Method Infinite

Although historians of Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been aware of the influence that Freemasonry had on the founding prophet Joseph Smith during the Nauvoo period, his involvement in Freemasonry was arguably earlier and broader than many modern historians have admitted. While no one thing can entirely explain the rise of Mormonism, the historical influence of Freemasonry on this religious tradition cannot be refuted. This work offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between Freemasonry and the Mormon restoration. It asserts that Smith’s firsthand knowledge of and experience with both Masonry and anti-Masonic currents contributed to the theology, structure, culture, tradition, history, literature, and ritual of the church he founded. There is a Masonic thread in Mormonism from its earliest days. The topic of Mormonism and Freemasonry has been rife with misunderstanding and misrepresentation, often because scholars have invariably been lacking in one or both relevant perspectives. Few Latter-day Saints who were also Masons have authored book-length treatments of the relationship between the two traditions. The fact that the most obvious vestiges of Freemasonry are evident only in the more esoteric aspects of the Mormon faith has made it difficult for Masonic authors to recognize, let alone fully grasp, the relevant issues. Even those with both Mormon and Masonic experience may not be versed in the nineteenth-century versions of the rituals, legends, and practices. Without this specialized background, many researchers and writers have missed the Masonic significance of numerous early Mormon statements, doctrines, and practices–