Charles T. Russel's Grave site, Free Mason and founder of the Jehova's Witnesses Cult.
Glenn Beck, popular radio personality. Follower of the Mormon/Masonic false religion. Influences millions through his books and radio/TV shows.
Current GOP candidate, Mormon and here is shown flashing the 666 hand sign.Also, another thing to keep in mind is that most of these modern day Pseudo Christian sects, many of which have been around for around 150 years or less, have Scottland (FreeMason Motherland) as their points of origin. Another thing to keep in mind is how all of them have always been very anti-Catholic and have never ceased trying to undermine the Catholic Church.
Keep in mind where the descendents of the Tribe of Dan settled...Ireland, Denmark, England, Scottland, Germany. Also keep in mind the fact that the descendents of this tribe, along with the tribe of Ephraim are found absent in the Book of Revelation.
Also keep in mind where the Protestant Reformation began.
This is part I of II, and the next segment will highlight some of today's mega church pastors and their connection to the modern day Illuminati Church. For there is a reason why these Christian sects have tried to undermine the Catholic Church and its 2,000 year history.
Occultic and Masonic Influence in Early Mormonism
By Joel B. Groat
Institute For Religious Research
http://www.irr.org/mit/masonry.html
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=311473
By Joel B. Groat
Institute For Religious Research
http://www.irr.org/mit/masonry.html
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=311473
The evidence of Joseph Smith's close connection to occultism and Freemasonry, and how this influenced the origin and development of the LDS Church is not well known outside of scholarly circles. This article summarizes the evidence for Joseph's personal involvement in both Freemasonry and occultism, and their influence on the Mormon religion.
"There is absolutely no question in my mind that the Mormon ceremony which came to be known as the Endowment, introduced by Joseph Smith to Mormon Masons, had an immediate inspiration from Masonry."
— Dr. Reed Durham, LDS Historian
Mormonism's Link to Occultism
Both Joseph Smith and his father were involved in the occult practice known as "money digging." This involved special rituals and ceremonies which were performed for the purpose of obtaining buried treasure thought to be guarded by evil spirits. Accounts of money digging during the late 1700s and early 1800s are documented in Alan Taylor's article "Treasure Seeking in the American Northeast, 1780-1830", published in American Quarterly, 38 [Spring 1986], pp. 6-34. This article specifically mentions Joseph Smith, Sr., and Jr., on pages 10-12, giving examples of their money digging activities. LDS seminary teacher Grant Palmer also documents the Smith family's occult beliefs and practices, as well as those of their close associates, in his book An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, (SLC, Signature Books, 2002, pp. 175-195).
Joseph's Involvement in Occultism. Joseph Smith, Jr.'s role in the quest for treasure was especially important since he had a seer stone. Joseph would place this small, special rock in his hat then pull the hat up to his face to block out all light. By doing this he claimed he could see supernaturally, and would help those who were digging by locating the place where the treasure was buried and observing the spirits that were guarding it. Joseph Jr., himself admitted to being a money digger, though he said it was never very profitable for him (History of the Church, V. 3, p. 29). He and his father's money digging continued until at least 1826. On March 20th of that year Joseph was arrested, brought before a judge, and charged with being a "glass-looker" and a disorderly person. The laws at that time had what was known as the "Vagrant Act." It defined a disorderly person as one who pretended to have skill in the areas of palmistry, telling fortunes or discovering where lost goods might be found. According to court records Justice Neely determined that Joseph was guilty, though no penalty was administered, quite possibly because this was a first offense (Inventing Mormonism, Marquardt and Walters, SLC: Signature Books, 1994, pp. 74-75).
Occultism and the Start of Mormonism. Shortly after this Joseph discontinued money digging but kept his seer stone. It was with the seer stone that he claimed to both find the plates and later produce the Book of Mormon. This was known by early converts but has since been replaced with later accounts of an angelic visitor. This transition was aided by downplaying the fact that Moroni was a dead Indian warrior, and by referring to him as an angel. Former BYU professor and historian D. Michael Quinn writes:
During this period from 1827 to 1830, Joseph Smith abandoned the company of his former money-digging associates, but continued to use for religious purposes the brown seer stone he had previously employed in the treasure quest. His most intensive and productive use of the seer stone was in the translation of the Book of Mormon. But he also dictated several revelations to his associates through the stone (Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, D. Michael Quinn, Signature Books, SLC, 1987, p. 143.
This fact is supported by LDS author Richard S. Van Wagoner who found,
This stone, still retained by the First Presidency of the LDS Church, was the vehicle through which the golden plates were discovered and the medium through which their interpretation came (Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess, Signature Books, SLC, 1994, p. 57).
Thus we see that historians have documented a continuity between Joseph's early occultic practices and the origins of Mormonism. This link extends to the development of the LDS Temple ceremony.>
Occultic Parallels in the LDS Temple Ceremony. Historian D. Michael Quinn has done extensive research on rites and ancient mysteries related to occultism. He states,
By drawing only on authorized descriptions of the endowment by LDS leaders, I believe it is possible to see within historical context how the Mormon endowment reflected the ancient and occult mysteries far closer than Freemasonry (Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, p. 186).
Quinn then outlines the following ten essential characteristics common to both occult rituals and the Mormon Temple ceremonies:
•They are revealed by God from the beginning, but distorted through apostasy.
•They place an emphasis on the worthiness of initiates.
•They include washings and anointings, a new name and garments
•They emphasize vows of non-disclosure.
•There are both "lesser" and "greater" rituals.
•They feature presentation of the ritual through drama.
•They contain an oath of chastity requiring strict purity and virtue of the participants.
•They feature prominent use of the sun, moon and stars as key symbols.
•The purpose of the ritual is to assist mortals to attain to godhood.
•They employ titles and offices of prophets, priests and kings to those in leadership.
After presenting this material Quinn comments,
To be sure Masonic rituals also shared some similarities with the ancient mysteries, but these were not linked to any concept of heavenly ascent, which was fundamental to both the occult mysteries and to the Mormon endowment. Therefore, what similarities may exist between Freemasonry and Mormonism seem more appropriately to be regarded as superficial, whereas the ancient occult mysteries and the Mormon endowment manifest both philosophical and structural kinship. (Ibid., p. 190).
Mormonism and Masonry
Masonry's influence on Mormonism and Joseph Smith has been noted by a number of historians. Some of the areas impacted by Masonic lore and ritual include the Book of Mormon, Joseph's personal life, and the LDS temple ceremony.
