Masonic Legacy Society

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th Anniversary…

Are we ready for that? What is the common ground on which we can engage one another constructively as citizens in today’s polarized America? And what about Freemasonry and the role of Freemasons?

Imagine what would happen to Freemasonry if, due to the absence of Masonic Education, its members were to become ignorant of its tenets, cardinal virtues, and core mission? A Freemason would lose the knowledge of the tools, implements, and skills needed to better himself as a Free Builder.

Likewise, imagine what would happen to America if, due to the absence of Civics Education, its citizens were to become ignorant of the core principles of freedom and democratic republican self-governance? Americans would lose the knowledge of the tools, mechanisms, and skills needed to engage one another constructively for the purpose of advancing their human condition.

Tune in to a most interesting conversation with Academy Award Winner and Brother Richard Dreyfuss, 32°, who will enlighten us with his perspective as a Freemason on Civics and Civic Engagement.

This event was recorded on Constitution Day, September 17th, 2021.

Please feel free to use this video in any way and distribute it anywhere you see fit as long as it is used for the purposes of Masonic Education, discussions, or raising awareness about Freemasonry (such as holding open Lodge meetings, etc). THE ONE RESTRICTION THAT WE MUST STRICTLY OBSERVE IS THE FOLLOWING: NEITHER THE PROGRAM NOR ANY PORTION OF IT MAY BE USED TO CHARGE ANY MONIES OR GENERATE ANY FUNDS. The contents in whole or in part must be made accessible free of charge--ALWAYS.

https://youtu.be/F3bEm9q423U

Freemasonry, Civics & Civic Engagement with Brother Richard Dreyfuss 32˚ In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th Anniversary…Are we ready for that? What is the common ground on which we can engage one another construct...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Scottish Rite Valley of Washington D.C.
A Unique Masonic Education Night with Academy Award Winning Brother Richard Dreyfuss September 3, 2021 — Washington D.C.

The Scottish Rite Valley of Washington D.C. proudly present a unique Masonic education night with Academy Award winning actor, Brother Richard Dreyfuss, 32˚ on September 17, 2021 at 7pm EDT (4pm PDT). This will be a webinar event; open to Masons only.

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th Anniversary…
Are we ready for that? What is the common ground on which we can engage one another constructively as citizens in today’s polarized America? And what about Freemasonry and the role of Freemasons?

Imagine what would happen to Freemasonry if, due to the absence of Masonic Education, its members were to become ignorant of its tenets, cardinal virtues, and core mission? A Freemason would lose the knowledge of the tools, implements and skills needed to better himself as a Free Builder.

Likewise, imagine what would happen to America if, due to the absence of Civics Education, its citizens were to become ignorant of the core principles of freedom and democratic republican self-governance? Americans would lose the knowledge of the tools, mechanisms, and skills needed to engage one another constructively for the purpose of advancing their human condition.

Tune in to a most interesting conversation with Academy Award Winner and Brother Richard Dreyfuss, 32°, who will enlighten us with his perspective as a Freemason on Civics and Civic Engagement.
The event will take place in the form of a webinar on Friday, September 17, 2021 (Constitution Day) from 7 PM to 8 PM EDT. Open to Masons Only.

RSVP here: www.tinyurl.com/AASRDreyfuss

The Scottish Rite Mission & Creed
It is the mission of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, to improve its members and enhance the communities in which they live by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth, while actively embracing high social, moral, and spiritual values, including fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, and country.

Human progress is our cause,
liberty of thought our supreme wish,
freedom of conscience our mission,
and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.

https://scottishrite.org

The Masonic Legacy Society is proud to be the theme for this upcoming issue of the Southern California Research Lodge's publication, The Fraternal Review!

"We are proud to announce our March installment of the Fraternal Review: The Masonic Legacy Society issue. Guest edited by RW Bro. Robert Johnson with contributions by Bro. C.R. Dunning, Wor. Baruti KMT-Sisouvong, Bro. Tom Beaver and MW Bro. Akram Elias, PGM. What is this Masonic Legacy Society? Who are these Masons? Have they found a profound approach to Masonic education and enlightenment? Read the issue and find out."
Available to download March 1, 2021 at:
www.TheResearchLodge.com
.

Ideas live on beyond the grave and will be shared decades after the last stone temple and cathedral have fallen. Just think of how we continue to discuss the ideas of Galileo, Newton, Aristotle, and so many other great thinkers. We quickly forget the value of novel thought in a world dominated by one-way consumption of media. Freemasonry aims to remind us just how special a characteristic it is for us to be able to create such thought and thereby further all of humanity.

Men progress in Masonry and often through the leadership chairs within the lodge. How often are we preparing each other for leadership either within the lodge or beyond its doors? The Greek maxim, “Nosce Te Ipsum”, or Know Thyself is as applicable to our journey today as in the 4th century BCE. Discovering and understanding Masonic symbolism is just as much a journey of knowing oneself. Only once you have a knowledge of self can you regulate your thoughts and actions in such a way that you understand your role in the divine plan.

The quality of a man’s character is the result of mores applied to each individual thought and action, time after time, throughout life. Freemasonry instructs it’s initiates to seek these fundamental truths through reflection and consideration. Through the diligent application of these lessons, an edifice of morality is carved out of the rough stone.

