Exaltation of Man in Mormonism

LIVE! From the “Mecca of Mormonism” This is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology.! Show 37 Temples II September 11th 2007

And I’m your host, Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion.

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Two weeks ago we talked about how in 1832, Joseph Smith introduced four revelations which can be found in four sections of the LDS Church’s present-day Doctrine and Covenants (sections 76, 84, 88, and 93).

We also mentioned that these revelations served to truly separate Mormonism from classic Biblical Christianity. Why? Their objective was centered on the exaltation of Man instead of Man’s worship of the exalted God. From where did this all originate?

Last week, we discussed temples from a biblical perspective. We talked about the tabernacle, Solomon’s temple, Herod’s Temple, the Temple of Jesus, the temple of believers, the temple of the body of believers, and heaven as being described as a temple. Each of these temples exists as a result of, or in opposition to, sinful man NOT to his or her exaltation.

We also discussed that modern-day temples and the rites within have little connection to biblical connection in terms of their physicality and NO connection in terms of what happens inside them. So where did the LDS come up with the idea of modern-day temples and this distinct purpose of exalting man?

Let’s first look at fallen Man’s universal need to not only use rites and regulations to improve upon their lot in this world, and then let’s look to Freemasonry, a ritualistic example of Man seeking to order and exalt the self.

Human beings will always look to worship something. If not God or the Devil, then something under their specific and respective domains. Humans are hard-wired to look to support from like-minded people, to congregate, and to seek principles, or people for support, inspiration, and guidance. If it’s not the true and living God, we will always find an alternative.

Children look to heroes in comic books, to sports figures, and fables. Teens glom on to rock and movie stars. We all have been tempted to put someone or something other than God on an altar – as a beacon, an example, an ideal to follow and possibly even worship.

Isaiah talks about the idiocy of men making god’s of wood and then taking the leftover shavings and scraps from the making of that god and burning them in the fire to keep us warm. He talks about Man becoming no better than the thing it worships and adores. In the case of the wooden idol, men become only as exalted as the thing they are praising – in this case – a carved wooden idol!

The irony is apparent. As men worship an insensate creature they too become insensate! If the idol cannot see with its wooden eyes, people who worship it cease to see. If the idol cannot hear with its wooden ears, people too cease to hear. Not only do we become only as good, and lofty, and as powerful as the thing we worship, we cannot surpass the status of the thing we worship. Worship a goat, you will only become a goat and no higher. Worship a man, you will become and remain a man.

Time, maturity, and some painful but eye-opening let-downs generally mold our immature views of our idols and at some point, we all begin to see that our heroes have, as it were, feet of clay. And then we have a choice – to look back and give allegiance to the ONLY source genuinely viable and worthy of worship – GOD – or remain committed to some ideal or entity or institution while somehow believing that it will succeed in being our “hope, our destiny, and even our source of exaltation.”

It has been the same with Man from the beginning. God or the forbidden fruit. Cain or Abel. Creationism or evolution. Prayer or self-affirmation. The Beatitudes or Invictus. You choose.

The interesting thing about the “humanistic approach” is that it appears so, so . . . humanitarian. But in reality, without God, everything is in reality inhuman. Humanist claim that “the solutions lie in the hands of Man! We can no longer look to God! We must exalt the self!”

They cry: “We can achieve what’s “best” for the world!” “We can govern. We can rise up! We can solve crime, global warming, poverty!” “We are the Uber-mench! We are God in embryo!” But we have forgotten that we caused all these issues in the first place! And we

The Duality of Human Progress

have not, in all our glorious wisdom, MADE A DENT IN TRULY MAKING THINGS “BETTER.” The industrial revolution made luxury a household name – and gave us pollution. The Wright Brothers gave us planes and we use them to drop bombs on each other. With the discovery of penicillin, we kill strep and in the same century unleash Aids upon an unsuspecting world! For every so-called advance, we take another step back, and we find ourselves standing in the same filthy puddle of mud originating just East of Eden.

Bottom-line: Where the faith-filled turn to God, the faithless continue to turn to themselves. Their own strength, their own wisdom, and organizations created in their minds. And one such governing organization – of the millions – is called Free Masonry.

Free Masonry and Its Origins

Let me share some facts about Free Masonry because in the end, they are very important to present-day Mormonism . . . and it’s pulsating ideal regarding the “exaltation of Man.”

