Why did Joseph Smith become a freemason? (Jesus Christ, priest, rituals)

[Sola*5]

Why did Jospeh Smith become a free mason after condeming secret societies as did moroni?

After Joseph Smith went to Nauvoo, he again took an interest in secret societies. In fact, it was in Nauvoo that Joseph Smith became a Mason, formed the Council of 50, and established the secret Temple ceremony. Many of the converts to the Mormon Church were Masons or had been Masons in the past. The Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated: "Many members of secret societies have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 Volumes in 1, page 113) On pages 357-358 of the same book, Dr. Widtsoe stated:

"Many of the Saints were Masons, such as Joseph's brother Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Elijah Fordham, Newel K. Whitney, James Adams, and John C. Bennett. . . .
"With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo. In answer they were granted permission, in October, 1841, to hold lodge meetings; but it was March 15, 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nauvoo and to induct new members. JOSEPH SMITH BECAME A MEMBER."

ether 8v 19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

"We further, caution our brethren, against the impropriety of the organization of bands or companies, by covenant, oaths, penalties, or secresies, . . . pure friendship, always becomes weakened, the very moment you undertake to make it stronger by penal oaths and secrecy." (Times and Seasons, Vol. 1, page 133)

"We have passed a resolution that men who are identified with these secret organizations shall NOT be preferred as bishops, or sought for as counselors; the same when it comes to selecting M.I.A. officers. The men who have done this have disqualified themselves and are NOT FIT to hold these offices." (Provo Enquiror, November 12, 1900, as quoted in Mormonism and Masonry, by S.H. Goodwin, page 76)

I followed this link (from which all the quotes are from) from a wikipedia article not from any anti mormon website.
http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/...NG%20QUESTIONS

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Sola*5

I followed this link (from which all the quotes are from) from a wikipedia article not from any anti mormon website.
http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/...NG%20QUESTIONS

Just a quick note before I head off to school - UTLM, is a highly anti-mormon site. They goal is to 'minister to Mormons to bring them back to Christianity.' (my words, but it's basically what they do). You wouldn't have known that, so don't worry about it.

I'm sure the others will address this topic while I'm gone.

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by Sola*5

Why did Jospeh Smith become a free mason after condeming secret societies as did moroni?


After Joseph Smith went to Nauvoo, he again took an interest in secret societies. In fact, it was in Nauvoo that Joseph Smith became a Mason, formed the Council of 50, and established the secret Temple ceremony. Many of the converts to the Mormon Church were Masons or had been Masons in the past. The Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated: "Many members of secret societies have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 Volumes in 1, page 113) On pages 357-358 of the same book, Dr. Widtsoe stated:

"Many of the Saints were Masons, such as Joseph's brother Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Elijah Fordham, Newel K. Whitney, James Adams, and John C. Bennett. . . .
"With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo. In answer they were granted permission, in October, 1841, to hold lodge meetings; but it was March 15, 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nauvoo and to induct new members. JOSEPH SMITH BECAME A MEMBER."

ether 8v 19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

"We further, caution our brethren, against the impropriety of the organization of bands or companies, by covenant, oaths, penalties, or secresies, . . . pure friendship, always becomes weakened, the very moment you undertake to make it stronger by penal oaths and secrecy." (Times and Seasons, Vol. 1, page 133)

"We have passed a resolution that men who are identified with these secret organizations shall NOT be preferred as bishops, or sought for as counselors; the same when it comes to selecting M.I.A. officers. The men who have done this have disqualified themselves and are NOT FIT to hold these offices." (Provo Enquiror, November 12, 1900, as quoted in Mormonism and Masonry, by S.H. Goodwin, page 76)

I followed this link (from which all the quotes are from) from a wikipedia article not from any anti mormon website.
http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/...NG%20QUESTIONS

I don't have my resources with me right now, so I can't do the research I would like to. If this thread hasn't self-destructed by this evening, I'll see what I can find.

[Polaris]

Originally Posted by Sola*5

Why did Jospeh Smith become a free mason after condeming secret societies as did moroni?

First off, there is a big difference between the secret society documented in the Book of Mormon (the Gadianton robbers) and that of the Freemasons. The Gadianton robbers were a wicked band of men who secretly sought and planned the overthrow of the established government through murderous and evil means. Their membership, their plots, and their very existance was intended to be kept secret. They were a wicked and dangerous society. Freemasonry is not a secret society in that sense. From what I know of it, it is a service and charity oriented fraternity that only keeps a few certain rituals and practices private among its members. There is a big difference.

