Compass and Square - why are these symbols secret?

[_consiglieri]

The "G" and the All Seeing Eye are not present on my garments.

Have you never wondered why they are called "G's"?



All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Buffalo]

Everyone's familiar with this symbol - the Masonic compass and square. These symbols are also used in the LDS temple and on LDS garments. But how did they become something that you're not supposed to show to outsiders? First of all, they're originally Masonic symbols, and you see this all the time on Masonic graves, bumper stickers and outside Masonic lodges. Early members recognized where they came from.

Second of all, I remember reading that early designs for the Salt Lake City Temple had the compass and square appearing on the outside of the temple. So it wasn't out of the question to display these symbols.

So when did these symbols become secret in Mormonism?

The "G" and the All Seeing Eye are not present on my garments.

Care to try again?

Don't be stupid, Simon.





Why don't you try answering a question honestly instead of taking yet another steamy dump in someone's thread?

[_NorthboundZax]

I've wondered this as well. There is actually very little in the endowment that the participants are sworn to secrecy over - just the signs and tokens. Culturally, however, talking about any of the endowment is a taboo. The only answer that makes much sense to me is kind of an evolutionary psychology one: things work much more smoothly within the organization that way. The members can't question the kookiness if they can't talk about it. And, it's much easier for the leaders to wave off questions in hushed tones about being too sacred to talk about rather than trying to explain the kookiness in any coherent way. Pretty effective, too.

[_moksha]

Have you never wondered why they are called "G's"?



All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I think the official designation is Garments for men and Garmies from women.

Had bras been invented back then, they too could have shared the sacred and secret symbols and would have boosted sales with the introduction of the critical race theory your heart model.

-

[_harmony]

I've wondered this as well. There is actually very little in the endowment that the participants are sworn to secrecy over - just the signs and tokens. Culturally, however, talking about any of the endowment is a taboo. The only answer that makes much sense to me is kind of an evolutionary psychology one: things work much more smoothly within the organization that way. The members can't question the kookiness if they can't talk about it. And, it's much easier for the leaders to wave off questions in hushed tones about being too sacred to talk about rather than trying to explain the kookiness in any coherent way. Pretty effective, too.

I've been endowed for going on 40 years, visiting the temple multiple times over the years, and not once have I raised any questions about the endowment ceremony. Nor did I ever consider it at all spiritual, sacred, or secret-worthy. Why? Because it's just so lame. There is no depth of thought, no beauty, no spirituality, no joy in it. It's boring, foolish, shallow, and an obvious control mechanism. I keep it secret because it's so embarrassing not because it's somehow sacred.

I love the Initiatory, but the rest is just so much hot air.

[_DarkHelmet]

The "G" and the All Seeing Eye are not present on my garments.

Care to try again?

It would be weird to have an All Seeing Eye down in my crotch area.