Joseph, why did you steal from the Masons?

[Gadiantun]

Today at the office I was surfing. I got to a section talking about the Masons and the Mormons and Joseph Smith. I have known for years that Joseph was in the Masonic Order. I know the anti’s eat this subject up, any chance Satan has to discredit Joseph, and then Satan gets people to lose their testimony of the restored church of Jesus Christ. I knew the Mason mark of the square and compass was like on the garment. I knew the handshake the Masons use was as the patriarchical grip in the temple. I knew we use the pyramid, sun, and stars on some temples. And pre-1990 the endowment ceremony had blood oaths cutting of the throat and belly similar to Mason blood oaths for divulging secrets. Why Joseph did you do it? Why did you start the latter-day work preparatory of the advent of our Lord's powerful second coming by not coming up with symbolism and signs yourself? I understand people have a fear of the unknown. I studied some more. I prayed. My testimony kind of was swaying. Then, I found this faith strengthen clip:

http://youtu.be/rGiDqKcLMMM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As far as The Prophets, Josephs martyrdom, Taylor and Richards' accounts both report that as Joseph fell from the window, he called out "Oh Lord, my God!". Some have alleged that the context of this statement was an attempt by Joseph Smith to use a Masonic distress signal.

From: “Death of Joseph Smith”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Joseph_Smith" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, Although Joseph Smith found himself in trouble with the Masons, he gave the Masonic signal of distress just before he was murdered. In his book concerning Masonry, William Morgan gives this information concerning what a Mason is supposed to do "in case of distress": "The sign is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbows, perpendicularly, one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a square. The words accompanying this sign, in case of distress, are, 'O LORD, MY GOD! is there no help for the widow's son?' " (Freemasonry Exposed, p. 76)

From: http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/jos ... sdeath.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

John D. Lee claimed that Joseph Smith used the exact words that a Mason is supposed to use in case of distress: "Joseph left the door, sprang through the window, and cried out, 'OH, LORD, MY GOD, IS THERE NO HELP FOR THE WIDOW'S SON!'" (Confessions of John D. Lee, reprint of 1880 ed., p. 153)
"...with uplifted hands they gave such SIGNS OF DISTRESS as would have commanded the interposition and benevolence of Savages or Pagans. They were both MASONS in good standing. Ye brethren of 'the mystic tie' what think ye! Where is our good MASTER Joseph and Hyrum? Is there a pagan, heathen, or savage nation on the globe that would not be moved on this great occasion, as the trees of the forest are moved by a mighty wind? Joseph's last exclamation was 'O LORD MY GOD!' " (Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, p. 585)
APA, Abid.

The Mormon writer E. Cecil McGavin admitted that Joseph Smith gave the Masonic signal of distress: "When the enemy surrounded the jail, rushed up the stairway, and killed Hyrum Smith, Joseph stood at the open window, his martyr-cry being these words, 'O Lord My God!' This was NOT the beginning of a prayer, because Joseph Smith did not pray in that manner. This brave, young man who knew that death was near, started to repeat THE DISTRESS SIGNAL OF THE MASONS, expecting thereby to gain the protection its members are pledged to give a brother in distress. "In 1878, Zina D. Huntington Young said of this theme, 'I am the daughter of a Master Mason; I am the widow of the Master Mason who, when leaping from the window of Carthage jail, pierced with bullets, MADE THE MASONIC SIGN OF DISTRESS, but those signs were not heeded except by the God of Heaven.' " (Mormonism and Masonry, by E. Cecil McGavin, page 17)
On page 16 of the same book, Mr. McGavin quotes the following from the Life of Heber C. Kimball, p. 26: " 'Joseph, leaping the fatal window, GAVE THE MASONIC SIGNAL OF DISTRESS.' "
[Web-editor: For more information see Changing World, Joseph Smith Becomes a Mason.]
Well, it is common knowledge many of the mob members that took Joseph out were Masons.

Why was Joseph Smith a Mason? That will be another post, for a lazy, Sunday Sermon. I now know why he did NOT steal from the Masons.

I know Joseph was of God, His son and child and His greatest prophet. He had to do the greatest things and bare the greatest trails. I hope someday I can meet him and say: "thanks brother Joseph".

[Mary]

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[LukeAir2008]

One could ask - why was Joseph a Methodist or a Protestant? Because those organizations are just corrupted versions of the true church and gospel. Freemasonry has taken the sacred ceremonies of the Temple and turned them into a sacred/secret fraternity.

When Joseph Smith was a Methodist he asked: Father, which Church is the true Church - and he was shown the truth. When he was a Mason he asked: Father what do these signs and symbols and tokens mean - and he was shown the truth.

The Masonic order was seen as an honorable brotherhood and fraternity. Most decent men at that time were freemasons. The Founding Fathers were mainly Freemasons. It wasn't until much later that Albert Pike and Massini saw the highest levels of Freemasonry as an ideal vehicle to carry out their schemes and plans. This doesn't mean that freemasonry is evil or corrupt. It means that certain men who have been freemasons have been corrupt. The same as certain men who have been Mormons have been corrupt.

[Mary]

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[SpeedRacer]

If it was easier to tell Joseph where to go get the information he needed, rather than re-reveal it, why would God not take such a route?

[Gadiantun]

One could ask - why was Joseph a Methodist or a Protestant? Because those organizations are just corrupted versions of the true church and gospel. Freemasonry has taken the sacred ceremonies of the Temple and turned them into a sacred/secret fraternity.

When Joseph Smith was a Methodist he asked: Father, which Church is the true Church - and he was shown the truth. When he was a Mason he asked: Father what do these signs and symbols and tokens mean - and he was shown the truth.

The Masonic order was seen as an honorable brotherhood and fraternity. Most decent men at that time were freemasons. The Founding Fathers were mainly Freemasons. It wasn't until much later that Albert Pike and Massini saw the highest levels of Freemasonry as an ideal vehicle to carry out their schemes and plans. This doesn't mean that freemasonry is evil or corrupt. It means that certain men who have been freemasons have been corrupt. The same as certain men who have been Mormons have been corrupt.

Very good rebuttal.