Ä Area: Private Mail ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Msg#: 139 Pvt Date: 04-12-96 08:26 From: Jay Fuller Read: Yes Replied: No To: Ric Carter Mark: Subj: MesoAmerican "north" ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ * Reply to a message in mythology. Ric Carter wrote in a message to All: RC> First, the disclaimers: I'm not a Mormon. RC> And I have other reasons for not taking the LDS too seriously. First the disclaimer: I am a Mormon. Not practicing, nor even a half-decent example of one... :> I also have many a reason to share your attitude towards the religion. RC> Still, the Mormon myth-system is interesting. Quite true! That is why I'm dropping you this note.If you are interested in other aspects of the religion's founding, perhaps you'll find the following of some value. As well as being Mormon, I am also a Mason, which has an interesting mythology in itself, but that's another matter... The LDS church has several "secret" temple rituals that are closed to the public, and can only be attended by member of the Priesthood of Elder or higher, and at times, female church members (I think they have to be married to an elder, unsure). Much of the ritual involved is quite similar to Masonic ritual. Naturally, my ties to both groups and the apparent similarities in ritual, my interest was piqued. In talking to folks from both camps, there is some bad blood between them, and each has their own version of the rift. The LDS contend that in the 1800's a group of drunk Masons came from a meeting and slaughtered a group of Mormons. The Masons claim various run-ins with Brigham Young and his group. I also have heard that Joseph Smith -was- a Grand Master Mason in the 1820's. As the story is told, as a Grand Master he had the power to make anyone a "Mason on Sight", meaning the gentleman did not need to go through the normal "degree" process to become a Mason, but was afforded the "same rights and responsibilities of a Mason from that point forward". In short, he made so many Masons on Sight, the Grand Lodge got ticked and stripped him of his powers. Soon after, the Mormon church was born with strangely familiar ritual... I'd be interested in any info in the same vein you might be able to send my way! Regards, Jay ---