Do Mormon temples resemble Masonic temples? Yes. In fact, the Mormon temple ritual is based on the Masonic.
| MORMONS | MASONS |
| “The five points of fellowship are given by putting the inside of the right foot to the inside of the Lord’s, the inside of your knee to his, laying your breast close to his, your left hands on each other’s backs, and each one putting his mouth to the other’s ear, in which position the Lord whispers:”Lord—’This is the sign of the token:”‘Health to the navel, marrow in the bones,… (Temple Mormonism—Its Evolution, Ritual and Meaning, New York, 1931, p. 22) | “He (the candidate) is raised on what is called the five points of fellowship,…This is done by putting the inside of your right foot to the inside of the right foot of the person to whom you are going to give the word, the inside of your knee to his, laying your right breast against his, your left hands on the back of each other, and your mouths to each other’s right ear (in which position alone you are permitted to give the word), and whisper the word Mahhah-bone…He is also told that Mahhah-bone signifies marrow in the bone.” (Capt. William Morgan, Freemasonry Exposed, 1827, pp. 84-85) |
| “…we will not reveal any of the secrets of this, the first token of the Aaronic priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign or penalty. Should we do so, we agree that our throats be cut from ear to ear and our tongues torn out by their roots.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 18) | “…I will…never reveal any part or parts, art or arts, point or points of the secret arts and mysteries of ancient Freemasonry… binding myself under no less penalty than to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots,…” (Freemasonry Exposed, pp. 21-22) |
| “Sign—In executing the sign of the penalty, the right hand, palm down, is drawn sharply across the throat,…(Temple Mormonism, p. 18) | “This is given by drawing your right hand across your throat, the thumb next to your throat,…”(Freemasonry Exposed, p. 23) |
| “The Grip-Hands clasped, pressing the knuckle of the index finger with the thumb.”(Temple Mormonism, page 18) | “The right hands are joined together as in shaking hands and each sticks his thumb nail into the third joint or upper end of the forefinger…”(Freemasonry Exposed, p. 23) |
| “…Peter now takes Adam by the right hand and asks:) “Peter—’What is that?’ “Adam—’The first token of the Aaronic Priesthood. “Peter—’Has it a name?’ “Adam—’It has.’ “Peter—’Will you give it to me?’ “Adam—’I can not, for it is connected with my new name, but this is the sign.’ “(Temple Mormonism, p. 20) |
“The Master and candidate holding each other by the grip, as before described. the Master says, ‘What is this?’ “Ans. ‘A grip.’ “‘A grip of what?’ “Ans. ‘The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason.’ “‘Has it a name?’ “Ans. ‘It has.’ “‘Will you give it to me?’ “Ans. ‘I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it.’”(Freemasonry Exposed, pp. 23-24) |
| “We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal the secrets of this, the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign, grip or penalty. Should we do so, we agree to have our breasts cut open and our hearts and vitals torn from our bodies and given to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.’”(Temple Mormonism, p. 20) | “‘I,… most solemnly and sincerely promise an and swear, that I will not give the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason to any one of an inferior degree, nor to any other being in the known world,…binding myself under no less penalty than to have my left breast torn open and my heart and vitals taken from thence…to become a prey to the wild beasts of the field, and vulture of the air,…”(Freemasonry Exposed, p. 52) |
| “The sign is made by placing the left arm on the square at the level of the shoulder, placing the right hand across the chest with the thumb extended and then drawing it rapidly from left to right and dropping it to the side.”(Temple Mormonism, p. 20) | “The sign is given by drawing your right hand-flat, with the palm of it next to your breast, across your breast from the left to the right side with some quickness, and dropping it down by your side;…”(Freemasonry Exposed, p. 53) |
| “The Grip is given by clasping the hand and pressing the thumb in the hollow between the first and second knuckles of the hand.” (Temple Mormonism, page 20) | “…the pass-grip, is given by taking each other by the right hand, as though going to shake hands, and each putting his thumb between the fore and second fingers where they join the hand, and pressing the thumb between the joints.”(Freemasonry Exposed, page 54) |