There is NO evidence as to the origins of Freemasonry no matter what people try to suggest. What we do know is the Freemasons employ “allegorical myths” to try and assign themselves an ancient history. Sound familiar? Some say Masonry is tied to Solomon’s building the temple in ancient Israel. ALLEGORICAL MYTH. Some say Euclid, Pythagoras, the Rosicrucian’s, Moses, the Essenes, Druids, or Gypsies started it. MYTH. MYTH. Many maintain that they are tied to the remnant of the Knights Templar. UNFOUNDED.

There are dozens and dozens of theories. But what do we KNOW? The earliest records we have linked to Free Masonry and their guilds date back to around 1390. There were men whose jobs were that of stonemasons and they were “free” – meaning they roamed about and worked where they were needed and where they desired. And what did they do? They cut and placed and molded and centered the stones and rock for the cathedrals and churches. And they were allowed to work and travel at will. They were free masons.

The Formation of Free Mason Guilds

Now, generally speaking, the only other people at this time who were free to move about Europe were the Clergy. So take these things into account:

These masons were some of the only free people in Europe – a status that was very desirable and envied. They were surrounded by 14th Century religion – which must have been fairly repugnant to anyone with common sense. The way you became one of these operative masons was to become an “apprentice of a master” who took you in his confidence and taught you the secrets of the trade. This apprenticeship almost insured a secure, creative, and liberating lifestyle for those fortunate enough to know the craft. All of these things led to the stone masons forming into cliques or guilds. Which were built upon a foundation of secrecy. All man-made seeking power, self-interest, and safety make secret covenants or promises. And to re-enforce the secret brotherhood, they used secret passwords and handshakes.

This morning after 5am I was walking around temple square with a man who had just transferred to the area from another state. As we passed the East side of the Temple, above a door, there is a figure cut out in stone of two hands clasped in a unique way, illustrating the secret system used inside. To protect the Free Masons secrets, they implemented promises of retribution, or penalties, which a “brother” would experience if he shared his oaths with an insider.

Expansion and Social Transformation

Now, as these things always happen, it appears from these loosely knit guilds of old that a highly organized guild took form in Scotland around 1600. Why Scotland? I’m not so sure, but have you ever seen Braveheart? I mean these people are clannish to say the least, and highly suspect of each other by nature. It makes some sense that the Scot’s were possibly the first to take a bunch of roaming craftsmen and form them into an official lodge.

In fact, it was the Scot’s who first allowed a “non-operative Mason” into their lodge, which occurred in the early 1600’s. By accepting a “non-mason or non stone cutter” into the guild indicates that the guild was becoming something other than a trade union out to protect its secrets. It was becoming a social order, a fraternal organization out for communal power and control. From this time forward, references to Free Masonry began popping up in personal journals and diaries. And the guilds began to spread. In England, the groups usually met in bars or taverns, and on June 24th, 1717 (St. John the Baptist Day) two large taverns joined forces.

Early History of Freemasonry and Its Expansion

and called themselves “The Grand Lodge of England.” Five years later a manual or “Constitution” that was to be used in the lodges was printed in London. It was here that the writer, a guy named Anderson, totally fictionalized Masonic history, tying it to the Bible, the Romans, and the Greeks. These rumors and myths continue today.

Eleven years later, in 1734, a guy named Benjamin Franklin reprinted this manual in the city of “Brotherly Love” – Philadelphia, PA. He was then elected Grand Master of the Masons of Pennsylvania. Many of the towns in early America were founded on Masonic themes and by active Free Mason’s.

Now what the Mason’s did in their rites was they took an initiate – a new applicant of the lodge – and they introduce him to a series of processes that they call “degrees.” These degree’s represent the initiates level of “understanding and light.” In essence, they are planes or levels of glory. Now, in the beginning, these levels of light and understanding represented trade secrets of stone masons. But as non-stone masons were allowed to join, the degree’s began to represent ideals which moved all men to becoming better people, better businessmen, better fathers and members of the community. Toward the exaltation of Man.

Development of Degrees in Freemasonry

In early Free Masonry, there was only two degrees – first degree and second degree. And the degrees were believed to be rudimentary. Early first degree instructions may have been something like this: A first degree mason always cares for his tools. A first degree mason spends more time sharpening than striking. A first degree mason will always help another mason under a load. Whatever (I made those up). And as things ALWAYS go when MEN are involved, the degree’s began to morph and change according to need, desires, and direction of the masses involved.

