I have been spending a lot of time exploring our proceedings now that the Memorial has completed the digitization.  I am preparing an educational on Mormons and Masonry.  I stumbled across this piece of history from my lodge:

M.W. Leroy McGill – 1923 Decision #5

Christopher Diehl Lodge No. 19 presented a question more perplexing, because of the action taken by the Lodge. This Lodge received an application from a prospective member, investigated him and elected him to receive the degrees. He presented himself for initiation, was prepared, introduced, and obligated, when the Master discovered that he had no thumb on his right hand. The Master then suspended the ceremonies and asked for a ruling, and instructions.

Answer: Under the Grand Lodge Law, Rulings of former Grand Masters and interpretations by the Jurisprudence Committee, this applicant was clearly ineligible, but owing to the peculiar conditions and the embarrassment incident to dropping this candidate at this particular point, it was thought that the Grand Lodge should pass on the matter. This Lodge was therefore instructed to suspend further action, the inquiry being received late in November, and the question! is referred to the Grand Lodge for such action as may seem to be necessary and advisable in the premises. Incidentally, it should be added that this Lodge was reprimanded for carelessness in permitting this applicant to go so far, before discovering this defect.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
To the M.’.W.’. Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of Utah:
We, your Committee on Jurisprudence, to whom was referred that portion of the Grand Master’s address relating to the reception by Christopher Diehl Lodge No. 19, and the initiation as an Entered Apprentice, of a man who had no thumb on his right hand, beg leave to report, recommending that Christopher Diehl Lodge No. 19 be directed to proceed with the initiation of this petitioner under special dispensation to be issued by the Grand Master.
Fraternally submitted,
C. W. MORSE, SAMUEL PAUL, P. L. WILLIAMS, F. C. SCHRAMM, Committee on Jurisprudence.

The original report of the Jurisprudence Committee, directing the Lodge “to proceed no further in the conferring of degrees upon such applicant, and that they be directed to return to him, all fees received by the Lodge from him,” was amended as above, and on motion, the amended report was adopted.

They halted the initiation to seek clarification from the Grand Master.  It was later recommended that they continue with his degrees.  I need to dig into other membership records to see if he ever went through with it.

First, you're in a tech forum so let's keep the replies appropriate and respectful please.

Second, I have no idea what the rationale was.  There is a disclaimer on the petition that they have no physical defects that would prevent them from participating in the degrees.  I would not see this as a barrier.  The absurdity of it is what caught my attention.