Van Buren from the pulpit.
The rumor that Van Buren never had his temple work done probably started in 1877, when then-Prophet Wilford Woodruff oversaw most of the U.S. presidents’ temple work but deliberately left out Van Buren, and 15th U.S. president, James Buchanan, who sent the U.S. Army to Utah in 1857.
In an interesting irony — according to the book, “Presidents and Prophets,” by Michael K. Winder — despite Woodruff’s actions, Van Buren, who died in 1862, had actually been baptized for the dead in the Salt Lake City Endowment House in 1876. However, it was not until 1938, during the tenure of then-Prophet Heber J. Grant, that Van Buren received his full temple endowments. Buchanan had received his six years prior. Still, the long feelings of enmity toward Van Buren that church leaders cultivated for scores of years was strong enough to last well into the latter half of the 20th century.
It’s difficult for people who are not members of the LDS Church to understand the fuss over posthumous baptisms and temple work, but the importance attached to these ordinances by members are part of what makes the LDS Church unique and contributes to the still-quirky image of my faith 180 years since its founding.
Now what does "full temple endowments" include, and who introduced them when?
Well, Joseph Smith did on May 4, 1842, when he applied them for the first time fully to himself. Larry and Tammy Braithwaite wrote a full-length online book called A Mormon Odyssey A Mormon Odyssey. In their chapter on Masonry and the Mormon Temple Ceremony, they mention this date and what happened before and after:
Joseph Smith became a Mason on March 15, 1842 and rose to the sublime degree the following day. This initiation took place in his upper business office or Masonic lodge room (History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 550-551). Only a few weeks after Joseph's initiation into Masonry, he taught the other LDS Church leaders in the same Masonic lodge room. Joseph's interest in Masonry became so infectious that many Mormon elders hastened to follow his lead, and within six months the lodge had 286 candidates. He gave instructions on the principles and order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointing, endowments, and the communication of keys. (Ibid. vol. 5, p. 2) There is no doubt that Joseph's primary interest in Masonry was because of its ritual. Like Solomon, he became a temple builder. Joseph Smith's own temple records indicate his temple endowment took place on May 4, 1842, just seven weeks after his Masonic initiation. In Smith's own words he said: "In the evening I received the first degree in Freemasonry in the Nauvoo Lodge." The next day he stated: "I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree." This qualified Joseph to be a Master Mason. (Ibid. 1842 vol. 4, p. 552) Joseph Smith Sr., Joseph Smith Jr., Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Newel K. Whitney, John C. Bennett, John Taylor, Sidney Rigdon, and other Mormons were Masons. Shortly after their temple endowment ceremonies, Joseph Smith Jr. and other Mormons were expelled from the Masonic order for violating their oaths. It was May 4, 1842 that Joseph Smith introduced the Masonic Ceremony as the Mormon Temple Ceremony and declared that it was "received as a revelation from God." (History of the Church, vol. 5, pp. 1-2) When Dr. Reed Durham, director of the LDS Institute of Religion, made this discovery in 1974 and gave a speech on the subject of the Mormon-Mason connection before the Utah History Association on April 20, 1974, he was highly criticized for making this matter public. He also showed the Jupiter talisman during that speech, and explained that Joseph had carried it on his person since 1826 (the same year he was convicted of money-digging charges and being a believer in magic), and that he had the Jupiter talisman on him at the time of his death. The talisman contains symbols relating to astrology and magic, and there were other magical items discovered at the same time that belonged to Hyrum Smith. Although most Mormon historians do not mention these facts in their church-authorized writings (including Mormon deception, intimidation, repression, theft, and violence as well as other matters that might call into question the sacred nature and integrity of the Mormon experience), they have to admit that the endowment ceremony contains many details that are similar to the Masonic initiation rites of the 1800's, especially since Joseph became a Mason such a short time prior to the "revelation." Source: Masonry & the Mormon Temple Ceremony
Jerry-”There’s a gang named after President Martin Van Buren?”
Kramer-”Yes. And they’re just as mean as he was.”
Very interesting.
Again, from the Braithwaite online book, A Mormon Odyssey: Source: Masonry & the Mormon Temple Ceremony
Similarities Between the Masonic Temple Ceremony
and the Mormon Temple Ceremony, Nauvoo, Ill.
