February 2024 Trestleboard

The Trestleboard is an official publication of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32, which is a legally constituted Masonic Lodge operating under charter granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah. The Trestleboard is published for the sole and exclusive use of the members of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32, and any other use is expressly forbidden.  The editor of The Trestleboard is Glen Van Steeter.  Submissions of educational articles or other announcements may be sent to the editor at [email protected], and if selected for publication, will be given full attribution. All submissions are subject to the approval of the Worshipful Master of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32 and the editor of the Trestleboard.

The Lodge Secretary endeavors to keep our roster as accurate as possible. If you are moving, changing your mailing address, phone number or email address, please update your information in GrandView or notify the Secretary so that your information can be kept current.

Twin Peaks Lodge Secretary

February Calendar

• Friday, February 2 @ 9:00am – 152st Annual Communications of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Utah.
• Saturday, February 3 @ 7:00pm – Public Installation of Grand Lodge Officers @ SLC Temple
• Monday, February 5 @ 7:30pm – Stated Meeting at our new location. Dinner will be at Vessel Kitchen in Midvale at 6:15 PM prior to the meeting. Dress is business.
• Thursday, February 8 @ 7:00pm – Entered Apprentice catechism study at the Riverton Library.
• Monday, February 12 @ 7:00pm – Practice the Fellowcraft Degree at the new lodge location (SVMC).
• Thursday, February 15 @ 7:00pm – Entered Apprentice catechism study at the Riverton Library.
• Monday, February 19 @ 7:00pm – Practice the Fellowcraft Degree at the new lodge location (SVMC).
• Thursday, February 22 @ 7:00pm – Entered Apprentice catechism study at the Riverton Library.
• Friday, February 23 @ 7:00pm – Ladies Appreciation Night at Rodizio Grill in Salt Lake City.
• Monday, February 26 @ 7:00pm – Monthly meetup dinner at Chubby’s in Riverton. Come join the Lodge for good company, conversation, and food. Family, friends, and guests are invited.

Sickness and Distress

• A lot of seasonal colds, flus and coughs going around. Most who have had are recovering. Stay safe!
• Vicky Dowdle joined us at our last meetup. She is going through radiation therapy but staying strong and is doing well.

Please keep these brethren and their families in your thoughts, and add them to your daily devotions to the Grand Architect.

If you happen to hear about a brother who is in distress, please contact either the Worshipful Master or the Lodge Secretary ASAP so that the Lodge can put itself in a position to assist.

FROM THE EAST

Brothers, thankfully we are going to be very busy for the next few months. I’m impressed by
our Lodge’s continuing growth! Our Entered Apprentices are moving quickly through their
catechisms, and we read a new petition for the three degrees at our February Stated Meeting.

W.B. Ephraim Sng, PM is setting up catechism nights (Feb 8th and 22nd) at the Riverton
Library (12877 S 1830 W, Riverton, UT 84065) to work with the EA’s and coaches on their
proficiency, and I am sure he would like help from any Mason that has the desire and time to
be there.

Our Ladies’ night is set for February 23rd, at Rodizio Grill @ Trolley Square, 600 South 700
East at 7:00 PM. This no-host night is for ALL members of Twin Peaks Lodge #32, and our
widows, as an appreciation for all that our Ladies do to support us, and our Lodge. I
encourage everyone to attend, and bring that special Lady with you.

Our Junior Warden, Brother Frank Keller, has promised he and his Lady can work with the
limited space we have available and prepare a dinner before the March meeting, so plan on
being at lodge on March 4th by 6:30 PM for dinner and then our Stated Meeting. We will
open at 7:30 on the EA degree.

At the Annual Communication for Grand Lodge, Twin Peaks Lodge #32 was awarded with
the “Master Builder” award again this year. There are 25 Lodges in Utah; Twin Peaks was
one of only three receiving the award. This award belongs to the Lodge, as it is representative
of the Lodge members participating in the many activities required to achieve the award. I
want to publicly acknowledge Past Master Ephraim Sng for his leadership and motivation
that allowed our Lodge to achieve this worthy goal for the last 2 years. PM Sng has also
agreed to chair this committee for the current Masonic year, please join me in adding one
more year to our award.

