18 November 2009

Utah Fremasonic Lost Symbol Stuff...

FOX 13

http://heraldextra.com/lifestyles/article_4b03ad32-f513-53bd-80c8-449bc4a52aef.html

http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_13713733

http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_13713756

http://connect2utah.com/content/news/story/?cid=61791

So far.

That's all.

S&F,

JL PM

28 September 2009

22 September 2009

The Setting Maul

Congrats to my irreverent Brethren on their popular comedy podcast. It was only about an hour long or so and I finally heard a whole show for the first time in a long time.. :)

That's all.

S&F,

JL PM

17 September 2009

My Thoughts on Lost Symbol "WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS"...

The book is a fun read. It's not some intellectual masterpiece. It's a story. The book reads like a screen play. You can see Tom Hanks in your head running from place to place with his familiar facial expressions.

I have to say though strangely the ending came early. Even my friend Chris Hodapp mentioned on his blog about how it comes 35 pages before the end of the book. I do have to say though that the themes of Freemasonry and what it stands for and the thoughts, desires and ideas of our Founding Fathers that Mr. Brown weaves together are really quite good. It's in the very end of the book, and it's like the Character Robert Langdon's moment where there is this flash of light when you get knocked off your horse so to speak and you go "wow" or "huh, why didn't I think of that?"

I'm talking about the conversations in the Epilogue inside the Rotunda.

I had no idea there words inscribed on top of the Washington Monument BTW and I had no idea these were words right out of our 30th Degree. That was neat.

The Lost Symbol as told by Dan Brown leads me to believe that there is something in the fact that Washington was purpose built. Masonry resonates throughout the city. I haven't been since the Supreme Councils Joint Sessions in August of 2007 but I need to go back and look more closely. I need to look through and not at. I need to turn on my minds eye the one that opens up when one is hoodwinked in Masonic Ritual. If my senses are opened I ought better see. I'm not talking about flying or time travel or anything like that but being "in" what I'm in. Funny that Dan Brown's book had to tell me that. Well Freemasonry is a learning experience isn't it. A life long learning experience.

The bad guy the angel of death as he styles himself in one of his disguises is one bad messed up dude. Really bad. Nice job on that one.

I'm excited for the House of the Temple although they are going to have people crawling all over the altar looking for dried blood and shards of glass. If they start charging for tours which they should cause they are going to need the staff they may well be able to renovate that ole beauty just as Rosslyn Chapel has enjoyed its share in the Dan Brown effect.

I'm excited as we should all be. Masonry was portrayed very well in fact when the thought of Masonic Exposes getting out to the public and those exposes being seen entirely out of context and the negative reaction that could come out had to be protected by our hero Langdon, I smiled. Wow we're the good guys. Finally.

Just think the "Freemasons Keepers of the Republic".. and no you can't use that it's mine.. LOL

Well I have to go to work. I will post more as my thoughts congeal.

That all, for now...

S&F,

JL PM

So I finished The Lost Symbol and here is what I posted to our local Groups...

Yesterday afternoon I finished Dan Brown's book. I will not spoil it for anybody who hasn't had a chance to start or finish the book. The book was overall favorable and I was pleasantly surprised. The book takes place in Washington D.C. and not Utah. Sorry guys. The ritual that is "exposed" in the book is a hodgepodge of ritual and nothing we haven't seen on the Discovery Channel or History Channel already. I really like the end of the book and the themes that will be all woven together for you as you read are really cool.

So don't worry, have fun and read up.

S&F,

John Liley RWSGW
PR Chairman
8015410993
baldman@gmail.com

PS Be prepared this book is going to spark interest....

11 September 2009

Freemasonry, Dan Brown and The Lost Symbol...

Dear Brethren and Masonic Family,

Tuesday September 15 2009 which BTW is 09/15/09 = 33

is the release date of Dan Brown's book "The Lost Symbol". There has been much the media buzz as many of you know with Mr. Brown and his publishers teasing us all summer.

Freemasonry and maybe I say maybe the Scottish Rite in general play some part in this book. Media inquiries have already started and some of you may have seen the first interview given to our local FOX 13 affiliate last night by the Grand Lodge PR Chairman.

http://www.fox13now.com

The Grand Lodge would ask that any media inquires be directed to the Grand Lodge office at 8013632936 where the PR Committee has a group of individuals to respond to such questions.

The truth is none of us know what is in Dan Brown's book till Tuesday. We in our everyday lives are the true representations of the Masonic Family and if need be we will answer any misconceptions that may arise after Tuesday.

This link has been set up jointly by The Masonic Society and The George Washington Masonic Memorial. I find it useful.

http://www.freemasonlostsymbol.com/

Hopefully this can help with some of the misinformation that is bound to appear.

The buzz around this book has been crazy with an unheard of 6.5 million first run copies being printed by Doubleday.

