Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minutes
Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2340
Scope and Contents
The Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minute books are comprised of copies of minutes.
Dates
- 1841-1846
Creator
- Freemasons. Nauvoo Lodge. U.D. (Nauvoo, Ill.) (Organization)
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Organizational History
Abraham Jonas, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois wrote on October 15, 1841 to authorize for the creation of a Masonic Lodge at Nauvoo and appointed George Miller, Esq. to be the first Master. Appointed first Junior Mason was Lucius N. Scovil and John D. Parker was appointed first Senior Mason.
The Nauvoo Masonic Lodge was founded shortly thereafter. In December 1841, the lodge leadership met to write its by-laws. Lucius N. Scovil, Samuel Rolfe, and Aaron Johnson formed the "Building committee of the Masonic Temple in the City of Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois North America" William Weeks was the principle architect. At the time of the laying of the cornerstone of the lodge, Joseph was in hiding as is apparent from this interesting note on the first page of the extant minutes, "The Governor of Missouri has again demanded Joseph Smith, and a writ has been issued by Gov. Ford to have him taken in consequence of which he is absent from the laying of this cornerstone."
The Nauvoo Lodge would be primarily attended by those of the Mormon religious persuasion. For a time Masonic rites helped shape the direction of Joseph Smith's theology and some scholars note the similarity between the Mormon temple endowment ceremony and Masonic rites. At its height, there were 1,500 Mormons involved in Freemasonry in Illinois.
The Nauvoo Masonic Lodge was founded shortly thereafter. In December 1841, the lodge leadership met to write its by-laws. Lucius N. Scovil, Samuel Rolfe, and Aaron Johnson formed the "Building committee of the Masonic Temple in the City of Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois North America" William Weeks was the principle architect. At the time of the laying of the cornerstone of the lodge, Joseph was in hiding as is apparent from this interesting note on the first page of the extant minutes, "The Governor of Missouri has again demanded Joseph Smith, and a writ has been issued by Gov. Ford to have him taken in consequence of which he is absent from the laying of this cornerstone."
The Nauvoo Lodge would be primarily attended by those of the Mormon religious persuasion. For a time Masonic rites helped shape the direction of Joseph Smith's theology and some scholars note the similarity between the Mormon temple endowment ceremony and Masonic rites. At its height, there were 1,500 Mormons involved in Freemasonry in Illinois.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Abstract
The Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minute books (1841-1846) are comprised of copies of minutes. The Nauvoo Lodge would be primarily attended by those of the Mormon religious persuasion. For a time Masonic rites helped shape the direction of Joseph Smith's theology and some scholars note the similarity between the Mormon temple endowment ceremony and Masonic rites. At its height, there were 1,500 Mormons involved in Freemasonry in Illinois.
Processing Information
Processed by Samuel J. Passey in 2007.
Creator
- Freemasons. Nauvoo Lodge. U.D. (Nauvoo, Ill.) (Organization)
- Title
- Inventory of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minutes, 1841-1846
- Author
- Finding aid created by Samuel J. Passey
- Date
- © 2007 (last modified: 2020)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu