Did you ever explain to a TBM before they went through the endowment ceremony that it was plagiarized from the masonic ceremony?

Mormons are typically confused and disturbed by the endowment but it all makes sense once you understand that the weird stuff was simply taken from the masonic ceremony. And once you understand what the masonic ceremony is its even clearer that Joseph Smith plagiarized a secret boys club initiation.

A TBM told me about the JS/Masonic connection just before I went to the temple the first time 30 years ago. It meant nothing to me at the time.

Looking back, I've often wondered if he was trying to subtly wave me off.

My seminary teacher told us that "some" say it was taken from the Masons, but that "we" know it was Heavenly Father's way of "preparing" JS and the church. The only reason I even remember this tidbit was because she appeared really nervous while saying this to the class. I think we all woke up at this point. LOL! Her non-verbals told me she didn't believe what she was saying. Wish I could remember the context.

Some of it? Try nearly all of the symbolic pieces. Geez.