Masonic Themes Related to the Book of Mormon. John L. Brooke in his book The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844, noted the following in reference to the story of the discovery of the gold plates and the narrative structure of the Book of Mormon:
Freemasonry provides a point of entry into this very complex story. As it had been in Vermont, Masonic fraternity was a dominant feature of the cultural landscape in Joseph Smith's Ontario County .... The dense network of lodges and chapters helps explain the Masonic symbolism that runs through the story of the discovery of the Golden Plates. Most obviously, the story of their discovery in a stone vault on a hilltop echoed the Enoch myth of Royal Arch Freemasonry, in which the prophet Enoch, instructed by a vision, preserved the Masonic mysteries by carving them on a golden plate that he placed in an arched stone vault marked with pillars, to be rediscovered by Solomon. In the years to come the prophet Enoch would play a central role in Smith's emerging cosmology. Smith's stories of his discoveries got more elaborate with time, and in June 1829 he promised Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris that they would see not only the plates but other marvelous artifacts: the Urim and Thummim attached to a priestly breastplate, the 'sword of Laban,' and 'miraculous directors.' Oliver Cowdery and Lucy Mack Smith later described three or four small pillars holding up the plates. All of these artifacts had Masonic analogues.
... Smith's sources for these Masonic symbols were close at hand. Most obviously, Oliver Cowdery would have been a source, given that his father and brother were Royal Arch initiates; one Palmyra resident remembered Oliver Cowdery as 'no church member and a Mason.' ... A comment by Lucy Mack Smith in her manuscript written in the 1840s, protesting that the family did not abandon all household labor to try 'to win the faculty of Abrac, drawing magic circles, or sooth-saying,' suggests a familiarity with Masonic manuals: the 'faculty of Abrac' was among the supposed Masonic mysteries (Refiner's Fire, Cambridge University Press, 1994, pp. 157-158).
However, it wasn't until later in life that Joseph's involvement became more personal.
Joseph's Personal Involvement in Freemasonry. Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated:
Many of the Saints were Masons, such as Joseph's brother Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Elijah Fordham, Newel K. Whitney, James Adams, and John C. Bennett .... With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo .... it was March 15, 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nauvoo and to induct new members. Joseph Smith became a member (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1 volume, pp. 357-358).
Joseph Smith admitted to being a Mason in his History of the Church, volume 4, page 551. Under the date of March 15, 1842 it reads: "In the evening I received the first degree in Free Masonry in the Nauvoo Lodge, assembled in my general business office." The record for the next day reads, "I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree" (page 552).
How did Joseph's Masonic membership affect the development of the Mormon Church? The most significant area appears to be in the development of the Mormon temple ceremonies. As noted above, Joseph became a Mason on March 15, 1842 and "rose to the sublime degree" the following day. Less than two months later, on May 4, 1842, Joseph introduced the temple endowment ceremony (History of the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 1-2).
Masonry and Mormon Temple Ceremonies. The pervasive influence of Freemasonry in Mormon Temples is expressed well by LDS historian Dr. Reed Durham. Dr. Durham, who has served as president of the Mormon History Association, provides a number of interesting parallels between the two. He gives these as evidence for Masonry's clear influence on Mormonism.
I am convinced that in the study of Masonry lies a pivotal key to further understanding Joseph Smith and the Church. . . . Masonry in the Church had its origin prior to the time Joseph Smith became a Mason .... It commenced in Joseph's home when his older brother became a Mason. Hyrum received the first three degrees of Masonry in Mount Moriah Lodge No. 112 of Palmyra, New York, at about the same time that Joseph was being initiated into the presence of God . . The many parallels found between early Mormonism and the Masonry of that day are substantial...
I have attempted thus far to demonstrate that Masonic influences upon Joseph in the early Church history, preceding his formal membership in Masonry, were significant. However, these same Masonic influences exerted a more dominant character as reflected in the further expansion of the Church subsequent to the Prophet's Masonic membership. In fact, I believe that there are few significant developments in the Church, that occurred after March 15 1842, which did not have some Masonic interdependence. Let me comment on a few of these developments. There is absolutely no question in my mind that the Mormon ceremony which came to be known as the Endowment, introduced by Joseph Smith to Mormon Masons, had an immediate inspiration from Masonry. This is not to suggest that no other source of inspiration could have been involved, but the similarities between the two ceremonies are so apparent and overwhelming that some dependent relationship cannot be denied. They are so similar, in fact, that one writer was led to refer to the Endowment as Celestial Masonry.
It is also obvious that the Nauvoo Temple architecture was in part, at least, Masonically influenced. Indeed, it appears that there was an intentional attempt to utilize Masonic symbols and motifs ...
Another development in the Nauvoo Church, which has not been so obviously considered as Masonically inspired, was the establishment of the Female Relief Society. This organization was the Prophet's intentional attempt to expand Masonry to include the women of the Church. That the Relief Society was organized in the Masonic Lodge room, and only one day after Masonry was given to the men, was not happenstance .... included in the actual vocabulary of Joseph Smith's counsel and instructions to the sisters were such words as: ancient orders, examinations, degrees, candidates, secrets, lodges, rules, signs, tokens, order of the priesthood, and keys; all indicating that the Society's orientation possessed Masonic overtones.
.... I suggest that enough evidence presently exists to declare that the entire institution of the political kingdom of God, including the Council of Fifty, the living constitution, the proposed flag of the kingdom, and the anointing and coronation of the king, had its genesis in connection with Masonic thoughts and ceremonies .... it appears that the Prophet first embraced Masonry, and, then in the process, he modified, expanded, amplified, or glorified it .... The Prophet believed that his mission was to restore all truth, and then to unify and weld it all together into one. This truth was referred to as 'the Mysteries,' and these Mysteries were inseparably connected with the Priesthood .... Can anyone deny that Masonic influence on Joseph Smith and the Church, either before or after his personal Masonic membership? The evidence demands comments ...
There are many questions which still demand the answers .... if we, as Mormon historians, respond to these questions and myriads like them relative to Masonry in an ostrich-like fashion, with our heads buried in the traditional sand, then I submit: there never will be 'any help for the widow's son' (Mormon Miscellaneous, October 1975, pp. 11-16, as cited in Changing World of Mormonism, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, 1981, pp. 546-547).
