Why did you become a Freemason?

From: Gary Iverson <gary_iverson@dot.ca.gov>
To: masonry-ask@mit.edu
Subject: Why I Joined Freemasonry
Message-ID: <OF65D43ED0.8DA9F42B-ON88257242.0003D3A9-88257242.0005BD86@dot.ca.gov>
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 17:02:40 -0800

Why did I become a Mason? As all people do, I reached a point in my life where I was at a crossroad. Why did I want to do with my life? Surely there was more to "it" than the grind of work punctuated by time for the family?

One day I asked my self this question. What do all the good men in my life have in common that made them worthy of emulation? One man was my father, another the Scoutmaster of my youth, another a good friend in my hobby of re-enacting the American Civil War, and another was just a good guy I had met and struck up a friendship with.

While each of them had things in common with others of them, not one consistent characteristic rang true for all of them. Sure I though my Dad was the greatest guy on the face of the earth. Sure all these men were honest, helpful, kind, generous, and displayed the characteristic of what I thought a good men would have. But what was the common thread they all shared?

Then one day it hit me. The one thing that all these men had in common was Freemasonry.

I didn't jump into Freemasonry lightly. It took a lot of research on line, a lot of discussions with these men, and a lot of thoughtful consideration on my part before I made my decision. Finally, I asked my past Scoutmaster for an application.

It is now three years later. I have never regretted my decision to join Freemasonry. In fact, I think it was one of the smartest moves I have ever made. When someone asks me why I joined, I relay this story to them. I then ask them what traits they find admirable in people. This usually leads to me relating how I think Masonry fills those ideals we all share. I let them known that no one can ask you to become a Mason, and I leave the next step up to them.

So far, in the last three years, I have had 5 people ask me for applications. I am proud to call all five my brothers. After all, who wouldn't want a brother who espouses the same traits as all good men?

Gary Iverson