FreeMason's Lodge

[onomatopoeia]

Regular folk cannot go into their temples though.

Perhaps not during a Service, but other times it's ok. I used to play basketball in the basement of the Mormon church on Ossington a bit above Bloor St. One of the missionaries gave me a copy of The Book of Mormon. I read a little bit of it. If you are talking to a Mormon man, ask him if he knows why the second Nephi (Knee -fie) , (II Nephi), one of their prophets who supposedly lived around 600 BCE, spoke of Jesus Christ by name, and in the past tense.

 

[Charlemagne]

Perhaps not during a Service, but oyher times it's ok. I used to play basketball in the basement of the Mormon church on Ossington a bit above Bloor St. One of the missionaries gave me a copy of The Book of Mormon. I read a little bit of it. If you are talking to a Mormon man, ask him if he knows why the second Nephi (Knee -fie) , (II Nephi), one of their prophets who supposedly lived around 600 BCE, spoke of Jesus Christ by name, and in the past tense.

I grew up in the Mormon church. I'm in the process of officially resigning my membership, though I haven't been to church in 12 years or active in even longer. I totally missed out on a regular childhood due to the lifestyle you are required to live.

Regular folk can go into the chapel where they have Sunday church service. They often invite non-members to play basketball there as a way to try and convert them. Back when I use to play basketball, they would always want me to show up to these events and I started hating it because it became a requirement. The missionaries became really annoying about it.

The temple is a different building where certain ceremonies take place, you have go through a process (ceremonies and rituals) and pass an interview where you get a permit to go in. The only temple in the GTA/Toronto area is in Brampton.

 

[billie69]

The masons are everywhere and apparently are trying to gain younger members as young folks want human and not just digital connections.

In order to join, you must ask them as they are not allowed to recruit. Hence the saying “To be one, ask one”.

You will need 2 lodge members to refer/vouch for you. If you arrange an interview, they can refer you if they like you, so it’s ok if you don’t currently know any masons.

As for racism, Canadian Masonic lodges are pretty diverse.

In the U.S. black people weren’t initially allowed to join, but petitioned the grand lodge in London and were granted their own charter which was referred to as Prince Hall freemasonry. I’m not sure if U.S. lodges are desegregated now, but black masons maintain their own Prince Hall lodges.

Please note that I am not a Freemason, but am interested.

For now, Terb is my secret society/fraternity - where I may interest with like minded individuals who share common interests.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Help me a bit on this, 'charlie', if my facts are inaccurate, I haven't opened a Book of Mormon in over 30 years.

Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (LDS), Church in 1830, at age 24. Before that, his primary occupation was selling maps to buried treasure. (True or False)

Smith didn't claim to have written The Book of Mormon. He said the angel Moroni visited him, told him where the book was located, and gave him a 'Rosetta Stone' to allow him to translate the text to English, from its original language. The ancient text was written on gold plates. (True or False)

Very few people ever saw either the plates or the translator, but several of the original members of the LDS Church signed statements saying that they had seen them. (True or False)

According to the Book of Mormon:

Their ancient prophets tell of people coming to North America by barge, before The Flood and Noah's Ark (True or False)?

Another group that came to America around the time of the later part of the Biblical Book of Genesis were descendants of Joseph, one of the 12 grandchildren of Abraham (True or False)

The entire story of the emigration of the descendants of Joseph who came to North America is based on a line in Genesis that somebody 'went over the wall', or other short ambiguous statement similar (True or False)

At one time in North America, there were two main groups, the Nephites and the Lamanites. the Nephites were righteous, 'God fearing' people. They were wiped out by the Lamanites. This confrontation could be summarized by the song One Tin Soldier by The Original Caste:

(True or False)

The members of the LDS Church see themselves as the spiritual descendants of the Nephites. (True or False)

After wiping out the Nephites, the Lamanites became wicked, and their skins became darker. The Lamanites correspond to the North American Indigenous population before the time of Christopher Columbus. (True or False)

The Book of Mormon gives justification for western expansion into 'Indian Territory' because instead of stealing land from Indians, the 'new Nephites' were reclaiming the land of their spiritual ancestors. (True or False)

Large sections of the Book of Mormon are word for word plagiarism of sections of the King James Bible, Old or New Testament. (True or False)