These statements demonstrate that much of the religious ritual within Mormonism finds its origin in both occultism and Freemasonry. It is not surprising that there is an overlap between occultism and Freemasonry within Mormonism since Masonry itself draws from occult lore and ritual. What becomes obvious is that Joseph neglected the Bible's clear prohibition regarding occult involvement. This is found in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 which states in part,
... thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shalt not be found among you any one that ... useth divination, or is an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits [demons], or a wizard, or a necromancer [one who communicates with the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD.
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Resources
The following resources contain a more extensive treatment of Joseph Smith's magical and occultic practices and worldview:
John L. Brooke, The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844, Cambridge University Press, NY, 1994, 421 pages. This non-Mormon author is an associate professor in the Department of History at Tufts University.
Grant H. Palmer, An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, (Signature Books, SLC, 2002, 281 pages). Palmer is an LDS seminary teacher and three-time director of LDS Institutes of Religion in California and Utah.
D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, Signature Books, SLC, revised and enlarged edition 1998, 646 pages. This work is comprehensive and thoroughly documented. The author is a former BYU professor and one of the most respected historians of Mormonism.
Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Mormonism, Magic and Masonry, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, SLC, 1983, 97 pages. This former Mormon husband and wife research/publishing team are well-known for their carefully documented critiques of Mormonism.
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Was Charles Taze Russell the founder of THE JEHOVA'S WITNESSES a Mason?
An examination of some of the publications of Charles T. Russell, the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses, would indicate that he had ties with the Masons. He used Masonic symbols. The Watchtower drawing that graced early publications right up to a couple of decades ago was pure Masonic. Russell was buried under a cross and a crown, again Masonic. Other Masonic symbols were used frequently on his publications.
We keep getting speculative articles in our mail and e-mail indicating that Russell was a Mason. Missing is the proof - where are the records of this membership if he indeed was one?
Over the past twenty-two years we have resisted jumping on the "Masonic Russell" bandwagon, awaiting something definite. Well, we feel we have finally found something which should settle the issue once and for all.
We are indebted to the extensive information found on Randall Watters website (www.freeminds.org) which included a Special 1913 Convention Report of the Internal Bible Students. Under the subject of "The Temple of Gods" is a discourse by Pastor Russell reported verbatim on pages 120-127. Russell's own comments on this very speculation once and for all. Was he a Mason?
It is evident he was familiar with the Masons. In the beginning of the discourse he point out how he is "more" than many of the groups, Masons included. These first set of quotes are all found on page 120.
"Do our Masonic friends understand something about the Temple, and being Knights Templars and so on? We more." He goes on to say that Masons and other have.. "that little bit of truth".
Russell admits ".. we remember we had very similar ideas, and not very long ago; but, without finding any fault with anybody, we are glad that we are coming to see a more reasonable and harmonious way.. "
He next moves on to points where he agrees with the Masons. A very careful reading is needed here, because if one or two sentences are taken out of context it would indeed appear that Russell was a Mason. Notice that he refers to Mason as "them" and "they", excluding himself and the brethren.
"I am very glad to have this particular opportunity of saying a word about some of the things in which we agree with our Masonic friends, because we are speaking in a building dedicated to Masonry and we also are Masons. I am a Free Mason. I am a free and accepted Mason, if I may carry the matter to its full length, because that is what our Masonic brethren like to tell us, that they are free and accepted Masons. That is their style of putting it. Now I am a free and accepted Mason. I trust we all are. But not after the style of our Masonic brethren. We have no quarrel with them. I am not going to say a word against Masons, and I can appreciate that there are certain very precious truths that are held in part by our Masonic friends. I have talked to them at times, and they have said, How do you know about all these things? We thought nobody knew anything about these things except those who had access to our highest logic."
So, Russell did say "Now I am a free and accepted Mason" but, in context it is obvious he was not, because he included all his brethren in the faith as being "Masons" as well. He also said they were all Masons, but "not after the style of our Masonic brethren."
Russell went on to place himself above the Masons because he felt he had more "secrets" than they did, his coming from the Lord himself!
"I said that I had been in conference with the Great Master Workman, the Lord himself, and I have secret information through the Holy Spirit and guidance in respect to what the Bible says, and that contains all the truth, I believe on every subject. And so if we talk to our Masonic friends about the Temple and its meaning, and about being good Masons, and about the Great Pyramid, which is the very emblem they use, and what the Great Pyramid signifies, our Masonic friends are astonished.. We are going to discuss free and accepted Masonry.. the Bible Masonry, my dear friends."
So, it is evident that while Russell tells all listeners to this discourse that he and they are all "Masons", it is obvious that he has his own meaning for the term, which he calls "Bible Masonry". As we go on, it is evident he feels he has transcended masonry's secrets and added a few of his own. [ 1913 Convention Report]
By page 121, which we will now consider, he parts company with Masonic theology, which does not recognize Jesus Christ as their head. Russell says, "..for you know the Head of the Pyramid is a perfect pyramid itself, and all the stones under that simply come into line with the top stone; and that top stone is what the Bible declares Jesus is - the chief corner-stone."
I hate to point out obvious errors in construction, but a "cornerstone" is the foundation of the building, not the peak stone at the top! Our faith rests on the chief cornerstone Jesus Christ, He doesn't sit attop our faith (shaped like a pyramid)!
Russell mixes up the Temple with the Pyramid theology he held, and then compares his organization's temple to the Masonic one.
"The Temple will not be completed until every living stone is there. And then what? The next thing will be that which our Masonic friends make so much of, and which we make so much of namely: the glorification of the temple. That is a grand thing in Masonry. They picture how Solomon the wise, the type of Jesus - offered the sacrifice, and how God accepted it, and the glory of the Lord came into the Temple. Just so our Temple, the Church in glory, will not be the Temple of God until the Heavenly Father himself shall have recognized it." [Also found on much early WT material sun god Ra on Queens, NY Assemby Hall ]
Russell later went on to claim that Jehovah God did indeed recognize himself and himself his little band of followers as the true Temple, and they alone, in all the earth were pleasing to the Father. How is this possible when he was steeped in pyramidology and Masonic "sec-rets" which he accepted? It boggles the mind to imagine God choosing one steeped in occult and pagan doctrines.
Russell now goes on to compare the heavenly reign of himself and his followers, the "Royal Priesthood" (who he says will be divine) to the Knights Templar of the Masonic Templar of the Masonic Lodge! (The order with the most occult symbols). ".. A thousand years during which these Knights Templar are to scatter blessings to all the families of the earth."
