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Just a clarification – not meant to “defend” that part, since I personally support its removal, but simply to make something clear: The actual wording did NOT “threaten to kill someone if they told anyone about it”.Yes, that was the original, Masonic construct, and the wording of “penalty” remained in the ordinance even after the original construct was changed (which complicated things and shouldn’t have remained, imo), but the actual wording difference in the Mormon temple is important. The actual wording said that the person would be willing to allow him/herself to be killed RATHER than reveal the tokens and signs – and nothing else about the endowment – only the tokens and signs. Yes, the ways they would be willing to be killed were gruesome, but the wording didn’t say, “Shut up, or we will kill you.” It was, essentially, “
Treat this as so sacred that you would allow yourself to be killed rather than share it with non-believers.” It wasn’t worded as a punishment for telling others; it was worded as the ultimate commitment NOT to share it with others.That is an important distinction – and the fact that it was misunderstood by so many people (again, partly because the wording about penalties was left intact when it also should have been changed back in the day) was one of the reasons it was eliminated.
SamBee wrote:I’m glad I never saw blood oaths.
Didn’t they take out the blood oaths at the same time that they removed the part when wives covenanted to ‘obey’ their husbands? Sheesh, I’m glad I was just a kid then.
Bear wrote:I think it would actually help us rise above it and understand the whole endowment even better, if we knew more about its Masonic origins.
Maybe Joseph Smith borrowed some ideas from the Masons, but many elements of the endowment were around long before Freemasonry.Margaret Barker, a Methodist preacher who attended the University of Cambridge, wrote this:
Quote:The duties of the priests were defined as ‘guarding all matters concerning the altar and what was within the veil’ and as early as the letter of Ignatius to the Philadelphians, we read: ‘Our own high priest is greater (than the priests of old) for he has been entrusted with the Holy of Holies and to him alone are the secret things of God committed.’ Clement of Alexandria used similar imagery: those who have the truth enter by drawing aside the curtain. He knew that there were ‘among the Hebrews some things delivered unwritten.’ Origen too spoke often of the unwritten or secret tradition the mystery ‘established before the ages.’
http://www.marquette.edu/maqom/Roots.pdf Ernest C. Lucas of the Bristol Baptist College wrote this:
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_covenant_lucas.html Quote:Freemason “secrets”
Passwords are required to enter a Masonic lodge. It is more of an ancient formality that the Freemasons try to maintain, if you show up to a lodge with a password but are not recognized by the Worshipful Master it will be easy to test you to determine your authenticity. Freemasonry is about brotherly love, and charity. Once a Mason, the few secrets become unimportant compared to the spirituality felt by going through the ritual. The ritual is based on holy scriptures and is a method of teaching you Masonic values.
Real Freemason secrets are ideas like Universality. Freemasons believe in Universality. Universality means “Pertaining to or affecting the entire world.” The problem is that most people live believing that their religion is the only “true” and correct one. Freemasonry teaches against this. After a person has obtained a deeper knowledge of religious history, it is easier for him to accept and embrace men of all religions. This, the Freemasons believe, the true understanding of Universality, is the base upon peace and harmony in the world is found within Freemasonry. It begins as an ordinary handshake, the Mason presses the top of his thumb in between the first and second knuckle joints of the first two fingers of his fellow Mason. The Fellow Mason presses his thumb on the corresponding part of the first’s hand. It appears to be an ordinary handshake, only Masons will feel it.
ENTERED APPRENTICE GRIP
This grip is called “Shibboleth”. When a candidate is imparted with this grip the Worshipful Master will say: “ I now present my right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the pass-grip, pass-word, real grip and word of a Fellow Craft. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time. Give me the grip of an Entered Apprentice.” This is called the “passing” grip of a fellow craft. The hand is taken as in an ordinary hand shake, and the Mason presses the top of his thumb against the space between the first and second knuckle joints of the first two fingers of his fellow Mason; the fellow Mason also presses his thumb on the corresponding part of the first Mason’s hand.
The name of this grip is “Shibboleth”. When a candidate is imparted with this grip and its usage it is done in this manner:
First, the Worshipful Master says to the candidate:
“I now present my right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the pass-grip, pass-word, real grip and word of a Fellow Craft. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time. Give me the grip of an Entered Apprentice.”
As previously explained from the Entered Apprentice degree, he then has this exchange with the Senior Deacon, who is standing next to the candidate, who is still kneeling at the altar, after having assume the obligation of this degree):
WM: Brother Senior Deacon.
SD: Worshipful Master.
WM: Will you be off or from?
SD: From.
WM: From what and to what?
SD: From the grip of an Entered Apprentice to the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.
(At this time, the candidate is shown the Pass Grip)
WM: Pass. What is that?
SD: The pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.
WM: Has it a name?
SD: It has.
WM: Will you give it to me?
SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.
WM: How will you dispose of it?
SD: Letter or syllable it.
