Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Missouri
and
RWB Phillip G. Elam, Grand Orator (1999-2000)
Grand Lodge of A.F.&A.M. of Missouri
- A Fraternal Organization
- With a Strong Social Purpose
- Whose Members Have High Moral Standards and Work for the Benefit of Others
Freemasonry is the science by which
morality is taught through the visible symbols and instructive traditions associated with
the erection of King Solomon’s Temple some 3,000 years ago. Like every science and
permanent institution, Freemasonry is built on certain conceded principles. These include
a belief in the one living and true God and the immortality of the soul. When we say "one
God," we refer to whatever Supreme and Benevolent Being in which a man places his ultimate
trust. We are a non-denominational institution accepting men of all faiths. Freemasonry is
the ardent supporter of every religion. It denies to no man his particular theological or
secular beliefs, but rather complements and fulfills those beliefs.
Without an expressed belief in these principles, no man can ever become a Freemason. Acceptance of the Fatherhood of God is the very foundation of the Masonic Institution; from this Fatherhood logically flows the Brotherhood of Man.
The Masonic Fraternity stands before the world 
today, not merely as a marvelous
monument of antiquity, older, larger and more widely spread than any other human
institution, but as having maintained for so many centuries the essentials of its primary
organization. It has long outlived the circumstances which gave it birth. Originally an
association of operative stonemasons and builders, whose monuments of rare skill still
adorn almost every part of the old world, the hands of time have brought those operative
labors to a close. The Everlasting Principles, however, upon which our beloved Craft was
founded, are as intact today as they were when it emerged from the very shadows of
prehistory. Thus, over the centuries, as the demand for builders of physical temples has
subsided, Freemasons have transitioned their efforts to building "spiritual temples" in
the hearts of men.
Our ancient Brethren sought to erect temples fit for worship. Freemasonry’s great mission today
is, and forever shall be, to make those who worship fit to enter those temples.
Since its founding, dynasties have come and gone, nations have been born and buried, and
countless orders and societies have been organized and passed into obscurity. Our Order alone
has maintained its ancient organization, teaching its lessons of love, peace on earth, goodwill
toward man, and is today greater and stronger than it has ever been
Freemasonry is a broad system of Morals and Ethics. That is, a science of human duties, whose
principals are accepted by all religions as essential to human excellence. The cornerstone of
these principles rests upon the recognition of a Divine Truth that mankind has a common origin
and a common destiny; and that God is the Creator and Father of all of us. Out of that relationship with Deity grows the Brotherhood of Man.
Freemasonry’s great purpose is to intensify that relationship. Thus, Freemasonry teaches
Love, Faith, and Duty, unites man in the strong embrace of fraternal fellowship, and
induces emulation of who can best work and best agree. Freemasonry thus becomes a system
of spiritual education wherein is taught not only the virtues, but also the useful
lessons of everyday life.
The Temple of King Solomon signifies to us the Temple of our bodies, that is, our Inner Spiritual Temple. The tools and implements used in the building of Solomon’s Temple signify to us the cultivation of the virtues to be practiced in the erection of the inner spiritual temple of man. The traditions associated with Solomon’s Temple serve as worthy examples for our imitation, and to inspire in us a love of all that is good and true.
Freemasonry teaches us that the most important part of life lies in the
discharge of our duties toward God and our fellow man. 
That eminent patron of Freemasonry, St.
John the Evangelist, when so old that he had to be carried in the arms of his friends into
an assembly of children, lifted himself up and said: "Little children, love one another."
When asked, "Have you nothing else to tell us?" he replied, "I say this again and again,
because if you do this, nothing more is needed." That, dear reader, is the foundation of
Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is not a mere pastime; not a mere amusement. It is an active, living principle. Its
ritual, its symbolism, and its drama are not empty ceremonies. Formed and perfected over the
centuries, they serve to exemplify and impart important truths for mankind. Freemasonry adapts
its theories, its ethical thought, and its teachings to the practical relations of life.
There are no dogmas in Freemasonry. Its so-called "secrecy" is confined only to simple means of
communication and methods of recognition. Its tenets are universally approved. What Freemasonry
condemns, no good man upholds. The essence of Freemasonry is character. A man is what he does.
The Mason’s manhood and worth is not measured by wealth, fame or fortune, but by faithful,
consistent and unselfish service. In like manner, the measure and worth of any institution is
the effect it has upon the individual and society.
What has Freemasonry given to mankind and society? It paved the way for freedom of speech. It
has ever been the enemy of any power that suppressed free thought and the enslavement of the
mind. It rejects the bigotry and superstition that erected inquisitions and persecution of all
types; and the ignorance and fanaticism that invented instruments of torture and deprivation.
It points out to man that free thought and free speech, and the study of the sciences, are
necessary for mankind’s mental and intellectual emancipation; that the study of nature brings
man’s soul nearer to his Creator; and that knowledge drives out ignorance and superstition. It
has taught mankind that, after he has emancipated himself from the vices that tyrannize and
oppress, he must learn to govern himself wisely by practicing the Cardinal Virtues of
Freemasonry: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.
