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PrevPrevious EpisodeDifferent Types of Freemasonry (Part 4 of 7)
Next ExpisodeJoseph’s Magical Masonry (Part 6 of 7)Next

Masonic Legends & Gold Plates (Part 5 of 7)

Table of Contents: Masonic Legends & Gold Plates (Part 5 of 7)

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Historian Don Bradley made some waves in my previous interview when he said there were masonic implements with the Gold Plates.  It turns out that Clair Barrus has some similar beliefs, and we will talk about masonic legends and golden plates.

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Clair: Lucy Mack Smith writes about this. She says, “Joseph said, ‘Do not be uneasy, mother. All is right. See here, I have got a key.'” He calls it a key. “I knew not what he meant. I took the article of which he spoke into my hands and upon examination found it consisted of two, smooth three-quarter diamonds set in glass. And the glasses were set in silver bows.” This is Joseph Smith’s translating device, but he calls it a key, the same word that is used in the Royal Arch Masonic myth. The high priest puts on a breastplate, uses the key, and he translates the characters that were originally from a gold plate. So I think there’s something going on there. I think this may be what inspired Joseph Smith to go on and allow Mormonism to come forth.

GT:  So you think there’s a Masonic connection to the origins? The origin story of the golden plates? Is that [right]?

Clair:  I think so.  I think that at some point Joseph shifts from a common treasure-seeker to a restorer of ancient scripture, buried scripture written by ancient prophets.

GT:  Hmm.

Clair:  I think that story and then the idea of how do we translate these and what do we even wear while we’re translating it? I think that also comes from masonry.

What are your thoughts?  Check out our conversation…

gold plates - Masonic Legends & Gold Plates (Part 5 of 7) - Mormon History Podcast
Clair Barrus describes masonic connections to the golden plates.

Don’t miss our previous conversations with Clair!

409:  Different Types of Masonry (Barrus)

408:  Is Book of Mormon anti-Masonic? (Barrus)

407:  Oliver Cowdery’s Rod of Revelation (Barrus)

406:  Masonic Connections in Oliver Cowdery’s Family (Barrus)

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More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • Are William Clayton Journals Reliable? (Clair Barrus 4 of 4)
  • Pretend Husband Joseph Kingsbury (Clair Barrus 3 of 4)
  • John C Bennett & Nauvoo-Era Polygamy (Clair Barrus 2 of 4)
  • Earliest Polygamy Revelations (1829??? - Clair Barrus 1 of 4)
  • GT Trips #1: Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Clair Barrus, Don Bradley
  • Theology: Magic
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Church History, gold plates, GT Podcast, iTunes, masonic legends

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeDifferent Types of Freemasonry (Part 4 of 7)
Next ExpisodeJoseph’s Magical Masonry (Part 6 of 7)Next
  • Date: June 15, 2020
  • Guest: Clair Barrus, Don Bradley
  • Theology: Magic
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Church History, gold plates, GT Podcast, iTunes, masonic legends
  • Posted By: RickB

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Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

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