1) Masonic Preparation Room
The candidate is ushered into the preparation room where he meets the Junior Deacon and Stewards who divest him of all his clothing except his shirt. He is then handed an old pair of drawers, which he puts on.
Mormon Dressing Room
The initiate is divested of all his clothing, and then directed to the washing and anointing dressing rooms where he eventually puts on a special pair of under garments.
2) Masonic Compass
The candidate then enters, the Senior Deacon at the same time pressing his naked left breast with the point of the compass.
Mormon Compass
The point of the compass is sewn into the left [breast] of the garment.
3) Masonic Square
As the candidate enters, the angle of the square is pressed hard against his naked right breast.
Mormon Square
The square is sewn into the right side of the garment.
4) Masons Washing Ceremony
Master orders the basin of the perfumed water and a clean napkin to be brought to him, and directs candidate to wash his hands, which he does...Master takes a box of perfumed ointment and anoints candidate on his head, eyes, mouth, heart, the tip of his right ear, hand, foot, and says - "You are now, my dear brother, received a member of our society."
Mormon Washing Ceremony
The initiate is washed, and various organs of his body (head, lips, breast, ears, hand and feet, etc.) are anointed with holy consecrated oil.
5) Masons Presenting New Name To Candidate
"I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION"
Mormon Temple Worker Presents New Name To Candidate
" I give you a new name which you should always remember, and which you must keep sacred, and never reveal ... The name is ____."
6) Man Representing Adam In Masonic Ceremony
Thrice Puissant Grand Master, representing Father Adam, is stationed in the east. (This occurs in the Knight of the Sun Degree.)
Man Representing Adam In Mormon Ceremony
Elohim -- (Turning to the audience) - "This man who is now being operated upon is Michael who helped form the world. When he awakes ... he will be known as Adam"
7) Man Representing Deity In Masonic Ceremony
One of the members now personates the Deity, behind the bush, and calls out "Moses! Moses!" (This occurs in the Royal Arch Degree.)
Man Representing God In Mormon Ceremony
A temple worker dressed in white clothing, representing Elohim, comes from behind the curtain.
8) Masons Use A Mallet
He gives a rap with the common gavel or mallet.
Mormons Use A Mallet
One of the temple workers, ... gives three raps with a mallet.
Masonic entered apprentice vs. First token of the Aaronic Priesthood
9) Masonic Penalty Sign
Made from the due-guard by dropping the left hand carelessly; at the same time raise the right arm and draw the hand, still open, across the throat, thumb next [to] the throat, and drop the hand perpendicular by the side.
Mormon Penalty Sign
"The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side."
10) Masonic Grip
The right hands are joined together as in shaking hands and each sticks his thumb nail into the third joint or upper end of the fore finger.
Mormon Grip
The token is giving by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand.
11) Masonic Wording Concerning The Grip
The Master and candidate holding each other by the grip, as before described, the Master says.
"What is this?"
Ans. "A grip."
"A grip of what?"
Ans. "The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason."
"Has it a name?"
Ans. "It has."
"Will you give it to me?"
Ans. "I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it."
Mormon Wording Concerning The Grip
Peter - "What is that?"
Adam - "The second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood."
Peter - "Has it a name?"
Adam - "It has."
Peter - "Will you give it to me?"
Adam - "I can not, I have not yet received it.
12) Masonic Oath
"... binding myself under no less penalty than to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots ..."
Mormon Oath
"We and each of us, covenant and promise that we will not reveal any secrets of this... Should we do so, we agree that our throats be cut from ear to ear and our tongues torn out by their roots."
Masonic fellow craft vs. Second token of the Aaronic Priesthood
13) Masonic Oath
"...binding myself under no less penalty than to have my left breast torn open and my heart and vitals taken from thence and thrown over my left shoulder."
Mormon Oath
"We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal the secrets of this ... Should we do so, we agree to have our breasts cut open and our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies "
14) Masonic Penalty Sign
"The sign is given by drawing your right hand flat, with the palm of it next to your breast from the left to the right side with some quickness, and dropping it down by your side"
Mormon Penalty Sign
"This is the sign. The Execution of the Penalty is represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the body and dropping the hands to the side."
15) Masonic Grip
"Take each other's hands as in ordinary hand-shaking and press the top of your thumb hard against the space between the first and second knuckles of the right hand."
Mormon Grip
"This token is given by clasping the right hand and placing the joint of the thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand."
