The Degree Process
Our Fraternity’s private nature sometimes creates misconceptions about our “initiation ceremonies.” Rest assured that we are a moral institution whose tenets are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. Masonry teaches us to practice charity and benevolence, and to revere ordinances of — but not replace — any man’s religion. Quite simply, our Fraternity exists to make good men better.
Our three degrees are serious, educational, time-tested teachings. Each degree has a primary lesson. The first teaches us our duty to God. The second teaches us our duty to our neighbors. And the third degree teaches us our duty to ourselves.
To convey our teachings, we use ritual, ceremony, drama, lectures, and sometimes even musical accompaniment. You’ll work closely with a coach who will help you learn some of the key material in the Ritual. After completing the first and second degrees, you’ll be given an assessment to make sure you understand what you’ve just experienced.
Upon the completion of the third degree, you’ll become a Master Mason, and be eligible for all that Masonry has to offer you, which includes:
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Worldwide Brotherhood
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Fellowship
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Male bonding
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Meaningful community service
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Camaraderie with other moral men
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Much more
It’s our sincere hope that you’ll consider becoming a Free and Accepted Mason, and sharing the feeling of friendship and Brotherly love that Freemasons have enjoyed from time immemorial.
Click here for a membership petition
Mason History
History
In the Middle Ages, the terms "mason" and "freemason" were used interchangeably. They were stonemasons who built castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland. Because of the inherent danger of their work, many stonemasons formed local organizations, called lodges, to take care of sick and injured members as well as the widows and orphans of those who were killed on the job. The masons also used Lodges as places to meet, receive their pay, plan their work, train new apprentices, and socialize.
In 1717, the first Grand Lodge was established in London. Within the next two decades, English Freemasonry spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to the American colonies. The first lodge organized on American soil appeared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1730. By 1733 a Provincial Grand Lodge was organized in Boston, Massachusetts. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and other founding fathers were among the first Masons in America. Of the 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution, 13 were Masons.
Our Masonic Mission
Masonry is the world's first and largest fraternal organization. It is a body of knowledge and a system of ethics based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and fraternity.
As Masons, we lead by example, give back to our communities, and support numerous Masonic philanthropies. We invest in children, our neighborhoods, and our future.
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Our Values
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Our Mission is guided by the enduring and relevant tenets of our fraternity--Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth--and our core values, which include:
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Ethics
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Our lives are based on honor and integrity, and we believe that honesty, compassion, trust, and knowledge are important.
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Tolerance
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The fraternity values religious, ethnic, cultural, social, and educational differences. We respect the opinions of others and strive to improve and develop as human beings.
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Personal growth
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Our continuous pursuit of knowledge, ethics, spirituality, and leadership brings more meaning to our lives.
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Philanthropy
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We make a difference in our communities through charitable giving, community service, and volunteerism. Brothers demonstrate successful and harmonious living by their actions in their family, in their community and at work.
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Family
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We strive to be better spouses, parents, and family members and are committed to protecting the well being of members and their families, especially when they are in need.
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Freedom
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Masons value the liberties outlined in the U.S. Constitution and continually promote freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship a Supreme Being in an individual way, and other important liberties. We believe it is our duty to vote in public elections and to exercise all of our liberties within due and proper bounds.
Glossary
Apron
Leather aprons were worn centuries ago by stonemasons to protect their skin and clothing, as well as to carry their tools. Today, lambskin or cloth aprons, often elaborately decorated or embroidered, are worn by members as a symbolic connection to those medieval craftsmen from which it is purported that we derive our Masonic tradition.
Degrees of Masonry
Indications of the level of membership and knowledge of Freemasonry principles. The basic degrees of Masonry are Entered Apprentice, Fellow craft, and Master Mason.
Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women belong.
Freemason
The word "free" was added to "mason" during the Middle Ages. The origin is uncertain, but may be related to stonemasons who worked as advanced stone carvers in "freestone."
Grand Lodge
The administrative body in charge of Freemasonry in a specific geographic area. The United States has Grand Lodges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Grand Master
The elected leader of the Grand Lodge. In Iowa, this position changes annually in September.
Lodge
This refers to both a unit of Masons as well as the room or building in which they meet. There are approximately 13,000 lodges in the United States.
Mason
A member of the Masonic fraternity.
Master
The elected leader of the local lodge; also the title a Mason acquires once he has completed the third degree of membership.
Stated meeting
The monthly lodge meeting to conduct regular business, receive new members, and vote upon the Application of Degrees.
Temple
Another name for a Masonic building. The word is used in the same sense that Justice Wendell Holmes called the Supreme Court a "Temple of Justice." Most lodges now refer to their buildings as Masonic Centers.
Youth groups
Masonic organizations for young people that include Iowa DeMolay for boys 12 to 21, Rainbow for Girls for girls 11 to 20, and Job's Daughters for young women 11 to 20.
