No three degrees of Glory in 1 Cor 15

[_gdemetz]

Albion, you sound like an expert in the temple ceremony. May I ask how many times have you actually been through that ceremony? I would guess none! I have actually been through that ceremony a number of times, so what I gained is an actual testimony of it and not just a hearsay, edited, and poisonous attack on the symbolism by those who no more understand the symbolism than they understand many other mysteries of Godliness!

[_Albion]

In some Satanic belief systems, another name for Lucifer is The Nail. I think the "craft" aspects of the Mormon temple ritual is there to be seen for those with eyes...both inside and outside the building.

[_Drifting]

Albion, you sound like an expert in the temple ceremony. May I ask how many times have you actually been through that ceremony? I would guess none! I have actually been through that ceremony a number of times, so what I gained is an actual testimony of it and not just a hearsay, edited, and poisonous attack on the symbolism by those who no more understand the symbolism than they understand many other mysteries of Godliness!

You know lots of people have 'been through' the Temple, right?

How do you explain the similarities between the endownment and the rituals of freemasonry?
(in essence, the Mormon endowment is a mockery of freemasonry)

[_gdemetz]

You are really reaching now Albion, and I will try to respond calmly since there seems to be a double standard here. On the one hand, I am not supposed to say things such as evangelical hogwash, bu on the other hand, anything seems to go for the anti's including calling he temple ceremony Satanic! However, I will state this: Your post is like many things I have seen in tabloid magazines, and is merely fiction as those things do not symbolize to us as LDS what you claim! Also, Drifting, I will refer you to "Ask the apologist-Similarities between Masonic and Mormon temple..."

[_Albion]

Well you know, gdedemtz, ducks and quack come to mind. Smith had a long history of involvement in the so-called dark arts. If you add that to his natural tendency toward the con, throw in a strong dose of masonic ritual, and it is pretty easy to see where he came up with the whole temple nonsense. The Mormon temple ritual does nothing to lift up Christ and his sufficiency for salvation, instead it undermines the atonement by giving greater importance to handshakes and "secret" signs as the way to heaven. There is certainly nothing Christian about it and anything that diverts and undermines the supremacy of Christ for salvation serves ultimately only the ends of the adversary.

[_Drifting]

You are really reaching now Albion, and I will try to respond calmly since there seems to be a double standard here. On the one hand, I am not supposed to say things such as evangelical hogwash, bu on the other hand, anything seems to go for the anti's including calling he temple ceremony Satanic! However, I will state this: Your post is like many things I have seen in tabloid magazines, and is merely fiction as those things do not symbolize to us as LDS what you claim! Also, Drifting, I will refer you to "Ask the apologist-Similarities between Masonic and Mormon temple..."

From "Ask the apologist....

We should establish several facts here. Joseph Smith was a Freemason as was his father and older brother. Masonry was common in New England and upstate New York at the time. Mr. Norton however seems to have come to, what I believe, is a false connection between the ritual of the endowment and the endowment itself. Some aspects of the endowment ritual may well have come from Masonic traditions. That said, the endowment’s teachings, which are the real heart of the endowment are uniquely restorationist in nature.

Even the apologists acknowledge the Temple Rituals were ripped off freemasonry. Great link, thanks.

[_Drifting]

Gdemetz, why does the FAIR website apologist break his oath of secrecy?

Many of his similarities come from the Bible used by both Latter-day Saints and the Freemasons. I will add commentary as needed.

All Seeing Eye
The all seeing eye is indeed used by the Masons but also by many others. It is found on the revers of the Great Seal of the United States for example.
Anointing with oil
A very old practice found in Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions. It is not, however,found in the Masonic tradition outside of the setting of a cornerstone with wine, oil and corn.
Apron
Both groups use them. The reference comes from the Bible; the symbology is different, however. The LDS use can be traced to Gen. 3:7 “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” The Masonic usage refers to aprons worn by stone masons in quarries. The aprons themselves differ. The Masonic one is white lamb’s skin; the LDS apron in green representing the fig leaves spoken of in the creation story.
Beehive
Found in Masonry but also found in the Book of Mormon. It is a nearly universal icon of industry.
Square and Compass
Found in both the LDS temple and among the Masons. Their symbolic use differs in each, however. The endowment does not use a physical square and compass as the Masons do.
Emblem of the clasped hands
A very old symbol of brotherly love that can be found on tombstones in New England. Found even on the graves of women who would not have been Masons.
Solemn Assembly in the Temple
This has no Masonic equivalent unless you consider a Grand Lodge meeting to be a Solemn Assembly (which Masons do not).
Five points of Fellowship
A Masonic tradition once used in the temple. Removed after 1990 as it had become meaningless to modern saints.
Special Garments applied to initiates
The temple garments worn by the Latter-day Saints the first time they attend the temple are the same as they use every day. Masons have special clothing, not undergarments, that symbolically show that they come to the lodge without any material possessions including clothing. Masons do not have symbolic clothing worn outside the lodge.
Garment Markings
Masonic ritualistic clothing have markings which are intended to provide a means of conducting the ritual. They do not carry symbolic meaning within the Masonic traditions.
Special handshakes
They are different both in form and meaning.
The phrase: “Holiness to the Lord”
The Masonic as well as the LDS usage of this phase comes from the Bible (Exodus 28:36 “And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”)
Moon symbol
Mankind have been using the symbols of the heavens long before the establishment of Masons.
New Name given
Practice is found in scripture (Saul becomes Paul, for example). The Masonic as well as LDS practice comes from the Bible.
Special Prayer circle
No such practice in Masonry.
Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood
Not found in Masonry.
Blood/death oaths of secrecy with morbid gestures and words describing penalties agreed to if secrets are revealed.
Mormons going through the temple post-1990 may not be familiar with these. See the earlier discussion of the penalties.
Location (possession of) Throne of the “Holy of Holies”
Masons make no claim to possession of such. Neither do Latter-day Saints. Both groups make a reference to in in connection to the Temple of Solomon.
Star symbols, Sun symbols
See Moon symbols.
Tabernacles, Temples
In both cases clearly a reference to the Bible usage.

http://www.fairlds.org/authors/misc/ask ... ple-ritual

Given that te FAIR website reveals secre...err...sacred Temple stuff shouldn't the website owners be subject to Church discipline?

[_just me]

Oh my god, peeps. The LDS Temple ritual is not "Satanic." WTFH?

That is just ridiculous and annoying.

[_PrickKicker]

Oh my god, peeps. The LDS Temple ritual is not "Satanic." WTFH?

That is just ridiculous and annoying.

Just me is right it is Not Satanic, Because there is no Devil
tempting you to eat chocolate or watch that funny movie that has swear words in.

[_gdemetz]

You've been hearing and reading to much tabloid type anti Mormon material, Albion. It seems to be blinding your mind to all the good he as well as the TRUE church has, and is still doing!