Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brethren, Ladies and Guests Good Afternoon.

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.

Years later in 2002 Basin Lodge No. 20 from Roosevelt and Ashley Lodge No. 28 decided there was strength in numbers and merged with permission of the Grand Lodge of Utah.

Today we meet for the re-dedication of this building for the Masonic purposes of that new lodge Ashley No. 20.

The history of Freemasonry in the Basin area started in 1914 when 22 masons petitioned the Grand Lodge of Utah to start a Masonic Lodge.  That petition was granted and Duchesne Lodge was instituted in the fall of 1914.

Duchesne Lodge took some time to prove up and petitioned again in 1915 and this time requesting a name change.  The request was approved and the charter of Basin Lodge No. 20 was granted in January of 1916 and was constituted later that year in June.  Basin Lodge was located in Myton, Utah until 1947 when they moved to Roosevelt.

In 1946 masons again petitioned the Grand Lodge of Utah to form a new lodge in Vernal.  This was done with a favorable recommendation of their neighbor Basin Lodge No. 20. Their petition was granted and in January of 1947 Ashley Lodge No. 28 was born.

Freemasons have always played a part in the tradition of laying cornerstones and dedicating public and private buildings since the beginning of our country.

For example Brother Mason and President George Washington as acting Grand Master presided over the cornerstone ceremony of the National Capitol in 1793.

Today we have once again carried on this custom here in Vernal with our Grand Master of Masons in Utah Most Worshipful Brother Dean D. Rein presiding. He is the elected leader of the Freemasons in Utah for the year 2007.

The first qualification of being a Freemason is a belief in a Supreme Being.  Freemasons within the sanctity of the lodge setting do not discuss religion or politics and we refer to each other as Brothers.

There are 29 Masonic Lodges in the state of Utah and the term “lodge” represents the group of men that meet there and the building in general.

The Grand Lodge of Utah was formed in 1872 and is the chief administrative, clerical, and governing body of all the Masonic lodges in the state.

The history of our fraternity is old and according to tradition dates back to the operative stonemasons guilds that built the cathedrals and stately edifices of Europe.

Today we meet in lodges like our ancient Brethren however we work not operatively in stone but work speculatively using the emblems and implements of architecture as symbols to teach lessons of morality, virtue and charity.

The ceremony of consecrating this building with corn, wine and oil that you have just witnessed is ancient and holds special meaning to Masons.

Corn in ancient times is not the corn we know today.  Corn is used in the generic sense of the word meaning grain and historically most likely to be that of wheat and barley.  In Biblical times corn represented plenty.

Wine was a source of refreshment and so many skins of wine were like currency in the Middle East.  This sign of wealth this great commodity when consumed in moderation it makes the heart glad.

And oil yet another valuable staple was food, medicine and fuel.  The oil pressed from the olive was also used in religious services probably because of its purity.

Today we consecrate this lodge so that the real wealth may be within its membership. That the application of these symbolic offerings of corn, wine and oil represent the real sacrifice of time, effort, and money for the Masons who have built and nurtured this lodge.

These men, these Masons of Ashley Lodge No. 20 are to be congratulated renewed in their new combined strength. The “Lodge” is tried, true and trusty.  For nearly 100 years Freemasons have been practicing our gentle craft here in the Basin Area.  Today with the re-dedication of this Masonic Temple Freemasonry shall surely survive into its next 100 years and prosper with the square and level work of these proud members.

Thanks for listening and enjoy the rest of your day.