The Misconceptions and Connections Between Seventh Day Adventism and Freemasonry

The relationship between the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) faith and Freemasonry is often misunderstood and misrepresented by critics. This article aims to debunk these misconceptions by delving into the history and teachings of SDA and clarifying the connections, or lack thereof, with Freemasonry.

Myth vs. Reality: Freemasonry and the SDA Church

One common accusation is that there is a direct connection between the SDA Church and Freemasonry. Critics often cite the presence of Masonic symbols on tombstones of SDA leaders, most notably on Ellen G. White's tombstone, as evidence of a deeper connection. However, this claim is largely unfounded and often based on misinterpretations.

The Founder of Jehovah Witnesses and Freemasonry

Some critics connect the founder of Jehovah's Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell, with Freemasonry, citing his burial place and the tomb symbols. However, Russell, like William Miller, was not affiliated with Freemasonry. William Miller, who is often linked to the SDA Church, was a Freemason but later renounced this affiliation due to his Christian beliefs. He never embraced Sabbatarianism (observance of the Seventh-day Sabbath) and died a Sunday Christian.

William Miller and Freemasonry

Before 1831, William Miller was an active Freemason. However, he resigned his membership that year, stating that he wanted to avoid any practice that might be incompatible with God's word. This move was in line with his growing commitment to Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. Miller died in 1849, four years before the foundation of the SDA Church in 1863. Thus, any connection between Freemasonry and the SDA Church is tenuous and often exaggerated by critics.

William Miller was a Sunday Christian until the very end of his life. The truth about the Sabbath came to him and the Adventist believers much later, when Ellen G. White and other leaders introduced the concept of Sabbath observance. Seventh-day Baptist Rachel Oakes Preston was instrumental in introducing the Sabbath to the Adventist belief system.

The Investigative Judgment

The concept of the Investigative Judgment is central to the beliefs of Seventh Day Adventists. This judgment evaluates who among humanity has truly placed their faith in God and who has not. It is not about God needing to determine who belongs to Him, as He already knows. Instead, it is about providing a context for believers and non-believers to understand their place in God's kingdom. This judgment began in 1844 and continues to the present.

Seventh Day Adventists and Angelic Guidance

Ellen G. White, a key figure in the SDA Church, is often accused of having connections with Freemasonry based on some of her experiences. For instance, it is claimed that she displayed Masonic signs but without personal knowledge of them. These claims are based on a misunderstanding; Ellen G. White honestly believed that these signs were given to her by her angelic guides. She herself had no knowledge of them.

Conclusion: Debunking Misconceptions

Critics often attempt to link William Miller's Freemasonry to the SDA Church to cast doubt on its legitimacy. However, William Miller renounced his Freemasonry and remained a Sunday Christian until his death. The SDA Church was founded 14 years after Miller's death, making any direct connection impossible.

Therefore, it is crucial to recognize that there is no significant or direct link between the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Freemasonry. The Mariners' Lamp, a weekly Adventist publication, and other credible sources provide additional information to dispel such misconceptions and protect the integrity of the SDA faith.