16) Masonic Name Given
"Brother, I now present you with my right hand, in token of brotherly love and confidence, and with it the pass-grip and word of a Fellow Craft Mason .... the name of it is Shibboleth."
Mormon Name Given
"The Name of this token is your own first given name."
Masonic Master Mason vs. First and second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood
17) Masonic Sign
"The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows, perpendicular, one each side of the head, the elbows forming a square."
Mormon Sign
"The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head."
18) Masonic Penalty Sign
"The Penal Sign is given by putting the right hand to the left side of the bowels, the hand open, with the thumb next to the belly, and drawing it across the belly, and letting it fall; this is done tolerably quick."
Mormon Penalty Sign
"The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the right hand on the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the hands to the sides."
19) Masonic Oath
"binding myself under no less penalty than to have my body severed in two in the midst..."
Mormon Oath
"We and each one of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal any of the secrets of this... Should we do so, we agree that our bodies be cut asunder in the midst and all our bowels gush out."
20) Masonic Grip
Grasp each other's right hands very firmly, the spaces between the thumb and first finger being in interlocked and the tops of the fingers being pressed hard against each other's wrist where it joins the hand, the fingers of each being somewhat spread.
Mormon Grip (Slightly Different Method of Grip)
The Grip is made by grasping the hand, the forefinger on center of the wrist and little fingers locked.
21) Masonic Grand Hailing Sign And Due Guard
The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows, perpendicularly, one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a square.
The due guard is made by holding both hands in front, palms down.
Mormon Pay, Lay, Ale
The sign is made by elevating both the arms above the head ... the arms dropped to the square,... and then to the sides.
22) Masonic Apron
While the Wardens are examining the candidate, the Master returns to the east and gets an apron, and as he returns to the candidate... The Master then says to the candidate, "Brother, I now have the honor to present you with a lamb-skin or white apron..."
Mormon Apron
Adam-- (Turning to the audience)--"Brethren and sisters, put on your apron."
Masonic raising of Hiram Abiff vs. Mormon Veil
23) Masonic Five-Points of Fellowship as Hiram Abiff's Dead Body is Raised
He (the candidate) is raised on what is called the five points of fellowship, which are foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back and mouth to ear.
Mormon Five-Points of Fellowship at The Veil
"The five points of fellowship are "inside of right foot by the side of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and mouth to ear."
24) Master Mason Raising Candidate
The Master, in raising him, is assisted by some of the brethren, who take hold of the candidate by the arms and shoulders; as soon as he is raised to his feet, they step back, and the Master whispers the word "Mah-Hah-Bone," in his ear, and causes the candidate to repeat it, telling him that he must never give it in any manner other than that in which he receives it. He is told that Mah-Hah-Bone signifies marrow in the bone. They then separate.
Mormon Passing Through The Veil
At the five points of fellowship ... one putting his mouth to the other's ear, in which position The Lord whispers: "This is the name of the token: Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the sinews, power in the priesthood be upon me and upon my posterity through all generations of time and throughout all eternity." The patron repeats the token and then they separate...
Masons should sue the LDS for stealing their rituals.
They’re turned into “Mormons” only in the eyes of Mormons. Who really cares in the end (the true Judgment comes then), but I understand your defense of the honor of your memory of them.
How a group can hijack such things is reprehensible.
I fail to see the relevance of any of this. We will be judged by God according to His measure not mans. Jesus was neither a Mormon, Catholic or Mason and most of the arguments about any denominational or society improprieties are of no consequence.
Thank God for the Freemasons.
The consequences are eternal.
According to the historian Fawn Brodie, this incident is completely false.
Contrary to Mormon accounts, historical records show that Smith -- traveling without the benefit of Sidney Rigdon, who was stuck in a sick bed in Philadelphia suffering from malaria -- made a complete ass of himself. Smith did to meet with several Senators, who launched a full investigation of the events in Missouri. The Senate concluded: (1) there was no federal question upon which they could act, and (2) Missouri was well within its rights, and in fact, had an obligation to protect the lives of its citizens and their property from the Mormon Danites. Van Buren failed to meet with Smith at all.
Smith apparently made up the fanciful tale and Van Buren quote sometime during his return voyage to Nauvoo.
I wonder if the Mormons ever posthumously baptised Lillburn Boggs. Porter Rockwell failed to save him by blood atonement.