After dying on The Cross, and before going to Heaven, Jesus Christ had a North American Tour, during which he played essentially the same set, note for note, as described in the Gospels. (True or False)

The Book of Mormon uses ambiguous phrases from the Old Testament to identify some of their prophets, through obscure connections. Example: Somebody says 'there will be a star', so he must have been referring to the Jesus birth star. (True or False)

The LDS members see Heaven as being similar to a modern sports stadium, where there are private boxes, prime seating, good but not great seats, and bleachers. How much you conform to the Rules of God, (as stated in the Book of Mormon), during your lifetime determines where your seat will be in Heaven Stadium. (True or False)

Joseph Smith provided annotations of the King James Bible in the LDS version. These explanations of often ambiguous words or short phrases were made consistent with the story of The Book of Mormon. (True or False)

charlemagne, would you please quote this post, and indicate which if these statements are true, and if any or false?

Thanks!

 

[Jasmina]

I suspect the reason for non-recruitment is that the order highly respects the idea of personal Will. You have to want to join, not be urged into it. It also shows a little something about dedication if you seek the path out as well. Your Will can't be that strong if you can't be arsed, kinda thing.

Which is also why the comparison between Mormon and Mason is kinda making me cringe. They aren't even close to being the same.

The masons are everywhere and apparently are trying to gain younger members as young folks want human and not just digital connections.

In order to join, you must ask them as they are not allowed to recruit. Hence the saying “To be one, ask one”.

You will need 2 lodge members to refer/vouch for you. If you arrange an interview, they can refer you if they like you, so it’s ok if you don’t currently know any masons.

As for racism, Canadian Masonic lodges are pretty diverse.

In the U.S. black people weren’t initially allowed to join, but petitioned the grand lodge in London and were granted their own charter which was referred to as Prince Hall freemasonry. I’m not sure if U.S. lodges are desegregated now, but black masons maintain their own Prince Hall lodges.

Please note that I am not a Freemason, but am interested.

For now, Terb is my secret society/fraternity - where I may interest with like minded individuals who share common interests.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Jasmina, I see this more as two topics in the same thread, where members will read or dismiss the discussion based on whether the thread title piques their interest. I only read or comment in a very small percentage of the new threads posted; I would imagine most people do the same. I personally don't see any connection between these two groups, other than that I would want to join neither.

 

[Jasmina]

Fair enough. World religions and secret societies are a passion of mine, and there is a ton of misinformation out in the masses about such groups, leading to hate crimes like the fires in BC this week. So, I get a lil concerned when connections are made like this that can only add more fuel, even if it is an unintended connection. People die over religion and belief. It's bloody sad.

Jasmina, I see this more as two topics in the same thread, where members will read or dismiss the discussion based on whether the thread title piques their interest. I only read or comment in a very small percentage of the new threads posted; I would imagine most people do the same. I personally don't see any connection between these two groups, other than that I would want to join neither.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Fair enough. World religions and secret societies are a passion of mine, and there is a ton of misinformation out in the masses about such groups, leading to hate crimes like the fires in BC this week. So, I get a lil concerned when connections are made like this that can only add more fuel, even if it is an unintended connection. People die over religion and belief. It's bloody sad.

The link between the Mormons and the Masons, as per THIS thread, seems to be based on secret handshakes and the inability of non members to attend Temple functions. I don't see anything else so far.

I, too, have curiosity about religions, and I've read about many of them, but I have no inclination to join any. I was born into a Faith that I've long since abandoned. Other than for ceremonies like weddings or funerals, and one Christmastime service at an Anglican Church, I've only been inside any Church for things like rummage sales, playing basketball or volleyball, or to visit the 48th Highlanders museum, I haven't attended church since 1969. Honorary Colonel Beal of The 48th Highlanders was able to find my grandfather's World War I military record online, when I could not.

Granddad was a Sapper, active in the European Theatre for eight months, before contracting influenza. He volunteered in November, 1915, at age 19. Sappers are military engineers that do things like building or destroying roads and bridges, and clearing minefields, among other things. He lived to age 96, and drove a 1966 Mustang in his seventies.

Sappers are considered on par with Privates in the chain of command. World War I soldiers at Private rank were paid two dollars a day in their first month, plus twenty cents per day field allowance, then half that for each additional month. Food, clothing and shelter were free.