The “Masons At Work” Picnic, our major fundraising event of the year, is planned for June
16th at Big Bear Park in Sandy (the same location as last year). Senior Warden Lyle Miller,
PM, is in charge of this fun event this year, and I have every confidence that it will be an
even bigger and more successful event than last year. I know WB Lyle would appreciate any
and all volunteers for this family-centered event, please let him know of your intention to
assist. Part of this event is an auction of items (Masonic or otherwise) donated to the Lodge;
if you have items you would like to donate, please let WB Lyle know.

Lastly, I want to publicly thank WB Ric Wailes,PM for his single-handed efforts to move our
Lodge paraphernalia from the storage unit to this location.

Please check the calendar on the Twin Peaks Lodge website for practice and degree dates for
the next two months.

Parting On The Square
Bob Hartman, PM WM

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

Nothing from the Secretary’s desk.

Glen Van Steeter, PM – Secretary

Upcoming Events

Ladies Appreciation Dinner

Join us in a celebration of appreciation and gratitude at our formal Ladies Appreciation Dinner. A special evening dedicated to honoring the remarkable ladies in our lives who stand as a constant support, enabling us to strive and become better men.

Venue: Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
Date & Time: Friday, February 23 @ 7:00pm

Embrace the opportunity to indulge in a delightful dining experience amidst the authentic flavors of Brazil. This event is a small gesture to express our sincere thanks to these wonderful women who undoubtedly play an essential role in our journey.

An RSVP is appreciated to ensure we can provide the best experience for everyone attending. Looking forward to an evening of exquisite food, warm camaraderie, and heartfelt celebrations.

Let’s come together to show our appreciation for all that our ladies do to support us and our Lodge. Your presence will make this evening all the more special.

Food Bank

Thank you for coming out and supporting our efforts volunteering our time at the Utah Food Bank. We had another great turnout and helped prepare food for our fellow men in need.

Meetup

We had a good turnout at our past meetup. I believe it was a new record at 24! Thanks for coming out for the good food and even better fellowship. See you all next month!

Masonic Anniversaries

These brethren were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in the month of February.

• Brother George Auer, raised on February 16, 1978 and has 46 years of service.
• Brother Steve Horman, PM, raised on February 17, 2014 and has 10 years of service.
• Brother Albert Shahinaian, raised on February 25, 1979 and has 45 years of service.

Happy Birthdays!

These brethren were born in February. Make sure and wish them a “Happy Birthday!” when you see them this month!

• Brother Christopher Van Steeter, born on February 11.
• Brother Jaysen “Dewey” Roundy, born on February 17.

Meetups

Masonic Education

Freemasonry and Its Landmarks  

Author Unknown
Submitted by Brother Mike Hartman
From the “Whence Came You” Podcast

Why has Freemasonry existed so long as it has?  

I claim its existence is due to the fact that it is NOT a secret society.  

‘Tis true, we have modes of recognition, rites and ceremonies, and  secrets with which the profane are not acquainted, nor can its beauties  be appreciated without a thorough knowledge of its mystic language,  composed as it is of gems of philosophy linked with beautiful symbols,  and its charity falls as noiselessly as the dews of heaven ; yet, strictly  speaking, it is not a secret society.  

A secret society is one of those gatherings where men meet to discuss  things in strict confidence, without giving to the world any knowledge  of its mission. Men are condemned to die, plots and conspiracies are  entered into, anarchy holds full sway, and deeds that are dark, foul,  and damnable are accomplished. The world is not permitted to know of  whom it is composed, its place of meeting is a profound secret, and all  connected with it are schemers, plotters, atheists, and anarchists, who  have the stamp of perdition on their souls.  

To illustrate my position, I point you to the famous Clan-na-Gael, to  the dread Mafia, and others of the same stamp. Their history is too  well known for comment. They are secret societies that breed death  and destruction. Their own members, to divulge their dark deeds meet  with instant death. Now, if Masonry is paraded as a SECRET SOCIETY  its days are numbered. But from this we have nothing to fear. Now, if  it is not a secret society what is it? It is a private society, formed on  the broad basis of brotherly love, relief, and truth. No free man with  the essential physical qualifications is denied admission if he be “good  and true.” Its constitutions are for the world to behold. The ancient  charges and regulations are open for inspection. Its tenets, its cardinal  virtues, add lustre to its brilliancy. Its laws and jurisprudence are  published to the world. These things are not secret. No man, however  great his prejudice, will deny the fact that it has a good effect on the  human race. It has existed while other things of human invention have  died. It exists today because it inculcates every virtue. It has survived  the bulls against it from Rome-the persecution of kings and emperors.  