Certain leaders have discouraged joining Freemasonry mainly because we believe we have what we need within our own organization: a strong fraternal priesthood organization, and divinely inspired saving ordinances. Freemasonry requires a certain amount of time and dedication and some church leaders believe that decidation would be better off focused on the building of God's Kingdom through Christ's church. The church however, has no official statement against its members becoming Masons.

Now to answer your question...

This is not official LDS belief (I don't know that the church has taken a confirmed and detailed position on this issue), but I personally believe that Joseph Smith became a Freemason for two purposes:

1. He was attracted to the strong faithful fraternal nature within Freemasonry and joined as an attempt to gain influential support against the persecution of the Mormon people.

2. Parts of our temple ordinances include inspired adaptations of Masonic ceremonies and rituals. I believe parts of the Masonic ceremonies contain adaptations of certain ancient elements and I believe that some of those may very well have come from authentically divine sources. I believe Joseph became a Freemason in part to help restore some of those authentic elements.

Originally Posted by Sola*5

I followed this link (from which all the quotes are from) from a wikipedia article not from any anti mormon website.

I hope you're not that naive to think that wikipedia is completely immune from anti-mormon content

[silvermoon383]

I have no idea why Joseph joined the Freemasons. Don't worry though, it's number 14 on my list of questions for when I meet him in the afterlife or resurrection (whichever comes first).

[Polaris]

Originally Posted by XAAX

WoW...I would recommend you researching that again.

What are you referring to?

I simply stated that Freemasonry is very different from the secret society that is documented in the Book of Mormon. The Gadianton robbers were a secret society in every sense of the word and were a dangerous threat to those who weren't part of that society. Freemasons are not a secret society in that sense: they have publically identifiable meeting places (lodges), in many cases they don't try to keep their membership secret, and I sincerely doubt they are secretly planning a violent overthrow of the government. Call me naive, but the few Masons that I know seem to be good and reasonable people. Sure, there may be some dark spots in Masonic history, and there may be some truth concerning their intentions to establish influential connections among their members, but there are definitely plenty of lies about their "secret" intentions.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Sola*5

I followed this link (from which all the quotes are from) from a wikipedia article not from any anti mormon website.

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/...NG%20QUESTIONS

It kind of makes you wonder, though, why the last part of the link contains the words "EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS."

I haven't read Polaris' answer yet. I'll see what he had to say and see if I can in any way add to it.

[Katzpur]

*** MOD POST ***

Okay, I'm going to nip this one in the bud. A lot of people have strong feelings about Freemasonry. That's fine. The DIR on Mormonism is not the place to discuss them. I believe the OP has been answered. If any other Latter-day Saints have anything to add in response to Sola's question, please feel free. But let's NOT turn this into a debate over the perceived merits or evils of Masonry. Thank you all!

[Comprehend]

Originally Posted by Sola*5

Why did Jospeh Smith become a free mason after condeming secret societies as did moroni?

The Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated: "Many members of secret societies have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 Volumes in 1, page 113)

This is a perfect example of why reading second hand garbage rather than the primary source will get you in trouble. The link you gave says that Masonry somehow influenced our temple ceremony, coincidentally, the quote you have provided is from a section in Widstoe's book that was expressly written to disprove what you are attempting to prove. He actually predicts your argument here:

John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p.111
Whence Came the Temple Endowments?

It was inevitable that those who have sought to destroy the truth of the Prophet Joseph Smith's message would misinterpret the temple endowment. They have set up the theory that Joseph Smith merely adapted the temple conception and ritual from the rituals of fraternal, secret organizations.

Here is a little more of the text you provided out of context:

John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p.113
Many members of secret societies have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have been faithful to their covenants. But as they have come to the temple of the Lord, they have said, in the words of one former member, "Secret societies have nothing to teach the Latter-day Saints."

Carefully and intelligently studied, the proposition that the Mormon endowment was built upon secret fraternal rituals cannot be accepted by any thoughtful person.

Joseph Smith received the temple endowment and its ritual, as all else that he promulgated, by revelation from God. \\\


This would actually indicate the opposite of what you are trying to imply, namely that the temple ceremony did not come from masonry.

On pages 357-358 of the same book, Dr. Widtsoe stated:

"Many of the Saints were Masons, such as Joseph's brother Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Elijah Fordham, Newel K. Whitney, James Adams, and John C. Bennett. . . .
"With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo. In answer they were granted permission, in October, 1841, to hold lodge meetings; but it was March 15, 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nau