I had found, in an old book, a 1944 newspaper clipping from the Toronto Daily Telegram about a funeral for Highlanders killed on maneuvers in Italy, which I dropped off at the Moss Park Armoury, from which it was sent to the Colonel.

 

[onomatopoeia]

I also don't want the mods to be obliged to have to move this thread to the Politics, Religion and International Affairs forum. Whatever we can do to keep it in The Lounge is good by me. I can image a future necrobump, if posts end.

 

[lomotil]

I copulated with a Bolivian lady a few years ago who was convinced that I was a mason which is what she was looking for. When she found out the truth she was not happy.

 

[onomatopoeia]

I'd like to ride in one of those Shriner cars, like the one Tom bought for Anthony on Michael's behalf for Christmas, 1958.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Women are allowed to be members of the Order of the Eastern Star....

Based on the green section of their logo, it seems to me that those ladies are probably shaved or landing strip, rather than full bush or Brazilian.

 

[Charlemagne]

Help me a bit on this, 'charlie', if my facts are inaccurate, I haven't opened a Book of Mormon in over 30 years.

Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (LDS), Church in 1830, at age 24. Before that, his primary occupation was selling maps to buried treasure. (True or False)

Smith didn't claim to have written The Book of Mormon. He said the angel Moroni visited him, told him where the book was located, and gave him a 'Rosetta Stone' to allow him to translate the text to English, from its original language. The ancient text was written on gold plates. (True or False)

Very few people ever saw either the plates or the translator, but several of the original members of the LDS Church signed statements saying that they had seen them. (True or False)

According to the Book of Mormon:

Their ancient prophets tell of people coming to North America by barge, before The Flood and Noah's Ark (True or False)?

Another group that came to America around the time of the later part of the Biblical Book of Genesis were descendants of Joseph, one of the 12 grandchildren of Abraham (True or False)

The entire story of the emigration of the descendants of Joseph who came to North America is based on a line in Genesis that somebody 'went over the wall', or other short ambiguous statement similar (True or False)

At one time in North America, there were two main groups, the Nephites and the Lamanites. the Nephites were righteous, 'God fearing' people. They were wiped out by the Lamanites. This confrontation could be summarized by the song One Tin Soldier by The Original Caste:

(True or False)

The members of the LDS Church see themselves as the spiritual descendants of the Nephites. (True or False)

After wiping out the Nephites, the Lamanites became wicked, and their skins became darker. The Lamanites correspond to the North American Indigenous population before the time of Christopher Columbus. (True or False)

The Book of Mormon gives justification for western expansion into 'Indian Territory' because instead of stealing land from Indians, the 'new Nephites' were reclaiming the land of their spiritual ancestors. (True or False)

Large sections of the Book of Mormon are word for word plagiarism of sections of the King James Bible, Old or New Testament. (True or False)

After dying on The Cross, and before going to Heaven, Jesus Christ had a North American Tour, during which he played essentially the same set, note for note, as described in the Gospels. (True or False)

The Book of Mormon uses ambiguous phrases from the Old Testament to identify some of their prophets, through obscure connections. Example: Somebody says 'there will be a star', so he must have been referring to the Jesus birth star. (True or False)

The LDS members see Heaven as being similar to a modern sports stadium, where there are private boxes, prime seating, good but not great seats, and bleachers. How much you conform to the Rules of God, (as stated in the Book of Mormon), during your lifetime determines where your seat will be in Heaven Stadium. (True or False)

Joseph Smith provided annotations of the King James Bible in the LDS version. These explanations of often ambiguous words or short phrases were made consistent with the story of The Book of Mormon. (True or False)

charlemagne, would you please quote this post, and indicate which if these statements are true, and if any or false?

Thanks!

Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (LDS), Church in 1830, at age 24. Before that, his primary occupation was selling maps to buried treasure. (True)

I believe he was also a "glass looker" where he also claimed to be able to find treasure. His dad also did something similar.

Smith didn't claim to have written The Book of Mormon. He said the angel Moroni visited him, told him where the book was located, and gave him a 'Rosetta Stone' to allow him to translate the text to English, from its original language. The ancient text was written on gold plates. (True)

I believe the church changed the story about this, as they are known to do, along with walking back previous policies due to political pressure. The original narrative was that he also used two "seer stones," one of which he had before he founded the Church and had the first vision. The church now says he just used a device called the "Urim and Thummim" but don't admit to the usage of seer stones.

