Overview of Heart of the Matter Broadcast

Tempples Part II – Freemasonry
June 20th 2006

Welcome to Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology.! Is this a live call-in show? YES! (801) 973-TV20 / 973-8820

Can I email a question in instead? YES!
Heart@ TV20.TV

Do you have website support where we can actually watch previous shows over and over and over again for free? YES!
www.bornagainmormon.com

Is this show rebroadcast during the week too? YES!
Tuesday mornings at 11:00 am

Does the show actually air in Idaho? YES!
We welcome our Idaho viewers.

Did the Heart of the Matter Church Scouts make it out last Sunday?
YES! And boy do we have a recommendation for you.
Sandy Ridge Community (www.sandyridge.org)
Worship
Bible Teaching
Best of all is the Pastor – kind, insightful, intelligent, and a very good man to meet LDS searching for another Church.

Now wait a minute, this can’t possibly be true can it . . . but are you hosting a gathering at Sugarhouse Park this coming Sunday at 4:00 pm? YES!

Are you really going to have live worship? YES!

Is everyone invited to attend? Christian? Mormon? Mistians? YES! (everybody except assassins).

What do we bring? YES! (I mean . . . food, drink, blankets, stream, etc.)

Shout out to inmates at the Point of the Mountain!

Finally, we’re producing a live call-in show that caters to high school age kids. If you or someone you know loves the Lord, isn’t shy, and would like to audition as host of the show, please email me at shawn@born-again-mormon.com.

Foundation of Human Worship and Belonging

Alright, enough business. Let’s get to work. How about we pray first?

A number of shows ago I mentioned that God placed in human beings the need to worship. This is true. Most human beings also have a need to belong to something, to be a part of a grand movement, to serve in a recognizable capacity socially. Humans also abhor a vacuum. We need to have gaps filled. (Story of brain injured people).

Certainty, order, absolutes make existence much easier for humans than mystery or chaos. Providing certainty, direction, and opportunities to belong was important to the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith.

God's Dwelling and LDS Temples

Last week discussed the places God has made His home:
Adam and Eve – Tripartite nature – soul, spirit, body
Tabernacle and Temple – a three in one building – discussed a bit
Jesus – were all the boldness of God dwells bodily
Believers – where He permanently resides today.

I ended my message by stating:

“LDS temples have no relation or connection to Ancient Israel’s single standing temple. None.”
What Solomon’s temple was for, what it accomplished, what it will once again be, has nothing to do with LDS temples on the earth today!

So where did LDS temples originate from?

Don’t they have a biblically supported purpose?

Are the rites and rituals biblical, of Jesus, or from some other source?

Before we address these issues, let’s look at another organization that greatly influenced Joseph Smith’s temple rites . . . the Freemasons.

Historical Context of Freemasonry

Now some people would like to suggest that Freemasonry – its rites and rituals – began back when Solomon built the temple. Masons themselves attempted to perpetuate this myth from very early on in order to establish credibility for their order. But most historians and scholars agree that Freemasonry started sometime in the 16th or 17th century and got legs in the 1800’s.

Before 1860 the Masons had most people believing that they really were a guild that passed its rituals down from the building of Solomon’s temple, but a series of investigations led by scholarly men examined the Masonic paper trails and showed through documentation that Freemasonry got started with the trade guilds of the Middle Ages.

What was Freemasonry?

“It was a closed and secret fraternal organization which promoted brotherhood, unity, protection, and economic support and unity among adherents.”

“By unifying themselves under oaths, grips, signs, tokens, words, and the threat of penalty of deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., Masons became a powerful group that infiltrated early American life as they grew in number, allegiance and strength.”

Freemasonry was and is a secret social club or order that supported virtue, industry, friendship, and loyalty in a community. In a sense, they were like a white mafia, meaning in place of organized crime, they attempted to promote organized goodness.