| “The name is the given name of the candidate.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 20) | “…the name of it is Shibboleth.” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 54) |
| “Peter—’We and each of us do covenant and promise that we will not reveal any of the secrets of this, the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, with its accompanying name, sign or penalty. Should we do so, we agree that our bodies be cut asunder in the midst and all our bowels gush out.’”(Temple Mormonism, p. 20) | “I,…most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, in addition to my former obligations, that I will not give the degree of a Master Mason to any of an inferior degree, nor to any other being in the known world,…binding myself under no less penalty than to have my body severed in two in the midst, and divided to the north and south, my bowels burnt to ashes…” (Freemasonry Exposed, pp. 73-75) |
| “In this, the left hand is placed palm upright, directly in front of the body, there being a right angle formed at the elbow; the right hand, palm down, is placed under the elbow of the left; then drawn sharply across the bowels, and boths hands are dropped at the side.” (Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 12, 1906) | “The Penal Sign is given by putting the right hand to the left side of the bowels, the hand open, with the thumb next to the belly, and drawing it across the belly, and letting it fall; this is done tolerably quick. This alludes to the penalty of the obligation: ‘Having my body severed in twain,’ etc.” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 77) |
| “The Name of this token is the Son, meaning the Son of God.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 20) | “…the word or name is Tubal Cain.” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 77) |
| “Lord—’What is this?’ “Endowee—’The second token of the Melchizedek Priesthood—The Patriarchal Grip or Sure Sign of the Nail.” “Lord—’Has it a name?’ “Endowee—’It has.’ “Lord—’Will you give it to me?’ “Endowee—’I can not for I have not yet received it.’” (Temple Mormonism, p. 22) |
“…’What is this?’ “Ans.’A grip.’ “‘A grip-of what?’ “Ans. ‘The grip of a Fellow Craft Mason.’ “‘Has it a name?’ “Ans. ‘It has.’ “‘Will you give it to me?’ “Ans. ‘I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it.’ (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 54) |
| “‘You and each of you do covenant and promise that you will not have sexual intercourse with any of the opposite sex except your lawful wife or wives who are given you by the holy priesthood.’” (Temple Mormonism, page 21) | “Furthermore do I promise and swear that I will not violate the chastity of a Master Mason’s wife, mother, sister, or daughter, I knowing them to be such, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it.”(Freemasonry Exposed, pp. 74-75) |
| “The Grip is given by placing the thumb of back of hand and the tip of forefinger in the centre of palm, representing the piercing of the hand by a nail. It is called ‘The Sign of the Nail.’” (Temple Mormonism, p. 20) | “Grand Commander now explains the grip and word of a Knight of Malta. He says to candidate—Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and feel the print of the nails; [they join right hands, and force the first finger into the centre of the palm;]…” (Richardson’s Monitor of Free-Masonry, p. 126) |
| “‘You and each of you do solemnly promise and vow that you will pray, and never cease to pray, and never cease to importune high heaven to avenge the blood of the prophets…” (Temple Mormonism, p. 21) | “We promise and swear, by the living God, always supreme, to revenge the death of our ancestor…” (Richardson’s Monitor of Free-Masonry, p. 188) |
| “The candidate, being directed to these washing and dressing rooms and having divested himself of all his clothing, awaits his time in the bath…”The candidate then retires to the dressing room, where he puts on a shirt and a pair of white pants and white stockings.” (Temple Mormonism, pp. 14-15) | “The candidate during the time is divested of all his apparel (shirt excepted) and furnished with a pair of drawers kept in the lodge for the use of candidates. The candidate is then blindfolded, his left foot bare, his right in a slipper, his left breast and arm naked, and a rope called a Cable-tow round his neck…” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 18) |
| “Adam (Turning to the audience) — ‘In your bundles brethren and sisters, you will each find an apron, you will now put it on.’” (Temple Mormonism, p. 17) | “The Master returns to his seat while the Wardens are examining the candidate, and gets a lambskin or white apron, presents it to the candidate, and observes, ‘Brother, I now present you with a lambskin or white apron. It is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason…”(Freemasonry Exposed, p. 24) |
