One of the criticisms against Mormonism are the similarities
the LDS endowment ceremony has to freemasonry. In usual fashion when criticisms of the Book of Mormon are
made, when more knowledge and understanding comes forth what was once a poignant criticism
turns around to be a point of truth. No different is the criticism of the
freemasonry and the endowment critique. The critique in my opinion is the greatest historical
evidence for the truthfulness of the historicity of the Book of Mormon.
It turns out that Native Americans have been practicing freemasonry
for hundreds of years. Freemasons have been fascinated by this and wrote several
books trying to explain Native American practice of freemasonry. But first
before we dive into the examples it helps to have a basic understanding of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is supposed to date back to when Hebrews were
enslaved by the Egyptians. Being enslaved by the Egyptians for hundreds of years until Moses sent them free. The enslaved Hebrews helped build some of the stone
ruins of Egypt.
The Hebrews became excellent stone masons. They the stone masons
could differentiate between those who were average to those who were excellent
stone masons in several different ways. In other words, these stone masons became the worlds first trade union. It became a exclusive membership for only stone masons .
The Hebrews were freed from bondage and could start to build
their own cities and temples but not anyone could work on the stone structures
or temples you had to be a part of the trade union or freemasonry. But how could you tell the difference between a regular mason versus a Freemason. Freemasons had a special way
that a freemason could prove to another freemason that their claims were
true. This practice is still used today by freemasonry. Now lets move on.
For those who have received their endowments or are
freemasons one will see similarities in the examples of Native American freemasonry.
The earliest example of freemasonry principles are the Mik
Maq Indians who also have an account of Christ visit.
The mik maq Indians held sacred signs and tokens on their “garments”
and skin. These tokens were a distinguishing feature for them. So much so the tokens were buried with
them. They could show to their ancestors these tokens, the only way their ancestors
could recognize them as being a part of their tribe or the cross bearers. This
community of Mik Maq Indians held the cross as sacred. Its not a evangelical cross
but a Greek style cross held sacred for centuries by many native American civilizations
to include pre-Columbian tribes such as the Hopewell. For this being one of
many reasons Father Chretian Le Clercq believed that these Indians once knew of
the Christian gospel. These account date to 1680 in New Relations of Gaspesia
pg34, 86.
Many people of an older generation can remember watching
cowboy and Indian movies. One particular scene in many of these movies is the Native
American greeting hello. An Apache particularly common in these movies will raise his
right arm to the square and say “how”. This particular gesture has a lot of
meaning in LDS sacrament meetings in freemasonry and in other places. Other
greetings used particularly by the Great Lake Indians is a gesture that also
has a lot of significance. If you were to establish a close relationship with
these tribes, you would be given a token to show a such a friendship was made.
See depiction below but pay attention to the left and right hands. In this display you could show
to this tribe you are one of them.
See examples of freemasons fascination of Native American
freemasonry and other examples.
“FREEMASONRY AND THE AMERICAN
INDIAN”, by William R. Denslow
“INDIAN MASONRY”, by Robert C. Wright
A SHARED SPIRIT” - Freemasonry and the Native American
Tradition -- by Robert G. Davis and Jim Tresner
FREEMASONRY AND
NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITIONS” by W. Bro.
Dennis V. Chorenky.
The Ceremony of Red Hand Practiced by the Iroquois (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, or Mohawk) in their long houses or temple.
The proceedings began with 4 raps at the door. The candidate was brought in and listened to the story of Red Hand, the ancient leader. As in the Hiramic legend the candidate assumes the identity of the object of the story.
Red Hand was a young Chief who received certain mysterious knowledge from the Creator of All. He was kind and generous and loved by all.
One day in battle a poisoned arrow felled him. The enemy Indian rushed upon him demanding the secret of his power ( Hiram Abiff) or his life. Red Hand refused to divulge the secrets so he was scalped.
A lone wolf came upon the body and howled so loud he brought all the animals from the forest. They each contributed a part of their bodies and revived the scalp which they put on Red Hand’s head. They formed a circle around him at signs of life and chanted. Red Hand listened with his eyes closed when a voice asked him these questions:
VOICE: “Hast thou cleansed thyself from human guilt and impurity?”
RED HAND: “ I have”.
VOICE: “Hast thou ill will toward any of they fellow creatures?”
RED HAND: “I have not”.
VOICE: “Wilt thou trust and obey us, keeping thyself always chaste and valorous?”
RED HAND: “I will”.
VOICE: “Wilt thou hold this power with which we endow thee for thine own chosen company only?”
RED HAND: “I will”.
VOICE: “Wilt thou endure death or torture in its cause?”
RED HAND: “I will”.
VOICE: “”Wilt thou vow this secret never to be revealed save at thy death hour?’
RED HAND: “I will”.
VOICE: “They death hour will be revealed to thee; thou wilt be allowed to choose thy successor, and at the end of thy journey thou wilt be rewarded for faith and obedience.”(2)
The circle drew closer and the brother who is the bear touched the breast of Red Hand. All stood erect. The bear grasped the hand of the leader who was to be raised thought slain, and by a strong grip pulled Red Hand to his feet
http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/native_american_rituals.htm
