The Masonic Family at Large
The following is a list of the appendant and concordant Masonic organizations that reside in Utah.
SCOTTISH RITE (Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry S.J.)
YORK RITE (Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Masons, Knights Templar)
SHRINE (Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine)
LOS (Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America)
OES(Order of the Eastern Star)
DON(Daughters of the Nile)
DEMOLAY (International Order of DeMolay)
JOBIES (International Order of Job’s Daughters)
KYCH (Knight of the York Cross of Honor)
NATIONAL SOJOURNERS
CAMP OF HEROES OF 76
ROYAL ORDER OF JESTERS
ANCIENT ARABIC ORDER OF NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE
The Shrine was organized in New York, N.Y. on September 26, 1872 to provide a social outlet for members of the more “Serious” Masonic organizations. Membership requirements at that time consisted of being a Master Mason, as well as, being either a Knights Templar or 32nd. degree Scottish Rite Mason, though recently they were changed to only having to be a Master Mason. The Shrine is perhaps the most visible portion of the Masonic Family. Its various clubs and units perform at many civic functions, parades and Circuses. This organization sponsors the ‘Worlds Greatest Philanthropy;” the Shrines Hospitals for Children. There are 19 Orthopedic Hospitals and three Burns Centers throughout North America. No Shrine Hospital has a cash register –there are no charges to the patients accepted for treatment. Over three hundred sixty-five million dollars are annually spent on child care by the Shrine of North America. El Kalah Shrine Temple is the Utah affiliated organization. It is located at 650 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. For more information
(ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY SOUTHERN JURISDICTION)
UTAH SCOTTISH RITE (Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry S.J.)
Formed on May 31, 1801 in Charleston, South Carolina, the Scottish Rite is currently headquarters in the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C. The Southern Jurisdiction, of which Utah is a part, is the Mother Supreme Council of the World for Scottish Rite. The “Orient” of Utah was formed in 1903, and is composed of the four Scottish Rite Bodies, Membership in the Rite requires that a man be a Master Mason, It is here that a Mason would receive the 32nd degree as a Master of the Royal Secret. Most widely know for the Speech and Learning Disorders clinics it sponsors, the Scottish Rite also sponsors two Shrine Hospitals for Children. For more information, please call 801 363-2936 or send us email
The York Rite is a system of degrees that include those of the, Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Rite Council, and the Commandery of Knights Templar. It is often referred to as the American Rite of Masonry. While most of the degrees of the Ritual were nurtured in England, it is in North America that they have attained their highest development. It is only in America that there is a regular arrangement of the degrees. A Master Mason should be interested in Masonic advancement and the lessons exemplified in the York Rite degrees –lessons of honesty, charity, harmony, justice, spirituality, service, fortitude, hope, prudence, fidelity, truth, religion, faith, love, and toleration, become part of one’s life as a Mason. The York Rite becomes that teacher of the philosophy of the Blue Lodge (Symbolic Lodge) Mason. For more information, please send your email to: oorton19@idt.net
Royal Arch Chapter
To become a Royal Arch mason, a brother must first have passed a suitable examination as to his proficiency in the Master Mason Degree. He may then petition a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. The chapter consists of four degrees that are known as Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
Cryptic Masons
To become a member of a council of Cryptic Masons, You must have first completed your work in the Royal Arch degree and be a Royal Arch Mason. The Council refers to its members as Royal and Select Masters. Its Degrees are the Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master.
Knights Templar
The nature of a Commandery of Knights Templar is for the interest of Masons who hold the Christian ideals. The prerequisites for membership are being both a Capitular and Cryptic Mason. Anyone who believes differently from Christianity should not apply for the Commandery Orders. The Comrnandery Orders are the Order of the Red Cross, The Order of Mediterranean Pass and Malta, and the Order of the Temple.
LADIES ORIENTAL SHRINE OF NORTH AMERICA (L.O.S.)
