Actually, it has never been a temple recommend question. Most likely you had an over-zealous Priesthood leader. E.g., the 1968 General Handbook stated:

Members of the Church are strongly advised not to join any organization which is antagonistic to the Church, of which is oath-bound, or of such character as would cause members of the Church to lose interest in Church activities or interfere with performance of their duties.

Whether Church members who belong to secret oath-bound organizations shall be ordained to or advanced in the priesthood, or given the privileges of the temple, depends upon their standing in the Church and compliance with the regulations governing these privileges.

I would assume you are under 50 then and did not live in the south United States where it was a Temple question.

Are you suggesting the temple cermony is not literal?

No, I am saying it is not literal.

In comment# 11 Kim Siever said: “Who says it’s truth? The temple ceremony is very likely nothing more than a figurative vehicle to teach truths.”

Are you suggesting the temple cermony is not literal?

I found the interview very interesting. Here is a direct link.

http://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/MormonStories-005-Masonry.mp3

Some notes (based on my memory, reader beware):
– Masonry did not start with Solomon’s Temple.
– The Mason ceremonies are techniques to teach complex idea about the enlightenment to farmers. Joseph recognized it as a valuable teaching method.
– Many/most early members of the church were masons, they were used to the mason ceremonies. When they did temple ceremonies it was easy to see and focus on the gospel ideas presented there because that was the stuff that was different then the masonic ceremony. Modern members don’t have this benefit.

Years ago I did my research at the UofC using official masonic material. Unfortunately, due to a few moves that material has been lost. I do think that you might be confusing the Grand Orient with the English versions. As for Solomon’s temple – check out Hiram.