Glen Cook

Glad to hear it, David. Thanks for the clarification!

Semantics, semantics. Maybe “apologetic” was the wrong term. I argue only for open, honest exploration and discussion. I am certain that there are many “real experts” out there that have no interest other than discovery and documentation of actual history - where ever it leads. That is all I wish to promote.

As for the second quote attributed to me in your post, please add “And visa-versa” to the end.

DWReed

Why do you suggest an “apologetic” group? This would suggest that only those who wish to defend the LDS church against perceived “attacks” are welcome to participate. I can guarantee you that some of the real experts on these issues have no interest in producing LDS apologetics.

This should be open to all and be held to a high academic standard.

In all honesty, this tends to be at odds with the goal of “an apologetics group.” If your goal is to produce LDS apologetics, then conclusions from research will be skewed/spun to support an author’s interpretation of what makes the LDS church look best. That’s hardly a way to research real history.

My own research has found issues which reflect well on both the LDS church and on the Fraternity. It has also found issues which reflect poorly on both the LDS church and on the Fraternity. I try to be as objective as possible, and follow the evidence, rather than making the evidence conform to presupposed agendas.

Also, we must not exclude those only interested in Masonic history as it relates to the LDS Nauvoo period and are not interested in pursuing the Craft itself.

If you feel this way, then I suggest you apply the same reasoning, in order to not exclude those who are not interested in pursuing the LDS church itself.

1. Create a dedicated online Mormon/Mason apologetic group so that we can continue to explore & debate the historicity of this issue. This should be open to all and be held to a high academic standard. LDSMason.com would be a great starting platform if Joseph is offering it. I would be happy to throw money at it if necessary.

2. For those of us who are, or may be interested in becoming, Freemasons, we should explore, with the input and counsel of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, the possibility of chartering a Lodge of Research — and hopefully somewhere down the road an “occasional” Lodge — both of which would physically meet in Nauvoo at least annually. If we could gain enough support from LDS & non-LDS Masons in Hancock County (& elsewhere) maybe then we could come up with a plan for a historical reproduction of Nauvoo’s original Lodge room, if not the entire original Masonic building.

If we do pursue the establishment of a Lodge & possibly re-creating a Lodge Room, it would be a good idea to create a non-profit “Nauvoo Masonic Association” as soon a possible to act as an independent fund raising and property management entity.

The one thing, I think, that we do not want to do is to once again alienate the Freemasons of Illinois in our efforts to understand the Mormon/Masonic experience of 1840’s Nauvoo. We must work with them and help them, whenever possible, to promote the Craft in the Nauvoo & Illinois of today.

Also, we must not exclude those only interested in Masonic history as it relates to the LDS Nauvoo period and are not interested in pursuing the Craft itself.

That’s my suggestion. It would give us a place to start, something for all to build upon and a clear idea of where we would like to go.

B&F,

DWReed

http://nauvoorealestate.com/

If we could come up with $1.7 million, we could purchase Hyrum (Hiram) Smith’s old farm. How poetic would THAT be! It is at the east end of Nauvoo, and includes 29 acres and a hot tub. For those who are looking, it is the first property listed under the “Nauvoo Area” listings.

If you want to go virtual, I bought ldsmasons.com several years ago, but have done nothing with it.

For a lodge of research, I have spoken with a publisher in Massachusetts, and they are very interested in reprinting all of the old Masonic classics, and have asked if I would be willing to send them my small collection to get them started. Any other brethren or collectors who have them, you can contact me off list, and I will get you their contact information if you would like to participate in this project.

S&F,

Joseph

* Shouldn’t there be some sort of open, accessible Masonic presence IN Nauvoo - for historical reasons, if nothing else?

The precedent for this is Internet Lodge, which operates under the aegis of the United Grand Lodge of England. Here is the link:

http://internet.lodge.org.uk/

Frats,
JS