Mormons Try to Justify their Masonic Rituals and Baptisms for the Dead

with Christian Historical Records

Ed note: This page was sent to us for review. For Mormons or Christians who are trying to find the truth, these pages could cause more confusion if they are not aware of what was going on during the early history of the Catholic Church. Most of the Christian art was done by commission from the Roman Catholic Church. True born again believers were hunted down and too poor to get the materials necessary to publish or paint anything. Even Martin Luther was subsidized by rich aristrocrats to do the work he did.

What this evidence proves and what we discovered in Germany, is that the Catholic churches were saturated with Freemason symbolism pointing to the fact that Catholics practiced both Masonry and Christianity not realizing that God does not allow it. Evidence of this is visible everywhere in old cathedrals. We went into one that dated back to 1100 A.D.

Born again believers honor the Bible, KJV, as the only truth. Mormon doctrine has little in common with the Holy Bible. It is as simple as that. Of late they are trying very hard to become part of the final world church and be considered Christian.

The large Baptismal is on the bottom of the page is typical. Baptism is not considered to be necessary by prospective Christians. Baptism is to be performed after a person is born again as a public confirmation that they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Catholics and Mormons use baptism as the cleanser from sins which is incorrect. Jesus had to be nailed to the cross and stabbed to allow the blood to pore to the ground in payment for our sins. He purchased humanity with His blood. That is solely how we were forgiven. We can't clean up our act by good works or water baptisms. Martin Luther in the 1500s is the first cleric who understood the concept of grace, so how can we expect early writers of the Roman Catholic Church to write correct Gospel history.

The Bible itself was not written by the Roman Catholic Church. They, in fact, use additional books that cause confusion. They don't line up with the Holy Word. That is why they were not added to the Bible. The 66 books were carefully chosen by 'Holy Spirit inspired' men. They do not contradict each other in any way.

Baptism for the dead is mentioned once and not confirmed anywhere else in the Bible where concepts can usually be verified by more than one mention. The reason baptism for the dead cannot be acceptable to God is the fact that the dead person rejected Jesus Christ while alive. What would be the object of having them baptized when dead. According to the Bible they are condemned to hell if they don't accept God's only begotten Son during their lifetime. They died in sin. Their name was striken from the Book of Life when they rejected Christ Jesus and baptism for the dead cannot turn that around.

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works... Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:11,12,15)

To: Anti-Mormon "Christians," and my fellow LDS Apologists. mstarwars@silverlink.net Or to those interested in seeing how the critics own arguments could come back to haunt them, if they should dare to ever take a look at their own arguments as mirrored back to them in early anti-Christian writings!  

I wonder if you,and your fellow critics, realize that modern Christian's tests on Mormonism, if placed on historic Christianity, would make historic Christianity a "cult" "non-Christian" and "unbiblical" as your tracks, and others like them, plus numerous anti-Mormon "Christian" web sites continue to charge what  Mormons are.

Earlier Bible illustrated letters, that were part of the bible texts, show the pre-existence, council in heaven, war in heaven, satan being thrust out, and creation dramas with hand and wrist grips. Would that make earlier Christians masonic?

Ed note: The Authorized KJV is very specific about pre-existence and war in heaven does not take place until the middle of the tribulation. Satan still has to answer to God until he is totally released. The council in heaven is misinterpreted by Mormons. When God was referring to us as a group He was referring to Jesus Christ, Himself and the Holy Spirit who are three Gods, who are ONE and the same. Mormons do not accept that concept. They believe in a plurality of gods due to that Scripture which supports their belief. Mormons believe that they will become gods when they die if they have performed the Temple rituals and all the preliminaries that go with it.

Isaiah 43:10 states that there is no God before and after.

Mormons believe that God cannot become a God until he has attained a physical body. (Don't ask them where the first God came from.) The Bible says: "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." (1 Cor. 15:50)

John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." 1 Cor. 15:46, 47 "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and after that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." End of note.

Celsus, an early anti-Christian mentions how Christians talk about two divine son fighting in heaven. Did early Christians believe that Christ and the devil were spirit brothers? Yes, some did. (The Ante-Nicene Fathers series; Jeffrey Burton Russell, Satan, The Early Christian Tradition; R. Joseph Hoffmann, Celsus On The True Doctrine. See also: The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 4, Origen Against Celsus, 8 books).

Ed note: "Two divine sons fighting in heaven" is Not in the Bible. Interesting this writer uses the words divine because the Bible uses the word divine with divinations (Eze 13:23) and divining lies (Eze 21:29) and that ye shall not divine (Mic. 3:6) prophets thereof divine for money (Mic. 3:11) and in the New Testament the word is only used in conjunction with Jesus' divine power and divine nature. End of note.

