----- Original Message -----

From: Frater Raymond Buscemi

Hello Jason

 

I am curious about your research project...?

 

Also - for everyone - I have set a layout of the King Follett Sermon in pamphlet format and will have it available in  Word and PDF (Adobe) for easy emailing, printing and distributing.  I am hoping to generate some discussion among friends and colleagues here in San Francisco as well as anywhere else regarindg the multiplicity of God (Elohim) and Joseph Smith's reliance on the Zohar as a foundation text for his later ideas.  Email me directly if you would like a copy of the pamphlet; curently it stands alone but I will be writing an introductory comentary this spring.

 

Raymond Buscemi

----- Original Message -----

From: paul c graham

To: LDSgroups@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 7:09 AM

Subject: [LDSgroups] REPLY: Anyone out there still kicking?

Hello LDSgroupites -

 

This was the first blip on my computer screen from this group since I signed-up.  I had almost forgot I had signed-up, but it is all coming back to me now... 

 

By way of introduction, my name is Paul C. Graham and I signed-up for this group just after it was mentioned in the last John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter. 

 

I live in Columbia, South Carolina-- actually, in Cayce, SC which is on the west side of  the Congarree River which seperates my town from the Capital City.  For money, I am an employee for the State of SC in their Retirement System and a Part-Time Philosophy Instructor at a local community college.  Currently teaching Introduction to Formal Logic.  I am actively involved in the Masonic community here in SC. I was Worshipful Master of my lodge last year ( http://www.mastermason.com/fortjacksonlodge374/ ) and am serving this year as the President of the South Carolina Masonic Research Society ( www.scmrs.org ).  There are other things I'm doing, but I do not want to bore you with the details.  This leads me to the next paragraph...    

 

I am interested in early Mormon history, particularily the role of Freemasonry in the tradition and even more particularily Freemasonry during the Nauvoo era.  I am the web master of a site called "The Masonic Moroni" ( www.masonicmoroni.com ).  I was raised in the LDS Church-- Brighamites, if you will-- but have been inactive for most of my adult life.  (I am currently 35 years old.) 

 

Anyway, I am not sure to what extent the role of "secret combinations" played in non-Brighamite, Mormon traditions.  I am sure it is there something somewhere considering the number of important Mormon leaders at Nauvoo who were Masons, member's of Joseph's "Holy Order" and/or "Council of Fifty," and who did not go west with Brigham.   The only quasi-Masonic order I am aware of outside of the Utah church is J.J. Strang's "Order of the Illumnati" and I don't know much about it. 

 

Anyway, that's my thing.  I look forward to seeing what this group is all about.

 

Regards,

Paul C. Graham

Dear Paul,

You have an interesting historical hobby. There is a new book out from Columbia
University Press that you might be interested in; it is called "Equal Rites"
with a subtitle that I can't remember, but it is something about Mormonism and
Masonry. I'm a graduate student in history at UMKC and live in Independence,
Missouri. As an RLDS specialist, I can tell masonry for many contemporary
conservative RLDS members is seen as a "secret combination" in the pejorative
sense. Nevertheless, many older RLDS members, including many conservatives, were
or are masons. David Bowerman, a conuselor to the First Presidency in the newly
formed Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (about 1,000 members)
is a mason, as is are many other officers in the church. The most famous RLDS
mason is Frederick Madison Smith, RLDS prophet from 1915 to 1946 and grandson of
Joseph Smith, Jr. Paul Edwards and Larry Hunt both provide an excellent context
for Smith's masonic association in their biographies of Smith (available from
Herlad House). Smith was attracted to masonry apparently due to his attraction
to ritual and his desire to find fraternity in a group where he was not always
being second-guessed or criticized. In addition, he could associate with men who
had like levels of education as himself (he held a PhD in psychology) as well as
find importance for in a role other than as "prophet" of the RLDS church. I
don't know of any single mongraphs on F.M. Smith's masonry (other than the few
paragraphs Hunt and Edwards devote to it in their books), but it would be
interesting for someone to do research into this aspect of Smith in light of the
Nauvoo experience and F.M. Smith's repudiation of this "Mormon/Masonic" heritage
religiously.

