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Freemasonry in the news: George Washington Memorial

Companion Joe

Companion Joe

Premium Member
Very nice story.
Glen, I was struck that Utah only has 30 lodges in the state. Is that because there are 1,700 Masons in the state, a result of members living in close proximity, the size of the state, or what? For example, we have five Masonic lodges in my county alone.
Are the 1,700 truly active Masons? How do you think the numbers impact your state? I've always said I'd rather have a fewer number of Masons than a whole lot of members.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Well, yes.
Only 1700 Masons doesn't mean many lodges.

11 of the lodges are in Salt Lake Co., another two in the county to the north and another two in the county to the south.

We have a substantial area of federal government owned land and tribal land in Utah. We also have the youngest population in the United States.

The benefit of a small Grand Lodge is that everyone has a close relationship. You have the ability to serve at senior levels at a young age, with grandmasters in their 40s and 50s. This may explain why Utah is prominently represented in national and international Masonic offices.

I think our small Masonic population is a factor in fostering change. However, our method of Masonic government also allows the newer and younger members to have substantial impact. Officers to Grand Lodge are elected by the masters and wardens with the Past Masters having one, single, unified vote. This requires candidates for JGW to court the vote of the Wardens and Senior Deacon's.

Constitutional changes are passed with the final vote by the lodges. In his annual address, the Grand Master circa 1874 complained that only 10% of members attended lodges. That really hasn't changed. If you have 20% attend other than on elections night, you are doing pretty well.
 
Randy81

Randy81

Premium Member
Wow, that's crazy! It seems like any town regardless of population has a Masonic lodge here in Louisiana. I'm asking out of complete ignorance as I'm not very familiar with Utah but I've heard/assumed that Utah still has a large percentage of Mormons. Is there anything within their church that would restrict them from joining a Masonic lodge?

The second and third order effects of having a small population is great though. It's awesome that it enables more of you guys to serve in so many positions within Masonry.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
There is no formal prohibition by the LDS Church. The Masonic fraternity prohibited Latter-day Saints for almost 60 years, ending in 1984. The first openly Mormon Grand Master served in 2008.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Travelling Man91 said:
Wasnt the founder of the Mormon's (Joseph Smith) a freemason ?

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Click to expand...
Yes, as were many of the early leaders. Antipathy began when those indicted for the murders of Joseph and his brother, Hyrum, were admitted into the Masonic Lodge. See Oaks, The Carthage Conspiracy.

To its credit, the GL investigated and the lodge surrendered its charter for the ostensible reason it had no place to meet. Id.
 
Dontrell Stroman

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I wonder how true it is when he was about to be killed *he attempted to get help*

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Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
It is widely reported he importuned God as he lept from the window and was shot. Whether he was indicating a plea to other Masons or indeed addressing his Maker, you and I cannot say.

However, you raise another important point: for Latter-day Saints who believe he was calling to other Masons, it would be an additional grievance against Masons, as it is --perceived-- they failed to respond to their Masonic brother. Indeed, the perception is they welcomed his indicted murderers into their fold.


Travelling Man91 said:
I wonder how true it is when he was about to be killed *he attempted to get help*

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Click to expand...
 
Dontrell Stroman

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
Interesting. If he did plea with his brothers, I wonder why they killed him anyways ?
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Ripcord22A

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
Im willing to bet money that new mexico is right behind UT in masonic membership i think we are right around the 3k mark gice or tale a few hundred. We have a ton of lodges but the memberships are very small.
 
dfreybur

dfreybur

Premium Member
Glen Cook said:
I think our small Masonic population is a factor in fostering change. However, our method of Masonic government also allows the newer and younger members to have substantial impact. Officers to Grand Lodge are elected by the masters and wardens with the Past Masters having one, single, unified vote. This requires candidates for JGW to court the vote of the Wardens and Senior Deacon's.
Click to expand...

California has the same system of four GL votes per lodge, but has a large membership.

Constitutional changes are passed with the final vote by the lodges.
Click to expand...

I remember a vote where the membership didn't even realize that's what they were doing. The next month I offered that as a lesson in my Masonic Education talk.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
To be clear, they murderers weren't admitted to the lodge until after the act.

As to dislike, note the extermination order by Gov Boggs of Missouri.
 
Glen Cook

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
dfreybur said:
California has the same system of four GL votes per lodge, but has a large membership.



I remember a vote where the membership didn't even realize that's what they were doing. The next month I offered that as a lesson in my Masonic Education talk.
Click to expand...
When I hit Like, I really don't like the example, but totally believe it.
 
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