In 1725, a “Third degree – or The Master Mason’s” title – began to find itself in London’s lodges. And then there started to be all kinds of splits between the Grand Lodge and England, and Scotland. So bifurcated was European and American Masonry, that when Benjamin Franklin actually became a Master Mason in France, he returned to America only to discover that he was no longer recognized (by his own lodge) as a true Mason and was denied “Masonic Honors” at his funeral.

Freemasonry in Early America

Now the United States was a wonderful incubator for Masonic lodges as men seeking to establish themselves among men needed a refuge of brotherly trust, a place where they shared a bond, and a unity stronger than deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.. They called each other brothers. Without a national religion, Masonic lodges became a perfect place for men to learn morals, to practice valor, and to belong to something bigger than themselves.

Unlike functional Free Masonry in the fourteenth century, American Free Masonry was “a closed and secret fraternal organization which promoted brotherhood, unity, protection, economic support and unity among adherents.” From Duncan’s book of Free-Masonry, I am reading: “By unifying themselves under oaths, grips, signs, tokens, words, and the threat of penalty of death, Masons became a powerful group that infiltrated early American life as they grew in number, allegiance and strength.” In a sense, the Free Mason’s morphed into a sort of white mafia – powerful, united, and capable of doing great good – and evil.

It was the murder of a Mason named Morgan that caused American Masonic Lodges to nearly crumble into extinction. By the way, Joseph Smith made Morgan’s widow one of his polygamous wives.

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 gives the entire rites and rituals of freemasonry starting back to the early 1700’s.

I spent four days reading through this book and highlighting everything with a connection to present-day Mormon Temple rites, rituals, and practices. Now it is really important to know that Joseph Smith admitted to being a Mason in his History of the Church, volume 4, page 551. This was prior to his revealing the LDS temple endowment and rituals to the Church. With Joseph Smith speaking, under the date of March 15, 1842, it reads: "In the evening I received the first degree in Free Masonry in the Nauvoo Lodge, assembled in my general business office." The record for the next day reads, "I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree" (page 552). So

Joseph Smith and Masonic Rituals

Joseph became a Mason on March 15, 1842 and "rose to the sublime degree" the following day. (The “sublime degree” may have been a third degree Mason or Master Mason.) Clothed in the Masonic garb of white underclothes, a robe, a sash, an apron of fig leaves and a cap, Joseph Smith was led through the Masonic rituals over a two-day period of time. The following are some excerpts Joseph was taught in the first, second, and third degree Masonic rituals in Nauvoo.

Remember, I am quoting from this Free Mason book here written in the 1800’s: (HOLD UP BOOK)

First Degree Rite Parallels

(Listen to some of the phrases and words Masonry authored.)

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

“the Compass and the Square” temple /garment reference

“three degrees are conferred” temple/heaven reference to three degrees, conferred is common LDS verbiage

“brethren” common LDS verbiage

“give the wrong sign” signs important in Temple endowment

“brother” LDS doctrine/culture application

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

“three raps” temple worker instructions

“he opens the door and inquires” temple verbiage

“wishes admission”/”admit them” temple verbiage

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

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

“Brethren, put on their aprons” temple verbiage

“makes the sign” temple instruction

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

“under no less penalty” temple verbiage

“the Brethren present” temple verbiage

“may see to inflict” temple verbiage

“Masonry is a whole of which each Mason forms a part” temple concept

“the signs” temple verbiage

“makes the sign of” temple verbiage

“Draw the right hand rapidly across the neck and drop the hand to the side (fig. 2)” earlier temple rite (1989 and before)

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

“drop the left arm suddenly and with spirit as soon as the two motions are accomplished” (fig. 4) earlier temple (1989 and before)

“Holy Bible, square and compass” temple references

“draw the right hand (thumb) across the stomach as low as the vest then drop the hand suddenly” (fig. 6) earlier temple (1989 and earlier)

Temple Verbiage and Practices

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

“Down to the skirts of his garments” temple reference (scripture)

“Altar” temple tool

“whispers the password . . . in the ear” temple instruction

“all rise to their feet” temple directive

“all may sit”

by the usual sign of a Mason (raise the right hand)” LDS practice “please so indicate by the raising of the right hand”

“those opposed, by the same sign” LDS verbiage (see above)

“membership” LDS vernacular

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

“When the master makes the sign, by drawing His hand across his throat, all follow suit” early temple directive (plate 1)

“Do you (do this) Do you . . . ? Do you . . .?” recommend interview “Do you believe in . . . Do you sustain the . . . Do you obey the . . . .”