“The consequences are eternal.”
I am hardly a theologian, much less an expert on the differences between LDS and Judeo-Christian practices and beliefs.
However, what a believer in a church does in a ritual, would seem to not be of concern to someone of another faith.
Unless one believes in the ritual performed, that is. However, that would seem to be only an issue for the believer performing the ritual.
Arguably, one would assume non-believers would not be concerned.
Granted, the performing of religious rituals in the name of the dead who were not members of that church wherein the ritual was performed is a denial of the beliefs of the dead person.
Whatever.
...and the Masonic rites are heavy into Lucifer worship ....they have their own prophet and savior. Smith had to have very much recognized this from the get go.
Only those unfamiliar with the teachings and rites , oaths, and worship of these groups could make a statement that these are of no consequence.....there are grave consequences as one proceeds thru the various levels...as they are designed to pull people away from Christ and the Bible into a realm of fantasy and deception. Lives are changed and altered from that which Christ intended for these people. As Christians we are called to warn people.
Van Buren failed to meet with Smith at all. Smith apparently made up the fanciful tale and Van Buren quote sometime during his return voyage to Nauvoo.
Face saving story...
_______________________________________
Ya think a conman who would make up a story about meeting with God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ would hesitate to claim he also got to meet a mere president of the United States ???
BTW he may have actually got to go into the White House though...
It was common in those days to just kind of walk in...if you were dressed right and looked right..
There was no fence around the White House and people just came and went...
But most would have stayed out in the outer rooms..
To meet with the president though would have been more difficult...
His Missouri Senator would have had to take him in...
AH maybe...
AH probably not...
Oy vey...
Romans 6:3–6
| Preparation |
Masonic
|
MORMON
|
| 1) Room | The candidate is ushered into the preparation room where he meets the Junior Deacon and Stewards who divest him of all his clothing except his shirt. He is then handed an old pair of drawers, which he puts on. | The initiate is divested of all his clothing, and then directed to the washing and anointing dressing rooms where he eventually puts on a special pair of under garments. |
| 2) Compass | The candidate then enters, the Senior Deacon at the same time pressing his naked left breast with the point of the compass. |
The point of the compass is sewn into the left [breast] of the garment. |
|
3) Square
|
As the candidate enters, the angle of the square is pressed hard against his naked right breast. | The square is sewn into the right side of the garment. |
|
4) Washing Ceremony
|
Master orders the basin of the perfumed water and a clean napkin to be brought to him, and directs candidate to wash his hands, which he does...Master takes a box of perfumed ointment and anoints candidate on his head, eyes, mouth, heart, the tip of his right ear, hand, foot, and says - "You are now, my dear brother, received a member of our society." | The initiate is washed, and various organs of his body (head, lips, breast, ears, hand and feet, etc.) are anointed with holy consecrated oil. |
|
5) Presenting New Name To Candidate |
"I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION" | " I give you a new name which you should always remember, and which you must keep sacred, and never reveal ... The name is ____." |
|
6) Man Representing Adam In Ceremony
|
Thrice Puissant Grand Master, representing Father Adam, is stationed in the east. (This occurs in the Knight of the Sun Degree.) | Elohim -- (Turning to the audience) - "This man who is now being operated upon is Michael who helped form the world. When he awakes ... he will be known as Adam" |
|
7) Man Representing Deity In Ceremony
|
One of the members now personates the Deity, behind the bush, and calls out "Moses! Moses!" (This occurs in the Royal Arch Degree.) | Man Representing God In Mormon Ceremony A temple worker dressed in white clothing, representing Elohim, comes from behind the curtain. |
|
8) Use A Mallet
|
He gives a rap with the common gavel or mallet. | One of the temple workers, ... gives three raps with a mallet. |
|
9) Penalty Sign
|
Made from the due-guard by dropping the left hand carelessly; at the same time raise the right arm and draw the hand, still open, across the throat, thumb next [to] the throat, and drop the hand perpendicular by the side. | "The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the thumb under the left ear, the palm of the hand down, and by drawing the thumb quickly across the throat to the right ear, and dropping the hand to the side." |
|
10) Grip
|
The right hands are joined together as in shaking hands and each sticks his thumb nail into the third joint or upper end of the fore finger. | The token is giving by clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand. |
|
11) Wording Concerning The Grip
|
The Master and candidate holding each other by the grip, as before described, the Master says. "What is this?" Ans. "A grip." "A grip of what?" Ans. "The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason." "Has it a name?" Ans. "It has." "Will you give it to me?" Ans. "I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it." |