Best wishes on your research,
David Howlett

David -

I think that would be a great topic to research.  I, myself, have thought
about that.  I have noticed several comments in 1920's era issues of *Zion's
Advocate* (Church of Christ - Temple Lot magazine) that equated Fred M.'s
masonic involvement with "secret combinations."  I also came across an
interesting cartoon in the clippings archives at the Community of Christ
library which showed Fred M. being led by a masonic "cable-tow."  Pulling
the cable-tow, of course, was the devil.  I don't remember if I made a copy
or not, but I'll make a note to get one next time I'm in town.

On an unrelated note, Bowerman is now THE counselor in the Remnant Church's
FP.  I found out during my recent visit there that the other counselor,
Buchman, has resigned.

Jason


----- Original Message -----
From: "Howlett, David James (UMKC-Student)" <djhmf2@...>

> Dear Paul,
>
> You have an interesting historical hobby. There is a new book out from
Columbia University Press that you might be interested in; it is called
"Equal Rites" with a subtitle that I can't remember, but it is something
about Mormonism and Masonry. I'm a graduate student in history at UMKC and
live in Independence, Missouri. As an RLDS specialist, I can tell masonry
for many contemporary conservative RLDS members is seen as a "secret
combination" in the pejorative sense. Nevertheless, many older RLDS members,
including many conservatives, were or are masons. David Bowerman, a
conuselor to the First Presidency in the newly formed Remnant Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (about 1,000 members) is a mason, as is
are many other officers in the church. The most famous RLDS mason is
Frederick Madison Smith, RLDS prophet from 1915 to 1946 and grandson of
Joseph Smith, Jr. Paul Edwards and Larry Hunt both provide an excellent
context for Smith's masonic association in their biographies of Smith
(available from Herlad House). Smith was attracted to masonry apparently due
to his attraction to ritual and his desire to find fraternity in a group
where he was not always being second-guessed or criticized. In addition, he
could associate with men who had like levels of education as himself (he
held a PhD in psychology) as well as find importance for in a role other
than as "prophet" of the RLDS church. I don't know of any single mongraphs
on F.M. Smith's masonry (other than the few paragraphs Hunt and Edwards
devote to it in their books), but it would be interesting for someone to do
research into this aspect of Smith in light of the Nauvoo experience and
F.M. Smith's repudiation of this "Mormon/Masonic" heritage religiously.
>
> Best wishes on your research,
> David Howlett

Welcome Paul --

 

I've just been looking through your website.  It looks like you've created an excellent resource for research in this interesting and important topic.  It's very interesting to have someone approach the topic as a practicing Mason / cultural Mormon (non-practicing).

 

I'm sure I know much less about the persistance of Masonic influence in the non-Brighamite branches of the Mormon Restoration than you and many others on this board and I'm excited to hear what information you uncover about the Order of Illuminati, etc. 

 

In addition to the Nauvoo-era endowment and the post-Kirtland temples, it seems like much of the "kingdom" ceremonial in Mormonism may have been drawn from Masonry.  I wonder the extent to which some of James Strang and Brigham Young's later ceremonies may have been informed by their followers knowledge of Masonic ceremony.

 

I know the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) retained the Nauvoo-era endowment and performed the ceremony in the upper story of their meeting houses in Clitherall and Independence.  I don't know if it's still performed.  Alpheus Cutler also drew upon his membership in the Council of the Fifty to preserve among his followers the Kingdom power -- which (to my understanding) they hold in trust for Christ's return in the Second Coming. 

 

Best wishes,

John Hamer

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: paul c graham

To: LDSgroups@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 7:09 AM

Subject: [LDSgroups] REPLY: Anyone out there still kicking?

Hello LDSgroupites -

 

This was the first blip on my computer screen from this group since I signed-up.  I had almost forgot I had signed-up, but it is all coming back to me now... 

