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Posted: 5/7/2021 3:35:27 PM EDT
[#1]
At its core it is a fraternity which brings like minded men together. The benefit is having a venue to meet and converse with good men of all walks of life, colors, religions. For me it is my primary social network. As with any social network everyone has a varied background so my mortgage guy, insurance guy, HVAC and plumbing guy are also members. They do not give me any deals on their services but I know that I can trust them.
The obligations you take are before God and you will promise such things as upholding Lodge by-laws and Grand Lodge Code, you will not cheat or defraud your brethren or the Lodge, you will assist your brethren and their families (within the limits of your personal abilities and finances), etc. Are you in Utah? I can connect you with some folks to talk to if you are interested in learning more. Pick up Chris Hodapp's Freemasons for Dummies and read chapters 1, 2, and 4. |
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Posted: 5/7/2021 3:52:28 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted: Simple, straightforward question. No hidden agenda. What are the benefits to FM. Not monetary if there is any but "other" benefits. I try to take promises/obligations fairly seriously and would not want to put myself in a position to break any. What kind of obligations would I be agreeing to? Thanks OK, it may sound clich, but Freemasonry is about making good men better men. Yep, that's ambiguous, so just what is it?
What will you have to agree to? Not a whole lot, but what you agree to is important.
Probably the best place to start is to contact a lodge local to you and talk to the members. And don't be afraid to ask questions! Most of us love to talk about Freemasonry! And if you need help finding a local lodge, google "grand lodge" and your state name, and contact the Grand Lodge site for your state. They will point you in the right direction. Hope this helps! |
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Posted: 5/7/2021 3:54:14 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Pick up Chris Hodapp's Freemasons for Dummies and read chapters 1, 2, and 4. |
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Posted: 5/7/2021 4:18:12 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Probably the best place to start is to contact a lodge local to you and talk to the members. And don't be afraid to ask questions! Most of us love to talk about Freemasonry! And if you need help finding a local lodge, google "grand lodge" and your state name, and contact the Grand Lodge site for your state. They will point you in the right direction. Hope this helps! I got that part covered for Utah. 
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Posted: 5/7/2021 4:45:31 PM EDT
[#5]
In a nutshell Freemasons obligate themselves to six things. To help, aid and assist their fellow man. And to never cheat, wrong or defraud them.
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Posted: 5/8/2021 5:19:35 AM EDT
[#6]
Trolling is not appropriate in this forum ~ medicmandan
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Posted: 5/8/2021 5:49:48 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I got that part covered for Utah. 
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Posted: 5/8/2021 6:53:42 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Trolling is not appropriate in this forum ~ medicmandan Oh, good, someone found an Albert Pike quote. |
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Posted: 5/8/2021 1:39:16 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Oh, good, someone found an Albert Pike quote. Not trolling, I'm asking legitimately. Surely you've read your own books? Plus, i cant think of a better place to ask than right here. |
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Posted: 5/8/2021 1:40:49 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not trolling, I'm asking legitimately. Surely you've read your own books? Anyone who posts that is very clearly trolling. You can stop now or take a few days off from the site. |
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Posted: 5/8/2021 7:37:15 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not trolling, I'm asking legitimately. Surely you've read your own books? Plus, i cant think of a better place to ask than right here. Ask in a matter that doesn’t get you medicmanned, and I’ll try my best to answer. I’m currently reading a 60’s edition morals and dogma and would be happy to go to specific pages and phrases for you to show what’s actually in print as opposed to internet nonsense. @ me if you’d like me to look something up. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 8:41:10 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In a nutshell Freemasons obligate themselves to six things. To help, aid and assist their fellow man. And to never cheat, wrong or defraud them. Well those I've already vowed to do. Failed at times and then vowed to try to do better next time. Don't want any financial gains from freemasonry, I'm going back into trucking if I can. It's unlikely that joining would benefit me in that regard. Meetings a group of good people on the other hand would benefit me greatly. A friend is a Mason. That's what got me thinking about it. I don't want to ask him to much right now till I've decided if it's for me or not. If I manage to get back into trucking I'd have limited home time. Would that be a problem? I'm in Tooele so making it to SLC can be challenging at times. Gas back and forth is a killer. My personal faith is in line with The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. I respect others beliefs but find that's not always reciprocated. Would I be welcome in freemasonry or an outsider? Thanks for all the helpful responses. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 9:12:23 PM EDT
[#13]
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/masonry?lang=eng
Found this on my church's website. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 9:13:31 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Well those I've already vowed to do. Failed at times and then vowed to try to do better next time. Don't want any financial gains from freemasonry, I'm going back into trucking if I can. It's unlikely that joining would benefit me in that regard. Meetings a group of good people on the other hand would benefit me greatly. A friend is a Mason. That's what got me thinking about it. I don't want to ask him to much right now till I've decided if it's for me or not. If I manage to get back into trucking I'd have limited home time. Would that be a problem? I'm in Tooele so making it to SLC can be challenging at times. Gas back and forth is a killer. My personal faith is in line with The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. I respect others beliefs but find that's not always reciprocated. Would I be welcome in freemasonry or an outsider? Thanks for all the helpful responses. @ScottUtah Freemasonry is like many things, the more time you can invest the better the outcome. One of the first lessons you learn in the degrees though is the importance of balance in your life. You will have no conflicts with your faith and Freemasonry. We have had recent Grand Masters of this Jurisdiction who are of the same faith. You will be asked if you believe in a Supreme Being as part of the interview process. Nothing more regarding your faith will be questioned. There is a Lodge in Tooele that meets on the second Friday each month for their regular business meeting. They also meet other Fridays as well. I am an honorary member of that Lodge. Very good men there. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 9:15:35 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/masonry?lang=eng Found this on my church's website. Quote HistoryQuoted: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/masonry?lang=eng Found this on my church's website. That's good info. Originally LDS members were prohibited from joining in Utah. That was resolved in 1984. From an old Trib article: It wasn't until 1984 that LDS President Spencer W. Kimball removed the prohibition against Latter-day Saints becoming Freemasons. Later that year, the Grand Lodge of Utah removed its own ban on Mormon membership so that, in the ensuing years, many Latter-day Saint men have returned to this part of their heritage. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 10:59:33 PM EDT
[#16]
This coming Friday is the second Friday of the month.
