Comments about ‘Take a tour with Utah's not-so-secret Free Masons’

I toured the Salt Lake Masonic temple years ago. It was a fascinating tour of a magnificent building.

Thanks Lee. I had a neighbor growing up who was a mason. It was always kind of a mystery to the kids in the neighborhood, but he was always a nice man. I'd like to take the tour to lear a little more about it.

Masonry has been misrepresented by their critics (mostly religious) for years and therefore misunderstood and feared. Sad. Wonderful organization and members from all I have observed.

I would like to take a tour. About 20 years ago while serving LDS mission I was invited to attend a Mason ceremony where the person was ordained to be a Master Mason, and the similarities to LDS temple ceremonies was very interesting.

For those of us who carefully study the teachings and the actual words of the blood oaths, who listen objectively to testimonies of those who leave with warnings for Biblical Christians, this article shed no light whatsoever on the reasons to aschew Masonry. The beauty of a mosque, synagogue or church is rarely the impetus for joining a religion or fraternal ministry. Yet this artIcle would have you believe that grand architecture and impressive political patrons trumps all past objections and should be swept away with a frivolous comment about falling plaster.

For an honest assesment from a former Mason, read David W. M. Vaughan's "Diary of a Freed Mason", (Sovereign World Ltd). He details the very issues that Biblical Christians are concerned about: spending precious time & resources on repetitive ritual, needing masonic arts to make you feel worthwhile, implications that outside masonry dwell those without spiritual light, and recitations of oaths that Blood-bought believers would never recite.

If there is "Light" in the Lodge, why is it never exposed to the uninitiated?

This is a lovely tongue-in-cheek article. Every temple-Mormon active prior to 1991, knows the questions that should have been asked by Lee Benson. They're too afraid to ask in the state of Utah certainly, but he could have done a better job of investigating reporting and provided the public with some real information other than the pretty interior. The walls aren't speaking here any more than they are inside the Dome of the Rock mosque or the Taj Mahal.

Questions like who built this Lodge, how many of its patrons are LDS, how many polygamists graced its halls, what exactly they do "to better" themselves, why do the lodges keep all the "ancient" secrets and regalia? Why were Joseph's last words at Carthage a call for brother Mason's help "for a widow's son"? Do Masons consider themselves more enlightened by these ancient rituals? How much of Albert Pike, the Bible and other holy books are read? What is so fulfilling about gaining masonic titles and brotherhood?

Too many books have exposed all the enactments and blood oaths for Benson to play dumb here, at the expense of substance and context.

Wowie, Lee. The "not-so-secret" Masonic temple. That's an oxymoron of the tallest order.

So we're not supposed to ask about whaaat? Anything other than the decor. Handshakes, costumes and passwords..."don't ask". Where have I heard this before? Just be up front and report on the beautuful structure, without trying to imply that there is nothing secretive in there. We've seen the documentaries, read the books of ex-Masons, and heard the tales of the entered apprentices who left at the first touch of cold steel on the neck.

As for your guide, he offered precious little historical data. How old is the building, what is its history, who are its members? A llittle "light" could be shed on the not-so-secret medieval regalia with which he is so enamored. So great leaders of our country join a frat club and we're supposed to condone the rituals while being ignorant of them? Radical Islamists and Hamas also offer much charity to their own, but we don't condone their beliefs do we? Ask your guide why a mason cannot share any of his oaths with spouses, parents or clergy?

the masonic temple is 83 years old and it's history really is very intresting. Ask questions to your hearts content if you go on a tour or run into a mason- they'll answer anything that isn't considered 'secret' and will even explain why they can't share those secrets. You have to have a belief in a Supreme Being to join a masonic lodge, so yes, a Christian, Muslim, Jew, even a pagan can join...however this is because the order is not a religion in itself but hundreds of years ago came to the conclusion that the majority of men can accept that God exists and going from there can join together and perform good works to make the world a better place. You can't compare radical religions with something that in itself is not a religion nor condones acts of radicalism. Masons and the organisations considered to be part of the Masonic Family spend hours upon hours to run, assist, and raise money for various charities.including but not limited to Shriner's Hospital, Scottish Rite Learning Center and HIKE.

Z2010 -

The similarities are there because Joseph Smith was once a Mason. When he founded the Mormon church he brought over versions of those temple rituals to the Mormon church.

Interesting how history can parallel at times.

(The Deseret News edited my first comment... is knowledge that Joseph Smith a mason considered offensive?)

@OnlyTheCross, DupDaze and Grace:

Wow. Lighten up.