FAIR Topical Guide

Guide Home > Doctrinal Issues > Temples and Temple Work > Masonic Influence

Additional Topics

The following are additional topic areas related to Masonic Influence. If there is a bracket number after the topic, that number indicates how many actual articles there are related to that subject. If the link for the topic is not live, it simply means the topic is a 'planned area' for future growth.

FAIR Resources

These links are either to Web pages hosted on the FAIR Website, or to FAIR Papers. FAIR Papers are short articles about specific topics or questions, written by members of FAIR. These articles can be downloaded and read in PDF format and are intended to be distributed by e-mail or print for the general use of our patrons. (To read FAIR Papers you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. It can be downloaded free from the Adobe Web site.) Click on a title below to visit a FAIR Web page or to read the latest version of a FAIR Paper.

"Temple endowment and Freemasonry," FAIR Wiki (City Unknown: FAIR) This FAIR Wiki article addresses the critical charge that Joseph Smith simply borrowed from masonry when he invented the LDS temple endowment.

Greg Kearney, "The Message and the Messenger: Latter-day Saints and Freemasonry," (Mesa, Arizona: FAIR, 2005 FAIR Conference) Greg Kearney discusses the relationship between Freemasonry and the LDS faith in his 2005 FAIR Conference talk.

Greg Kearny, "Ask the Apologist" -- The Temple and Masonry.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

The resources listed below are articles available in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. These links are to information not located on the FAIR Web site.

Kenneth W. Godfrey, "Freemasonry and the Temple," Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 528-529

Other Resources

The resources listed below are related items available on the Web that should be of interest. These links are to information not located on the FAIR Web site.

Matthew B. Brown, "Girded about with a Lambskin," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies (Provo: FARMS, 1997), 124-151 The publication of the Book of Mormon brought forward the first of many comparisons between the restorational work of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his surrounding environment, including Freemasonry. One point of comparison has been the lambskin apparel mentioned in 3 Nephi 4:7. I will suggest a possible connection between this item of apparel and ritual clothing that was worn in ancient Israel, Egypt, and Mesoamerica. I will also suggest a possible reason for the use of this item of clothing among the secret combinations in the Book of Mormon. Finally, I will discuss the lambskin apron used in Freemasonic ritual.

Michael T. Griffith, Masonry and the Mormon Temple.

Jeff Lindsay, "Questions about the LDS Temple and Masonry," LDS FAQ This page offers an answer to the frequently asked question: Are LDS Temple Ceremonies derived from Masonry?

Paul Mouritsen, "Secret Combinations and Flaxen Cords: Anti-Masonic Rhetoric and the Book of Mormon," Journal of Book of Mormons Studies (Provo: FARMS, 2003), 64-77 Some critics claim that the Book of Mormon reflects the anti-Masonic rhetoric of Joseph Smith's day.

Richard G. Oman, "Exterior Symbolism of the Salt Lake Temple: Reflecting the Faith That Called the Place into Being," BYU Studies (City Unknown: BYU, 1996-1997), 5-68 An essay (with photos) about the symbols on the Salt Lake Temple

Eugene Seaich, "Was Freemasonry Derived From Mormonism?," SHIELDS A discussion of the relationship of Freemasonry to the LDS temple endowment.

W. John Walsh, Kenneth W. Godfrey and Michael T. Griffith; Masonry and the LDS Temple. A compilation of articles addressing the issues of similarities between Masonry and the Temple.

Recommended Reading

If you are interested in more information about the topic of 'Doctrinal Issues,' you may want to refer to the books listed below. These books are available in the FAIR Bookstore; click on a link to find more information.

Michael T. Griffith, A Ready Reply: Answering Challenging Questions About the Gospel (Horizon Publishers, 1994, 123 pages). This book provides clear and complete answers to numerous challenges made against the LDS Church.

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Last Updated September 28, 2008
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