There must be a cause for this. While Masonry does not offer the pass  to heaven, yet its banner is painted in gilded letters of faith in God and 

hope in immortality. This, to my mind, is the key to the situation. Its  teachings have always been so pure that its votaries have guarded it  with loving fidelity. It cannot die, because it is built on a firm  foundation-has principles underlying it that will endure “till time shall  be no more.” No human institution has ever had such vile indignities  heaped upon it. The popes insist the Masonic Society admits the  believer and atheist on a common platform. They claim that it is and  has been engaged in warfare against the church and the governments  of the earth. What silly expressions! Had they acquainted themselves  with its lectures, with its symbolism; had they investigated before  passing sentence, they might have been honoured by joining this  grand procession of the world’s greatest men; in marching on to the  summit and perfection of our aim -TRUTH.  

Freemasonry has existed because it teaches the moral law. The man  who takes the name of God in vain is guilty of a Masonic offence. It  exists because it has never stooped to the intrigues of politicians. It  exists because it has a universal language found in no other Society. It  exists because it is a science based on the philosophy of that religion  in which all men agree-that of the existence of a SUPREME RULER and  the immortality of the soul. When kingdoms and republics have fallen,  when wars have been fought between nations, it will exist on the side  of conqueror and conquered alike.  

Its Landmarks are indestructible. 

Freemasonry has been established for generations.  

It has maintained its peculiar characteristics.  

It has never changed.  

Its principles have been maintained.  

Its esoteric teachings are unaltered.  

Its ceremonies has been conserved.  

Its traditions are given as in the aforetime.  

Its Landmarks are indestructible. The devotion of its associates now is  as earnest, sincere, and impregnable as at the beginning.  

The history it has made is unassailed.  

The foundations on which it rests are eternal. These facts will hardly  be denied, even among the incredulous profane. Faith in them is the  heritage of the true Mason. 

What other human institution can make these claims on the intelligent,  thinking student of the records time has written on “now” as it  becomes “was”?  

There must, therefore, be in Freemasonry some special vitality, some  indefinable spirit or essence, some superhuman inherent faculty that  has operated to secure such results. Through the ages Freemasonry  has lived and maintained its character. When the rise and fall of  empires, the revolutions in thought, opinions, and forms of  government had worked out changes among mankind ; when the  iconoclasts had broken images, the laws, social order, overthrown  many institutions, made martyrs and victims, and immolated many of  their devoted adherents, yet Freemasonry lived. Strong, persistent,  reliant, filled with faith, and ready for perils, the Craft never faltered in  the performance of its duties.  

In caves, on the mountain tops, the Craft met and obeyed the  teachings they had received. Thus did the brethren conduct their  ceremonies.  

They were animated by the spirit of a devotion to their association that  seemed to partake of a solemn recognition as a revelation. Their social  relations, their identification with the people of the country, their  responsibilities as units in the communal organizations of which they  were part, while rendering them amenable to the profane laws, in no  wise weakened the ties or bonds that bound them to the Fraternity of  the Craft. They were ever, always, Freemasons.  

Obeying the civil magistrate, engaged in no conspiracy against  government, they believed in God and trusted to His care.  

These Freemasons were often only a few persons. It may be said, in  one sense, their strength came out of their weakness. But, no. It was  the strength that the history of the past of the Craft made irresistibly  potent. It was a faith that had marked the concurrent evidences of the  indestructible organization which came to them from the fathers. The quiet, pervading courage of the Craftsmen would not desert the Lodge.  The principles which were the cementing power of the foundations of  Freemasonry were the refuge and defense of the brethren.  

The teachings of the Lodge inspired them. Duty was never to be  ignored. The “Great Light” was a lamp to their feet. From it they were never. to depart. As long as they adhered to an obedience without  question, they felt safe and secure. 

This, brethren, is your heritage. Your obligations to it command your  strict adherence to the principles and teachings which indelibly mark  and make manifest what to say is, as in the generations that have  passed, true Freemasonry. This is our heritage. It is worthy of our  earnest, sincere, abiding devotion. Let nothing separate us from our  courageous adherence to every principle which has made our  inheritance so glorious.  

The Rough Ashlar  
August 1892 and June 1893