Mount Nebo #229 - Archived Communications

Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today there are more than two million Freemasons in North America representing virtually every occupation and profession. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, and Masons come from varied religious beliefs and creeds. Yet, within the Fraternity, all Masons meet as equals as friends, and all believe in one God.

Freemasonry is deeply rooted in American history. Many of our early patriots were Freemasons. Thirteen signers of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United States were Masons, including George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gerald Ford, Harry Truman, and James Monroe.

Men of character and integrity join the Masons. Most men go about their jobs and professions with no hint they are Freemasons, except for the way they lead their lives. Freemasonry does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or social class. As a fraternal association dedicated to making good men better, Freemasonry respects the religious beliefs of all its members.

Freemasonry is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. It uses the tools and implements of ancient architectural craftsmen symbolically in a system of instruction designed to build character and moral values in its members. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is a fraternity which encourages its members to practice the faith of their personal acceptance. Masonry teaches that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.

Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town don't think they are "good enough" to join. But it doesn't work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends about Masonry. We can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But we can't ask, much less pressure, anyone to join.

There's a good reason for that. It isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a very serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. We've listed most of them above -- to live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be "talked into" making such a decision.

So, when a man decides he wants to be a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition or application. He fills it out and gives it to the Mason, and that Mason takes it to the local lodge. The Master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be a Mason, tell him and his family about Masonry, and answer their questions. The committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition. If the vote is affirmative -- and it usually is -- the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree. When the person has completed all three degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.