Man is a social creature. As such, our nature compels us to seek the companionship of others. We, therefore, see our Brothers and their families, animated by the same noble purpose, meeting in the Lodge where they can feel the hearty touch of the hand, hear words of inspiration and encouragement, and enjoy the pleasure, entertainment, and fellowship of this time-honored institution. While gathered in these great assemblies, we confer our ceremonial degrees, provide relief to the indigent, assistance to the worthy, and administer systems of care to those who are less fortunate. Freemasonry is all of this and much, much more. Beneath and beyond all of these is the deep, permanent passion for the betterment of the Brotherhood of Man. Freemasonry, as the ardent supporter of religion, benevolence, and morality places before man the incentives to goodness through the contemplation of the Holy Principles of Divine Truth.
The tenets our Ancient Order are Brotherly
Love, Relief and Truth -– and first among them is Brotherly Love. It is the very cement
which holds together the social edifice of this world. No one can measure the extent of
human sympathy or brotherly love, but we know it to be one of the mightiest social forces
of all time, and that without it, life would be a merciless and cruel existence. We know
that when there is an unselfish love in the hearts of men, the better nature within each
of us responds in kind. It is this kindly spirit of Brotherhood, the gentle touch of the
hand, and the sympathetic word that brings forth a harvest of good deeds, noble thoughts,
and the highest aspirations of mankind.
Freemasonry has ever been the patron of learning. It long ago discovered that ignorance was the mother of nearly all of the evils and dangerous environments that afflicted humanity; that education dispelled this evil, set free the victims of its influence, and put a smile where terror and despair had planted sorrow. In its unending efforts to eliminate such human afflictions, Freemasonry has perhaps performed its greatest labor, breaking down the walls of religious hatred and intolerance that for too long divided men into opposing sects and hostile camps. The great religious ecumenical councils of today, and the religious tolerance and mutual understanding they endeavor to convey, has been the foundation and practice of Freemasonry since time immemorial. The Freemason is thus prepared through ceremonies, ritual and moral lessons to undertake his grand mission to teach, by precept and example, all that is beautiful and useful in this life, and to prepare for life hereafter.
After all of the great lectures on philosophy have been delivered, when the wisest statesmen shall have done their utmost to alleviate what is harsh and cruel in social conditions, and science shall have unraveled the mysteries of the universe, there will still be the necessity for a kindly smile, a helping hand, a cup of cool water, and a quiet word of encouragement. It is because Freemasonry has ever given the cup of cool water, extended a hand to one who has fallen, and spoken the words of comfort and cheer, that millions of good men of every religion and culture, and from every corner of the world have knelt at its altar.
It is these same men, Brothers in spirit and deed, with eyes uplifted and hearts responsive to the needs of those who are journeying through life with them, that form the Masonic Fraternity throughout the world. It is the good and true men of this Brotherhood that live with the great satisfaction which comes only from relieving suffering, dispensing happiness, and to aid the unification of mankind.
Our charitable efforts today are many. The Masonic family encompasses many
differ
ent organizations. Men's organizations
include the Blue Lodges, the Scottish and York Rites, the Ancient Arabic Order of the
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Grotto, and the Knights Templar. Ladies' organizations
include the Order of the Eastern Star (which also includes men who are Freemasons), The
White Shrine, Amaranth, and others. Youth organizations include The 'Daughters of Job' and
'Rainbow for Girls' for our young women, and the 'Order of DeMolay' for our young men.
Each of these organizations has its own unique ceremonies, and supports charitable and
philanthropic causes. Every day the Masonic Family is responsible for contributing
literally millions of dollars in charitable donations, and thousands of volunteer hours to
worthwhile causes of every kind.
This, my friends, is Freemasonry. May it live on through us for countless ages, and may we be ever worthy to spread Masonic Light for the generations yet to come.
To these, our principal beliefs and poetic truths, we say as our forefathers did before us: "So mote it be."
We hope that men of a higher character who seek to share in our Brotherly Love, who wish to contribute to the relief of others less fortunate, and who use Divine Truth as the cornerstone of all their endeavors will consider joining the oldest, largest, and most prestigious fraternal organization in the world – Freemasonry.
Top of Masonry
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Masonic Creed |
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Freemasonry teaches the universal principle of unselfish friendship and promotes those moral precepts which are in keeping with all great faiths. In pursuing this doctrine, the following, though not exclusive, is considered to be basic. |
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Mankind was created by one God. |
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The soul of man is immortal. |
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Man's commitment to Divine Providence determines his destiny. |
| Considering the universality of Freemasonry, its teachings cannot be defined in a single statement or established profile. The following is considered to be representative of its fundamental precepts: | |
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Man's first duty is to love and revere God and practice the tenets of his own religion, |
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Extend charity and sympathy to all mankind, |
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Shield and support the widow and orphan, |
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Defend virtue, |
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Respect the aged, |
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Honor the bonds of friendship, |
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Protect the helpless, |
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Lift up the oppressed, |
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Comfort the downcast, |
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Restore dignity to the rejected, |
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Respect the laws of government, |
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Promote morality, and |
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Add to the common stock of humanity's knowledge
and understanding. |
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Masonic Teachings
Top of Masonry How to Join a Masonic LodgeMen of all ethnic and religious background are welcome. There are several California lodges whose members are primarily of Chinese, Filipino, or Jewish heritage.One of Freemasonry's traditions is that it does not solicit members. We do not ask a man to join. A man must seek membership on his own initiative, starting with obtaining a recommendation by two members of a local Masonic lodge and submitting a petition. If accepted, the individual receives the Entered Apprentice degree, the first degree of Freemasonry. Once a man has completed the next two degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.For more information non-Masons are invited to contact the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at www.freemason.org, or write to Grand Lodge, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108-2284, or call 800.831.8170.
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