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FAQ:

Q.    How does one become a Mason?

A. It’s actually quite simple.  In order to become a Mason, you have to ask a Mason that you’ve known for at least six months if you can join his lodge.  As part of the Masonic tradition, a Mason will never ask you to join the fraternity, as it is believed that when someone is ready to join a lodge, he will ask.  There are some other requirements, such a belief in a higher power, and a belief that all men truly are created equal.

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Q. What if I don’t know a Mason?

A. Contact the lodge, and request a petition.  At that point, you will be introduced to members of Mt Moriah.  You will need to check in periodically with them over six months time.

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Q. Is Masonry involved in politics or religion?

A. Masonry is a fraternal organization, and doesn’t profess any religious dogma, nor do Masons follow a standard political belief.  In fact, members of the lodge are prohibited from discussion religion and politics while a lodge is convened.  The core purpose of Masonry is to take good men, and make them better.  This core purpose has produced men who have been successful in both politics and religion.  But Mason’s success is not limited to just those fields.  For example, there are many highly successful Masons in music, business, and science.

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Q. Why does Mt. Moriah #2 have such a weird name?

A. We’re named after Mt. Moriah, a ridge in Jerusalem.  Presently, it is home to the Dome of the Rock.  It is believed to be the biblical location that Abraham took his son Jacob to be sacrificed.  In addition, archaeological data suggests it was the location that Christ was crucified.  Lastly, Masonic custom states that King Solomon’s Temple was built on top of Mt. Moriah.

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Q. Considering the religious background of its name, is Mt. Moriah #2 more religious than other Masonic lodges?

A. Mt. Moriah #2 doesn’t preach any specific denomination or religion.  In fact, our lodge has members of most major world religions.

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Q. Define “belief in a higher power.”

A. This is a question best left to an individual Masonic candidate.  Some members believe in a deity composed of actual flesh and blood, while others believe in a force that brings balance to the universe.  The words used to describe the higher power are not important.  What is important is that the belief exists.

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Q. Is Mt Moriah #2 the oldest “active” or oldest “continuous” lodge in Utah?  Why the designation?

A. Mt Moriah #2 is the oldest “active” lodge in Utah.  This designation is important to the history of our lodge, and a point on which our members are quite delighted.  There was brief period in our lodge’s history where Mt Moriah’s charter and dispensation were taken away because the lodge members stood up for a correct and upright cause, disregarding the penalties their lodge may have faced.  More information regarding this is covered in our lodge’s history.

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Q. What is the difference between Operative and Speculative Freemasonry?

A. Operative Freemasonry is the ancient art of building structures out of stone and mortar.  Although Masonic folklore suggests that this branch of Masonry stretches through time all the way to the builders of King Solomon’s temple, it is difficult to prove using current historic data.  More realistically, Operative Freemasons were a guild of freeborn men (not indentured, or slaves) traveling Europe overseeing the design and construction of palaces, and churches.  Members of the guild were paid based on the skills they had developed.  In order to prevent inexperienced or immoral people from fraudulently collecting Master Mason’s wages without performing the work of a master, secret symbols were developed that were kept private amongst all Masters of the craft.  As an apprentice developed his skills, he was rewarded with new secrets, thereby allowing him to earn higher wages as he traveled from job site to job site.

Speculative Masonry takes the principles and tools of Operative Masonry and looks to them for a higher and holier purpose.  For example, an Operative Mason may look to a square as a tool used to hew a stone into a “true fit”, thereby ensuring that the stone will fit properly into the building being developed.  A Speculative Mason looks at that same square and is reminded always to square his actions thereby ensuring that his presence will be a force for good and truth.  To honor our pioneering Masonic brothers, and to protect the integrity of Masonry from inexperienced, or immoral people, Speculative Masons also employ secret symbols to protect the integrity of the craft.