Msg#: 1881                                         Date: 02-27-95  19:13
  From: J.j. Hitt                                    Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: David Rice                                   Mark:
  Subj: Re: Mormon Garments

 DR> All of the rites mentioned are modifications of Masonic rites.
 DR> It is very likely that Joseph Smith was a Freemason.

 Yup...
 No question about it.

 He was made an Entered Apprentice March 15, 1842. The very next day he
 received the Scottish Rite's 32 degree.

 (To say the least, that's a phenomenally short time, meaning that the
 Masons wanted him and that the degrees were honorary. Smith was
 something of a "celebrity" at the time. This is the way most of our
 Presidents have become Masons, by the way, once elected unless they
 specifically decline they are made honorary members.)

 On May 2, 1842 (six weeks later) Smith "revealed" the Temple Endowment
 ceremony.