Heresy aside, he just loved to use Masonic terms and show how he and his followers were superior "Masons", superior "Knights Templar". He then offers full freedom of choice to his followers in these words, ".. If you feel that you want to become a member of the Free and Accepted Order of Masonry, and do not feel free and Masonic enough as a follower of Christ, God bless you, use your own judgment; that is yours to decide not mine. But now I am talking about this great order of masonry of which Jesus is the Grand Master. This Order is to be entered in a peculiar way. There are certain conditions - the low gate, the narrow way, the difficult path".
Now comes his most telling statement on the subject of whether or not he was a Mason.
"Although I have never been a Mason, I have heard that in Masonry they have something which very closely illustrates all of this".
So, by Russell's own words, minus the "double-speak" and the parallels he draws all through this discourse, he plainly says he has never been a Mason.
He gives the Masons their due, however, when he says, "Our Masonic friends have it down very fine. I do not know where they got it so well. I have often wondered where they found out so many of the secrets of our High and Accepted Order of Masonry. From the time you come in to be a member of the Royal Priesthood, a living stone, a member of the craft of Masonry, from the Lord's standpoint,.. if any man will be a living stone in the Temple, if any man will be a member of his High, Free and Accepted Masonry - let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
I can hear the gasps from modern Jehovah's Witnesses that their exalted leader used the word "cross", but this was before "new light" on the "torture stake", so I guess he's excused for ignorance.
So, although Russell claimed to know Masonic Secrets, and compared his "Royal Priesthood in Christ" to the Lodge, he felt himself above ordinary Masons, and in fact said plainly he never was one.
Nevertheless, his massive ego, just led him on and on to make more and more ridiculous statements. We continue on with remarks from page 122, "Do you mean that the Lord's Church is a secret order? Yes, surely it is .. Did the world know the great Mason when he was here? No. Did the world slay the great Master Mason? Yes."
So now we have Russell referring to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ as a "Master Mason". Is this not blasphemy of the highest order?
In case we missed the point, Russell expands on it, So you and I as under-masons are waiting for the return of our Master Mason, who gave his life on this very account in connection with this secret of the construction of the Temple, the Church."
Christ died for our sins to set us free from the condemnation of sin and death, not for secrets regarding the Temple. Russell is way off base from the gospel.
He goes on to equate the Christian walk with the degrees of Masonry saying, ".. we must go on to higher degrees, because those who are in the first degree practically know very little."
He then states again how exclusive he is in his own opinion, how clever, and how full of secret knowledge he considered himself,
".. Not everybody has the hearing ear and the seeing eye. It is only those who have come into this divine masonry that have this spiritual insight, and this spiritual guidance, and may know the things that are freely given unto us. It is something that is freely given to one class, and not intended for anybody else."
This mindset is with us today among the modern Jehovah's Witnesses and even the many offshoot sects from Russell. They believe their organization alone is "spiritually guided". They say they receive messages from angels given to the "remnant" (the privileged few who rule over the others). I suggest that they are spiritually guided by the forces of darkness, for who else would dare tamper with God's word on the subject of Jesus Christ, and the very nature of God!
As we read on in this amazing discourse to page 123, Russell reveals just how contaminated his brand of "Christianity" was when he made these statements.
".. You know our order is so secret we cannot know each other always. Is not that wonderful? I find that is so with with Masons also. Many Masons shake hands with me and give me what I know is their grip; they don't know me from a Mason. Something I do seems to be the same as Masons do, I don't know what it is; but they often give me all kinds of grips and I give them back, then I tell them I don't know anything about it except just a few grips that have come to me naturally.." Again, we have the admission from Russell's own lips that he knows nothing really about Masonic grips. It's interesting that both Russell and the Masons sense a brotherhood with each other - occult and pagan both! How deserving of each other they are!
Russell goes on to claim that the Apostle Paul was a thirty-second degree Mason in the Lord's order and bore the marks to prove it! He says the Masons are ignorant of the marks that Paul received.
Unbelievably, Russell makes salvation plea to his followers in these words, "Now have you taken the first step of humility to acknowledge your sins? Have you acknowledged you have nothing in your hand to bring to make you worthy to be accepted of God? Have you acknowledged that you are trusting in the precious blood of Jesus? Have you taken degrees? Have you said, Simply to Thy cross I cling? Have you taken that degree? Have you gone on then to say, Lord, I give myself to Thee? And have you received the initiation into this high degree in which you may be called a Priest, a saint of God, a member of the Royal Priesthood? I hope you have."
Did you ever hear such a garbled message of salvation, mixing the grace of God with occult Masonic degrees! It is truly shameful.
At the bottom of page 123, continuing on to page 124, Russell identifies a secondary class of Christians, not as spiritual as the Royal Priesthood, but going to heaven anyway. He calls them the "Great Company". This will come as shock to the present "Great Creed" who are told they can't go to heaven, but must remain on earth. The light just keeps flashing off and on doesn't it?
Page 125 tells that if we have on the "robe of Christ's righteousness".. All this past is under the blood; Jesus has made him whole; he is accepted as a member of this spiritual Masonry. Thank God!.. All of these spiritual Masons should know each other, not after the flesh but after the spirit."
After, the ungodly mix of Gospel and Masonry. The most deceptive teachings are those that mix truth with error.
Page 125 repeats much of what we have already covered. Page 126 was pictures, and the discourse concludes with page 127, which again exalts the heavenly "little Flock" and leaves the "Great Company" with spots on their robes and tribulation to go through.
I confess to feeling sick in my spirit as I read through this discourse. Charles T. Russell must have been a very charismatic man to sway a crowd who claimed to be students of God's Word the Bible. I could see myself leaping to my feet and shouting "heresy!" I'm a little late, but that's what I'm doing now.
I can only pray that this information will find its way to many modern Jehovah's Witnesses who revere this false prophet and his twisted teachings. I pray many eyes will be opened and modern JW's will begin an investigation into their roots. If the foundation is faulty, the structure is rotten to its core!
Can you a Mason and a Christian at the same Time?
You may be surprised to hear us call Masons "occult and pagan" in the preceding article. We have researched Masonry and provide the following quotes from "Morals & Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry" by Albert Pike, originally published 1871, revised 1950.
".. Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion." (p. 213)
"..That rite.. declares that Masonry is a worship .. It is the universal, eternal immutable religion.. " (p.219).
".. The Teachers, even of Christianity, are, in general the most ignorant of the true meaning of that which they teach. There is no book of which so little is known as the Bible.. (p.105)
".. Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! It is he who bears the light.. ". (p.321).
