deHoyos and Van Dyke Visit Recap

Wow! What an event! If you missed this one, you missed a special treat. In addition to being the Quarterly Meeting and annual election of officers, members of the Des Moines Valley had the distinct opportunity to spend some quality time with two Masonic leaders, Arturo deHoyos, 33° GC and Jason VanDyke, 32° KCCH. Both work at the House of the Temple, the home of the Supreme Council of the 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

Illustrious Brother deHoyos is a very well-known and respected Masonic scholar. He serves the Supreme Council as the Grand Archivist and Grand Historian. He has become one of the foremost experts on Masonic history and origins, especially through his works that are shared through the Scottish Rite Research Society. Some of his works include: the Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide (the text book for the Master Craftsman program), a transcription of Albert Pike’s Esoterika, and many other well-known Masonic titles. Illustrious Brother deHoyos shared his thoughts with members of the Des Moines Valley on the origins of the Scottish Rite during a special Scottish Rite Masons-only luncheon, and then the development of the Master Mason degree in the evening following a steak dinner from the Kitchen Krew.

Brother Van Dyke is the Assistant Director of Communications and Assistant Director of Education for the Supreme Council. Brother Van Dyke shared some information regarding the Master Craftsman program during the Quarterly Meeting, including some successes and methods for organizing study groups. He also mentioned that the Master Craftsman II program will be overhauled over the course of the next few year to bring more exciting educational opportunities to those who have completed Master Craftsman I. Brother Van Dyke encouraged all to pursue the Master Craftsman: Symbolic Lodge edition as a way to learn more about Masonry, its origins, history, philosophy, and symbolism. It is a great introduction to the Master Craftsman program in general, and a wonderful way for all Masons to further more Light in Masonry. A wonderful day for Scottish Rite Masonry, and an inspiring event for all!

U of FM: Knights Templar and the Crusades

Pete Taggart, 32° KCCH and professor of history at Simpson College have a thought provoking presentation on the Crusades and the Knights Templar.  Beginning with a background sketch on the historical environment that led to the Crusades (the four 'official' Crusades), Bro. Taggart then gave a brief account of events in the Crusades.  Taggart's research into the founding of the Knights Templar turned conspiracy theories on their head, bringing historical context into the discussion.

With many of the knights on crusade being lower nobility, they had little to return to in Europe after conquering the land the French termed 'Outremer' (meaning 'overseas').  Thus, when the fighting against the Seljuk Turks ended, many knights found themselves begging in the streets of Jerusalem.  After 19 years, eight knights had finally had enough of life as beggars, and approached the King Baldwin of Jerusalem, and thus formed the Poor Fellow Soldiery of the Temple, or the Knights Templar.  Their founding was more out of pity, than out of conspiracy.

The Templars later gained favor of the Pope, and were made a holy order.  Thus, donations to the Templars started pouring in, inadvertently leading to the decline of the crusades.  One could much easier make donations to their local Templar preceptory instead of either going on crusade or donating to the Church to fund the crusades, the decline of crusades began.

After Saladin retook Outremer from the europeans, and the power and wealth of the Templars was at its height, the Templars became the target of jealousy.  King Philip IV of France, being deeply in debt to the Templars, and jealous of their wealth, saw an opportunity to usurp it.  On Friday 13, 1307, the Templars in France were arrested.  Many confessed to heretical acts under torture, and suffered the consequences.  The Templar Grand Master, Jacques deMolay, recanted his testimony of heresy in front of a crowd gathered in front of the fames Notre Dame cathedral in the middle of the River Seine in Paris, and was then burned at the stake.

Taggart's research put a new light on the story of the Templars, looking at history through the lens of what else was happening at the time, while bringing humor to the preposterousness of many conspiracy theories surrounding them.

A very enlightening presentation to the many assembled.

