> As a mason, what is your opinion of the Masons in the Mob who killed Joseph Smith who ignored his plea “Is there no help for the Widow’s Son?”. what do you think of them?
As a Mason, I would have to answer that question on two levels.
First, all Masons are expected to be law-abiding. So being a part of an extra-judicial lynch mob would be wrong, both legally and Masonically.
Second, Joseph Smith would have no claim to Masonic protection if he violated his Masonic oaths, as I am led to conclude that he did. Saying that phrase would be insufficient to save him: it’s not like “abracadabra” — if you aren’t a Mason it just doesn’t work.
Being a Freemason is more than just knowing a few handshakes and passwords and pass-phrases: it is living the principles that are taught. If you give your word to keep something secret — as Joseph Smith did — and then set about violating that word — as Joseph Smith apparently did — then what legitimate expectations can you have, when by giving your word you also accepted penalties for violating it?
In his case, the penalty would have been to be a wilfully perjured individual, void of all moral worth &tc. — at the very least.
> I wold also point out that that is why Mormons do not join Masonic lodges.
That would also explain why I have never met a Mormon mason: they may exist, but I do not know of any. They would probably find it embarrassing to belong, given their founder was a “wilfully perjured individual” from a Masonic viewpoint.
> (My uncles are still asking me to.)
That’s naughty of them. Masons are not supposed to ask others to join: to be a Mason, you must do the asking.