"..Masonry is not Christianity! Please write for more information: MacGregor Ministries - Box 454, Metaline Falls, WA 99153-0454.[Source: MacGregor Ministries, Oct.Nov.Dec.2000 pp.4-6,27-30
"There is absolutely no question in my mind that the Mormon ceremony which came to be known as the Endowment, introduced by Joseph Smith to Mormon Masons, had an immediate inspiration from Masonry."
— Dr. Reed Durham, LDS Historian
Mormonism's Link to Occultism
Both Joseph Smith and his father were involved in the occult practice known as "money digging." This involved special rituals and ceremonies which were performed for the purpose of obtaining buried treasure thought to be guarded by evil spirits. Accounts of money digging during the late 1700s and early 1800s are documented in Alan Taylor's article "Treasure Seeking in the American Northeast, 1780-1830", published in American Quarterly, 38 [Spring 1986], pp. 6-34. This article specifically mentions Joseph Smith, Sr., and Jr., on pages 10-12, giving examples of their money digging activities. LDS seminary teacher Grant Palmer also documents the Smith family's occult beliefs and practices, as well as those of their close associates, in his book An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, (SLC, Signature Books, 2002, pp. 175-195).
Joseph's Involvement in Occultism. Joseph Smith, Jr.'s role in the quest for treasure was especially important since he had a seer stone. Joseph would place this small, special rock in his hat then pull the hat up to his face to block out all light. By doing this he claimed he could see supernaturally, and would help those who were digging by locating the place where the treasure was buried and observing the spirits that were guarding it. Joseph Jr., himself admitted to being a money digger, though he said it was never very profitable for him (History of the Church, V. 3, p. 29). He and his father's money digging continued until at least 1826. On March 20th of that year Joseph was arrested, brought before a judge, and charged with being a "glass-looker" and a disorderly person. The laws at that time had what was known as the "Vagrant Act." It defined a disorderly person as one who pretended to have skill in the areas of palmistry, telling fortunes or discovering where lost goods might be found. According to court records Justice Neely determined that Joseph was guilty, though no penalty was administered, quite possibly because this was a first offense (Inventing Mormonism, Marquardt and Walters, SLC: Signature Books, 1994, pp. 74-75).
Occultism and the Start of Mormonism. Shortly after this Joseph discontinued money digging but kept his seer stone. It was with the seer stone that he claimed to both find the plates and later produce the Book of Mormon. This was known by early converts but has since been replaced with later accounts of an angelic visitor. This transition was aided by downplaying the fact that Moroni was a dead Indian warrior, and by referring to him as an angel. Former BYU professor and historian D. Michael Quinn writes:
During this period from 1827 to 1830, Joseph Smith abandoned the company of his former money-digging associates, but continued to use for religious purposes the brown seer stone he had previously employed in the treasure quest. His most intensive and productive use of the seer stone was in the translation of the Book of Mormon. But he also dictated several revelations to his associates through the stone (Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, D. Michael Quinn, Signature Books, SLC, 1987, p. 143.
This fact is supported by LDS author Richard S. Van Wagoner who found,
This stone, still retained by the First Presidency of the LDS Church, was the vehicle through which the golden plates were discovered and the medium through which their interpretation came (Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess, Signature Books, SLC, 1994, p. 57).
Thus we see that historians have documented a continuity between Joseph's early occultic practices and the origins of Mormonism. This link extends to the development of the LDS Temple ceremony.
Occultic Parallels in the LDS Temple Ceremony. Historian D. Michael Quinn has done extensive research on rites and ancient mysteries related to occultism. He states,
By drawing only on authorized descriptions of the endowment by LDS leaders, I believe it is possible to see within historical context how the Mormon endowment reflected the ancient and occult mysteries far closer than Freemasonry (Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, p. 186).
Quinn then outlines the following ten essential characteristics common to both occult rituals and the Mormon Temple ceremonies:
•They are revealed by God from the beginning, but distorted through apostasy.
•They place an emphasis on the worthiness of initiates.
•They include washings and anointings, a new name and garments
•They emphasize vows of non-disclosure.
•There are both "lesser" and "greater" rituals.
•They feature presentation of the ritual through drama.
•They contain an oath of chastity requiring strict purity and virtue of the participants.
•They feature prominent use of the sun, moon and stars as key symbols.
•The purpose of the ritual is to assist mortals to attain to godhood.
•They employ titles and offices of prophets, priests and kings to those in leadership.
After presenting this material Quinn comments,
To be sure Masonic rituals also shared some similarities with the ancient mysteries, but these were not linked to any concept of heavenly ascent, which was fundamental to both the occult mysteries and to the Mormon endowment. Therefore, what similarities may exist between Freemasonry and Mormonism seem more appropriately to be regarded as superficial, whereas the ancient occult mysteries and the Mormon endowment manifest both philosophical and structural kinship. (Ibid., p. 190).
Mormonism and Masonry
Masonry's influence on Mormonism and Joseph Smith has been noted by a number of historians. Some of the areas impacted by Masonic lore and ritual include the Book of Mormon, Joseph's personal life, and the LDS temple ceremony.
Masonic Themes Related to the Book of Mormon. John L. Brooke in his book The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844, noted the following in reference to the story of the discovery of the gold plates and the narrative structure of the Book of Mormon:
Freemasonry provides a point of entry into this very complex story. As it had been in Vermont, Masonic fraternity was a dominant feature of the cultural landscape in Joseph Smith's Ontario County .... The dense network of lodges and chapters helps explain the Masonic symbolism that runs through the story of the discovery of the Golden Plates. Most obviously, the story of their discovery in a stone vault on a hilltop echoed the Enoch myth of Royal Arch Freemasonry, in which the prophet Enoch, instructed by a vision, preserved the Masonic mysteries by carving them on a golden plate that he placed in an arched stone vault marked with pillars, to be rediscovered by Solomon. In the years to come the prophet Enoch would play a central role in Smith's emerging cosmology. Smith's stories of his discoveries got more elaborate with time, and in June 1829 he promised Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris that they would see not only the plates but other marvelous artifacts: the Urim and Thummim attached to a priestly breastplate, the 'sword of Laban,' and 'miraculous directors.' Oliver Cowdery and Lucy Mack Smith later described three or four small pillars holding up the plates. All of these artifacts had Masonic analogues.