Freemasonry and Its Connections

There is no connection to their rites or rituals, oaths, words, tokens, or threats of death in the bible. Scaled back down to a childhood reference, Freemasonry is merely the adult version of a neighborhood tree house with its accompanying secret whistles, handshakes, and knocks.

Recommended Reading

Several years ago, I purchased a copy of a book with a very long title: Duncan’s Ritual of Freemasonry or Guide to the Three Symbolic Degrees of the Ancient York Rite and To the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and The Royal Arch. It was written in 1866 by Malcolm C. Duncan, and it gives the entire rites and rituals of Freemasonry starting back to the early 1700s. I highly recommend a first-hand reading of this little book – front to back – as an introduction not only to the purpose and origin of LDS temples but to the origin of many LDS things apart from the temple.

Standards in Masonry

Out of respect – and I had no small amount of trouble deciding on how to approach this – but out of respect for those people who really believe God is behind what they do in LDS temples, I will refrain from mentioning things they would feel are too sacred for public disclosure. But listen to some of the other things found as standards in Masonry recorded around 1717:

“mystic veil which has long been lifted” preface “the veil has been lifted”- LDS verbiage

Illustration: Compass and the Square 7 temple /garment reference

“brethren” 10 common LDS verbiage

“brother” 10 LDS doctrine/culture

Temple Clothing

“they put on an apron”
10 aprons an essential part of temple endowment

“hat, sash, yoke and apron”
12 important temple accoutrements

Temple Clothing Phrasing

“Brethren will be properly clothed 12 temple verbiage and in order”

“the Brethren put on their aprons” 12 temple verbiage

“makes the sign”
14 temple instruction

“to introduce, and clothe all visiting 14 temple verbiage Brethren; to receive”

Temple Verbiage

“under no less penalty”
15 temple verbiage

“The left arm . . . forming a square”
16 temple verbiage
(fig. 3)

“drop the left arm suddenly and with spirit

Temple Terminology

16 earlier temple as soon as the two motions are accomplished” (fig. 4) (1989 and before)

“HOLY BIBLE, SQUARE AND COMPASS” 16 temple references

Temple Practices

“Raise the hands (above the head) and drop . . . 18 temple verbiage repeat three times . . . (saying) “O Lord . . . “ (fig. 7)

“GARMENTS” 19 temple reference (scripture)

Temple Instructions

“Whispers the password . . . in the ear” 20 temple instruction

“All rise to their feet” 20 temple directive

LDS Practice Language

“Confirmation will make it known 23 LDS verbiage by the usual sign of a Mason (raise the right hand)” “please so indicate by the raising of the right hand”

“Those opposed, by the same sign” 23

Main Topic: Temple Verbiage and Worthiness

“found worthy”
LDS verbiage
“has been interviewed and found worthy”

Three Distinct Knocks

“three distinct knocks”
temple verbiage

“is he worthy?”
LDS verbiage

“Let him enter”
temple verbiage

“should you attempt to reveal the secrets”
temple verbiage

Temple Word: Endowment

“Endue him”
temple word (Endow)

Seeking Light and Truth

“Who comes here? Mr. Parker, who has long been in darkness . . . now seeks . . . to receive”
temple verbiage

“Own free will”
temple verbiage

“I, (state name) of my own free will . . . in the

Temple Verbiage and Faith

34
Temple verbiage presence of Almighty God . . . that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal.

35
Temple reference "token".

36
Temple verbiage: "the Holy Bible is the rule and guide of our faith and practice; the square, to square our actions; the compass, to circumscribe and keep us within bounds of all mankind." "As the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night."

37
Temple verbiage: "By the signs and tokens."

Instruction and Guidance

38
Temple verbiage: "We are instructed by the first sign to avoid temptation by proper restraint of our passions . . ."

40
Temple verbiage: "for further instruction." Temple verbiage: "as you are clothed."

42
Temple verbiage: "Has it a name?" "It has." "Will you give it to me?" "I did not receive it."

Receiving a New Name

47
Temple verbiage: "A new name."

55
Temple verbiage: "deeply impressed upon the mind." Temple verbiage: "never deviate." Initiated . . .

60
". . . now wishes to receive more light . . ."