WM: Syllable it and begin.
SD: You begin.
WM: Begin you.
SD: Shib
WM: bo
SD: leth
WM: Shibboleth, my Brother, is the name of this grip. You should always remember it, for should you be present at the opening or a Fellow Crafts Lodge, this pass-word will be demanded of you by one of the Deacons, and should you be unable to give it, it would cause confusion in the Craft.
You must know “Shibboleth” as this pass word and grip will be required at the opening, or a Fellow Crafts Lodge.
“Jachin”
The Mason takes the fellow Mason by the right hand as in an ordinary hand shake, and presses the top of his thumb hard on the second knuckle, the fellow Mason presses his thumb against the same knuckle of the first Mason’s hand.
At this point in the ritual, the instruction goes directly from the pass grip to the real grip.
WM: Will you be off or from?
SD: From.
WM: From what and to what?
SD: From the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft, to the real grip of the same.
WM: Pass. What is that?
SD: The real grip of a Fellow Craft.
WM: Has it a name?
SD: It has.
WM: Will you give it to me?
SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.
WM: How will you dispose of it?
SD: Letter or halve it.
WM: Letter it and begin.
SD: You begin.
WM: Begin you.
SD: A
WM: J
SD: C
WM: H
SD: I
WM: N
WM: Jachin, my Brother, is the name of this grip, and should always be given in this manner, by lettering or halving it. When lettering, always commence with the letter “A”.
Master Mason Degree
Due Guard of a Master Mason
The Due Guard of the Master Mason alludes to the position of the hands when taking the oath of the Master Mason, “both hands resting on the Holy Bible, square, and compasses.”
Sign of a Master Mason
The sign of the Master Mason alludes to the penalty of the Master Mason’s obligation, “to have my body cut in two, my bowels removed and burned to ashes which are then to be scattered to the four winds of heaven.”
Explanation of the Master Mason sign. The sign is made by drawing the thumb quickly across the waist to the right hip, then dropping the hand to the side. This action shows the stomach being ripped open.
Pass Grip (Handshake) of a Master Mason
“Tubalcain”
The Mason places his thumb on the space between the second and third knuckles of the fellow Mason’s right hand, while the fellow Mason moves his thumb to the corresponding space on the first Masons hand. The thumb is pressed hard between the second and third knuckles of the hands.
The name of this grip is “Tubalcain”. When a candidate is imparted with this grip and its usage it is done in this manner:
First, the Worshipful Master says to the candidate:
“I now present my right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the pass-grip and pass-word of a Master Mason. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time. Give me the real grip of a Fellow Craft.”
(As explained from the preceding degrees, he then has this exchange with the Senior Deacon, who is standing next to the candidate, who is still kneeling at the altar, after having assume the obligation of this degree):
WM: Brother Senior Deacon.
SD: Worshipful Master.
WM: Will you be off or from?
SD: From.
WM: From what and to what?
SD: From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the pass-grip of a Master Mason.
WM: Pass. What is that?
SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.
WM: Has it a name?
SD: It has.
WM: Will you give it to me?
SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.
WM: How will you dispose of it?
SD: Letter or syllable it.
WM: Syllable it and begin.
SD: You begin.
WM: Begin you.
SD: Tu
WM: bal
SD: cain
WM: Tubalcain, my Brother, is the name of this grip.
Real Grip (Handshake) of a Master Mason
“Ma-ha-bone”
The Mason firmly grasps the right hand of a fellow Mason. The thumbs of both hands are interlaced. The first Mason presses the tops of his fingers against the wrist of the fellow Mason where it unites with the hand. The fellow Mason at the same time presses his fingers against the corresponding part of the the first Mason’s hand and the fingers of each are somewhat apart. This grip is also called the Strong Grip of the Master Mason or the Lion’s Paw.
Instruction for this grip is given at the “graveside”, after the candidate has been “raised”.
Speaking to the candidate, the Worshipful Master says, “My Brother, I will now instruct you as to the manner of arriving at the real grip and word of a Master Mason. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you will do so at this time. Give me the pass-grip of a Master Mason.”
WM: Brother Senior Deacon.
SD: Worshipful Master.
WM: Will be you be off or from?
SD: From.
WM: From what and to what?
SD: From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the real grip of the same.
WM: Pass. What is that?
SD: The real grip of a Master Mason, or lion’s paw.
WM: Has it a name?
SD: It has.
WM: Will you give it to me?
SD: Place yourself in the proper position to receive it and I will.
WM: Mark the difference, my Brother, Heretofore your answer has been; I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it. Now it is: Place yourself in the proper position to receive it and I will.
WM: What is the proper position to receive it?
SD: On the Five Points of Fellowship.
WM: What are the Five Points of Fellowship?
SD: Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek or mouth to ear. (Candidate and WM are placing themselves on the Five Points of Fellowship as the SD names them.)
WM: Ma
Candidate: Ha
WM: Bone.