... Smith's sources for these Masonic symbols were close at hand. Most obviously, Oliver Cowdery would have been a source, given that his father and brother were Royal Arch initiates; one Palmyra resident remembered Oliver Cowdery as 'no church member and a Mason.' ... A comment by Lucy Mack Smith in her manuscript written in the 1840s, protesting that the family did not abandon all household labor to try 'to win the faculty of Abrac, drawing magic circles, or sooth-saying,' suggests a familiarity with Masonic manuals: the 'faculty of Abrac' was among the supposed Masonic mysteries (Refiner's Fire, Cambridge University Press, 1994, pp. 157-158).
However, it wasn't until later in life that Joseph's involvement became more personal.
Joseph's Personal Involvement in Freemasonry. Mormon Apostle John A. Widtsoe stated:
Many of the Saints were Masons, such as Joseph's brother Hyrum, Heber C. Kimball, Elijah Fordham, Newel K. Whitney, James Adams, and John C. Bennett .... With the acquiescence of the Prophet, members of the Church already Masons petitioned the Grand Master of Illinois for permission to set up a lodge in Nauvoo .... it was March 15, 1842, before authority was given to set up a lodge in Nauvoo and to induct new members. Joseph Smith became a member (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1 volume, pp. 357-358).
Joseph Smith admitted to being a Mason in his History of the Church, volume 4, page 551. Under the date of March 15, 1842 it reads: "In the evening I received the first degree in Free Masonry in the Nauvoo Lodge, assembled in my general business office." The record for the next day reads, "I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree" (page 552).
How did Joseph's Masonic membership affect the development of the Mormon Church? The most significant area appears to be in the development of the Mormon temple ceremonies. As noted above, Joseph became a Mason on March 15, 1842 and "rose to the sublime degree" the following day. Less than two months later, on May 4, 1842, Joseph introduced the temple endowment ceremony (History of the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 1-2).
Masonry and Mormon Temple Ceremonies. The pervasive influence of Freemasonry in Mormon Temples is expressed well by LDS historian Dr. Reed Durham. Dr. Durham, who has served as president of the Mormon History Association, provides a number of interesting parallels between the two. He gives these as evidence for Masonry's clear influence on Mormonism.
I am convinced that in the study of Masonry lies a pivotal key to further understanding Joseph Smith and the Church. . . . Masonry in the Church had its origin prior to the time Joseph Smith became a Mason .... It commenced in Joseph's home when his older brother became a Mason. Hyrum received the first three degrees of Masonry in Mount Moriah Lodge No. 112 of Palmyra, New York, at about the same time that Joseph was being initiated into the presence of God . . The many parallels found between early Mormonism and the Masonry of that day are substantial...
I have attempted thus far to demonstrate that Masonic influences upon Joseph in the early Church history, preceding his formal membership in Masonry, were significant. However, these same Masonic influences exerted a more dominant character as reflected in the further expansion of the Church subsequent to the Prophet's Masonic membership. In fact, I believe that there are few significant developments in the Church, that occurred after March 15 1842, which did not have some Masonic interdependence. Let me comment on a few of these developments. There is absolutely no question in my mind that the Mormon ceremony which came to be known as the Endowment, introduced by Joseph Smith to Mormon Masons, had an immediate inspiration from Masonry. This is not to suggest that no other source of inspiration could have been involved, but the similarities between the two ceremonies are so apparent and overwhelming that some dependent relationship cannot be denied. They are so similar, in fact, that one writer was led to refer to the Endowment as Celestial Masonry.
It is also obvious that the Nauvoo Temple architecture was in part, at least, Masonically influenced. Indeed, it appears that there was an intentional attempt to utilize Masonic symbols and motifs ...
Another development in the Nauvoo Church, which has not been so obviously considered as Masonically inspired, was the establishment of the Female Relief Society. This organization was the Prophet's intentional attempt to expand Masonry to include the women of the Church. That the Relief Society was organized in the Masonic Lodge room, and only one day after Masonry was given to the men, was not happenstance .... included in the actual vocabulary of Joseph Smith's counsel and instructions to the sisters were such words as: ancient orders, examinations, degrees, candidates, secrets, lodges, rules, signs, tokens, order of the priesthood, and keys; all indicating that the Society's orientation possessed Masonic overtones.
.... I suggest that enough evidence presently exists to declare that the entire institution of the political kingdom of God, including the Council of Fifty, the living constitution, the proposed flag of the kingdom, and the anointing and coronation of the king, had its genesis in connection with Masonic thoughts and ceremonies .... it appears that the Prophet first embraced Masonry, and, then in the process, he modified, expanded, amplified, or glorified it .... The Prophet believed that his mission was to restore all truth, and then to unify and weld it all together into one. This truth was referred to as 'the Mysteries,' and these Mysteries were inseparably connected with the Priesthood .... Can anyone deny that Masonic influence on Joseph Smith and the Church, either before or after his personal Masonic membership? The evidence demands comments ...
There are many questions which still demand the answers .... if we, as Mormon historians, respond to these questions and myriads like them relative to Masonry in an ostrich-like fashion, with our heads buried in the traditional sand, then I submit: there never will be 'any help for the widow's son' (Mormon Miscellaneous, October 1975, pp. 11-16, as cited in Changing World of Mormonism, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, 1981, pp. 546-547).
These statements demonstrate that much of the religious ritual within Mormonism finds its origin in both occultism and Freemasonry. It is not surprising that there is an overlap between occultism and Freemasonry within Mormonism since Masonry itself draws from occult lore and ritual. What becomes obvious is that Joseph neglected the Bible's clear prohibition regarding occult involvement. This is found in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 which states in part,
... thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shalt not be found among you any one that ... useth divination, or is an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits [demons], or a wizard, or a necromancer [one who communicates with the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD.
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Resources
The following resources contain a more extensive treatment of Joseph Smith's magical and occultic practices and worldview:
John L. Brooke, The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844, Cambridge University Press, NY, 1994, 421 pages. This non-Mormon author is an associate professor in the Department of History at Tufts University.
Grant H. Palmer, An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, (Signature Books, SLC, 2002, 281 pages). Palmer is an LDS seminary teacher and three-time director of LDS Institutes of Religion in California and Utah.
D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, Signature Books, SLC, revised and enlarged edition 1998, 646 pages. This work is comprehensive and thoroughly documented. The author is a former BYU professor and one of the most respected historians of Mormonism.
Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Mormonism, Magic and Masonry, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, SLC, 1983, 97 pages. This former Mormon husband and wife research/publishing team are well-known for their carefully documented critiques of Mormonism.
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Was Charles Taze Russell the founder of THE JEHOVA'S WITNESSES a Mason?