The DaVinci code which did not have Freemasonry as the central part of the story started enough excitement so many years ago. The cottage industry that was spawned off Mr. Brown's book has grown exponentially.

Remember after the DaVinci Code was released and National Treasure premiered Wasatch Lodge held an open house where reportedly 600 people showed up out of no where with little advertising. Rosslyn Chapel central in the DaVinci code book used to have about 30,000 visitors annually. When I was there 2 years ago I asked the lady how many people came through and she said that that day they were a little busy at nearly 3,000 people.

The nearly 600 year old Chapel is now able to renovate itself. Are you listening Ridge? wink wink.

Anyway again all press inquiries please through the Grand Lodge office 8013632936. We hope to see you at Peach Days in Brigham City tomorrow and who knows what Tuesday will bring.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

John Liley RWSGW
PR Chairman
MW Grand Lodge of Utah
baldman@gmail.com
8015410993

__._,_.___

02 September 2009

A Good Feeling..

Last night I had the opportunity to see Freemasonry in many ways. The night started out at our Salt Lake City Freemasons Meet-up in the Chili's on 4th South in downtown Salt Lake City. We had a great turnout. We had to continually add to the table by pulling more tables over. By the time I left around 7.00pm the tables stretched nearly 20 feet. The mix of Masons and non-Masons alike was wonderful to see. All sorts of conversations were going on. Two fellows were filling out their petitions. One fellow was being investigated, another showed up again after being absent some 6 months. A Brother just popped in after being in Turkey all Summer. The energy was great. The feeling was great. Freemasonry lives.

Later at the Masonic Temple in Salt Lake City in my capacity as a Grand Lodge Officer I had the opportunity to visit Argenta Lodge No. 3 at the lodge's Regular Stated September Meeting. Also the opportunity was made to poke my head into Kaibab Lodge No. 25 before they started and visit with those fellows briefly and then to stop by upstairs and say hello to my Prince Hall Brethren of High Marine Lodge PHA before the gavels all fell at 7.30pm.

The meetings seemed all well attended even though it being Summers end. The educational at Argenta got the brain going.

I had a good feeling as I sat their all dressed in my Grand Lodge digs. A good feeling. Sometimes in Grand Lodge you just don't get "that" but last night it was there..


That's All.

S&F,

JL PM

27 July 2009



Well thanks to Brother Hodapp I went to Old Navy and looky looky at what I got.

That's all.

JL

19 July 2009

What Freemasonry is and What Freemasonry isn't...

As a Freemason we are often asked who we are and what we do. In the past I have used the same lame line, "Do you know the Shriners?". "Well all Shriners are Masons and the that's who we are."

I have often thought because we have no answer we use this definition probably because most of us are Shriners and the Shriners have done such a good job getting out to the public as to who they are. Or rather are we embarrassed? Do we ourselves not know how to define Freemasonry or do we just want the curious person to just go away?

The other day I had the opportunity as is often afforded to me as PR Chairman to talk to a religion and folklore class from Weber State University about Freemasonry. The opportunity was arranged by our Grand Historian and Master of Harmony Lodge George Winters PM.

In the course of the presentation and the question and answer session I was asked, "What are you guys, what do you do?" For the first time in my silly little Masonic Journey I had a moment of clarity and came up with my new response.

"Well quite simply this is what a Freemason is..."

Remember the kid in your neighborhood, the goody goody? The kid who shoveled snow off of an old lady's porch for free because it was the right thing to do. The kid who held doors open for people regardless of age. The kid who was the paper boy. The kid who sold the most raffle tickets for the Booster Club to re-sod the Baseball Diamond. Remember that kid? That's the kid who embodied the spirit of a Freemason and when he grew up he became a Freemason so he could be with guys who thought the same way as he had his whole life. Well that kid was me. That's who we are and that's what I do. Oh, and by the way we have secret hand shakes, code words and we are thought to be the secret force behind the scenes that really control the world. ;) LOL...

This was then followed by the obligatory history of Stone Masons, Medieval Europe and the Knights Templar.

However this Fraternity is so much more not understood to the profane.. So not able to be revealed, unveiled, or understood..

In the course of that thought here is what Freemasonry isn't and What Freemasonry is...

Freemasonry is a not a secret society. Freemasonry is a society with secrets. Freemasonry is not a charitable organization. Freemasonry is an organization with charities. More importantly Freemasonry is not and I repeat is not a Volunteer Organization. Freemasonry is an Fraternity that has Men who have voluntarily bound themselves together by a sacred tie stronger than a cord can bind.

That is what Freemasonry is.

Remember that...


That's all.

S&F,

JL PM

17 July 2009

Rocky Mountain Conference 2009

More of some of the same.


That's all.

JL PM

08 July 2009

Been Busy

I have not posted in a while as the Grand Lodge schedule has been rather compressed this year into a five month period for our visitations. So we have visited all the Lodges from the north to the south and from east to west.

