text: why are the mormon temple rituals just like the masonic lodge intiation rituals? if you study these secret/sacred rituals (which can easily be discovered through many published works and websites), they are almost identical.  the handshakes, gruesome oaths, penalty signs, and even the wearing of aprons are almost identical between mormonism and the masonic lodge.  what's up? if you look at the history of joseph smith, he joined the masonic lodge on the trip west.  the materials from the lodge show up in the temple ceremonies because they were lifted by joseph smith from the masons!