Joseph Smith’s Masonic Apron. Circa 1842–1844. Abraham Jonas, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, formally organized a Masonic lodge in Nauvoo, Illinois, on 15 March 1842. Although a number of Latter-day Saints had joined the fraternity previously, Joseph Smith had not. He was initiated into Freemasonry on 15 March and raised a Master Mason the following day. Masons wore aprons to symbolically protect their clothing. Smith's personal apron, shown here, was made of silk backed with muslin. (Courtesy Community of Christ Library-Archives, Independence, MO. Photograph by Val Brinkerhoff.)