Early Christianity also had hand and wrist grips in these following areas: Christ's descent into limbo, hades, hell, shoel, purgatory, the pit, the abyss, the underworld, as the realm of the dead was called in the different branches of historic Christianity. Inasmuch as hand clasping rites of passage is in the bible, would that make the bible and historic Christianity "a cult?" "A mystery religion?" The early anti-Christians thought so.

Ed note: Where in the Bible do we have hand clasping rites? Rites come up once in Numbers 9:3 This Scripture is about The Passover which has nothing to do with hand claps. Rite in Strong's Concordance is represented by #2708 in Hebrew comes from the root #2706 'choq' : an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage): appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree, due, law, measure, ordinance, time, statute, task. #2708 means substantially the same - appointed custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute.

There is NO EVIDENCE OF TOKENS which the handgrips are called during the rituals in Mormon Temples. End of note.

14h century, the Master of Westphalia, Christ in Purgatory, Adam's hands are raised and clasped together in the traditional prayer gesture with the fingers pointing up, hence, Christ is clasping both of Adam's hands. (Source: Gothic Painting I, p.48, Todd M. Compton cites a number of writers to show that the handclasp was part of the descent drama. "The salvific handclasp is nearly the trade-mark of the iconography of Christ's post-crucifixion descent in Hades." (P. Verdier, "Descent of Christ into Hell," New Catholic Encyclopedia, (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967-79), vol. 4:788-93, esp. 791, figs. 2-6). Some writers have noted that there are a number of different types of hand grips too, for in some works, Christ grasps the wrist, while in others they are raised up with the "dextrarum iunctio". (Ibid., Verdier, 791, fig. 5, etc.)

See: By Study and Also By Faith, (Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, and Deseret Book Company, 1990, two volumes, vol. 1, pp. 620-23, Chapter 24, by Compton. See also: Lilian M.C. Randall, etc., Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the Walters Art Gallery, vol. I, France, 875-1420, (Baltimore & London: The Johns Hopkins Un. Press, with the Walters Art Gallery, 1989), see pp.309-10, fig., 65, Cat. 32, f.25; fig. 59, Cat. 29, f. 33. Showing the descent in which Christ clasp the hand of a naked soul who is being delivered out of the jaws of hell. Others souls greet Christ with up-lifted hands).

Ed note: Are we now directed to believe paintings rather than the Bible? The concept of 'purgatory' is a Catholic belief which is not in the Bible. Hell is #86 in Strong's Concordance is "Hades"; the region of departed spirits of the lost but also including departed believers [who are waiting for the Rapture / Resurrection of their bodies] (Luke 16:23). It is an intermediate state between death and the ultimate hell, Gehenna, for the lost. Christ declares that He has the keys of Hades (Rev. 1:18) Hades is ultimately [after the thousand year Millennium] thrown into the lake of fire along with the devil and his false prophet. Jesus never went to hell which is more Catholic false teaching. End of note.

Hand and wrist clasps are also seen in art works and biblical illustrations of Christ's, saints', or prophets' ascensions into heaven, where the hand of God extends down to clasp their hand or wrist. This must have been one of the reasons why early anti-Christians charged that the early Christians had secret ceremonies, and was a mystery religion that borrowed from pagan mystery religions.

Ed note: If this is supposed to depict the Rapture the artist doesn't know the Biblical teachings. The Bible does not teach a physical appearance of Christ Jesus when He meets His Church in the clouds. 1 Cor. 15:52 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incrruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Thes. 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. " End of note.

 Early Christian mysteries included anointing, fig-leave aprons, garments, robes and ascensions into paradise, where hand and wrist grips took place.

Ed note: The fig-leaf aprons don't work either. God replaced the fig leaves with animal skins. Gen. 3:21 "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Why are Mormons still wearing fig-leaf aprons in their rituals? Doesn't it indicate rejection of the what God put on Adam and Eve? End of note.

The fourth century Christian Father, Gregory of Nyssa, A.D. 331--395, mentions many things in the Christian mysteries, one of which was the fig-leaves apron, saying: "O Lord. . . Thou didst strip off the fig-tree leaves, an unseemly covering, and put upon us a costly garment". (Source: The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprinted, August 1979), vol. 4, p. 524, Gregory of Nyssa, A.D. 331--395, On The Baptism of Christ).

