Earlier this year I had the opportunity to talk to the new Master of Palm Springs Lodge No.693 and aske him what his goals are for this year?

We talked a little more about other things around the topic but he never went through or enumerated a list.

A few weeks later I again reached out to him and followed up on his goals and his vision for Palm Springs Lodge No.693.

He quickly responded and here are his 8 goals he wishes to work throughout the year.

When the year starts and you have your first stated meeting, the realities of lodge life begin to sink in on all involved.

The eight areas of lodge life should be an eye opener for any aspiring lodge leader because you now see all these different areas you had not probably thought about.

Lets go over his list.

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Why This Confusion in the Temple?

Chapter 10 - Not By Bread Alone

Masonic activities are beginning to ramp up, and a lot of time and effort are being expended, but, Dwight L. Smith observed that, for all this activity that the lodges are involved in, how much of that time is actually used by the lodge to do the work that Freemasonry asks us to do?

We tend to do everything and expend massive amounts of time and energy to garner excitement, only to realize that what the lodge is doing has nothing to do with Freemasonry and the members have learned nothing deeper about the 'mysteries of masonry.'

Why This Confusion in the Temple - Chapter 9.

What Now, Little Man?

There are many Masons now who believe that the fraternity should take a stand on current political positions.

This is nothing new, as I have heard this said at the lodge from time to time. It wasn't until COVID that all Masons were introduced to this idea, but now on a worldwide scale, and Masons were split on how Freemasonry should handle this emergency.

Dwight L. Smith clearly explained the drawbacks of the lodge taking a political stance in situations like this and how this is against all masonic principles.

What should Masons do?

Why should we take a stance and be vocal about it?

Where does a Mason's duty to civil society begin and end?

Why This Confusion in the Temple?

Chapter 8 - Earthquake, Wind, and Fire

All Brethren should read these articles, take them back into your lodges, and talk about them with the brethren.

Maybe it can help improve the lodge experience, maybe it will help turn on a light in your head, and be a guiding light for your lodge.

Maybe

Maybe not.

Read it, and you tell me.

Chapter 7 of Why This Confusion In The Temple by Dwight L. Smith talks about how the fraternity has to be careful about publicizing anything about the fraternity.

Most Masons and Lodges don't think this all the way through, and the results can be more injurious than helpful.

With the advent of all the social media apps and lodges eager to post everything about what the lodge is doing, we may be setting ourselves up for a more negative response than a positive one.

Curmudgeon Supreme and I read chapters 4-6 of Why This Confusion In The Temple, and wonder if history will not repeat itself?

Will the fraternity ever learn?

Are we destined to be mediocre?

Was Dwight L Smith, Past Grand Master of Indiana, warning us all those years ago?

Let's find out.

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Dwight L. Smith's thought-provoking articles of 1963 and 1964 are just as relevant today as they were back in those times.

Why have we not heard more about this information, and how does it rank among the several issues affecting the Masonic Fraternity?

Can we ever get out of our own way and just follow what Freemasonry has laid before our feet?

But what does that even mean?

Let us contemplate after lifting heavy weights, or before lifting heavy weights.

How many times have you attended the Annual Installation of Officers at a Masonic Lodge and wondered what it meant? When done with solemnity, it can have a profound impact on the people in attendance and the officers being installed.

One of the masons officiating the ceremony reads the expectations of each officer and explains the meaning of the corresponding jewel

But could there be a more spiritual meaning behind this inauspicious occasion?

And on the exercise side of things, we ask, "How many reps are enough reps?