Very few people ever saw either the plates or the translator, but several of the original members of the LDS Church signed statements saying that they had seen them. (True)

According to the Book of Mormon:

Their ancient prophets tell of people coming to North America by barge, before The Flood and Noah's Ark (True or False)?

Not sure

The Book of Mormon gives justification for western expansion into 'Indian Territory' because instead of stealing land from Indians, the 'new Nephites' were reclaiming the land of their spiritual ancestors. (True)

The Lamanites which were the supposed enemies of the Nephites and are the ancestors of the modern day Natives according to them. They were punished with dark skin for being wicked. This land (North America) will be given back to them once the second coming happens, as it belongs to them lol. Due to the lack of archeological evidence and historical inaccuracies, the church made a partial retraction by stating that only some Native people are descendants of the Lamanites, as they are supposed to be from Israel in their theology, but genetics says they from Asia.

Large sections of the Book of Mormon are word for word plagiarism of sections of the King James Bible, Old or New Testament. (True)

After dying on The Cross, and before going to Heaven, Jesus Christ had a North American Tour, during which he played essentially the same set, note for note, as described in the Gospels. (Not sure)

Seems open to interpretation

When Did Jesus Visit the Americas? | Religious Studies Center

Conflicting views exist about when Jesus appeared to his New World disciples. Did he appear directly after his ascension to the Father? Some believe that his appearance followed the forty days with his disciples in Palestine, while others believe that an entire year had passed after the...

rsc.byu.edu

The Book of Mormon uses ambiguous phrases from the Old Testament to identify some of their prophets, through obscure connections. Example: Somebody says 'there will be a star', so he must have been referring to the Jesus birth star. (True)

The LDS members see Heaven as being similar to a modern sports stadium, where there are private boxes, prime seating, good but not great seats, and bleachers. How much you conform to the Rules of God, (as stated in the Book of Mormon), during your lifetime determines where your seat will be in Heaven Stadium. (Partially true)

Your statement sounds more like an analogy. There are three tiers to Heaven, which are Celestial (You live in the realm with the whole trinity), Terrestrial (You live in the realm with Jesus and The Holy Spirit), and Telestial (Just the Holy Spirit). What tier you go to depends on how righteous of a life you've lived on earth, plus doing all the required practices of the Mormon LDS religion. Satan and his followers were banished to outer darkness and cannot enter any tier of heaven, but they can tempt you to do wrong while you are on earth.

However, I've heard "high tithing payers" which are rich people, are the ones that get to sit close to the front at events like General Conference. Mormons are required to pay 10 percent of their income every month to the church.

Regardless, your soul is stuck in purgatory if you do not get baptized, hence the practice of baptisms for dead done by the Mormons.

Joseph Smith provided annotations of the King James Bible in the LDS version. These explanations of often ambiguous words or short phrases were made consistent with the story of The Book of Mormon. (True)

 

[Charlemagne]

The link between the Mormons and the Masons, as per THIS thread, seems to be based on secret handshakes and the inability of non members to attend Temple functions. I don't see anything else so far.

I, too, have curiosity about religions, and I've read about many of them, but I have no inclination to join any. I was born into a Faith that I've long since abandoned. Other than for ceremonies like weddings or funerals, and one Christmastime service at an Anglican Church, I've only been inside any Church for things like rummage sales, playing basketball or volleyball, or to visit the 48th Highlanders museum, I haven't attended church since 1969. Honorary Colonel Beal of The 48th Highlanders was able to find my grandfather's World War I military record online, when I could not.

Granddad was a Sapper, active in the European Theatre for eight months, before contracting influenza. He volunteered in November, 1915, at age 19. Sappers are military engineers that do things like building or destroying roads and bridges, and clearing minefields, among other things. He lived to age 96, and drove a 1966 Mustang in his seventies.

Sappers are considered on par with Privates in the chain of command. World War I soldiers at Private rank were paid two dollars a day in their first month, plus twenty cents per day field allowance, then half that for each additional month. Food, clothing and shelter were free.

I had found, in an old book, a 1944 newspaper clipping from the Toronto Daily Telegram about a funeral for Highlanders killed on maneuvers in Italy, which I dropped off at the Moss Park Armoury, from which it was sent to the Colonel.

