The mission of in Utah is to teach and perpetuate a way of life that promotes brotherhood, self improvement through education, family values, moral standards, charity and community involvement.
Freemasons are expected to exhibit the utmost tolerance and gentlemanly conduct both in “Lodge” (the meeting place of, and the name for, a gathering of Freemasons) and in their daily lives. In the course of the Degrees Freemasons obligate themselves to a conduct of wise living, seeking to cultivate an honorable or virtuous character as individuals. Overt honesty, compassion, fortitude, prudence, justice, and the pursuit of set of philosophical truths are the hallmarks of a Freemason. Thus Freemasons must steel themselves to inculcate, practice, and exemplify these virtues throughout all the transactions of life. The mark of a Freemason is their discipline in character and their dedication to further pursuit of Masonic Light.
There are two costs associated with Masonry. The first cost is dues; all members of the Lodge pay annual which varies by location. Dues cover the annual operating expenses of the Lodge. The second cost is Degrees; in the progress from Entered Apprentice to Master Mason one will pay monies again varying by location, to cover the cost of materials received by the Candidate: apron, study guides, copy of Lodge bylaws, traveling warrant, and heirloom volume of sacred law.
The Degree costs in Rocky Mountain Lodge #11 are:
The annual dues are $50.00.
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons requires that all men applying for membership declare a belief in a Supreme Being because belief in God is a foundation principal of the Fraternity.
It is accepted that people employ many different ways to seek and express what they know to be God - and Masonry believes that the relationship between the individual and his Supreme Being is personal, private, and sacred.
For the sake of Peace and Harmony, Masons are expressly barred from religious discussion while in Lodge.
Freemasons as a whole are not bound to any secular particular political ideology. However individual Masons may be bound to a political party, or ideology. When in Lodge, Masons are expressly forbidden from discussing secular politics.
Freemasonry is often called a “secret society”, and in fact is considered by many to be the very prototype for such societies. Many Masons say that it is more accurately described as a society with secrets or Private Organization”. The degree of privacy varies widely around the world. In English-speaking countries, most Masons are completely public with their affiliation, Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and meeting times are generally a matter of public record. In other countries, where Freemasonry has been more recently, or is even currently, suppressed by the government, secrecy may be practiced more in earnest (again, depending greatly on the particular country).