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A Mormon Mason: New grand master is the first in a century who is LDS

The origins of freemasonry are lost in the fog of antiquity. It is an interesting subject. From what I have read, I am certain it evolved from some earlier fraternal organization. As this article shows, what is important now is that, whatever the early organization did, it shows the way people of different cultures and beliefs can come together in a spirit of brotherhood for the benefit of each other and the community.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". Jos. Smith Jr.
I've always wondered about the things this article covered. Thank you DesNews.

I too find it remarkable that as a young man growing up in Utah I was prohibited from playing in the Shriner Band - Many years later (after the prohibition) I was contracted to have the Utah Brass Quintet play for a program in the main auditorium at the Masonic Temple - I have recorded on the coast, played in the LDS Tabernacle & the Assembly Hall on Temple Square; Symphony Hall, the 'big barn in Boston, the UK, et al.

As a professional musician I can honestly say that the acoustics in the auditorium are to die for - I hope that other musical groups are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play there - it would make a wonderful recording site - forget LA East or West (the old church) the auditorium is THE place to play and record - that is if you are invited, of course....

Congratulations, Brother Cook!

Masonry is not a religion only if we use a limited definition of "religion."

I am totally confused about this; I thought that Mormons were not allowed to be Masons.

There are so many people who know so little, but when they comment, they invariably portray themselves as having read and researched that which others haven't. People who are neither Masons nor Mormons, but who are experts on the origins of both the Masonic lodge ritual and the temple endowment. Never having seen, read, or understood either . . . that's the expert that always pops up on the Deseret News message board.

I'm a Prince Hall Affliated (which consist of mostly black masons)in NC,I think it is great when men join the fraternity from other faiths! My question to the new Grand Master would be how long will it before the Grand Lodge of Utah recognizes the 42 Prince Hall Grand Lodges in the United States? Brotherhood should not be limited by the color of a Masons skin...

I play in a SLC group called Phoenix...Jazz & Swing Band...It is made up of many oldtimers...some 20+ members of different faiths including at least one member of the Masons. We have played at the Masonic Hall more than once and were received with open arms. We enjoyed those occasions as much as those in attendance. The accoustics were excellent.

As a Mormon and Mason myself, matters of faith should not be argued here. As Brother Cook says, they are similar.

Why do the readers on this list have to find fault? If it's a crisis of your own faith then certainly posting negative or critical thoughts is not going to solve them. Follow the admonitions of the Apostle Paul in seeking after good things.

Mormonism has served tens-of-millions of people incredibly well. Some no longer participate for what ever reason and feel that by 'exposing' Mormonism they have somehow addressed their own needs.

Masonry has served hundreds-of-millions over the past many centuries.

Could I suggest that the readers simply appreciate the article, and both organizations without having to attack either one. In this case, primarily the Mormon faith. Regardless of any points raised or not addressed in this article, both entities are incredible pillars to our community.

My Masonry began with my sister's family being to rich to get help from the State and too poor to pay for a vital surgical procedure for their daughter. The Shriners Hospital did it for free! The help the LDS provided in other areas during this time was incredible.

Thanks 2 both!

There is some motive to believe that Mason's rituals may have originated from Solomon's Temple?
Solomon's Temple was a true temple with true ordinances. Perhaps the Mason's borrowed from Solomon's Temple. Makes me say hmmmmmmmmm.
The first temple was in Kirtland, not Nauvoo.
Joseph didn't always share what had been revealed to him the moment it was revealed. Perhaps seeing what the Mason's did drew him there because of truths Joseph already knew.

Blackman in NC, The Grand Lodge of Utah F.&A.M. recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado (which charters Prince Hall lodges in Utah) in 1997.

The article made the point, although it didn't stress it due to the fact that it was written about something entirely different, that some of the symbols used is Masonry and in the Temple do bear resemblance to each other and probably for good reason. They are learning devices. As the article points out, they are used to teach entirely different principles. The value of using the symbols to teach a principle wouldn't have been lost on brother Joseph. But a symbol is just a physical thing, the spiritual principal has nothing to do with the Masonic ritual.

For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

When I was a Bishop I discouraged members of my Ward who were contemplating joining the Masons (some encountered pressure at work from Mason coworkers to join) There are many "good" things we can give our time to but if they crowd out "necessary" things then even good things can be bad (huh?)

Plus also, obviously a Mason article brings all the Mason-rite-Temple-rite-conspiracy nutjobs out of their holes.

Men do make up clubs to belong to, part of being human I suppose. That the Masons got their act together before the Mormons did is fact.

I follow the wisdom of Mark Twain: I wouldn't want to belong to any group that would have me.

Thank God we live in a country where freedom of speech is a right.

FreeMasonry has outlived its usefulness. It used to be that people could join and meet together. Now we have internet chat rooms and the ability to travel all over the world.

Time would be better spent being with your family and teaching them to do well in school.

It is a compliment to Free Masonary that a prophet of God recognized Free Masonry as an organization which derived its rutual from ancient times...connected with the early prophets. There is no reason to think otherwise people...sure there are similarities in the two rituals, that of Free Masonry and LDS temple ritual. Both has it's beginings in the revelations of God. The motives of both ritual are upright and pure. LDS rtual of course is more current, more in line with the ushering in of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times promised by the prophet Isaiah. Live and let live, both serve mankind well.

that there are similarities in the rites and that Joseph Smith was a Mason.
If you believe the Church is true you know the LDS rites are inspired and the Masons descend from the same rites anciently.
If you don't believe the Church is true you think JS copied.
If the similarity in the rites convinces you the church is not inspired more power to you, your faith wasn't founded on much anyway.

it is amusing how the skeptics on the post think they are breaking some great secret here, heard it all upteen times before.