| “As the candidate is washed, the officiant hurries through the lustration ritual…the candidate is passed on to another attendant and is anointed with oil. The oil is very definitely applied to the various organs of his body. The pronouncements used in this ceremony are much the same as those used in the lustration ritual.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 15) | “Master orders the basin of perfumed water and a clean napkin to be brought to him, and directs candidate to wash his hands, which he does….”Master takes a box of perfumed ointment and anoints candidate on his head, eye, mouth, heart, the tip of his right ear, hand, and foot, and says—You are now, my dear brother, received a member of our society;…” (Richardson’s Monitor of Free-Masonry, p. 167) |
| “With these garments I give you a new name which is never to be divulged to anyone. The name I shall give you is ______.’” (Temple Mormonism, p. 15) | “I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION;…” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 25) |
| “The candidate is now taken to one of the openings between the pillars by one of the Temple workers, who gives three raps with a mallet on the pillar. The Lord parts the veil slightly and asks what is wanted.”Temple Worker—’The man Adam having been true and faithful in all things now desires to converse with the Lord through the veil.’”Lord—’See that his garments are properly marked, present him at the veil, and his request shall be granted.’”Attendants or Temple workers prompt the candidate in his answers and grips….”The Endowee is then taken to the opening by the attendant, who gives three more raps with the mallet.”Lord—’What is wanted?’”Attendant—’Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil, now desires to enter his presence.’”Lord—’Admit him.’”As he says this he extends his hand and welcomes the candidate into the Glory room.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 22) | “Principal Sojourner—Companions, we will pass on, and make and alarm at the Third Veil. [Stamps nine times.]”Master of the Third Veil—Who comes there? Who dare approach this Third Veil of our sacred Tabernacle?”Principal Sojourner—Three weary sojourners from Babylon, who have come to assist in the rebuilding of the house of the Lord, without the hope of fee or reward.”Master of Third Veil—How do you expect to enter?”Principal Sojourner—By the words, sign, and word of exhortation of the Master of the Second Veil.”Master of Third Veil—Give them.”Principal Sojourner—Shem, Japeth and Adoniram. [Thrusts his hand into his bosom as Master of Second Veil had done.]”Master of Third Veil—They are right. You can enter the Third Veil.”The candidates enter.” (Richardson’s Monitor of Free-Masonry, pp. 76-77) |
| “Elohim—… ‘This man who is now being operated upon is Michael…When he awakes he… will be known as Adam’.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 16) | “Thrice Puissant Grand Master, representing Father Adam, is stationed in the east.” (Richardson’s Monitor of Free-Masonry, p. 185) |
| “When all is quiet, a man dressed in white flannels, representing Elohim, come from behind the curtain. . .” (Temple Mormonism, p. 15) | “One of the members now personates the Deity, behind the bush, and calls out Moses! Moses!” (Richardson’s Monitor of Free-Masonry, p. 73) |
| “We now have the veil explained to us. We are told that it represents the veil of the temple. The marks are the same as those on the garments—the compass on the left and the square on the right side.” (Temple Mormonism, p. 22) | “…the three great lights in Masonry are the Holy Bible, Square and Compass….the Square, to square our actions, and the Compass to keep us in due bounds with all mankind.” (Freemasonry Exposed, pp. 22-23) |
| “The marks are the same as those on the garments—the compass on the left…” (Temple Mormonism, p. 22) | “The candidate then enters, the Senior Deacon at the same time pressing his naked left breast with the point of the compass,…” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 19) |
| “…the square on the right side,…” (Temple Mormonism, p. 22) | “As he enters, the angle of the square is pressed hard against his naked right breast,…” (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 50) |
| “…one of the Temple workers, . . . gives three raps with a mallet…” (Temple Mormonism, p. 22) | “…he gives a rap with the common gavelor mallet,…”(Freemasonry Exposed, p. 11) |
| Source: “Captain Morgan and the Masonic Influence in Mormonism,” Chapter 13 (pp. 151-169) from: The Mormon Kingdom, Vol. 1 | |
Coincidence? No. Joseph took husbands’ wives, borrowed doctrine from the Restoration Movement, copied the United Order, and wrapped Dr. Graham’s health code in a revelation.