 

By way of introduction, my name is Paul C. Graham and I signed-up for this group just after it was mentioned in the last John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter. 

 

I live in Columbia, South Carolina-- actually, in Cayce, SC which is on the west side of  the Congarree River which seperates my town from the Capital City.  For money, I am an employee for the State of SC in their Retirement System and a Part-Time Philosophy Instructor at a local community college.  Currently teaching Introduction to Formal Logic.  I am actively involved in the Masonic community here in SC. I was Worshipful Master of my lodge last year ( http://www.mastermason.com/fortjacksonlodge374/ ) and am serving this year as the President of the South Carolina Masonic Research Society ( www.scmrs.org ).  There are other things I'm doing, but I do not want to bore you with the details.  This leads me to the next paragraph...    

 

I am interested in early Mormon history, particularily the role of Freemasonry in the tradition and even more particularily Freemasonry during the Nauvoo era.  I am the web master of a site called "The Masonic Moroni" ( www.masonicmoroni.com ).  I was raised in the LDS Church-- Brighamites, if you will-- but have been inactive for most of my adult life.  (I am currently 35 years old.) 

 

Anyway, I am not sure to what extent the role of "secret combinations" played in non-Brighamite, Mormon traditions.  I am sure it is there something somewhere considering the number of important Mormon leaders at Nauvoo who were Masons, member's of Joseph's "Holy Order" and/or "Council of Fifty," and who did not go west with Brigham.   The only quasi-Masonic order I am aware of outside of the Utah church is J.J. Strang's "Order of the Illumnati" and I don't know much about it. 

 

Anyway, that's my thing.  I look forward to seeing what this group is all about.

 

Regards,

Paul C. Graham

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Paul

A lawyer friend of mine who lives in Nauvoo-Nick Literski-is working of a
Mormon/Mason book. He's got some groovy angles on the subject. (no pun
intended)  If you haven't spoken with him, you might think about it. He came
to the Mormon History Association meeting last year. He might come again
this year??

Just a thought...

nicksl @ nauvoo.net

Tom Kimball
Signature Books

Dear Mirl,

Well, I  should qualify my statement about the Remnant Church and masons. I am
pretty sure that David Bowerman was (or is) a member of the Eastern Rite of the
Scottish Lodge. I remember that he was questioned on this at a public meeting at
Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch when the Remnant church was still forming. Mr.
Bowerman chose to not answer this question at the time, but everyone knew that
he was a mason. I have to admit that at the time, I was a little concerned about
his evading the question. In retrospect, I understand why he did not want to
answer the question; people in the branches love conspiracy theories and would
certainly make a conspiracy theory out of Bowerman's membership in the masons.
(Perhaps evading the question, though, only reinforced negative perceptions of
Mr. Bowerman and the Remnant church.) Several older Waldo members who are now
deceased were masons, such as High Priest Jim Fleming; he was part of the remant
movement, but I think that he passed away before the formation of the church. I
am sure that other members of the Remnant Church are masons (such as High Priest
Dale Miller if he is still living), just as I am sure that there are members of
the Community of Christ, members of the Restoration Branches, and members of
other groups who are also masons. Above all, I think we need to keep in mind
that for men of their generation,  joining extra-ecclesiastical organizations
(such as the masons, the optimists, and the American Legion) was very common. In
the generations before Fred. M (the nineteenth century), American men more often
were active in semi-secret societies (and later all male service clubs) than
they were active in their local churches. In nineteenth-century world of the
"cult of domesticity," many American men saw church as a place for "emotional"
females who were the "guardians of morality." Semi-secret societies provided men
with a sense of culturally appropriate masculinity. Of course, this is simply a
historical generalization--there are major exceptions. Still, well into the
twentieth century, it was very common for men (even religiously active men) to
join semi-secret societies. My own grandfather was a thirty-thrid degree mason
and a faithful RLDS member. While he never was called to the priesthood (he
smoked, which elminated him from consideration), my grandfather found status,
community connections, and personal satisfaction in masonry.  Many other men,
like Fred M. and so many other RLDS members, likewise joined masonic
organizations for similar reasons. I am not sure if Israel A. Smith was a mason;
I am sure that this would not be too hard to find out. Perhaps the old Herald
House biography on Israel A., "Gentle Monarch," would shed some light on this
question. I am not sure about the other RLDS prophets, either. A research paper
awaits some inquistive scholar!

