Rudger Clawson cites Franklin D. Richards as saying that Joseph Smith sought to know keys of knowledge lost from Masonry and the Lord "revealed … true Masonry, as we have it in our temples."
- Type
- Book
- Source
- Franklin D. Richards LDS
- Hearsay
- DirectScribed Paraphrase
- Reference
Rudger Clawson Diary, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, MS 0481, box 6, Folder 3, Book 10, pp. 172–173, April 4, 1899
- Scribe/Publisher
- Signature Books
- People
- Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow, John Taylor, Joseph Smith, Jr., Orson Hyde, Franklin D. Richards, Rudger Clawson, Willard Richards
- Audience
- Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PDF- Transcription
[p. 172]
Pres. Richards made a few remarks upon the importance of the brother[s] in keeping sacred matters that are brought before the brethren for their consideration. Also dwelt upon the importance of keeping proper minutes of our meetings.
Said he desired to say a few words about Free Masonry. A Masonic Lodge, he said, was established in Nauvoo and Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Willard Richards, John Taylor, Lorenzo Snow, Orson Hyde, F. D. Richards, and about 1000 others in all became Masons.
Joseph, the Prophet, was aware that there were some things about Masonry which had come down from the beginning and he desired to know what they were, hence the Lodge
The Masons admitted some keys of knowledge appertaining to Masonry were lost. Joseph enquired of the Lord concerning the matter and He revealed to the Prophet true Masonry, as we have it in our temples.
[p. 173]
Owing to the superior knowledge Joseph had received, the Masons became jealous and cut off the Mormon Lodge.
- BHR Staff Commentary
A transcription of this entry from Rudger Clawson's diaries can be found in Stan Larson, ed. A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 1993, p. 42. https://archive.org/details/AMinistryOfMeetingsRudgerClawson. (accessed March 16, 2022).
- Citations in Mormonr Qnas
The B. H. Roberts Foundation is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.