
I have been doing some research on the history between Joseph Smith and the Masons. Joseph Smith never hid the fact that he progressively moved up the 'ladder' in the ranks of masonry. Only a month later he introduced the same masonic order within the term 'endowment'. As with many of the 'revelations' there has always been a specific event that preceded them, in this case the endowment was preceded by Joseph Smith becoming a mason. Interestingly enough... The original angel Moroni that is put at the top of the temples as we see today was not vertical but flew horizontal and above him were the masonic symbols but this was substituted for the modern Moroni blowing his trumpet that we are familiar with today. One article in the Salt Lake Tribune some years ago suggested that seeing masonic symbols above Mormon I would be too much to digest for modern Mormons.
Name: Hal
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Comments: Joseph Smith was looking for protection and popularity through masonry. What better way to build up his church than having prominent men aligned to him through free masonry.
I believe that there is evidence to conclude that Joseph saw the LDS endowment as an extension of Masonry. Masonry had many extensions in the 1800's, and the LDS endowment is not unique as the only extension of Masonry. Clearly he saw the LDS endowment as a restored masonry. There is a paper being published at the Mormon Historical symposium that will be discussing this conclusion and evidence.
Name: Hal
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Comments: The last poster says,