In my studies I found a book at the Idaho Falls Library about the history of masonry. I read about hundreds even thousands of years of masonry--I also looked at a great deal of pictures and captions. It seems that secret passwords and handshakes helped maintain trade skill methods. A club of sorts almost like trade unions. This exclusivity was enforced with gruesome murders. The masonry methodology carried on to military matters. A painting that caught my eye was one of George Washington. He was in a room like the capital. He was wearing an apron over his garb. The apron was the one Satan wears in the temple. I recognized it. George Washington was in the five-points of fellowship. He seemed to be giving the patriarchal grip handshake. On the wall in the background was a beehive. There were other symbols in the room that I recognized as LDS temple symbols like the �square�, sun, moon, etc. I found wording of Masonic oaths then and their wording of their ceremonies is extremely similar to temple ceremonies. When I say similar, I mean much of it word for word.
As I read about the history of Nauvoo and the LDS church at that time, I made a connection. Joseph Smith became a mason. March 16, 1842, Joseph Smith states, �I was with the Masonic lodge and rose to the sublime degree� (History of the Church Volume 4 page 552). May 4, 1842, Joseph Smith introduced the temple endowment ceremony. This replaced the Masonic lodge in Nauvoo. Instead of this organization of men pacted together with masonry, it took on a new name�temple endowments.
As I put the connection together masonry-endowments, I really had something to think about. Secret oaths are a world-way to create commitment. I recall as a kid my father built my brother and I cool clubhouses. One for Girls only and one for Boys only. I recall the idea of saying �Say the secret word to get in�. I find the endowment ceremony a philosophy of men.
Jesus taught contrary to this.
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. John 18:20-21
Secret passwords and handshakes are not open and if you take the threats to life if you share them with anyone seriously secret definitely describes them.
I found the secrets within the endowment a psychological bondage. It prevented peace for me. Somehow this strange ritual was supposed to bring me closer to God but it did not. I had a great many years that I dealt with nightmares. The theme seemed to consistently be connected to my trying to run away, that danger beset. I honestly believe that I needed the freedom of Christ, that Christ was my release to peace. As I have come to understand this, the scripture is sweet to me.
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Isaiah 48:16
I have traded my garments of fear for the garments of praise.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1
With love, Kathy