Mormonism and Freemasonry - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Smith stole rituals and renamed them, which he encorporated into Mormonism. Goofy costumes were later added.

There is a lot of symbolism, language, costumes, handshakes, arm-raising that is similar to freemasonry.

Joseph Smith was also a freemason. Legend says he gave the masonic sign for help when he was about to be killed by a mob in Carthage Jail.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Mormonism and Freemasonry - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Smith stole rituals and renamed them, which he encorporated into Mormonism. Goofy costumes were later added.

There is a lot of symbolism, language, costumes, handshakes, arm-raising that is similar to freemasonry.

Joseph Smith was also a freemason. Legend says he gave the masonic sign for help when he was about to be killed by a mob in Carthage Jail.

Thanks, I didn't know anything about the costumes, handshakes, or rituals. When I read the part of The Book of Mormon where the Lamanites' skin got darker as they turned against God, I thought, 'OK, I can see where this is going".

I guess my vision of Heaven is very different from theirs. Being cooped up for eternity with a bunch of people who spent their lives being voluntarily obedient to self imposed authority figures and resisting temptations sounds like Hell to me.

 

[Charlemagne]

Thanks, I didn't know anything about the costumes, handshakes, or rituals. When I read the part of The Book of Mormon where the Lamanites' skin got darker as they turned against God, I thought, 'OK, I can see where this is going".

I guess my vision of Heaven is very different from theirs. Being cooped up for eternity with a bunch of people who spent their lives being voluntarily obedient to self imposed authority figures and resisting temptations sounds like Hell to me.

Exactly. Mormons know that their Heaven is not where the party is. All the youth in my old ward use to say that they hope they get to visit their friends in the other tiers of heaven lol.

Also the whole baptism for the dead thing makes no sense, how are do they expect to have the name of everyone that has ever lived? Slavery and colonialism definitely dusqualifies a lot of people whose deaths were most likely not recorded. Not to mentoin the oral tradition cultures. I'm guessing prehistoric man would probably not be considered among real people as they weren't developed enough to do what modern man can. The magical thinking is that all the records will be brought to earth one day lol.

These ancestry tracing companies have links to Mormons and The CIA. What'd you know, those who are blindly obedient make great law, security, and surveillance personnel.

 

[saxon]

Renting a space on days or nights when it would otherwise be empty is good business. They don't meet often, and not at all in the summer, when all Executive take at least one full month off, to provide a valid excuse for long delays in resolving important matters where no one wants to have to make the decision. My father was a Vice-President of an Insurance company, but not a Mason, as far as I know.

The Masonic Temple at Yonge and Davenport used to host a lot of concerts, most notably, Led Zeppelin in 1969. The only show I saw there was Hothouse Flowers, around 1990.

The Masonic Temple, brings back memories. Let’s see, I saw Motörhead, Metallica, Slayer, Razor, Anvil, Exciter, and Saxon. All great shows.

 

[shack]

The Masonic Temple at Yonge and Davenport used to host a lot of concerts, most notably, Led Zeppelin in 1969. The only show I saw there was Hothouse Flowers, around 1990.

Neville Brothers, Steve Earle, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tragically Hip. I was probably at a couple of others but those are the ones that I remember off the top of my head.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Another post, on topic, reprinted from a different board:

What would you do if had a trillion dollars? - B. Gates

A: Bill, I would invest most of it in space ship designs, ultra fast engines, and state of the art telescopes. Then I'd have my team of astronomers find an exoplanet capable of comfortably supporting human life. Then I'd send my spaceship to the planet, and claim it first; the law for discovery has always been "finders, keepers" for the first white man to plant his flag, so I'd own a whole planet. Then I'd sell 80% interest in the planet to some rich Mormon who wanted to be God of his own planet, for two trillion dollars. Then I'd have my trillion dollars back, and one to party with, too. The 20% of the planet that I still owned would be the only place there where you could get coffee, cigarettes, liquor, and premarital sex, so I would get like, 99% of the tourist money as well.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Neville Brothers, Steve Earle, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tragically Hip. I was probably at a couple of others but those are the ones that I remember off the top of my head.

I saw Steve Earle, too, but the solo acoustic show at The Diamond Club, around 1990.