(WM may have the candidate begin, while still in position, i.e., Candidate: Ma. WM: Ha. Candidate: Bone, being sure the candidate fully understands the word.)
The Five Points of Fellowship
During initiation into the Master Mason Degree, the candidate first receives the Real Grip of a Master Mason, along with instructions in how it is properly communicated, as he is “raised”, or resurrected, at the conclusion of the Hiramic Legend. The Worshipful Master, or a lawful designee, reaches down and grasps the hand of the candidate by this grip and “raises” him from the dead to the position known as the Five Points of Fellowship.
The Five Points of Fellowship is demonstrated as the Worshipful Master and candidate embrace one another thusly: foot to foot; knee to knee; breast to breast; hand to back; and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear. While in this position, and at low breath, the Worshipful Master then whispers “Mah-Ha-Bone” into the ear of the candidate. “Mah-Ha-Bone” is the substitute for the Master’s Word. It means, “What, the Builder!”. This proper means for an exchange of the substitute for the Master’s Word is alluded to in the Obligation of a Master Mason: “Furthermore, I do promise and swear that I will not give the substitute for the Master’s Word in any other way or manner than that in which I receive it, which will be on the Five Points of Fellowship, and at low breath.”
Grand Hailing Sign of Distress
After receiving instruction in the proper communication of the substitute for the Master’s Word, the candidate is then instructed in regards to the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress. It is given by raising both hands toward heaven, with each arm forming the angle of a square, or a 90 degree angle. The arms are then lowered in three distinct motions to the sides. In other words, ending with both arms in the natural downward position, such as when one is standing at attention. This is alluded to in the Obligation of a Master Mason: “Furthermore, I do promise and swear that I will not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a Brother, unless I am in real distress; and should I see the sign given, or hear the word spoken, I will hasten to the relief of the person so giving it.”
The candidate is additionally instructed, however, that if he is in a place where the sign could not be seen, he is to utter a substitute for the sign: “O Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widow’s Son?” He is additionally advised that the sign and these words are never to be given together.
I’m not comfortable posting exact wording for other people’s ceremonies if they would not want them posted – if they consider them to be sacred and secret. SamBee, that is interesting stuff. It is possible that the format of that part of the endowment was influenced by the wording of the Masonic ceremony. That doesn’t mean the whole endowment is based on Masonry. It’s also possible that that format is ancient. It is clear to me that the following were taught or practiced in the early Christian church:
-baptism for the dead
-washing and anointing
-being clothed in holy vestments
-covenant making
-the use of signs and tokens
Old-Timer wrote:I’m not comfortable
posting exact wording for other people’s ceremonies if they would not
want them posted – if they consider them to be sacred and
secret.
I appreciate that, and did have mixed feelings about that.
In my defence, I would point out that masonic ceremony appeared in public print as early as the 18th century and even in War + Peace by Tolstory.
Shawn, yes, I agree with your collection of early church practices. However there are some we do NOT practice – women covering their heads in chapel for example.
The question must be, are these the practices of obscure sects (gnostics etc), or more mainline early Christianity?
What Mormonism, Masonry and the ancient Greek religion share is an emphasis on mystery (in the proper original sense of the word, i.e. a secret ceremony)
Yep, the age of a thing doesn’t necessarily make it legit. My optimism about temples was short-lived. I can’t say I gave it a good shot because I attended only once after making this thread, but I just don’t expect to get much of anything out of it. I don’t like the movie. I dig analogies and parables, but not the one presented in the endowment. Are there any useful teachings derived from the fairy tale that is presented? Remember this:
Quote:”Man, moulded from the earth, as a brick! A woman, manufactured from a rib!…O man! When wilt thou cease to be a child in knowledge?” (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p.50)
”The statement that man was made from the dust of the earth is merely figurative….Likewise, the statement that God breathed into man the breath of life is figurative.” (John A. Widstoe, Rational Theology, pp.50-51)
“The story of the rib, of course, is figurative.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, March 1976, p.71)
“Man was born of a woman; Christ, the Savior, was born of a woman, and Adam, our earthly parent, was also born of a woman into this world, the same as Jesus and you and I.” (Joseph F. Smith, Deseret News, Dec. 17, 1913)
If the temple is the pinnacle of learning on earth, why can’t we learn the true account of Adam and Eve that was supposedly revealed?I’m trying to keep an open mind. Maybe going through that ceremony really is necessary. I’m having a hard time believing that right now, though. The endowment is so hard to enjoy. I can’t enjoy the celestial room because I always have to pee by the time I get there. The whole thing is dubious to me right now, like section 132.
Shawn – Thank you for the perfect laugh to end 2 very long days. Bless you and your bladder. :clap: A recent Jewish convert in our ward said he didn’t find the temple weird at all. But I don’t know how. The endowment reminds me of the Greek mysteries and tribal initiation more than Judaeo-Christianity.
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