2007 Grand Orator - John C. Liley Jr.

ORATIONS

"Freemasonry Is Scary" - If you have ever typed the word “Freemasonry” into a Google search you are returned with 1,030,000 hits. On the first page alone half of the sites listed are what we could call Anti-Masonic. The others are legitimate, personal or Fringe. When a potential candidate sifts through this information it is not only daunting but also based on some of the ridiculous claims could be a bit frightening...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry, the Feast of Tishri and Why Scottish Rite is important" - According to the Book of Forms and Traditions of the Scottish Rite The origins and significance of the Feast of Tishri make it the most of Scottish Rite festivals. Although originally celebrated as a harvest and gathering festival, no other occasion epitomizes the character and purpose of the Rite more wholly than our historic celebration, held in conjunction with the dedication of King Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 7:8-10)...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry For Sale" - Many of us are walking billboards for the Craft. Now I might note I am not talking of our zealous Brothers who proudly display every pin they have on their lapels. Since 1998 I personally cannot remember leaving my home that I didn’t put on my Masonic Ring. In fact if for some reason I did forget to put it on I definitely noticed it’s absence...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry For Sale Part 2" - Earlier in the year I expressed the concept that each and everyone within the Masonic Family is part of one great “Sales Force” for the Fraternity. This concept still holds true and after some further reflection upon this theory we now need to look at the production aspect of our Fraternity. Because after all you can sell a product but if you cant deliver on the backend it does not matter how good your sales force is...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry and the Generation Gap, Perception is not Reality" - One of the definitions given to us by researchers, historians and to some extent by our detractors is that Freemasonry is a tired old Fraternity populated by relics of a different era. Without accepting a negative from out of this observation it is true that yes our Fraternity does have a large proportion of a seasoned membership...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry our Future is found in Teamwork" - The Masonic Jurisdiction of Utah has the distinction of being the smallest in the 48 continental states. Where some may be fast to draw a negative assumption about this fact I believe we are stronger and more connected than our larger sister jurisdictions...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry it’s about Commitment" - Once a wise Past Master and friend told me that, “Freemasonry is a wonderful volunteer organization as long as you are not the only volunteer”...Read The Complete Oration

Ashley Cornerstone Rededication - In the late 1950’s the Members of Ashley Lodge No. 28 acquired the land for this building and in November of 1963 began to meet here with the building being dedicated in 1976...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry and the Table Lodge" - Some would say the Table Lodge or Festive Board is historically and traditionally one of the essential elements of a successful Masonic meeting. I for one would have to agree having attended a few over the years...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry, why is just the Tyler left to guard the door?" - Our ancient rituals, elaborate regalia and impressive titles, leave a mystery about us that makes us one of the darlings of today’s pop culture...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry and Memorial Day a Personal Connection" - This weekend marks the Memorial Day Holiday and many of us will be rushing about to leave town and head to the lakes, campgrounds and the like. The weekend to many marks the beginning of summer and since 1971 has been an official Federal Holiday extending into Monday...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry What Do Younger Masons Want?" - I decided to ask a group of Brothers within my circle the question “What if Freemasonry were gone?” I figured one of the fastest ways to find out what they want is to pose this question. Now in my queries I wasn’t asking about suspensions, NPD’s or the termination of a lodge’s charter or any of those negative things but what if there was suddenly no more Masonic Fraternity...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry Why Men Join and Why Men Leave" - I want to tell you a story about two Masons. Two men join the lodge because their friend recently becomes a Freemason. They both concentrate hard on their memory work and make it a little competition to see who could finish first. They both receive their Master Mason degree and soon they receive officer appointments in the lodge...Read The Complete Oration

"Freemasonry in Perspective" - When I joined the Fraternity in 1998 I was excited and had a sense of purpose and knew I wanted to be a Freemason. In conversations with my friends and in books and articles I read it was evident to me that this was the right choice in my life. However soon after I put on the white leatheren apron and sat in lodge stories and tales of the good old days surrounded me...Read The Complete Oration

Grand Lodge Oration February 1, 2008 - As a member of the Masonic Family we all have many ideas, thoughts and things we wish we could express publicly. In the office of Grand Orator you finally have this opportunity and the responsibility that is now yours, as a serving member of our Grand Lodge. With this in mind one of the first things I did was send out emails to a group of Masons both young and old in years and experience...Read The Complete Oration