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Not only is President Hinckley a Mason but even with his hugely busy schedule he makes it a point to make his monthly meeting at his home lodge. |
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"why join a fraternal organization, when you are already a member of the best" (referring to the Priesthood). |
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I don't remember who said it, might have been Brigham Young, |
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We cannot be admitted into their social societies, into their places of gathering at certain times and on certain occasions, |
Interesting. I noticed that there were a couple of quotes given by early leaders concerning freemasonry stating basically that there is nothing wrong with it and as mentioned on this thread, many prophets were part of it. But what is the modern-day view of the Church concerning Freemasonry? I found the following information from two web sites quoting a Salt Lake Tribune article:
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"There is no specific Mormon prohibition of Masonry, but church spokesman Don LeFevre said the church discourages it members from joining it or similar groups. 'The church strongly advises its members not to affiliate with organizations that are secret, oath-bound, or would cause them to lose interest in church activities.'" (Section D1, Monday Feb. 17, 1992). |
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But what is the modern-day view of the Church concerning Freemasonry? |
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Taken literally, this would seem to indicate that holding any public office which requires an oath would be discouraged. Yet the real facts are that members are encouraged to be politically and civically active. Or that joining the Boy Scouts, which has the Scout Oath would also be discouraged, yet the LDS Church is an ardent supporter of that organization. |
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Since the Fraternity openly publishes its membership list, states its purposes, gives public tours of its buildings, openly contributes civically to the community, and donates books containing much of this information to public libraries, It can't truthfully be called a secret society. |
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(in Masonry) Encouragement is also given to search out and live the teachings of Holy Scripture, In fact, one of the statements of belief taught by Joseph Smith to the church was: "...If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." |
Wes, thanks for the quotes but really that's the guy interpretation on the statement given by the Church. If the statement given by the Salt Lake Tribune is true, it specifically says the Church discourages its members from joining Freemasonry.
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"There is no specific Mormon prohibition of Masonry, but church spokesman Don LeFevre said the church discourages it members from joining it or similar groups... |
Well,... we could spend an indefinite amount of time here, quoting people and analyzing their statements. But at the end, we'll still come to the conclusion that regardless of statements like Bro. LeFevre's, (as quoted here); The Church is in a neutral position ir regards to having LDS members join Masonry or Masons becoming LDS. These are my thoughts. . .
Wes said:
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But at the end, we'll still come to the conclusion that regardless of statements like Bro. LeFevre's, (as quoted here); The Church is in a neutral position ir regards to having LDS members join Masonry or Masons becoming LDS. |
RC3 claims that President Hinkley, and many of the presiding authorities are Masons. I have tried to find source material to back that up. Please provide the proof for that claim.
Thanks!