Only worthy members are permitted to participate in the secret temple
ceremonies and they are admonished not to reveal the nature of them to
others. The temple rituals are essentially taken from the Blue degrees
of Freemasonry..
Ex-33rd degree Mason Tom McKenney explains on page 183 in
his book 'Tell me please..'
It was not long after Joseph Smith became
a Master Mason that he got the 'revelation' for the secret temple
ceremony. The rituals of the Mormon temple are so similar to those
of the Blue Lodge that there can be no doubt that Joseph lifted most
of it directly from the rituals of the lodge.
Many things are alike, but a
few examples will suffice. Elements apparently stolen by Joseph
Smith include the presentation and wearing of an apron, whispering
of 'secret' information 'on the five points of fellowship (i.e. foot
to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, mouth to
ear), similarities in the oaths of obligation, the penalties and
penalty signs for each, and the symbolism of the square and compass,
which must be embroidered in significant places on their 'magic'
underwear.
Masonic signs used in Mormon temple ritual.
From 'Christ, the Christian and Freemasonry'
by W J McCormick)
Yvonne Kitchen, on page 170 of her ministry manual 'Freemasonry. Death in the
family' lists the following similarities with Freemasonry..
The all seeing eye
The wearing of the apron with the square and compass
Not only were Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Masons, but so
was Smith's successor Brigham Young. As a matter of fact, the first
five presidents of the Mormon church) its first five 'living
prophets') were Masons. - Tom McKenney 'Tell me please..' Page 183
An angry mob attacked the jail where Smith
was incarcerated intending to murder him and his brother - and
according to most accounts,
'when Joseph saw that he had no chance, he gave
the Masonic 'Grand Hailing Sign of Distress' lifting his hands
above his head and crying out, "Oh Lord, my God, is there no
help for the widow's son?"' Tom McKenney 'Please ask
me..' page 184
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