Before receiving all the revelation on the Endowment, Joseph Smith became a Master Mason on sight by Grand Master Jonas. There was a lodge in Navoo with Hyrum as it's Master. Priesthood holders (being all men) were encouraged to become Masons. Heber C. Kimball is quoted as saying: "No man was admitted into a lodge in those days except he bore a good moral character, and was a man of steady habits and a member would be suspended for immoral conduct. I wish that all men were Masons and would live up to their profession, then the world would be in a much better state than it is now." Then Joseph revealed the endowment. Heber C. Kimball, in a letter to my personal favorite, Parley P. Pratt wrote: "we have received some pressious things through the Prophet on the preasthood that could caus your Soul to rejoice I can not give them to you on paper fore they are not to be riten. So you must come and get them fore your Self. -We have organised a Lodge here of Masons since we obtained a Charter. that was in March since that thare has near two hundred been made Masons Br Joseph and Sidny was the first that was Recieved in to the Lodg. all of the twelve have become members Except Orson P. he hangs back. he will wake up soon, thare is a similarity of preast Hood in masonary. Bro Joseph Ses Masonary was taken from preasthood but has become degenrated. but menny things are perfect. we have a procession on the 24th of June. which is cold by Masons St Johns day in the country. I think it will result in good. the Lord is with us and we are prosperd." Heber C. Kimball's statement in "Manuscript History of Brigham young": "We have the true Masonry. The Masonry of today is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon, and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing." Elder Franklin D. Richards explained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles: "A Masonic Lodge... was established in Nauvoo and Joseph smith, Brigham young, Willard Richards, John Taylor, Lorenzo Snow, Orson Hyde, F.D. Richards, and about 1000 others in all became Masons. Joseph, the Prophet, was aware that there were some things about Masonry which had come down from the beginning and he desired to know what they were, hence the lodge. The Masons admitted some keys of knowledge appertaining to Masonry were lost. Joseph enquired of the Lord concerning the matter and He revealed to the Prophet true Masonry, as we have it in our temples." So there you have it! I'm a Master Mason, but I haven't been through the temple yet. I look forward to the instruction I will be receiving there, and hope to gain a better perspective on my life as not only a Mason, but as the Son of God I am. I hope that any Mason who comes across these things sees them in their true light. The leaders of our church have always been great men, akin to our fore-father George Washington. The fact they were Masons is a testimony of that. Because they received even more light beyond the Lodge is not a reason to be angry, or to get puffed up because of pride, but to rejoice! Who could ever say they have learned it all, learned enough, or don't need to receive any more? To do so would be foolishness, and would go against the true characteristics of a good Master. I'll step off the soap box now, I hoped I answered your question to your satisfaction. :)