An examination of some of the publications of Charles T. Russell, the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses, would indicate that he had ties with the Masons. He used Masonic symbols. The Watchtower drawing that graced early publications right up to a couple of decades ago was pure Masonic. Russell was buried under a cross and a crown, again Masonic. Other Masonic symbols were used frequently on his publications.
We keep getting speculative articles in our mail and e-mail indicating that Russell was a Mason. Missing is the proof - where are the records of this membership if he indeed was one?
Over the past twenty-two years we have resisted jumping on the "Masonic Russell" bandwagon, awaiting something definite. Well, we feel we have finally found something which should settle the issue once and for all.
We are indebted to the extensive information found on Randall Watters website (www.freeminds.org) which included a Special 1913 Convention Report of the Internal Bible Students. Under the subject of "The Temple of Gods" is a discourse by Pastor Russell reported verbatim on pages 120-127. Russell's own comments on this very speculation once and for all. Was he a Mason?
It is evident he was familiar with the Masons. In the beginning of the discourse he point out how he is "more" than many of the groups, Masons included. These first set of quotes are all found on page 120.
"Do our Masonic friends understand something about the Temple, and being Knights Templars and so on? We more." He goes on to say that Masons and other have.. "that little bit of truth".
Russell admits ".. we remember we had very similar ideas, and not very long ago; but, without finding any fault with anybody, we are glad that we are coming to see a more reasonable and harmonious way.. "
He next moves on to points where he agrees with the Masons. A very careful reading is needed here, because if one or two sentences are taken out of context it would indeed appear that Russell was a Mason. Notice that he refers to Mason as "them" and "they", excluding himself and the brethren.
"I am very glad to have this particular opportunity of saying a word about some of the things in which we agree with our Masonic friends, because we are speaking in a building dedicated to Masonry and we also are Masons. I am a Free Mason. I am a free and accepted Mason, if I may carry the matter to its full length, because that is what our Masonic brethren like to tell us, that they are free and accepted Masons. That is their style of putting it. Now I am a free and accepted Mason. I trust we all are. But not after the style of our Masonic brethren. We have no quarrel with them. I am not going to say a word against Masons, and I can appreciate that there are certain very precious truths that are held in part by our Masonic friends. I have talked to them at times, and they have said, How do you know about all these things? We thought nobody knew anything about these things except those who had access to our highest logic."
So, Russell did say "Now I am a free and accepted Mason" but, in context it is obvious he was not, because he included all his brethren in the faith as being "Masons" as well. He also said they were all Masons, but "not after the style of our Masonic brethren."
Russell went on to place himself above the Masons because he felt he had more "secrets" than they did, his coming from the Lord himself!
"I said that I had been in conference with the Great Master Workman, the Lord himself, and I have secret information through the Holy Spirit and guidance in respect to what the Bible says, and that contains all the truth, I believe on every subject. And so if we talk to our Masonic friends about the Temple and its meaning, and about being good Masons, and about the Great Pyramid, which is the very emblem they use, and what the Great Pyramid signifies, our Masonic friends are astonished.. We are going to discuss free and accepted Masonry.. the Bible Masonry, my dear friends."
So, it is evident that while Russell tells all listeners to this discourse that he and they are all "Masons", it is obvious that he has his own meaning for the term, which he calls "Bible Masonry". As we go on, it is evident he feels he has transcended masonry's secrets and added a few of his own. [ 1913 Convention Report]
By page 121, which we will now consider, he parts company with Masonic theology, which does not recognize Jesus Christ as their head. Russell says, "..for you know the Head of the Pyramid is a perfect pyramid itself, and all the stones under that simply come into line with the top stone; and that top stone is what the Bible declares Jesus is - the chief corner-stone."
I hate to point out obvious errors in construction, but a "cornerstone" is the foundation of the building, not the peak stone at the top! Our faith rests on the chief cornerstone Jesus Christ, He doesn't sit attop our faith (shaped like a pyramid)!
Russell mixes up the Temple with the Pyramid theology he held, and then compares his organization's temple to the Masonic one.
"The Temple will not be completed until every living stone is there. And then what? The next thing will be that which our Masonic friends make so much of, and which we make so much of namely: the glorification of the temple. That is a grand thing in Masonry. They picture how Solomon the wise, the type of Jesus - offered the sacrifice, and how God accepted it, and the glory of the Lord came into the Temple. Just so our Temple, the Church in glory, will not be the Temple of God until the Heavenly Father himself shall have recognized it." [Also found on much early WT material sun god Ra on Queens, NY Assemby Hall ]
Russell later went on to claim that Jehovah God did indeed recognize himself and himself his little band of followers as the true Temple, and they alone, in all the earth were pleasing to the Father. How is this possible when he was steeped in pyramidology and Masonic "sec-rets" which he accepted? It boggles the mind to imagine God choosing one steeped in occult and pagan doctrines.
Russell now goes on to compare the heavenly reign of himself and his followers, the "Royal Priesthood" (who he says will be divine) to the Knights Templar of the Masonic Templar of the Masonic Lodge! (The order with the most occult symbols). ".. A thousand years during which these Knights Templar are to scatter blessings to all the families of the earth."
Heresy aside, he just loved to use Masonic terms and show how he and his followers were superior "Masons", superior "Knights Templar". He then offers full freedom of choice to his followers in these words, ".. If you feel that you want to become a member of the Free and Accepted Order of Masonry, and do not feel free and Masonic enough as a follower of Christ, God bless you, use your own judgment; that is yours to decide not mine. But now I am talking about this great order of masonry of which Jesus is the Grand Master. This Order is to be entered in a peculiar way. There are certain conditions - the low gate, the narrow way, the difficult path".
Now comes his most telling statement on the subject of whether or not he was a Mason.
"Although I have never been a Mason, I have heard that in Masonry they have something which very closely illustrates all of this".
So, by Russell's own words, minus the "double-speak" and the parallels he draws all through this discourse, he plainly says he has never been a Mason.
He gives the Masons their due, however, when he says, "Our Masonic friends have it down very fine. I do not know where they got it so well. I have often wondered where they found out so many of the secrets of our High and Accepted Order of Masonry. From the time you come in to be a member of the Royal Priesthood, a living stone, a member of the craft of Masonry, from the Lord's standpoint,.. if any man will be a living stone in the Temple, if any man will be a member of his High, Free and Accepted Masonry - let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
I can hear the gasps from modern Jehovah's Witnesses that their exalted leader used the word "cross", but this was before "new light" on the "torture stake", so I guess he's excused for ignorance.