“slip your left shoulder” temple directive

“places a slipper on his right foot” temple directive

“three distinct knocks” temple verbiage

“who comes here?” temple inference

“(responds for the candidate)” temple worker instructions

“is he worthy?” LDS verbiage

“Let him enter” temple verbiage

“should you attempt to reveal the secrets” temple verbiage

“Endue him” temple word (Endow)

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

“Own free will” temple verbiage

“The candidate is in order, and awaits your further will and pleasure” temple similarity (light and knowledge)

“I, (state name) of my own free will . . . in the presence of Almighty God . . . that I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal” temple verbiage

“token” temple reference

“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” temple verbiage

“the grip of an Entered Apprentice” temple rites (fig. 9)

“What is that?” temple verbiage

“Has it a name?” temple verbiage

“It has.” temple verbiage

“Will you give it to me?” temple verbiage

“by the right hand” temple verbiage

“By the signs and tokens” temple verbiage

“We are instructed by the first sign to avoid temptation by proper restraint of our passions . . .” temple verbiage

“white linen apron” (sometimes a lambskin) Garment parallel

“Brother, I now present you with a lambskin which is an emblem of innocence and a badge of a Mason . . . I trust that you shall wear it . . .”

“for further instruction” temple verbiage

“the deacon ties on his apron” temple verbiage

“as you are clothed” temple verbiage

“we are taught” temple verbiage

“To learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in Masonry” temple verbiage

“Has it a name?” temple verbiage “It has” “Will you give it to me?” “I did not receive it”

“My trust being in God, I was taken by the right hand” temple verbiage

Connections Between Freemasonry and Mormonism

The parallels between Freemasonry and Mormonism are explored in various degrees of the Masonic rites. The second degree rites and rituals of freemasonry contain many of the same words and phrases as the first. These will not be repeated. Only words, phrases, directives, attitudes, and activities that additionally parallel Mormonism will be listed.

Fellow Craft or the Second Degree Masonic Rite

In the second degree rite, notable similarities include actions such as "Now you slip your right arm through your shirtsleeve" (Page 59), which mirrors temple verbiage, and "Brother _____, who has been regularly initiated . . . " (Page 60) resembling temple practice or initiatory procedures. References to seeking more enlightenment, as seen in the phrase ". . . now wishes to receive more light . . ." (Page 60), demonstrate the temple verbiage connection. Another parallel is receiving on the "angle of the square" compared to the initial reception on the "points of the compass" (Page 61).

The instructions given in a deep tone of voice (Page 62) and orders from superiors such as, "Brother Senior Warden, it is the orders of the Worshipful Master that you teach this candidate" (Page 63) have strong connections to temple audio and order. Physical gestures and grips, symbolized by phrases like "(takes candidate by the right hand) and with it the pass, token, token of the pass, grip and word" (Page 66) further reinforce the temple verbiage.

Master Mason or the Third Degree Masonic Rite

The third degree rites and rituals of freemasonry also present significant overlaps. Opening phrases such as "when it is conferred" (Page 87) share language with LDS vernacular. The rite includes auditory elements, with "three loud distinct knocks" (Page 88) connected to temple verbiage, and inquisitive phrases like "is he worthy and well qualified?" (Page 89) relate to LDS verbiage.

Other Degree Parallels

Within the broader panorama of Masonic rituals, elements such as "the veils are now pushed apart to admit the candidate" (Page 235) illustrate temple practice. Clerical echoes resound with terms like "High Priest" (Page 239), aligning with a priesthood office. The emphasis on genealogy, as shown by references to "the true descendants of the twelve Tribes" (Page 240), underscores LDS theological practices. Aspects such as temple verbiage appear consistently throughout these degrees, highlighting intersections with LDS ideologies and practices.

Introduction of the Temple Endowment Ceremony

Having gone through these Masonic rites and rituals, on May 4, 1842, Joseph introduced the temple endowment ceremony in Nauvoo. (History of the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 1-2).

I’d like to ask my LDS brothers and sisters, who I love and care about, three things:

First, is that temple you place so much emphasis on from God or from the minds of men seeking to “exalt Man?” Secondly, has going inside that temple made you feel more like a humble, mourning, poor in spirit, sinful person whose souls rests entirely on Jesus or do you enter and exit feeling more like a superior, exalted, accomplished human being?

Characteristics Required by Jesus

And which characteristics does Jesus require of His sheep?

Let’s go to the phones with the little amount of time we have left.

(801) 973-TV20
(801) 973-8820

Conclusion

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