"What One Mason Can Do"
Midvale Utah Visitation
Allen W. Record, W. Grand Orator

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, Worshipful Masters, Brothers, Ladies and friends, it is my pleasure to be with you this evening and to take this opportunity to speak for just a few minutes. Tonight the title of my oration is “What one Mason can Do”.

Today, we truly live in uncertain times. In just the last few years we have seen our country enter into a war, we have seen our banking system begin to collapse upon itself, we have seen the stock market tumble at a rate not seen since 1929, and for many of us, we have seen out retirement accounts begin to almost disappear. Our Nation seems to be more divided now than at any other time in our history.

In listening to the statements I just made, one might be lead to believe that we as a People or we as a Nation are spiraling out of control and that all hope may be lost. This is hardly the case; rather it’s quite the opposite.

In our history, we have had these same events, almost exactly these same events happen time and time again. Each time in history these events have unfolded, there has always been the sense of impending doom, and in some cases the very continued existence of our Nation was called into question, but each time, we have emerged stronger than we ever were before. Though the circumstances may have been different, and the resolutions different, we still managed to get through the difficult times.

As I’ve watched the recent events of our nation unfold, I have found myself looking at our history as a nation. Looking at what caused the troubles to begin, and looking at what charged the recovery of our Nation. Interestingly enough, I’ve found that history does indeed repeat itself time and time again. I also found that the last time our Nation faced times such as these, a Mason helped guide us through those troubled waters. This same man became a Mason exactly Ninety-Seven years ago today.

On October 11, 1911, Holland Lodge No. 8, in New York City initiated Brother Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Now we’re not going to discuss the politics or policies of President Roosevelt, but rather, we’ll discuss how Brother Roosevelt led our Nation through a difficult period. I think you’ll find that his example provides lessons for each of us.

When Brother Roosevelt took office in 1933 he was faced with the task of leading a Nation that was in the midst of the Great Depression. The great stock market crash had occurred just three and a half years earlier and the Nation was facing many of the same issues we are facing today. One of the first things he decided to do is to promote calm to the nation. He did this through his famous fireside chats. Some of the topics of these chats included; the banking crisis, National Recovery, Unemployment, the Recession, Economic Progress, and Sacrifice. In reading or listening to some of these chats, the parallels to today are uncanny. It’s also clear when you hear these speeches that he promoted one theme over and over again. This theme he first brought forth during his first inaugural speech, and I quote

“This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” – FDR 1933

He wanted to assure the American people that through hard work and perseverance, we would be rewarded with prosperity. The road would not be easy, but if we are too afraid to try, we will never be able to move forward. Now he did not have a crystal ball that showed which road to travel, in fact many of the policies and programs he put forth failed. What he did though was keep trying, he himself did not fear. And with his encouragement, and with the hard work of the citizens of this Nation, we did move forward.

Brother Roosevelt saw our Nation through a very difficult period. Professionally he was rewarded by being elected President four times, though he didn’t live through his fourth Presidency. He was also rewarded by the Fraternity. In fact he was the first ever Honorary Grand Master of DeMolay.

So how does this apply to us today? I’m sure that none of us in this room tonight aspire to be President of the United States. However, I am sure that each one of us here tonight wants to be the best we can be. Each Man here wants to be the best possible Mason he can be.

Taking the lead from Brother Roosevelt and many others that have come before, each of us has the ability to promote calm when in rough seas. Each of us has the ability to foster change if we so choose and each of us has it in us to influence those around us by living and promoting the virtues taught to us by the craft.

When faced with obstacles, don’t fear them. When faced with uncertain times, don’t fear them. When faced with change, don’t fear it. Approach each situation without fear, and we will be able to assure advance, not retreat.

We are the leaders of our Fraternity; we can not fear what may be. It is our job to move the Craft forward. This is only accomplished one Mason at a time, one decision at a time, and one act of kindness at a time.

So what can One Mason Do? So long as he learns from others, learns from the craft, and does not fear, he can do whatever he chooses to do.

Thank you for your attention this evening. Please enjoy the rest of the visitation.