Many things have been going on this year exciting for the craft in Utah and I am glad to have been part of it.

We established in our Grand York Rite sessions the ability to start a Mark Masons Lodge independent of the local Royal Arch Chapter. This lodge that will be known as "Keystone Mark Masons Lodge" and will be sponsored by Utah Chapter No. 1 RAM, Salt Lake City, Utah USA.

The by-laws are in the mix and Companion Doug Backes and myself put forth the legislation which had no opposition. We are excited that the Grand Chapter in it's wisdom embraced this great opportunity for York Rite in Utah.

Squarework and Squarework only...

I was appointed to the Grand Chapter line and Grand Commandery line as Sentinel. I am most pleased.

For now.

That's all.

JL

09 March 2009

The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics...

As I understand it.. The more you fix something the more it falls apart.

Energy decay, etc..

That being said so much energy is spent fixing Lodges. So much of the "new" youthful energy attacking (in a good way), fixing and mending old challenges is expended.

If death is part of life and death is swallowed up by life, should the course of natural events not just take place?

Some lodges shall die and some new shall be born.

Why not create? Why mend? Death is the natural outcome of life.

Are we builders or maintenance engineers?

That's all.

S&F,

JL

11 February 2009

Beware the teachings of a Neo-Con Mason...

Beware the teachings of a Neo-Con Mason.

What is a Neo-Con Mason. Well in most but not all cases he is a young Mason not necessarily in age but relatively new to the craft. He is negative. He is intolerant. He has read all the pop books of recent years and sees that Freemasonry is in a shambles due to old men who are misguided and strayed from the original path of Masonry. He is "enlightened" to the "true Masonry" or enchanted by some unseen, unheard, unvisited lodge of dubious European orgin. He thinks the Rites and Appendant bodies have somehow robbed the new Mason of his Masonic experience and only by hunkering down in philosophy and finding the true meanings of the craft lodge will Masonry be restored. He shuns and ridicules the "old Past Master" he finds disdain in his peers that accept officer positions as "sell outs" and "he" alone knows the truth.

Well in my not so humble opinion that's bullshit.

I am very fortunate to be a member of the smallest Grand Lodge in the continental United States. Everybody knows everybody. The GM usually knows your name and in some cases even shops in the same grocery store as you. Change can happen quickly for better or worse.

By accepting a leadership position so many years ago I was able to help make a change. I hope a positive one. I didn't join Freemasonry to be an officer but I joined for varied reasons and today I find myself here.

Freemasonry has so much to offer even for the Neo-Con Mason. However limiting yourself to a single experience limits you to so many things. In a small jurisdiction if you hide in your lodge and mind you some people are not creatures of socialization you limit your experience with those around you. Through my experiences in the AASR and AAONMS and YR I have met Masons from around the state and around the globe. I have sat in lodge in small towns 4 hours from my home. I have sat in Grand Lodges across the sea. Dumb little me from a silly little state. I have visited and made friends because I kept my mind open. I didn't pre-judge a Rite because of some uncomfortable reaction to religion.

I believe in "to each his own" however like our Junior Past Grand Master just addressed in his report to the Grand Lodge at our last communication "we stand on a precipice" we are looking out toward our future. The Neo-Con has much influence on the newly made Mason. Don't take your prejudices and crap in somebody's oatmeal because you don't see the merit in wearing a Fez or think that being a Knight Templar is silly. Now of course you are entitled to your opinion as am I.

Recently I spoke with a newly raised Master Mason who is very excited. He is so "into it". He loves what he has become and he loves his Brothers. He looks forward to and wants to join the YR and AASR. He was saddened though. He shared with me a conversation where a Neo-Con actually discouraged him from joining the Shrine. He was told it was "un-Masonic" and false. He was told it makes us as Masons look stupid to our overseas Brethren and any real true Mason wouldn't even consider joining the Shrine. He then pulled up his trouser leg and showed me the surgical scars from a long ago surgery. That's all I needed to see.

Your Freemasonry and my Freemasonry may always be different and sometimes the same but what happens here today is how we will be measured by the future. We all have opinions just like something else. I don't have the right answer and I do have the right answer. So do you.

As we the members of the household of the faithful carry on our traditions, yes our somewhat silly to some, "American traditions", remember Freemasonry is not broke it just has a patina on it. Cherish what was, encourage what is and teach so that it may become what it will and always has been. A Masonic Family. A family that loves, fights, cries and dreams.

At my initiation I was taught to be cautious....


That's all.

JL

21 January 2009

Thoughts on Nothing...

If we continue to do nothing, nothing will continue to happen. By the way that's something. Err nothing...

That's all.

JL

16 January 2009

I've decided...

I want to be on Oprah...

More to follow..

That's all.

JL

Thoughts on Something...

When one does nothing, nothing will happen which is something. Surprisingly then something can come out of nothing then, eh?

That's all.

JL