University of Freemasonry

May 14, 2013

Freemasonry and the Frontier

presented by

Pete Taggart 32° KCCH

6:30 pm - Doors open

7:00 pm - Program

8:00 pm - Coffee and Dessert

Join us for a fascinating story of what Masonry was like on the frontier, from cowboys, ranchers, and pioneers to oil barons, railroad tycoons, and 49er's each lodge was unique in its own way.  Yet, Masonry transcended the differences in men and motives.  This free event is open to everyone.

Des Moines Consistory 519 Park St.

(jcs)

University of Freemasonry: The SGIGs of Iowa

Tonight, our Master of Kadosh, John Clearman, 33, gave a detailed history of the SGIGs of Iowa. He started with the legendary T.S. Parvin, and concluded with our present SGIG, Gary Sissel, 33.

Below is the powerpoint he shared.




(KMH)

University of Freemasonry

University of Freemasonry

The French Rite

Kabbala, humanism, division and reunion meet in a fascinating history of one of Masonry's largest appendent bodies.

Learn about the Rite, its history and how it exists today

Presented by Kurt Hoffmann, 32°

4 August 2010

6:15 PM Social Hour

7:15 pm Program with dessert to follow

Open to all.

University of Freemasonry - Dead Sea Scrolls

Members Lounge

Albert Pike Room

These were the gathering places for the pre-event social where Brothers and their ladies could visit with one another and socialize before the talk. There were around 80 in attendance.

Donald A. Driscoll 33°, Master of Kadosh introduces our speaker.

Lyle Simpson, 33° was the speaker for the evening. Lyle has made an extensive study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and he condensed his six hour course which he taught at Drake University down to an hour for the evening. Over 15,000 Dead Sea Scroll fragments were found in Cave 4 and are being sorted. He told of how the scrolls were found and then discovered because they were being used to wrap food from a market. The Scrolls are ancient copies of every book of the Hebrew canon (Old Testament) have been discovered except for the book of Esther.

Lyle also included the story of Masada in his remarks.

The second half of the presentation, linking the Dead Sea Scrolls to Masonry will be given on November 17. After the meeting I heard several people say they were anxious to attend the next installment.

University of Freemasonry

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS (Part 1) - February 24, 2010

In our early history those of faith were among the few that could read or write. Moses designated one of the tribes of Israel to be the keepers of the Ark of the Covenant and the ancient scrolls. They became the Priestly class, or Rabbi’s of the Jewish faith. Since the time of Moses, Priests reduced the wisdom of their day in ancient scrolls. These were carefully preserved to pass to future generations our ancient traditions. In 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in Israel. These are duplicates of the original ancient scrolls that were kept under the Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple and extend from the time of Moses to 70 AD. What has happened to them? What do they tell us? Since they were written from 200BC to 70AD they were contemporaneous with the life of Christ and the Exodus of the Jewish people from Israel. Since they were not discovered until 1947 they have not been affected by history. They tell a different story than our current traditions. Will this knowledge make any difference for us today?

Lyle Simpson has made an extensive study of these important documents. He will present the first of two programs on Wednesday, February 24. (The second program will be on November 17.) There will be a social time at 6:00 P.M. with the program at 7:00 P.M. Following the program there will be desert. All events will take place in the Tapestry Longue. Please call the office - (515) 288-8927 or e-mail ddriscoll@dmscottishrite.org, To make a reservation.

University of Freemasonry - 17th Degree

A University of Freemasonry is scheduled for May 21 starting at 7:00 PM in the 2nd floor library.

The 17th degree (Knight of the East and West) well be read with a discussion to follow.

In the past this type of event has run for about an hour and has resulted in a very good evening of discussion and insight from the participants.

This is a great opportunity to explore in a group setting the meanings/lessons of a degree.

The 17th degree is entitled the Knight of the East and West The lessons of this degree are that loyalty to God is man's primary allegiance, and the temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness will inevitably fall.


Much of the script for the 17° is taken directly from the Revelation of God through Jesus Christ to St. John the Evangelist which is also called the apocalypse to St. John. This degree teaches us about a virtual army of martyrs that have offered up their lives to prove their faith or to benefit mankind.

