Most Worshipful Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, Worshipful Masters, Brethren and Ladies, it is my pleasure to speak to you this evening. The title of tonight’s oration is “The True Value of Freemasonry”.

There has been a great deal of talk over the last few years within our Jurisdiction, both in the individual Lodges and within the bodies of our Masonic family about value. Generally these discussions have been formed around dues, degree fees, per capita and the sort. In these discussions, there is usually talk about membership, and how adjusting the fees we charge will either positively, or negatively impact our overall membership.

Tonight, we won’t discuss dues, or money on any level, for true value has no price, rather it’s priceless and quite personal. We’ve all heard that Freemasonry is a brotherhood, a fraternity, and what it teaches is a beautiful system of morals veiled in allegory, illustrated by symbols. Our lessons include topics such as brotherly love, relief and truth, we teach the importance of charity. Tonight, I submit that Masonry is much, much more. The true value in fact can not be universally expressed; rather it can only be expressed as it relates to the individual.

That said, I would like to share what the true value of Masonry is for me, and how the actions of one brother taught me that value.

Not so long ago, in fact just two years and a couple of days, my family went through a very rough time when my middle boy was diagnosed with Leukemia. I remember when the doctor said the word; all I could think was that I was going to lose my son. I went so weak; to this day I can remember the pale sinking feeling I had in my chest. My wife and I couldn’t believe it, we couldn’t comprehend what was happening, all we knew was that our son had Cancer, and in our minds it meant that we would lose him.

After a short while, we began to regain our composure and were able to think a little more clearly. We were then able to make all the calls that needed to be made. For myself, I made only a couple calls. The first to my mother, and the second call was to a Mason sitting in this room tonight.

At the time I made this call, I was in Salt Lake at Primary Children’s Hospital, and this particular Brother was actually on I-15 driving through Layton, on his way up here to Ogden for the Grand Lodge visitation that was scheduled that evening. The call was short, I told him the diagnosis, I told him that I couldn’t make the visitation, he told me not to worry about the visitation, my place was with my family, and he would let everyone know. I hung up the phone feeling a little better that I didn’t have to worry about making the meeting and then went back to my son’s room.

After a short time, I went back out; I think I was on my way out to have a cigarette, when the elevator doors opened. From the elevator came this Brother, his wife, and another Brother was with them. The emotions were raw, we hugged, we sat together, we cried together, and we prayed together. They offered their support and love when my family needed it most. After a bit, they had to leave to come up to the visitation, then it dawned on me that they were halfway between Salt Lake and Ogden when I called, and they turned around and came back to Salt Lake to offer comfort to a Brother and his family. Later that night the Grand Master and his wife came to the hospital, and over the course of the next several days, we received over ninety visitors from the Masonic Family. Masons, Eastern Star, DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, they were all represented; they all came to offer their love and support.

A day or so later this same Brother came back to the hospital and just sat with me while my son was in surgery. Very few words were spoken, but they didn’t need to be. This incredible show of love and affection was at times almost overwhelming, but what it showed us is what this great fraternity, what this great family is really all about.

At the time this all happened, I had already gone through the chairs of my Lodge, was a Past Master being recycled for a second round. With all I had learned in Masonry to that point, I can honestly say that it wasn’t until this event happened that I really learned the True Value of Freemasonry. I learned that night what Brotherly Love, Relief, and Charity truly meant. These lessons were taught to me that first night not by words, but by the actions of a true friend and Brother, and who I believe to be one of the Greatest Masons I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.

So what is the True Value of Masonry? It is whatever we say it is. It is that thing inside of us that we are unwilling to part with, and yet unable to completely define. It’s our experiences, our brotherhood, our shared experiences with our Ladies and families as we participate in the several other organizations within our Masonic Family. Ultimately, it is honor and the privilege to be a Mason.

My Boss, who grew up in a Masonic family, but never joined himself always asks what I get out of being a Mason, and why I spend so much of my time in Masonic activity. When I related to him my experience after my son was diagnosed he summed it all up by simply saying “Those Masons you belong to, their a hell of a bunch of good guys”. I couldn’t agree more!

Thank you for listening, please enjoy the rest of your evening.