Should I ask my friend if I may attend? What should I expect if I am able to go? Thanks. |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 11:00:48 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This coming Friday is the second Friday of the month. Should I ask my friend if I may attend? What should I expect if I am able to go? Thanks. You would not be able to attend the meeting but they often hold a dinner prior (pre-COVID). Is your friend a member of that Lodge? |
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Posted: 5/9/2021 11:12:04 PM EDT
[#18]
I believe so. His name is Andy he seems pretty involved with FM and he lives here in Tooele too.
To be fair he is more of an acquaintance at this point. As I get to know him better I wouldn't mind calling him a friend. He's a cool guy. |
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Posted: 5/10/2021 1:13:33 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted: Simple, straightforward question. No hidden agenda. What are the benefits to FM. Not monetary if there is any but "other" benefits. I try to take promises/obligations fairly seriously and would not want to put myself in a position to break any. What kind of obligations would I be agreeing to? Thanks Your interest in the Fraternity is welcome and appreciated. Current growth rates in many jurisdictions are the lowest ever. Still, asking current members "why" isn't really the proper approach. As a general rule, the Fraternity does not recruit. I'm sure you've seen the phrase 2B1ASK1. Use your available research tools and see what the Fraternity does, both in the lives of its members and in the communities where the Lodges are. Then you decide if that's something that you would like to be a part of. If so, find a Brother from the Lodge you'd like to petition to join and just tell him that you'd like to learn more. No "whys" because the preparation begins within, not without. That being said, I'm glad you're interested. I have no doubt that if you are unbiased and open minded you will find that there are an infinite number of personal benefits one can achieve from membership in the Fraternity. |
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Posted: 5/10/2021 1:19:07 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Well those I've already vowed to do. Failed at times and then vowed to try to do better next time. Don't want any financial gains from freemasonry, I'm going back into trucking if I can. It's unlikely that joining would benefit me in that regard. Meetings a group of good people on the other hand would benefit me greatly. A friend is a Mason. That's what got me thinking about it. I don't want to ask him to much right now till I've decided if it's for me or not. If I manage to get back into trucking I'd have limited home time. Would that be a problem? I'm in Tooele so making it to SLC can be challenging at times. Gas back and forth is a killer. My personal faith is in line with The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. I respect others beliefs but find that's not always reciprocated. Would I be welcome in freemasonry or an outsider? Thanks for all the helpful responses. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: In a nutshell Freemasons obligate themselves to six things. To help, aid and assist their fellow man. And to never cheat, wrong or defraud them. Well those I've already vowed to do. Failed at times and then vowed to try to do better next time. Don't want any financial gains from freemasonry, I'm going back into trucking if I can. It's unlikely that joining would benefit me in that regard. Meetings a group of good people on the other hand would benefit me greatly. A friend is a Mason. That's what got me thinking about it. I don't want to ask him to much right now till I've decided if it's for me or not. If I manage to get back into trucking I'd have limited home time. Would that be a problem? I'm in Tooele so making it to SLC can be challenging at times. Gas back and forth is a killer. My personal faith is in line with The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. I respect others beliefs but find that's not always reciprocated. Would I be welcome in freemasonry or an outsider? Thanks for all the helpful responses. Personal faith is a wonderful thing, but the Fraternity is NOT a religious organization. If all around you were to suddenly collapse into personal ruin, you do have Someone in whom you can place your faith. That is all that Freemasony requires is that we acknowledge that there is a power in the universe greater than our own so, no. Your personal faith will not conflict in any way with the Fraternity. |
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Posted: 5/16/2021 12:12:13 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Seriously, do this! This is a wonderful book packed with information suitable for non-Masons and long-time Masons alike. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Pick up Chris Hodapp's Freemasons for Dummies and read chapters 1, 2, and 4. For a round numbered post, I'd like to say thank you @medicmandan, I did just that. After being curious for awhile, and picking that up yesterday and reading parts, I'm going to contact my local lodge and see for myself. Truly thanks to you, and always, ARF is wonderful is many ways. The different things I've learned from this place in the last 13 years is kind of amazing. |
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Posted: 5/16/2021 12:22:07 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: For a round numbered post, I'd like to say thank you @medicmandan, I did just that. After being curious for awhile, and picking that up yesterday and reading parts, I'm going to contact my local lodge and see for myself. Truly thanks to you, and always, ARF is wonderful is many ways. The different things I've learned from this place in the last 13 years is kind of amazing. 
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Posted: 5/16/2021 9:23:36 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: For a round numbered post, I'd like to say thank you @medicmandan, I did just that. After being curious for awhile, and picking that up yesterday and reading parts, I'm going to contact my local lodge and see for myself. Truly thanks to you, and always, ARF is wonderful is many ways. The different things I've learned from this place in the last 13 years is kind of amazing. @nh11b keep us updated on your journey. |
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