Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternity, dedicated to making good men better, through the teaching of important life lessons and by providing mutual aid and support. 

In teaching its lessons, Freemasonry uses symbolism taken from the building of King Solomon's temple and the various levels of workmen who built it.

It IS:    
      - an organization whose members include fourteen U.S. Presidents, and many others of the world's greatest and best men.

     - an organization where one can make life-long friends of high moral character.

    
     - an organization dedicated to friendship, morality and brotherly love.

     - an organization which is the building block for charitable organizations, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shrine.

     - an organization dedicated to the well-being of the widows and orphans of its members.

     - an organization that is always ready to welcome good men as members and brothers.

It IS NOT:
     - a religion, though one must believe in a Supreme Being to be a member.

     - a secret organization, though it has some secret words, handshakes and the like, to permit Masons to identify each other.

     - exclusive, being open to men of all faiths.

     - an organization that offers a plan of salvation; every man decides for himself what that plan is.

     - an organization that solicits members; to be considered for membership, you must ask a Mason or a Lodge for a petition