LDS Temple Endowment Origin

I never knew the striking similarities between the temple endowment and Freemasonry.

To go along with the controversial episode of Big Love airing this weekend, my next posts will be on some of the elements of Temple worship that surprised and contributed to my questioning of the divinity of the LDS church. What goes on in LDS temples is indeed a touchy subject for Mormons, with the declaration that these activities are "sacred, not secret." Out of respect I will discuss the issue without specifics from the current temple ceremonies.

Although I never knew it before, and it is not openly discussed in the LDS community, there are indisputable similarities between the temple endowment and the rites of Freemasonry. Joseph Smith was initiated as a Freemason March 15, 1842. He then introduced the full endowment ceremony on May 4, 1842, just 7 weeks later. The similarities are varying, from subtle to blatant. A collection of some of the similarities can be found on Wikipedia.

Some examples:
The square and compass play a key role in both ceremonies and are both featured extensively in the architecture of each organization (along with other symbols).


Both use similar or identical language, handshakes, new names, keys, signs, and tokens. Both utilized the "Five Points of Fellowship" and graphic death penalties (although both have been done away with in the mormon ceremony...see my future post on changes to the endowment). Both use similar robes and progressive changes to the clothing during the proceedings. Both are presented as a dramatic reenactment.

Critics have gone as far as crying plagiarism. FAIR contends that the similarities are "superficial," and that at most freemasonry was just a "preparation" for Joseph Smith receiving the "true ordinance" by revelation. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism explains that the Freemason ceremony may have descended directly from Solomon's Temple, and was restored to its "true form" by Joseph Smith. This appears to be the theory espoused by Joseph Smith:

"In a letter to Parley P. Pratt, written three months after Joseph became a Master Mason, Heber C. Kimball observed that: 'There is a similarity of Priesthood in Masonry. Brother Joseph says Masonry was taken from the Priesthood, but has degenerated. But many things are perfect.'

Later, he explained that:
'The Masonry of today is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing.'"
WAS FREEMASONRY DERIVED FROM MORMONISM? By Eugene Seaich

The problem here is that while at the time it was believed that Freemasonry dated back to Solomon's time, it is now believed the fraternal organization had its beginnings during the middle-ages. Could it be that the timing of the endowment's introduction and the similarities in ceremonies is merely coincidence? Possibly, but the evidence should be enough to make anyone skeptical. At best the endowment is an "adaptation" of the masonic rites using the doctrine and principles Smith had already taught.

For a long-winded response to critics, see Jeff Lindsey's Site.

This article in the Deseret News is also interesting as the Utah Grand Master discusses the relationship between Mormonism and Masonry.