In my mind, your statement would be synonymous with seeking perfection. Why better yourself if you’re not striving for the ideal. I’m not suggesting that it would be achieved (outside of utilizing the Atonement in the quest), but I think that it is a worthy goal, and would/should be what any individual/group is seeking who tries to improve themselves.

It is sad that suggesting perfection as a goal might elicit negative criticism from those who might twist it into meaning something it isn’t.

One of the best similarities that I have come to find between the Masons and LDS is that both have a similar way of relating information. In Masonry there is a ask and get kind of policy. Nothing if given until the seeker asks or endeavors to find it. Meaning there are alot of things that some members know. But others could be at a similar or higher degree and know less. In the LDS faith the most repeated phrase in the Book of Mormon is “ask and ye shall receive seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you, for unto him that asks shall it be given, he that seeks shall find, and unto him that knocks shall it be opened unto him, even all the mysteries of heaven.” Both peach first the heart then the mind kind of learning. However the LDS differ in one aspect. They will peach repentance and faith in Jesus Christ to all. In hopes that someone will feel the light contained therein. Then once your mind is enlightened to that degree. You have to start to spend more time in order to become more enlightened. It is interesting to note that nearly all the Brethren of the early LDS church were Masons in Navuoo. A number according to LDS church history to be around 2000. The LDS believed and currently do still believe that Masonry is close to the priesthood and held many important truths lost through the ages. The LDS believe that Joseph Smith taught what could be called the pure masonry. If you compare the stories of Joseph and Hyram Abiff: Hyram was visited by two Gods that gave him instructions on how to build the temple. Joseph was visited by Two Gods and Taught how to build the Temple again. And both were martyred by those whom they had brought up. It is really quite intriguing.

If you really want to see how close the two orders are, Read “The Egyptian endowment ” by Hugh Nibley, and compare it to” Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians.” by manly P hall.
Feel free to email me with any questions or thoughts ColtDarleyPharm@gmail.com

GAC and Colt: I have been very interested for years in mason’s symbols, and read some interesting descriptions from a friend who was a Prince Hall mason (though ironically not African American, though I know their group is no longer just African Americans). Though obviously from your comments regarding the Masons there is no attempt to achieve a religious status (Brown actually gives a great litmus test for this in the book when looking back on a lecture, and a student notes the ABC of religion–religion Assures salvation, Believe in a precise theology, and Convert nonbelievers), my understanding (with an incredibly limited background) is that the Masons do seek a degree of perfection in life, striving always to seek it and using the symbols of construction as reminders of how and why to seek that perfection. Does that jive with your understanding?

I love mostly that what I’ve read so far in Brown’s book is a reminder to people to look beyond the surface of a belief system or a perceived activity, and understand the rationale for the symbolism. For example, I’m in Iraq right now. I see women wearing burquas all the time, and our media tends to present this as a representation of the repression placed upon women in Muslim cultures. However, as I’ve come to understand, the purpose is to protect the sanctity of marriage, and help others to avoid the temptation of objectifying the female body–both of which are serious concerns both in our church and the Western world today. I don’t necessarily agree with the way that some in the Muslim faith choose to enforce this, nor do I think that it is necessarily the most effective way (very Mosaic), but when I think of the purpose, I have a greater respect for the faith of Islam and the desire of adherents to be focused on things of a spiritual nature, rather than being overwhelmed by “pursuits of the flesh.”

Sorry, I didn’t mean to present myself as an expert. I understand that Masons adhere to no set of “doctrines” and make no claims to salvation, and are therefore not a religion. And you are right, they don’t engage in “temple worship” as you mentioned previously. You’ll notice I also mentioned the ceremonial practices of courts of law, and Boy Scouts. Both of which we all know can be entirely Godless, at times.

I would humbly suggest (you seeming to be much more expert in Masonry than I), however, that their ceremonies and structure, whether adopted from Ancient Egypt, Rome, Solomon’s Temple, or other sources, are echoes of things taught to Adam. I believe that all these threads that so resemble temple ceremony truth, all lead back to Adam, or Moses, or Solomon, or Jesus Christ, each in their respective restorations of temple principles and worship. The same can be seen in our day, wherein break-off groups (polygamists for example) mimic temple ceremony, symbols, etc. (check out Manti sometime). In another few generations their ceremonies may look very different from those they copied, but echoes will remain. Already, break-off groups from the early days, have a very different set of practices.

Thank you so much for your kind offer. I would love to tour the SL Masonic Temple, and would be very grateful to have you as my guide. I live in the Sandy area, so it should not be a problem. I’ll email you. Thanks again.

If you are in Utah, come to Salt Lake. I’d be happy to give you a tour of the Salt Lake Masonic Temple.