On a different note, I know of Troy Bert, but I do not think that I have
actually ever met him. You may have me confused with David Hollett, an elder at
the White Restoration Branch, or Brock Hollett, his son (who is also a UMKC
graduate student in religious history). Best wishes in you research!

Sincerely,
David Howlett

________________________________

From: EarlyRR@... [mailto:EarlyRR@...]
Sent: Fri 1/9/2004 8:40 PM
To: LDSgroups@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LDSgroups] REPLY: MASONS


Dear David

Troy Bert tells me you are an old friend of his.  I am interested
in your statements about David Bowerton being a Mason and
others in the Remnant Church.  Could you name a few?

Also, was Israel A Smith a Mason also?  I have heard that he was,
and other say he was not.  How about Wallace W. and Wallace
B?  I know Joseph III was not, but he seemed sympathtic at times
to the Lodge.

Thanks!
Early Restoration Research <http://members.aol.com/EarlyRR> Mirl Edwards
   Early Restoration Research <http://members.aol.com/EarlyRR>

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<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .

Dear Mirl,

Well, I  should qualify my statement about the Remnant Church and masons. I am pretty sure that David Bowerman was (or is) a member of the Eastern Rite of the Scottish Lodge. I remember that he was questioned on this at a public meeting at Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch when the Remnant church was still forming. Mr. Bowerman chose to not answer this question at the time, but everyone knew that he was a mason. I have to admit that at the time, I was a little concerned about his evading the question. In retrospect, I understand why he did not want to answer the question; people in the branches love conspiracy theories and would certainly make a conspiracy theory out of Bowerman's membership in the masons. (Perhaps evading the question, though, only reinforced negative perceptions of Mr. Bowerman and the Remnant church.) Several older Waldo members who are now deceased were masons, such as High Priest Jim Fleming; he was part of the remant movement, but I think that he passed away before the formation of the church. I am sure that other members of the Remnant Church are masons (such as High Priest Dale Miller if he is still living), just as I am sure that there are members of the Community of Christ, members of the Restoration Branches, and members of other groups who are also masons. Above all, I think we need to keep in mind that for men of their generation,  joining extra-ecclesiastical organizations (such as the masons, the optimists, and the American Legion) was very common. In the generations before Fred. M (the nineteenth century), American men more often were active in semi-secret societies (and later all male service clubs) than they were active in their local churches. In nineteenth-century world of the "cult of domesticity," many American men saw church as a place for "emotional" females who were the "guardians of morality." Semi-secret societies provided men with a sense of culturally appropriate masculinity. Of course, this is simply a historical generalization--there are major exceptions. Still, well into the twentieth century, it was very common for men (even religiously active men) to join semi-secret societies. My own grandfather was a thirty-thrid degree mason and a faithful RLDS member. While he never was called to the priesthood (he smoked, which elminated him from consideration), my grandfather found status, community connections, and personal satisfaction in masonry.  Many other men, like Fred M. and so many other RLDS members, likewise joined masonic organizations for similar reasons. I am not sure if Israel A. Smith was a mason; I am sure that this would not be too hard to find out. Perhaps the old Herald House biography on Israel A., "Gentle Monarch," would shed some light on this question. I am not sure about the other RLDS prophets, either. A research paper awaits some inquistive scholar!

On a different note, I know of Troy Bert, but I do not think that I have actually ever met him. You may have me confused with David Hollett, an elder at the White Restoration Branch, or Brock Hollett, his son (who is also a UMKC graduate student in religious history). Best wishes in you research!