So, although Russell claimed to know Masonic Secrets, and compared his "Royal Priesthood in Christ" to the Lodge, he felt himself above ordinary Masons, and in fact said plainly he never was one.
Nevertheless, his massive ego, just led him on and on to make more and more ridiculous statements. We continue on with remarks from page 122, "Do you mean that the Lord's Church is a secret order? Yes, surely it is .. Did the world know the great Mason when he was here? No. Did the world slay the great Master Mason? Yes."
So now we have Russell referring to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ as a "Master Mason". Is this not blasphemy of the highest order?
In case we missed the point, Russell expands on it, So you and I as under-masons are waiting for the return of our Master Mason, who gave his life on this very account in connection with this secret of the construction of the Temple, the Church."
Christ died for our sins to set us free from the condemnation of sin and death, not for secrets regarding the Temple. Russell is way off base from the gospel.
He goes on to equate the Christian walk with the degrees of Masonry saying, ".. we must go on to higher degrees, because those who are in the first degree practically know very little."
He then states again how exclusive he is in his own opinion, how clever, and how full of secret knowledge he considered himself,
".. Not everybody has the hearing ear and the seeing eye. It is only those who have come into this divine masonry that have this spiritual insight, and this spiritual guidance, and may know the things that are freely given unto us. It is something that is freely given to one class, and not intended for anybody else."
This mindset is with us today among the modern Jehovah's Witnesses and even the many offshoot sects from Russell. They believe their organization alone is "spiritually guided". They say they receive messages from angels given to the "remnant" (the privileged few who rule over the others). I suggest that they are spiritually guided by the forces of darkness, for who else would dare tamper with God's word on the subject of Jesus Christ, and the very nature of God!
As we read on in this amazing discourse to page 123, Russell reveals just how contaminated his brand of "Christianity" was when he made these statements.
".. You know our order is so secret we cannot know each other always. Is not that wonderful? I find that is so with with Masons also. Many Masons shake hands with me and give me what I know is their grip; they don't know me from a Mason. Something I do seems to be the same as Masons do, I don't know what it is; but they often give me all kinds of grips and I give them back, then I tell them I don't know anything about it except just a few grips that have come to me naturally.." Again, we have the admission from Russell's own lips that he knows nothing really about Masonic grips. It's interesting that both Russell and the Masons sense a brotherhood with each other - occult and pagan both! How deserving of each other they are!
Russell goes on to claim that the Apostle Paul was a thirty-second degree Mason in the Lord's order and bore the marks to prove it! He says the Masons are ignorant of the marks that Paul received.
Unbelievably, Russell makes salvation plea to his followers in these words, "Now have you taken the first step of humility to acknowledge your sins? Have you acknowledged you have nothing in your hand to bring to make you worthy to be accepted of God? Have you acknowledged that you are trusting in the precious blood of Jesus? Have you taken degrees? Have you said, Simply to Thy cross I cling? Have you taken that degree? Have you gone on then to say, Lord, I give myself to Thee? And have you received the initiation into this high degree in which you may be called a Priest, a saint of God, a member of the Royal Priesthood? I hope you have."
Did you ever hear such a garbled message of salvation, mixing the grace of God with occult Masonic degrees! It is truly shameful.
At the bottom of page 123, continuing on to page 124, Russell identifies a secondary class of Christians, not as spiritual as the Royal Priesthood, but going to heaven anyway. He calls them the "Great Company". This will come as shock to the present "Great Creed" who are told they can't go to heaven, but must remain on earth. The light just keeps flashing off and on doesn't it?
Page 125 tells that if we have on the "robe of Christ's righteousness".. All this past is under the blood; Jesus has made him whole; he is accepted as a member of this spiritual Masonry. Thank God!.. All of these spiritual Masons should know each other, not after the flesh but after the spirit."
After, the ungodly mix of Gospel and Masonry. The most deceptive teachings are those that mix truth with error.
Page 125 repeats much of what we have already covered. Page 126 was pictures, and the discourse concludes with page 127, which again exalts the heavenly "little Flock" and leaves the "Great Company" with spots on their robes and tribulation to go through.
I confess to feeling sick in my spirit as I read through this discourse. Charles T. Russell must have been a very charismatic man to sway a crowd who claimed to be students of God's Word the Bible. I could see myself leaping to my feet and shouting "heresy!" I'm a little late, but that's what I'm doing now.
I can only pray that this information will find its way to many modern Jehovah's Witnesses who revere this false prophet and his twisted teachings. I pray many eyes will be opened and modern JW's will begin an investigation into their roots. If the foundation is faulty, the structure is rotten to its core!
Can you a Mason and a Christian at the same Time?
You may be surprised to hear us call Masons "occult and pagan" in the preceding article. We have researched Masonry and provide the following quotes from "Morals & Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry" by Albert Pike, originally published 1871, revised 1950.
".. Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion." (p. 213)
"..That rite.. declares that Masonry is a worship .. It is the universal, eternal immutable religion.. " (p.219).
".. The Teachers, even of Christianity, are, in general the most ignorant of the true meaning of that which they teach. There is no book of which so little is known as the Bible.. (p.105)
".. Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! It is he who bears the light.. ". (p.321).
"..Masonry is not Christianity! Please write for more information: MacGregor Ministries - Box 454, Metaline Falls, WA 99153-0454.[Source: MacGregor Ministries, Oct.Nov.Dec.2000 pp.4-6,27-30
Hello Elijah
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you think so little of the Mormons. I am a Mormon and the information that you have presented is false..... I never judged you because you are a Catholic even though I believe the Catholic church was led by Satan through the dark ages and has destroyed Christianity as Jesus Christ set it up on the earth.
If you know anything about priesthood you will know the Catholic Church does not have it and the authority was lost / broken
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds the priesthood of God - it was restored in 1820 - 1830 by Peter, James and John the last one's to hold it on th earth before the great apostacy when the authority was lost to the earth in the dark ages
The Caytholic church has killed more innocent people than anyone ever in the history of the world and wiped out nearly entire civilisations during the dark ages - if that is not satanistic I do not know what is
The Catholic church is the stronghold of Satan and the protector of the paedophile - how many millions of young boys have been molested by your priests - I think you should be looking at your own church for Satan
You are an author write a book about the evil that the Catholic Church has perpetrated on the world ---and another thing the Catholic church is going to fall. God is going to destroy it!
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