Peter - "What is that?" Adam - "The second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood." Peter - "Has it a name?" Adam - "It has." Peter - "Will you give it to me?" Adam - "I can not, I have not yet received it. |
|
12) Oath
|
"... binding myself under no less penalty than to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots ..." | "We and each of us, covenant and promise that we will not reveal any secrets of this... Should we do so, we agree that our throats be cut from ear to ear and our tongues torn out by their roots." |
|
13) Oath
|
"...binding myself under no less penalty than to have my left breast torn open and my heart and vitals taken from thence and thrown over my left shoulder." | "We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal the secrets of this ... Should we do so, we agree to have our breasts cut open and our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies " |
|
14) Penalty Sign
|
"The sign is given by drawing your right hand flat, with the palm of it next to your breast from the left to the right side with some quickness, and dropping it down by your side" | "This is the sign. The Execution of the Penalty is represented by drawing the thumb quickly across the body and dropping the hands to the side." |
|
15) Grip
|
"Take each other's hands as in ordinary hand-shaking and press the top of your thumb hard against the space between the first and second knuckles of the right hand." | "This token is given by clasping the right hand and placing the joint of the thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand." |
|
16) Name Given
|
"Brother, I now present you with my right hand, in token of brotherly love and confidence, and with it the pass-grip and word of a Fellow Craft Mason .... the name of it is Shibboleth." | "The Name of this token is your own first given name." |
|
17) Sign
|
"The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows, perpendicular, one each side of the head, the elbows forming a square." | "The sign is made by raising both hands high above the head." |
|
18) Penalty Sign
|
"The Penal Sign is given by putting the right hand to the left side of the bowels, the hand open, with the thumb next to the belly, and drawing it across the belly, and letting it fall; this is done tolerably quick." | "The Execution of the Penalty is represented by placing the right hand on the left breast, drawing the hand quickly across the body, and dropping the hands to the sides." |
|
19) Oath
|
"binding myself under no less penalty than to have my body severed in two in the midst..." | "We and each one of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal any of the secrets of this... Should we do so, we agree that our bodies be cut asunder in the midst and all our bowels gush out." |
|
20) Grip
|
Grasp each other's right hands very firmly, the spaces between the thumb and first finger being in interlocked and the tops of the fingers being pressed hard against each other's wrist where it joins the hand, the fingers of each being somewhat spread. | The Grip is made by grasping the hand, the forefinger on center of the wrist and little fingers locked. |
|
21) Masonic Grand Hailing Sign And Due Guard Mormon Pay, Lay, Ale |
The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows, perpendicularly, one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a square. The due guard is made by holding both hands in front, palms down. |
The sign is made by elevating both the arms above the head ... the arms dropped to the square,... and then to the sides. |
|
22) Apron
|
While the Wardens are examining the candidate, the Master returns to the east and gets an apron, and as he returns to the candidate... The Master then says to the candidate, "Brother, I now have the honor to present you with a lamb-skin or white apron..." | Adam-- (Turning to the audience)--"Brethren and sisters, put on your apron." |
|
23. Masonic Five-Points of Fellowship as Hiram Abiff's Dead Body is Raised
Mormon Five-Points of Fellowship at The Veil
|
He (the candidate) is raised on what is called the five points of fellowship, which are foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back and mouth to ear. |
"The five points of fellowship are "inside of right foot by the side of right foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and mouth to ear." |
|
24. Master Mason Raising Candidate
Passing Through The Veil
|
The Master, in raising him, is assisted by some of the brethren, who take hold of the candidate by the arms and shoulders; as soon as he is raised to his feet, they step back, and the Master whispers the word "Mah-Hah-Bone," in his ear, and causes the candidate to repeat it, telling him that he must never give it in any manner other than that in which he receives it. He is told that Mah-Hah-Bone signifies marrow in the bone. They then separate. |
Mormon At the five points of fellowship ... one putting his mouth to the other's ear, in which position The Lord whispers: "This is the name of the token: Health in the navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the sinews, power in the priesthood be upon me and upon my posterity through all generations of time and throughout all eternity." The patron repeats the token and then they separate... |
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