Historians and critics have often claimed that the book of mormon reflects the antimasonic rhet. Anti masonic party members expanded the use of party affiliated newspapers for political organizing by publishing over 100, including southwicks national observer and weeds anti masonic enquirer. The public lumped them into the same basket and with the. Anti masons were opponents of freemasonry, believing that it was a corrupt and elitist secret society which was ruling much of the country in defiance of republican principles. The anti masonic label would stick to joseph smith throughout his life, leading historians to question how a palmyra anti mason could go on to promote freemasonry on a unimaginably grand scale in nauvoo, illinois. Some scholars feel that anti masonry may be seen in the book of mormon and interpret some passages for example, alma 37. Captain morgan and the masonic influence in mormonism.
Captain morgan and the masonic influence in mormonism chapter pages 151169 from. Antimormonism is discrimination, persecution, hostility or prejudice directed against the latter day saint movement, particularly the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The relationship between mormonism and freemasonry began early in the life of mormon founder joseph smith, jr. By 1838, the mormons great exodus from new york to utah had carried them to nauvoo, illinois. Yet in this sweeping social, cultural, and religious history of nineteenthcentury mormonism and its milieu, clyde forsberg argues that masonry, like evangelical christianity, was an essential component of smiths vision. Antimasonic party members expanded the use of partyaffiliated newspapers for political organizing by publishing over 100, including southwicks national observer and weeds antimasonic enquirer. In 1827, which just happens to be right before the publishing of the book of mormon in 1830, antimasonic sentiment in the area was strong. After morgan announced his intention to publish a book. Also concluding that the book was smiths work, he posited a fascinating thesis. Masonry the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Reflected in book of mormon joseph smith becomes a mason masonry in temple ritual only one explanation embarrassing questions conclusion. Politicians seized upon the issue, an antimasonic party fielded candidates in several elections, freemasonry was attacked in state legislatures, and antimasonic agitation played a part in the presidential election of 1828. The book of mormon certainly has difficulty demonstrating that it is ancient history, so does most of the old testament, the conflicting narratives of the gospels, the bhagavad gita, the upanishads and a number of sacred texts.
Notes and communications secret combinations revisited. Some of mormons and masons is based on browns prior studies and writings, but he didnt just rely on what he already knew to write the book. Joseph smith became a mason on march 15, 1842 and rose to the sublime degree the following day. Both the prophet joseph smith and his book of mormon have been characterized as ardently, indeed evangelically, anti masonic. Anti masonic party formed in opposition to jackson. Understanding the founding and growth of the masonic lodge in. In 1831 the anti masonic party became the first to select its presidential nominee at a national convention, and the first to issue a party platform. To the present writer, the evidence of the mormon prophets reaction to the antimasonic disturbance is as clear and conclusive in the book of mormon, as is that which points out, beyond controversy, the region in which that book was produced, and establishes the character of the religious, educational and social conditions which constituted the environment of joseph smith. Anti masonic rhetoric and the book of mormon, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. An analysis of antimasonic, anticatholic, and antimormon.
I had high hopes for heavens ditch because my husband and i have been cycling different parts of the erie canal bike trail and have been quite taken with the historical stops along the way. The anti masons appeared in new york state as a political. Antimasonic movement united states history britannica. The anti masonic movement led to the creation of an independent political party where its energies were ultimately diffused. Interestingly, the secret temple rites of mormons are said to bear some resemblance to masonic rituals, and despite their notoriety, smith became a mason in 1842. In 1826, william morgan, who lived in batavia, new york, decided to write a tellall book about the masons after he was denied admission to the local lodge.
Opposition to mormonism began before the first latter day saint church was established in 1830 and continues to. Proponents or opponents of masonry simply tended to blame their opponents for mormonism. See paul mouritsen, secret combinations and flaxen cords. Joseph smith shifted from his earlier anti masonic feelings, when he had denounced all secret combinations as in the book of mormon, but now when he needed secrecy, especially to hide his doctrine of plurality of wives, he found masonry and its oaths of secrecy as a way to have what he wanted and thus include ideas as already mentioned. Its also curious that several of the most outspoken anti masons of today are also the most outspoken anti mormons. Alexander campbell points out that the question of free masonry is discussed in the book of mormon. Exploring the connection between mormons and masons. Masonic officials disavowed the actions of the kidnappers, but all masons came under a cloud. Anti masonic candidate william wirt carried vermont in 1832 but could not even come close to ousting andrew jackson from the presidency. Antimasonic party one of the most peculiar periods in american political history is the rise and fall of the antimasonic party. Banking battle maryland, a candidate for the antimasonic party, the first third party. Do some research on william morgan who was killed in upstate new york.
Many have considered the book of mormon to be anti masonic, but it really isnt. The book of mormon, masonry, gender, and american culture in 2004 through columbia university press. Joseph smith grew up with and was surrounded by freemasons in his home. Once properly understood, you will realize that no genuine christian could ever support mitt romney for president. Newspaper columnists argued whether the majority of mormon converts were strong masons or anti masons. Or why was not alma the youngers conversion made the model. Josephs contemporaries did not embrace the obvious link between the book of mormon and masonry. Martin harris joined an anti masonic party and declared the book of mormon to be an anti masonic bible.