Temple and LDS Verbiage

“lifting the candidate from his knees at the altar”
67 temple verbiage

“as you increase in knowledge”
79 LDS theology

“when it is conferred”
87 LDS vernacular

Actions and Practices

“three loud distinct knocks”
88 temple verbiage

“now wishes to receive further light”
89 temple verbiage

“is he worthy and well qualified?”
89 LDS verbiage

“that I will not have illegal carnal
intercourse”
95 temple verbiage

Conduct in Temple

“looking conductor in the eye”
97 temple practice

“Moving off, one says, ‘Let us report’”
111 temple verbiage & stage direction

“All now, form in a circle . . . the Master
makes the signs of ‘distress’ of a Master
Mason, which is done by raising both hands
and arms above the head”
116-17 temple practice

Rituals and Orders

“gives him the grand Masonic word
on the five points of fellowship”
120 earlier temple (fig. 18) (1989 and earlier)

“orders of the priesthood”
129 LDS theology

“Let me admonish you, in the most serious
manner . . . the Sun (sic)”
131 LDS rhetoric

The Concept of Righteousness in LDS Theology

of righteousness shall descend and send forth His angels to collect our ransomed dead; then, if we are found worthy, by the benefit of his “pass” we shall gain a ready admission into that celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe Presides . . .

Blood Atonement in LDS Vernacular

“and sealed his pledge with his own blood” 132 LDS vernacular (speaking of Hirum Abiff, not Jesus) atonement Blood atonement

Terminology and Controversies

“approbation” 132 LDS verbiage (O My Father)

“Adieu! A heart-warm, fond adieu” 145 Book of Mormon controversy over use

“the veils are now pushed apart to admit 235 temple practice the candidate”

Priesthood and Genealogy in LDS Practice

“High Priest” 239 Priesthood office

“. . . but the true descendents of the twelve 240 LDS theology Tribes. It is necessary you should be very particular in tracing your genealogy”

“will most readily pledge to do all that is 267 temple verbiage required of them”

PHRASES OF ADMISSION “When a candidate receives the First Degree 269 LDS

Genesis of Mormon Temple Work

He is said to be initiated, at the second step. Temple verbiage: He is passed, at the third, raised; when he takes the Mark Degree, he is congratulated (advanced); having passed the chair, he is said to have presided; when he becomes a Most Excellent Master, he is acknowledged and received; and when a Royal Arch Mason, he is exalted.

“The New Era” 281 name of an LDS Periodical

Masonry decided that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not enough to convince men to live well, but that another order, an institution, a social service group would help the Lord along. This is the genesis of Mormon temple work.

Emblems and Icons of Masonry and Mormonism

This is the origin of bee hive, the all seeing eye, hand-grips, suns, moons, and stars, passwords. All of which are emblems of Utah Mormonism today. All of which are found on the exterior of the Salt Lake City temple. Also employed as icons of Masonry and Mormonism are the compass, the square, two triangles forming a six pointed star, and the phrase, “Holiness to the Lord.”

Speaking of Joseph Smith, LDS author Richard Bushman said in his recent book: “He had a green thumb for growing ideas from tiny seeds. Masonic rites seem to have been one more provocation.”

Lack of Connection to Ancient Israel

What does this all mean?

First, LDS temples have no connection, similarity, or association with Ancient Israel’s temples. None, with the slight exception of the baptismal fonts correlation to the laver. Second, Freemasonry, another group without connection to the temple of ancient Israel, is a social institution that unifies and supports initiates through a series of tokens, signs, passwords, veils, heavenly icons, sashes, robes, aprons, and penalties. They provide brotherhood, service opportunities, activities and direction for men and families.