Special Univerity of Freemasonry

As part of our ongoing University of Free Masonry series and we have partnered with the Wallace House Foundation on their “Dialogue Dinner” series. Brother Tade Sullivan 32°, will present a program on the Wallace family & Henry A. Wallace, in particular. He was the 33rd Vice President of the United States and a member of Des Moines Consistory. Bro. Sullivan serves as Vice Chair of the Wallace House Foundation. The Wallace family is one of the most prominent families in Iowa and throughout the United States for their impact and involvement in agriculture.

March 31, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the Scottish Rite Tapestry Lounge $25 per person Reservations required by March 25, 2009

Menu Iowa Caesar Salad
Sesame Yeast Rolls
Templeton Rye Marinated Niman Ranch Pork Chop with Black Currant Sauce
Jasmine Rice Caraway Peas
Creamed French Green Beans
Roasted Roma Tomatoes
Vanilla Bean Bread Pudding with Templeton Rye Hard Sauce & Clover Leaf Whipped Cream Dinner by culinary artist: Cydney Mull

University of Freemasonry - 7th Degree

On February 26 at 7:00 at the Consistory we will be doing another University of Freemasonry by reading/discussing the NEW 7th degree. This is a version of the degree we do not currently perform, but it the degree described in Bridge to Light and the Master Craftsman Program. I don't know which room yet, but will find the smallest room available so we can actually interact in a meaningful manner. If you are interested in reading a part, please let me know. Also, if you could please pass notice of this event along to your personal Scottish Rite circles I would appreciate it.

Fraternally,

Charlie Smithson wcsmithson@ascalon139.org,



7° - Provost & Judge We learn that impartial justice protects person, property, happiness and reputation. We are instructed to judge with patience and impartially. The apron of the 7th Degree is white edged with red, with a key and five rosettes. The jewel is a golden key. The duty is justice.

University of Freemasonry - September 18, 2007

Robert G. Davis 33 Speaks at the University of Freemasonry

Des Moines Scottish Rite members were given a rare treat on September 18, 2007. Illustrious Robert G. Davis of Guthrie, Oklahoma, gave an interesting and informative talk on various aspects of Freemasonry. There is no way that I can convey to you all of the material he covered but I was able to jot down some very interesting statements which he made. Anyone who was there is welcome to add their comments to the comment section below.

(Initiation) is fundamental to a man's process of growth.

(It) is done to convey that he has left one life and is entering another.

Men have to be initiated into manhood by other men. It is not a rite of puberty...it is a rite that incorporates us into society as adults.

Our (Masonic) values define us because they define for the outside world who we are.

Life is a study and our duty is to learn.

We need a Fraternal Association with other men. We need older men in our lives to teach us the magic of manhood.

(It) exists foremost to transform men. (This) occurs in the sacred and social space of Lodge.

(It helps them) to grow and achieve balance in their own personal and spiritual lives.

He spoke of the first three degrees as being:

1st - Death of the Ego. You see men as brothers, equal.

2nd - Death of the intellect. Everything we have learned is not enough in and of itself to transform us.

3rd - We have to deal with the worst ruffians of our lives. The things about ourselves that we like the least. (There is a) quest or perfection... the ruffians (are) within ourselves.

He spoke of the journey of the Scottish Rite and gave a review of the ritual of the Southern Jurisdiction and how it relates to our lives

It's about finding the spiritual connection deep within itself that is the path to mature masculinity.

It is about discovering who we are and what we are supposed to be doing in the world.


Following the speech he was presented with a certificate of appreciation from William L. Knoll (Bill); Personal Representative of the SGIG - Valley of Des Moines


















Members were also able to visit the 2nd floor to get a preview of the new carpet in the tapestry lounge and had a wonderful (as usual) meal and a great time to socialize with their Scottish Rite Brethren.