Membership &
Obligations
Obligations
What must every candidate believe in before joining the Order?
A Supreme Being.
Who has the right to decide who becomes a member?
The Chapter.
What type of ballot is required for membership?
A unanimous ballot.
Members are expected to follow what within the Order?
The Laws and Regulations of the Order.
Can the modes of recognition be changed?
No.
The lessons of the Order are Scriptural and what?
Moral.
How often should chapters elect and install officers?
Annually.
Who controls the Rite?
The Supreme Council or Grand Chapter.
Can members be tried for offenses even if living under another chapter’s authority?
Yes.
Why can the modes of recognition not be changed?
Because it would destroy the foundation of the system.
A member says obligations no longer matter after leaving the Order. Which Landmark disagrees with that idea?
The Landmark stating a Covenant of Secrecy is perpetual.
A chapter wants another chapter to choose its officers for them. According to the Landmarks, is this proper?
No. Every chapter selects its own officers.
A member feels a chapter decision was unfair. What right does the member have?
The right to appeal.
A visitor causes arguments and confusion during a meeting. What right does the chapter have?
To protect the harmony and progress of the Chapter.
A member wants to share secret recognition signs with a friend who is not a member. What Landmark principle is being violated?
The Covenant of Secrecy.
The purpose of the Order is described as what?
Beneficent.
What does every chapter have the right to dispense?
The Light of the Adoptive Rite.
Who may preside over every assembly of the Rite when visiting?
The Supreme or Grand Patron.
Does every member have the right to visit regular chapter meetings?
Yes, unless harmony would be disturbed.
How long does the Covenant of Secrecy last?
Perpetually.
A candidate jokes during initiation and refuses to take promises seriously. What important principle of the Landmarks is being ignored?
Honor and moral responsibility.
The Light of the Adoptive Rite.
Every chapter has the right to administer its own private affairs.
A chapter wants to confer ceremonies without a Master Mason present. According to the Landmarks, is this allowed?
No. A Master Mason in good standing must preside.
A member says, “I can do whatever I want because I belong to the Order.” Which Landmark principle corrects this thinking?
Members are subject to the Laws and Regulations of the Order.
Someone suggests modernizing the secrets of the Order to make them “more fun.” Why would this be a problem according to the Landmarks?
Because the secrets and modes of recognition are foundational and cannot be changed.