Third, LDS temples today have their origin, purpose, and inspiration from Masonry, and the rites and rituals therein are anything but biblical, Christian, or necessary for the salvation of either the living or the dead.

Let’s open up the phone lines, and discuss this, or anything else that is on your mind.

Joseph Smith's Vision

Conclusion:

Joseph Smith possessed a pressing desire for those who followed him: First, he wanted the Saints to have a face to face experience with God, which the Children of Israel were denied because of disobedience. He thought he could establish a society of people who just might be good enough to experience God. Second, he wanted to gather them into a place he called Zion. He established many “Zion’s” with all failing to meet his dream. Finally, he wanted to establish a community of progressive and powerful people, spiritually, financially, and politically. It was Masonry that gave him the model for this.

Joseph’s father joined the Mason’s when he was eleven years old. Hyrum joined a few years later. In May of 1842, Joseph Smith advanced through the Masonic order over a two day period in Nauvoo. Six weeks later, he bestowed the LDS with the endowment for the first time. The similarities were then, and remain today, profound – even exact.

Years later, on July 23rd 1843, the founder of Mormonism said in nothing but a very Masonic tone: “I will advance from a prophet to priest and then to king, not to the kingdoms of this earth, but of the most high God.” Nine months later, he was ordained “king” to preside over the political kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future..

Less than a year before he died, Joseph Smith said in an address to the Saints: “Let me be resurrected with the saints whether to heaven or to hell . . . what do we care if the society is good?” Joseph attempted to bring heaven on earth himself.

God's Plan for True Peace

The Bible clearly illustrates that God provided another plan. Society never has been, nor will it ever be “good,” until the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns to reign on earth.

I fear that the promises, ways, and wiles of others in the future will have far too great an influence on the hearts and minds of Latter-day Saints seeking to establish “good society.” I fear they will believe in earthly solutions to spiritual problems. I fear Mormons will sincerely enter into trade with him who offers institutional hope, promises of peace and an earthly society that seems “good” at first.

And in this fear, I conclude by stating that all man-made efforts, societies, regimes, and religions will fail to do for people what the regenerative relationship through Jesus Christ has always offered – genuine peace, truth, and love from Him and Him alone.

Heart in the Park

HEART IN THE PARK! Central Terrace

CHURCH SCOUTS

INTERESTED IN HOSTING A LIVE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW, email us at shawn@born-again-mormon.com

Insights into Revelation 3:14

Last Week we had a caller named __________________ who asked:

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.

1. The beginning of the creation of God (hê archê tês ktiseôs tou theou). Not the first of creatures as the Arians held and Unitarians do now, but the originating source of creation through whom God works (Col 1:15,18, a passage probably known to the Laodiceans, Joh 1:3; Heb 1:2, as is made clear by Re 1:18; 2:8; 3:21; 5:13).

2. (i) Of who all things that are made, have their beginning.

3. The first-born of every creature] I suppose this phrase to mean the same as that, Php 2:9: God hath given him a name which is above every name; he is as man at the head of all the creation of God; nor can he with any propriety be considered as a creature, having himself created all things, and existed before any thing was made. If it be said that God created him first, and that he, by a delegated power from God, created all things, this is most flatly contradicted by the apostle's reasoning in the 16th and 17th verses. {Col 1:16,17} As the Jews term Jehovah Mlwe lv wrwkb becoro shel olam, the first-born of all the world, or of all the creation, to signify his having created or produced all things; (see Wolfius in loc.) so Christ is here termed, and the words which follow in the 16th and 17th {Col 1:16,17} verses are the proof of this. The phraseology is Jewish; and as they apply it to the supreme Being merely to denote his eternal pre-existence, and to point him out as the cause of all things; it is most evident that St. Paul uses it in the same way, and illustrates his meaning in the following words, which would be absolutely absurd if we could suppose that by the former he intended to convey any idea of the inferiority of Jesus Christ.

4. Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Comment on Greek and LDS views.