Was Joseph Smith a Free Mason?
The evidence of Joseph Smith's close connection to occultism and Freemasonry, and how this influenced the origin and development of the LDS Church is not well known outside of scholarly circles. This article summarizes the evidence for Joseph's personal involvement in both Freemasonry and occultism, and their influence on the Mormon religion.
"There is absolutely no question in my mind that the Mormon ceremony which came to be known as the Endowment, introduced by Joseph Smith to Mormon Masons, had an immediate inspiration from Masonry."
— Dr. Reed Durham, LDS Historian
Mormonism's Link to Occultism
Both Joseph Smith and his father were involved in the occult practice known as "money digging." This involved special rituals and ceremonies which were performed for the purpose of obtaining buried treasure thought to be guarded by evil spirits. Accounts of money digging during the late 1700s and early 1800s are documented in Alan Taylor's article "Treasure Seeking in the American Northeast, 1780-1830", published in American Quarterly, 38 [Spring 1986], pp. 6-34. This article specifically mentions Joseph Smith, Sr., and Jr., on pages 10-12, giving examples of their money digging activities. LDS seminary teacher Grant Palmer also documents the Smith family's occult beliefs and practices, as well as those of their close associates, in his book An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, (SLC, Signature Books, 2002, pp. 175-195).
For more on the subject, click on the link:
http://mit.irr.org/occultic-and-masonic-influence-in-early-mormonism
Blessings,
Chip
Chip, you really have to get some background on your claims.
ReplyDeleteIn the young Joseph Smith's time and place, "money digging" was a popular, and sometimes respected activity. When Joseph was 16, from the Palmyra Herald (24 July 1822) it printed such remarks as:
"digging for money hid in the earth is a very common thing and in this state it is even considered as honorable and profitable employment"
"One gentleman...digging...ten to twelve years, found a sufficient quantity of money to build him a commodious house.
"another...dug up...fifty thousand dollars!"
In other words Chip, it was not an occult practice, many people did it.
From the words of Elder Cahoon,
Was not Joseph Smith a money digger?
Yes, but it was never a very profitable job for him, as he only got fourteen dollars a month for it.
—Joseph's tongue-in-cheek response to one of a list of questions that were asked of him during a visit at Elder Cahoon's home. (Elders' Journal 1/3 (July 1838): 43)
If I had more time Chip, I would answer you about the masons.
It is great that you look for answers but you really need to look in the right places. As far as the book from Grant Palmer, as far as I can ascertain he has been disfellowshipped (but not excommunicated). He says he still loves the church but he would not have been disfellowshipped if he was telling the truth. I have not read the book but if he was linking Joseph Smith to occultism, then he is just plain wrong. As the scriptures say, even the very elect can be deceived.
I could go through all of your pages if I had the time and debunk all the negative claims you make about mormonism. It is not that hard.
Have you honestly,sincerely and prayerfully read and prayed about the Book of Mormon Chip? If you discovered it was true, would you change your life and accept it as scripture?
Mick, What is divination? Just type "divination stones" into your web browser and see what pops up! Just because "many people did it" or because "'money digging' was a popular, and sometimes respected activity" does not make it right in God's sight.
ReplyDeleteAccording to God, "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do." (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)
The practice of divination is an abomination to God! According to several eye witness accounts, the Book of Mormon was created by the use of Joseph Smith's divination stone. Why doesn't the LDS Church ever represent this accurately? Every picture produced by the LDS church shows Joseph actually translating the gold plates, but that is not how it happened! According to eye witness accounts: Emma Smith said, "In writing for your father, I frequently wrote day after day, often sitting at the table close to him, he sitting with his face buried in his hat, with the stone in it, and dictating [the Book of Mormon] hour after hour with nothing between us." This was also the testimony of Martin Harris, and David Whitmer. Why not show it the way it really happened? I think I can tell you why not, it is because the Mormon Church doesn't want people to know that Joseph Smith practiced DIVINATION and the LDS leaders don't want people to know that the Book of Mormon was produced by means of DIVINATION. LDS leaders know that Christianity as a whole would reject any "book of scripture" that was produced by the use of a divination stone - and rightly so. If Joseph Smith really possessed gold plates which contained the Book of Mormon, why not just translate it like all other translations? And BTW what happened to the gold plates? It is a huge problem for the Book of Mormon that there are no manuscripts that pre-date Joseph Smith! If the Nephites were literate Hebrew people who kept records (like the Israelites of old) we should find evidence of this in the form of ancient manuscripts or ancient fragments of manuscripts - but to date, none exist. BIG PROBLEM - it appears that Joseph Smith really was the "AUTHOR AND PROPRIETOR" of the Book of Mormon as is recorded in the 1830 edition title page - oops maybe this was a Freudian slip.
I was browsing for more information about Mormons & Masons when I came to your Blog. You are right to suggest that Joseph Smith was a free Mason. I highly recommend a book on the same subject http://heinessight.com/deceptions-of-the-ages.html
ReplyDeleteyou will find many intriguing connections there.