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The Research Lodge of Utah F.& A.M. came into being as a result of positive
action of the Committee on Jurisprudence at the Ninety First annual communication of the M. W. Grand Lodge F.& A.M. of Utah, January 28, 1963 with Grand Master Glen V. Culp presiding. Prior to the annual communication of January 27, 1959, G.M. Calvin A. Behle gave instructions that he desired a Research Club to be formed within the grand jurisdiction of Utah. This assignment was given to the Committee on Masonic Education. Through contacts with other Grand Jurisdictions, who foster research lodges, a plan was devised to formulate a set of by-laws to govern a club. G.M. Behle issued dispensation No. 17, approving the By-Laws authorizing meetings. On January 12, 1958, seven members of the Committee on Masonic Education met with M.W.G.M. Behle, R.W.D.G.M. William E. Cushing and R.W.S.W. C. Leander Prisk in the Men's Lounge of Salt Lake Masonic Temple to formally sign the petition for Research Club of Utah.
Officers elected and appointed for 1958 were as follows:
WM A. Ralph Baker Mt. Moriah #2 Salt Lake
SW Richard J. Vaughn Carbon #6 Price
JW Warren E. Fleetwood Progress #22 Salt Lake
T Arthur W. Duste Acacia #17 Salt Lake
S Wm F. Bulkley Wasatch #1 Salt Lake
SD Don R. Holden Weber #6 Ogden
JD S.W. Williams Albert Pike #14 Milford
In A. Ralph Baker's report of the Committee on Masonic Education on
1/27/59, he said, "Investigation and study of lodges of Masonic Research
has convinced the officers of this grand jurisdiction that there is need
for and amply qualified men available to inaugurate a lodge of research in
Utah. This committee has been charged with, and has completed the assignment of instituting such an organization and fraternally solicits the cooperation and association with the many Masons of this great State, who can and should contribute to this worth Masonic endeavor."
The Research Club was authorized by the M.W.G.M. at its Eighty seventh
Annual Communication, January 27, 1959, to replace the Utah Masonic Lodge
of Research, previously instituted. By-Laws were adopted (later approved
by M.W.G.M. C. Leander Prisk), and officers were elected for the ensuing
year (1959). The officers chosen were:
President Francis W. Douglas
First Vice President Don R. Holden
Second Vice President Richard J. Vaughn
Treasurer Arthur W. Duste
Secretary Fred W. Hansen
On March 4, 1960, the Research Club was elected a member of the
correspondence circle of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No.2076 of London, England
to receive its publications.
Since the inception of the Research Club in January 1959, with approximately thirty two members and several who have been most active in its affairs, desire to institute a lodge of research to supersede the present club. This desire arose form a belief that a Research Lodge in Utah would have an enhanced prestige and standing among similar organizations in other Grand Jurisdictions. Some other jurisdictions notably those of Texas and Colorado, have legalized the holding of special lodges of Masonic Research lacking the right to confer the several Masonic degrees. This has been accomplished by amendments to its statutes.
The Masonic Research Club F.& A.M. of Utah proposed that any necessary
amendment to its pertinent statutes be approved which would permit the
formation and functioning of a lodge of research. The proposal was not
adopted by the Committee on Jurisprudence, however when presented to the
Grand Lodge membership, the negative action of the committee was not
adopted and was held over for disposition at the next communication January
28, 1963.
At the ninety first Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, January 1963, the
Committee on Jurisprudence recommended and Grand Lodge approved the
following; With the approval of the Grand Master, an organization qualified and operating under this section and dedicated solely to Masonic Research and to the spreading Masonic Light and Knowledge, may be designated a Lodge of Research or other title of like meaning, but no organization so designated shall be subject to or governed by any of the provisions of this code applying to Lodges under charter or dispensation emanating from this Grand Lodge, except as provided in the By-Laws adopted by such organization and approved by the Grand Master.
Accordingly, Research Lodge of Utah F. & A.M. superseded the Research Club
and adopted new By-Laws which were approved by the Grand Master. The
officers in its first year were:
WM Carl W. Kanniaineu
SW Roy L Waggoner
JW J. Parker Coombs
Treasurer Francis W. Douglas
Secretary Fred W. Hanson
Research Lodge of Utah F.& A.M. have a membership of approximately 50
members classed as active with a few associates, and three honorary.
As provided in the Preamble of its By-Laws and as authorized in Section
3-6-8 of the Grand Lodge Code as amended in 1963, Research Lodge of Utah F.
& A.M. is dedicated solely to Masonic Research and to spreading Masonic
Light and Knowledge. The membership has increased to approximately 60.
Members of Research Lodge have been frequently called upon to provide
speakers for Blue Lodges throughout the state as well as for other Masonic
groups and organizations. Research Lodge meets four time a year, the third
Wednesday in February, May and September as well as the first Wednesday of
November. Dues are $5.00 per year to active and associate members. The
following talks or papers have been given form 1960 to 1978 with authors
given when known:
What can I get out of Masonry
Symbolism in Freemasonry Fred W. Hanson
More Light April 1960
The Great Masonic Challenge
The Story of Gateway Lodge #29 F.& A.M. of Utah Fred W. Banz
A True or False Masonic Quiz Gustin Gooding
Secrecy in Freemasonry " "
Is Masonic Education What We Need? " "
Why Be Active Richard E. Davis
Evolution or Revolution in the Public Schools James O Morton
The Level and the Square LaVerne Bane
Recovery of the Cornerstone of the first Masonic Temple in S.L.C.
Francis W. Douglas
History of Wasatch Lodge Fred W. Hanson
The Use of Music during Masonic Ritual Work Carl Kanniainue
Early Masonic History in Utah John E. Clark
The Origin of Free Masonry in America Gustin Gooding
Myopic Masons or Hindsight 20-20 Alan H. Daltray
To Get Friendliness Richard K. Roberts
The York Rite and the First Three Degrees of Masonry Robert G. Cottrel
The Tormented Soul of Patrick Branwell Bronte Mervin B. Hogan
Masonry Goes West Russell H. Goodman
Human Ecology Harold Hirth
Whither Traveling America Richard Lottridge
History of Central City Colorado Lodge Russell H. Goodman
Robert Burns Mervin Hogan
Daniel Gowan Jackling: Dynamic Engineer and Freemason John J. Livingston
George Henry Dern Distinguished Freemason & Citizen Frank R. Begley
Whither Have We Traveled Reuben L. Cunliffe
Euclid 47th Proposition Mervin Hogan
Geometry and Architecture in Freemasonry "
Robert Burns: Man and Mason "
The Injudicious Tongue of Grand Master Obed Franklin Strickland "
Modern Implications of the 24 Inch Gauge and Gavel Arthur Johnson
The Legend of Hiram Abif Reuben L. Cunliffe
Benjamin Franklin: Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher and Mason Howard E.
Dorst
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