(Source: Introduction, Charles T. Little & Timothy B. Husband, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Europe in the Middle Ages, (New York: The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, 1987), p. 92, plate 83. Diptych with the Coronation of the Virgin and the Last Judgment, French (Paris), ca. 1260-70.  Above this scene, Mary is crowned, & enthroned along side John the Baptist. They both serve as "intercessors" during the Last Judgment. Note how the angel clasps the hand of person judge worthy to ascend the ladder into heaven. In other art works, Christ grasps the hands or wrists of those who have made it by the demons, shooting arrows at them to knock them off the ladder. The ladder is said to represent the ascent towards moral Christian perfection).

Ed note: Again we have pure Catholic tradition. There is only ONE intercessor who should be relied upon and that is God, the Holy Spirit or Jesus Christ. Romans 8:26, 27 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Rom. 8:34 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Hebrews 7:19-25 "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath [addressing the Aaronic priesthood]; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec:) [God is the only one who can confer the Melchisedec Priesthood]

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, [not by Mary, not by John the Baptist, not by Joseph Smith Jr.] seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"

The Aaronic Priesthood has been resurrected in Mormonism which is blasphemy. God states in the previous Scripture that their priesthood is temporary because they die and that is why God did away with it and replaced it with a RESURRECTED eternal high Priest, Jesus Christ.

A person would be a complete fool to put themselves into Mary's hands who was a sinner due to the fact that she was 100% human and not God but the mother of God. She was under the Adamic curse like every other human being and automatically condemned with the rest of the world. Being a virgin doesn't make a woman holier than any other person. The Pope is leading many astray by worshiping Mary. God rejects idol worship. God is a jealous God. (2 Cor. 11:2) He doesn't provide any other intercessors than God Himself, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, in the New Testament.

Referring to what this writer espoused, a Mormon no doubt: "of person judge worthy to ascend the ladder into heaven... Christ grasps the hands or wrists of those who have made it by the demons, shooting arrows at them to knock them off the ladder. The ladder is said to represent the ascent towards moral Christian perfection).

Again we have deception of works and being worthy. Mormons do not understand that they cannot make themselves worthy. Catholics also believe that they have something to do with becoming worthy. There is that 1% that they have to perform to make it to heaven otherwise why would they land in purgatory when they die. If Catholics and Mormons were truly washed from sins when they get baptized they should be going straight to heaven when they die. Instead they end up anywhere but in heaven. The Pope said that he is not sure where he is going to be. He calls himself a Melchisedec Priest and the Vicar of Christ. That doesn't leave us much if he doesn't make it. So what chance do we have?

Adam and all his descendants were cursed to die in sin because Adam disobeyed God. Think about it. Do we have any chance of any life in heaven with that kind of condemnation?

There is only one hope we have: 1 john 1:7-9 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

James 2:23 "And the Scripture was fufilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the Friend of God." Romans 4:6 "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."

It comes down to just believing what the Bible tells us and we are home free. Jesus is the righteousness of God and He imputes His righteousnes into us when we accept Him as our Lord and savior and we have the ticket to heaven. End of note.

Some Baptismal fonts even rested on the back of 12 oxen, like this 12th century font.

Baptism for the dead faded out of the early Christian church during the early centuries, while Christ's descent into hell to free the captive spirits held there, was preserved in numerous art works, writings, legends, and traditions. http://www.restorationhistory.com/baptism/for/the/dead2.html

Ed note: Baptism for the dead contradicts the New Testament Message. It is out of the question and it is blasphemy. End of note.

There are other things that I could show you in historic Christianity, such as how deification, becoming gods, was taught by the earliest Christians, even by those who gave Christendom the Nicene Creed, 3-in-1 or "one" Godhead doctrine. http://www.restorationhistory.com/deification2.html http://www.restorationhistory.com/deification.html

Ed note: The reason deification, becoming gods was sown into Catholicism was gnosticism which came into the Roman Catholic Church through various saints who taught other heretical doctrines and over time changed their traditions. End of note.

How that early Christians Apologists used their beliefs in Christ's world wide trek to respond to early anti-Christians that charged that God, or Christ neglected other nations because "he came down from heaven into only one corner of the earth." (Celsus, see: The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 4, Origen Against Celsus). http://www.restorationhistory.com/early-anti-Christian.html

Consequently, if Mormonism is as different modern anti-Mormon "Christians" say it is, what would that make historic Christianity?

Also, why is it that anti-Mormon "Christians" also sound like early anti-Christians, when they attack Mormonism with the same types of logic, tactics, and arguments?

http://www.restorationhistory.com/anti-parallels.html

http://www.restorationhistory.com/anti-parallels-list.html