In the Spring of 1903, at Wheeling, West Virginia, the first Court of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America had its beginning, and was duly organized. On the occasion of the Spring Ceremonial of Osiris Temple, A. A. 0. M. S. , the Nobles were invited to bring their ladies to enjoy the festivities provided for their entertainment. Upon completion of the parade, all Nobles retired to the Temple to conduct the initiatory services. The ladies being left behind at the hotel with the paraphernalia and properties used in the parade. One of the fun-loving ladies came upon a long strand of rope and in a joyous mood, she began to weave a snake-like dance through the corridors of the Hotel. Others caught on and following their leader, increased in numbers. A Parade of Lady novices began and ended in an assembly room of the hotel. The doors were closed, a guard set and there within this room with dignity and sincerity, the first session of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America was held. Thus, Isis Court No. 1 was organized for the purpose to create sociability, good fellowship and the betterment of all ladies connected with our organization. For many years, all membership was restricted to families of Osiris Temple but when the reputation of Isis Court No. 1 reached Pieesburgh, they too wished to organize. From that Spring day in 1903, L.O.S. has grown to 93 Courts. Although organized primarily for pleasure and good fellowship, a vast amount of work and financial support and assistance is extended to the 19 Shrine Hospitals for Children and the three Burn Units. Each Court assumes an obligation of helping not only in gifts of money, but carrying out various other work projects such as garment making, purchasing of necessary equipment and
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR (OES)
Utah Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star
This is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Master Masons in good standing, the wives, daughters, legally adopted daughters, mothers, widows, sisters, half-sisters, granddaughters, stepmothers, stepdaughters and stepsisters of affiliated Master Masons or of Master Masons in good standing at the time of death, are eligible for membership. The minimum age for membership is 18 in Utah. It is a social Order comprised of persons with deep religious convictions and spiritual values, but it is not a religion. It is open to people of all faiths. This organization, which is dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness, raised over seven million dollars for various charities during the last trienniun. The Eastern Star is “A Way of Life”. For more information email us at: UtahOES@aol.com
INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF DEMOLAY
DEMOLAY (International Order of DeMolay)
This organization for young men between the ages of 13 and 21 was founded on March 18, 1919 by Frank S. Land in Kansas City Mo. As an active Scottish Rite Mason, Land was desirous of forming a club for boys in order to provide them with an appropriate location for them to meet and learn together. The order has blossomed throughout the world. Its purpose is to encourage and develop good citizenship and sound character among youth. The order teaches clean and upright living by inculcating and practicing the virtues of comradeship, reverence, love of parents, patriotism, courtesy, cleanliness and fidelity. Its principal effort is to create leaders and develop character. Masonic sponsorship, but not heritage is required for membership. There are seven active Chapters of Demolay throughout Utah. email us
INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF JOB’S DAUGHTERS
JOBIES (International Order of Job’s Daughters)
Job’s Daughters was founded in Omaha, Nebraska by Mrs. Ethel T. Weed Mick who, having Masonic roots, wanted to provide an organization for the daughters of Master Masons. The Order was formally organized on May 27, 1921. Job’s Daughters is open to young women between the ages of 11 and 20 with Masonic relationship. The 16 Bethels throughout Utah, meet in local Masonic Temples. “Jobies” teaches leadership, love of God and Country and respect for parents and guardians and provide many varied activities for young women including dances and athletics. Their regular meetings occur twice a month. The many state wide activities allow the members to meet and make friends from all over Utah and throughout the Country.
KYCH (KNIGHT OF THE YORK CROSS OF HONOR)
Membership in this organization is by invitation only. The rules of the KYCH require a Mason to have served as Worshipful Master of a Lodge, Excellent High Priest of a Royal Arch Chapter, Illustrious Master of a Council of the Cryptic Rite, and Eminent Commander of a Commandery of Knights Templar. In other words he must have presided over all of the York Rite Bodies plus his Lodge. When a Mason has served in these capacities, he may be offered a petition to join the order. A member of the KYCH who has served as Grand Master of Masons, Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, Most Illustrious Grand Master of Cryptic Masons, and Right Eminent Grand commander of Knights Templar is known as a four quadrant member of the KYCH. Some refer to this as being a four quadrant Grand Master
This is an honorary organization. Membership is by invitation only. Masonic requirements are membership in a Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter. Members must subscribe to a belief in the Christian Religion as revealed in the New Testament. The constitutionally limited membership renders this an exclusive and highly regarded institution. Bonneville Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantaine is the only conclave in Utah as of this date.
This is an honorary organization. Membership is by invitation only. Mason must be either a York Rite Mason (Knights Templar) or 32nd. degree Scottish Rite Mason who professes being a Trinitarian Christian. Special consideration is given to Masons who meet the above criteria and are active in their communities. Contributions of personal time to their Church and community are encouraged. The Royal Scots of Utah is an approved social organization composed of’ Utah members of the Royal Order of Scotland. This organization is affectionately known as a “clan” of the Royal Order of Scotland. For more information contact wpowell138@aol.com