A journal of mormon scripture book 30 by gregory l. Some claim that the gadianton robbers are thinly disguised references to the anti masonic panic of joseph smiths era. The rise of sentiment for the antimasonic party and all the publicity from stage presentations mocking the craft was further fueled by the public claims that joseph smith jr. This political party, the first third party in us politics, was active in some states from about 1827 to 1840. Also interesting is the fact that the book of mormon was originally printed by a masonic print shop. The public lumped them into the same basket and with the masonic background of the smiths, mormonism and freemasonry. He was about to publish an expose on freemasonry and it was thought he was murdered to keep the publication from happening. Smith may well have known the rituals of the lodge before he was initiated in 1842. Politicians seized upon the issue, an anti masonic party fielded candidates in several elections, freemasonry was attacked in state legislatures, and anti masonic agitation played a part in the presidential election of 1828. The evidence, to me, is quite clear that joseph smith not only borrowed from the masonic initiation rites he even incorporated anti masonic sentiment in the book of mormon. He edited a newspaper called the lake light, and then published the ontario phoenix, both anti masonic newspapers. The antimasons top 10 alternative political movements. Historians and critics have often claimed that the book of mormon reflects the anti masonic rhet. Its highly unlikely well ever know what really happened to william morgan.
Matthew brown is the author of a new book, exploring the connection between mormons and masons, that explains smiths involvement in freemasonry, a longlived fraternal order that teaches moral ideals to its members and promotes charitable causes. This is why the book of mormon uses some of the language of the king james bible. Andrus claims that joseph smith obtained essential elements of the temple. Is the book of mormon ancient history or a work of. Part of a series of articles on freemasonry core articles freemasonry grand lodge masonic lodge masonic lodge officers grand master prince hall freemasonry regular masonic jurisdictions. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Members of the anti mormon party wrote newspaper editorials that accused mormons of attempting to control local elections. The anti masons held a conventionthe first of its kindin late 1831 in. This misunderstanding was likely based on the book of mormon s mention of the commonly used phrase secret combinations. Within just a few weeks of josephs return with his new wife to his fathers house in manchester, conventions denouncing freemasonry were held in town and nearby farmington robert n.
It has long been contended by critics of the book of mormon that its gadianton robbers are merely nineteenthcentury freemasons, transparently disguised. This lead to the masons falling out of favor for a time, and a new political party known as the anti masonic party was organized. The evil secret combinations of the book of mormon thought to represent masons, actually represent spurious masonry, while the priesthood in the book of mormon represents true masonry. The crusades against the masons, catholics, and mormons. It could fit in with the narrative that the book was originally meant to be a pro masonic book, but that strategy changed midstream as popular sentiment moved against masonry. The mysteries of godlinessa history of mormon temple. Note the anti masonic sentiment relating to secret societies as a pervading theme of the latter portion of the book of mormon. Republican mitt romney and the mormon plan for america. Nevertheless, in the late 1820s, the western new york region was swept with anti masonic fervor, and the book of mormon, a foundational religious book published by smith in.
The rise of sentiment for the anti masonic party and all the publicity from stage presentations mocking the craft was further fueled by the public claims that joseph smith jr. Protests against freemasons took place in new york and the neighboring states. Antimasonic movement, in the history of the united states, popular movement based on public indignation at and suspicion of the secret fraternal order known as the masons, or freemasons. The book of mormon, masonry, gender, and american culture columbia university press, 2004 was the first to argue that mormonism can be seen as a radical, christian masonic revitalization movement, which included women as active. In great britain, missionaries encountered organized opposition in the form of public lectures, books, pamphlets, and newspaper articles. Many people regarded the masonic organization and its adherents involved in government as corrupt. Some critics of the book of mormon claim that joseph. God, gold, and murder on the erie canal kelly, jack on.
The term, anti mormon first appears in the historical record in 1833 by the louisville daily herald in an article, the mormons and the anti mormons the article was also the first known to label believers in the book of mormon as mormons. The anti masons opposed both jackson and clay for their masonic affiliations. Outraged citizens attributed this to the sinister influence of the masons, and it led to the formation of the anti masonic party. The relationship between mormonism and freemasonry began early in the life joseph smith, founder of the latter day saint movement, as his older brother. In fairness, jack kelly has given us some history of this is the second book this month that i cant bring myself to finish. A centerpiece of this debate was the term secret combinations which vogel argued had a nearly exclusive masonic connotation following the.
The book of mormon in early mormon history richard bushman. Analysis of anti masonic, anti catholic, and antimormon literature by david brion davis during the second quarter of the nineteenth century, when danger of foreign invasion appeared increasingly remote, americans were told by various respected leaders that freemasons had infiltrated the government and had seized control of the courts, that. The antimasonic party was formed in upstate new york in february 1828. Before anyone supports mormon mitt romneyu for president, they need to know the extremely unique momon end of the age viewpoint and especially the white horse prophecy. Many of those who are anti mormon are also, interestingly, anti mason as well despite the fact that one is a religion and the other, a fraternity. After reading only a few pages of the book i could see the unmistakable similarities between the masonic initiation ceremony and the mormon temple ceremony. The rise of sentiment for the anti masonic party and all the publicity from stage presentations mocking the craft was further fueled by the public claims that joseph smith, jr. Thurlow weed, a new york politician, formed an anti masonic movement, gathering discontented opponents of president andrew jackson, a mason, into the anti masonic party. The crusades against the masons, catholics, and mormons byu.
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