7. What are some differences between Mormon and Masonic rituals?

Critics are quick to bring up similarities, mostly erroneously perceived, but neglect the vast differences.

a) Covenants in the LDS temples are between man and God; in Masonry they are between man and man.

b) In an LDS temple everyone is equal before God; rank in Masonry is very important.

c) Jesus Christ is the central focus in an LDS temple. (Critics claim Joseph Smith received his anti-Trinitarian idea of the Godhead from Masons. However, Masonic ritual refers only to an impersonal God.) However, a few Masonic Rites mention Jesus Christ, including the Knight Templar.

d) Adam and Eve, representing men and women of the world, are important in the LDS ceremony; a male figure, Hiram Abiff, is the hero in Masonic rites. He was the chief builder of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:13, 40, 45; Also called Hurum, 2 Chronicles 2;13; 4:11, 16).

e) The LDS temple includes marriages that continue after death and the sealing of families in an eternal relationship; there is no mention of this in Masonry.

f) The LDS temple includes a plan that enables all mankind to return to God by performing ordinances for those who are deceased; Masonry does not deal with an afterlife or proxy rituals for the dead.

g) Priesthood, or authority from God, is stressed; in Masonry there is only minor reference to authority.

h) Women have an equal part in LDS rituals; women do not take part in Masonic rites. There are women and youth clubs. However, one European Rite allows Women.

i) Mormonism is a church; Masons are a fraternal organization.

j) Latter-day Saint temples have a baptismal font resting on the backs of twelve carved oxen representing the twelve tribes of Israel; even though there was a font on the "backs of twelve oxen" in Solomon's Temple, built by Hiram Abiff, there is no such font in Masonic buildings.

Although Masons do not have a baptismal font upon the backs of twelve symbolic oxen, Latter-day Saint and Masonic ritual have a common point of reference in Solomon's Temple that came to light in Nauvoo. However, the Mormon rites took a completely different direction based on the fact that LDS temple rituals began to emerge from the Church's beginnings. Furthermore, Mormon ritual is based on many other happenings in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and on events in the Western Hemisphere (as recorded in the Book of Mormon) which the Savior visited after his resurrection.

The accuracy of Joseph Smith's development of the LDS temple ceremony is supported by nonbiblical sources that predate Solomon's Temple. Joseph Smith could only have known of these earlier concepts through revelation from God.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be the restoration of a plan that was first developed in our premortal existence. On earth it was first implemented by God the Father and Jesus Christ through Adam and Eve. It continued throughout the Old Testament under the leadership of such prophets as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Malachi. This accounts for elements of the temple ceremony being found here and there in ancient practices, even in pre-Solomon times.

In the meridian of time, Jesus Christ was born, and again organized his Church. Through his death and suffering on the cross, the Son of God brought about resurrection and immortality for all mankind and eternal life for those who keep his commandments and sacred covenants (John 14:15).

After centuries of man-made changes, deletions and additions, Christ's authorized Church ceased to exist until the full and complete ordinances were restored through Joseph Smith. Under the direction of today's prophet, these solemn practices are continued in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

. . .

10. What are the differences between covenants and signs and symbols?

There are two aspects of Masonic and Latter-day Saint ritual: The message (the meaning) and the messenger or methodology (signs and symbols). Which is more important? Obviously, the message. Symbols without a message or meaning are useless.

As far as the Latter-day Saint temple endowment (the message) is concerned, it was mostly in place prior to the Nauvoo period of the Church. The message is the heart of the temple ceremony. Although of ancient origin, it is unique to the LDS Church in our day, but most of the temple ceremony can be found in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and numerous ancient texts that preceded Solomon's time. (See questions 13, 14 and 17 for further information.)

Most other ancient texts were not known or available in Joseph Smith's day. This is strong evidence that inspiration from God was involved in the LDS temple endowment message. The message is completely different from Masonry, according to those who are both Masons and Mormons that I have talked to or read about.