Throughout masonic history, individuals who lived seemingly free lives willingly chose to petition a Masonic Lodge. The result of this petition would lay upon them new privileges but also new restrictions. Our compact to create and live under the rule of the republic is much the same. We as individuals choose to live within the communities we are a part of. It is in this light that as Freemasons we are charged with building 🏘 We come together knowing that there is a common good to be fostered. And foster that common good we will.

What is ours? What is God’s? What of material wealth will follow us through the transition from this life? These are questions that the Masonic degrees encourage us to explore. The hope of the Masonic Legacy Society is that The Art of Practicing our Mysteries will help guide brothers in exploring the wisdom contained within our gentle Craft. In simple terms: the guide is a template for developing a reflective practice focused on deepening your understanding of Masonic philosophy.

Link to the guide in our profile.

Freemasons love freedom. We seek to be free from darkness and free to build society. We begin by building the individual character of our initiates and, as a result, our communities. However, nothing begins without honest prayer. Freemasons recognize that those structures we seek to strengthen are governed not by man but by the Supreme Being.

🇺🇸 Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July Celebration! 🇺🇸

Masonic Legacy Society updated their business hours.

Virtue, Duty, Honesty, and supporting the common good are woven throughout Masonic philosophy, so it is no surprise that Washington felt so strongly about them. What we can take away from what Washington is saying is that there is value to developing these characteristics and attitudes. That the path to happiness involves virtuous living. That you must commit to duty before gaining advantages in life. And finally, that there is intense satisfaction in seeing your communities prosper around you. Washington goes on to say that understanding this and making these elements part of the average American’s life is critical if this grand experiment is going to continue. As a society of Free builders, Masonry helps develop such an understanding.

You spoke and we listened...in your native language! We now have our document and guide, The Art of Practicing Our Mysteries, available in Spanish, French, and Russian in addition to English. Just go to our website, click the drop down for "The Document," and select your preferred language. Let us know below which language you plan to use.

It is incredible how Hamilton introduced the series, which would become The Federalist Papers. In this section at the beginning, he lays out a question which no one in the history of humanity had ever faced: could a group of beings lead themselves? As such, we have continued to consider America as “the Great Democratic Experiment” simply because no one had attempted to test if this theory could succeed. Certainly, the Masonic Lodges had tested democracy on a small scale for the hundred years prior-- but governing an entire country was going to be much different. Had the individual confederacies not trusted the design of democracy, our present lives might look much different. Who knows what influence Masonic experiences had on this trust?

After the Americans initiated their experiment in self-government, the French soon followed. Americans had yet to prove a measure of success in self-government, producing equality among men, yet France recognized the urgency in seeking a more equal structure. Both of our great nations received this perspective through the philosophy of the Enlightenment under which societies like Freemasonry flourished.

Audacity is no less needed today. Audacity to consider your neighbors' needs. Audacity to consider the role of our community members who serve as first responders, healthcare workers, and others with essential responsibilities. Audacity to consider those negatively impacted by the market disruption which the current epidemic has caused.

With your support, we have officially passed the 350 download mark! This is incredible, but our goal is not to build a massive popular following but rather to support YOUR Masonic Education. That means it is critical that you are using the guide, The Art of Practicing our Mysteries. To that end, we have added a Spanish translation and are working even more languages. Russian, Hebrew, Farsi, Arabic, French, and Chinese are all in the works. We would love to hear how you are implementing the guide with your Lodges.

Throughout our Masonic travels, we have consistently been asked how to get started in Masonic Education. We know that the answers are often too vague and don’t provide a specific plan to develop a better understanding of Masonic teaching. You may have heard responses like “read books” or “learn the ritual.” The goal of the Masonic Legacy Society was to create a new type of Masonic Education, which encourages and supports thoughtful reflection of Masonic teaching.

Societies experienced a great initiation when we passed into civil government. We no longer acted on instinct as the apex predators do but instead brought justice and fairness into our social interactions with mankind. Even in the uncertain and complex environment that the COVID Epidemic has placed before us, Freemasons are provided tools to react to and cope with these changes. Freemasonry emphasizes a developed understanding of justice, equality, and morality through the study and contemplation of our lectures and concepts. The lectures provide clues to improve our critical thinking skills to better identify facts versus lies to enable us to seek opportunities to make our communities safer for everyone.

The Masonic Legacy Society created the guide, ‘The Art of Practicing our Mysteries’, with the lone Brother in mind. In these confusing times where many of us find ourselves seperated from our Brethren, we need ways to calm our minds. Try finding a quiet place in your home, focus on your breathing and then take a look at our guide to help support your reflection on Masonic philosophy.

As Freemasons, we are builders. We use the cement of brotherly love to unite humanity into a single mass. We are much stronger when we focus on the characteristics which bind us together than when we give voice to those which create division.

Masons recognize each other by their moral living and hold up on a pedestal those men who have lived extraordinarily virtuous lives by standards set by those outside of the sacred band.

Masonry is a society of builders intent on creating solutions to the world’s brokenness and is much less concerned with placing blame.

America, much like a Masonic Lodge, succeeds when it promotes brotherly love and harmony while restraining any tendency toward wickedness.

The Masonic Craft offers to its membership tools which enable him to live by Truth, a law higher than all others. When if followed, Truth suffering falls by the wayside.

As builders, Masons are charged to actively build democracy among God’s creatures. It is not enough to believe in the grand design of democracy— a Mason seeks to live and breathe democracy daily.