Sincerely,
David Howlett

________________________________

From: EarlyRR@... [mailto:EarlyRR@...]
Sent: Fri 1/9/2004 8:40 PM
To: LDSgroups@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LDSgroups] REPLY: MASONS


Dear David

Troy Bert tells me you are an old friend of his.  I am interested
in your statements about David Bowerton being a Mason and
others in the Remnant Church.  Could you name a few? 

Also, was Israel A Smith a Mason also?  I have heard that he was,
and other say he was not.  How about Wallace W. and Wallace
B?  I know Joseph III was not, but he seemed sympathtic at times
to the Lodge.

Thanks!
Early Restoration Research http://members.aol.com/EarlyRR> Mirl Edwards
  Early Restoration Research http://members.aol.com/EarlyRR>

I get his newsletter, and yes, I'd be interested in discussing him.

----------------
Jeff Needle
jeff.needle@...
jeffneedle@...


At 06:35 AM 1/25/2004, you wrote:
>Anyone want to discuss the Internet phenomenon of Sterling Allen?  For
>those who haven't heard of him, he is mentioned in the October 2003 issue
>of Sunstone in an article about Brian David Mitchell and other fringe
>LDS.  Read the article here -
><http://www.sunstoneonline.com/magazine/issues/129/BrianDavidMitchell-129.pdf>h\
ttp://www.sunstoneonline.com/magazine/issues/129/BrianDavidMitchell-129.pdf
>
>Allen maintains about 3 dozen websites, covering such issues as religion,
>politics, economic policy, and free energy.  He is currently touting
>himself as a candidate for president, running on a "Providential Party" ticket.
>
>This morning I received an interesting press release from Allen's
>campaign.  He wants the government to come clean about its interactions
>with extra-terrestrials.  Here is the release -
><http://www.allan2004.com/press_releases/040124_extraterrestrial_frontier/index\
.html>http://www.allan2004.com/press_releases/040124_extraterrestrial_frontier/i\
ndex.html
>
>I think Allen may be worth looking into as representative of a new type of
>latter day saint.  He is no longer officially a member if the LDS church,
>though he still bears testimony of its verity.  He seems to support a
>small, global government.  He emphasizes numerology and sees hidden
>meanings in almost everything.  Anyone else want to tackle this?
>
>Jason

LDSgroupies -

 

This last week I received the Voice of Joy, the monthly magazine of the Church of Christ, "The Church with the Elijah Message."  There is an announcement on the back page for that group's 2004 General Church Assembly - June 20-23, 2004.  They are holding it at the Community of Christ on Gudgell in Independence.  Does this strike anyone as strange, or is it just me?  If you think I am making too much of this, please let me know.

 

Jason

Could ou supply me with subscription information for this magazine?
Thanks!

On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 10:38:55 -0600, Jason R. Smith
<jasons@...> wrote:

> LDSgroupies -
>
> This last week I received the Voice of Joy, the monthly magazine of the
> Church of Christ, "The Church with the Elijah Message."  There is an
> announcement on the back page for that group's 2004 General Church
> Assembly - June 20-23, 2004.  They are holding it at the Community of
> Christ on Gudgell in Independence.  Does this strike anyone as strange,
> or is it just me?  If you think I am making too much of this, please let
> me know.
>
> Jason



--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Sure, Jeff.  Just write to Paul Savage at elijahmessage @ peoplepc.com.

Jason

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Needle" <jeff.needle@...>


> Could ou supply me with subscription information for this magazine?
> Thanks!
>
> On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 10:38:55 -0600, Jason R. Smith
> <jasons@...> wrote:
>
> > LDSgroupies -
> >
> > This last week I received the Voice of Joy, the monthly magazine of the
> > Church of Christ, "The Church with the Elijah Message."  There is an
> > announcement on the back page for that group's 2004 General Church
> > Assembly - June 20-23, 2004.  They are holding it at the Community of
> > Christ on Gudgell in Independence.  Does this strike anyone as strange,
> > or is it just me?  If you think I am making too much of this, please let
> > me know.
> >
> > Jason