Missouri Lodge of Research

It would be truly outstanding to see Missouri well represented in these prestigious awards. We have some great authors in our State, submit your work!

https://www.arcanaveritas.com/

Submissions are now open for the Third Edition (2026) of the Arcana Veritas Distinction Awards (AVDA), held under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland.

The AVDA was established to recognize exceptional contributions to Masonic literature; the awards honor authors whose work demonstrates scholarly rigor, interpretive depth, and a sustained commitment to careful research across the breadth of Masonic study.

The Awards welcome contributions from diverse perspectives, encouraging authors to illuminate Masonic philosophy and practice with precision, originality, and intellectual integrity.
Submission deadline: End of June 2026

Submission guidelines: https://arcanaveritas.com

Eligible submissions are invited in the following categories:

1- Category One: Masonic History Book: Works exploring the history of Freemasonry and its evolution, from its origins to contemporary practice.

2- Category Two: Masonic Philosophy and Symbolism Book: Works examining the meanings and significance of Masonic symbols, teachings, and practices.

3- Category Three: White Papers—as they might cover the historical development of Freemasonry, analytical studies of Masonic philosophy and symbolism, practical guidance on rituals, traditions, and instruction, or original research spanning social and cultural inquiry through to scientific and technological innovations relevant to the Craft.

Congratulations to the newly installed officers of the Missouri Lodge of Research for 2025-2026

Worshipful Master: Kevin B. Sample
Senior Warden: Joshua Herbig
Junior Warden: Daniel A. Sewing
Senior Deacon: Lloyd F. Lyon
Junior Deacon: Jeff A. Stokes
Senior Steward: Michael S. Smith
Junior Steward: Donald MacCormick
Marshall: Matthew D. Ruth
Tiler: Aaron M. Shoemaker
Secretary/Treasurer: Gail S. Turner
Chaplain: Dale R. Roller
Retiring Master: William G. Snyder

Did Lucinda Morgan, the wife of the infamous William Morgan, actually marry Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith?

174 Masonic Minute Lucinda Morgan 2 Did Lucinda Morgan, the wife of the infamous William Morgan, actually marry Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith?

This year's Missouri Lodge of Research book selection, "The Imperfect Storm" by Steve Harrison, is a deep dive into the Morgan affair, highlighting its causes and effects along with new information and answers. The book is available for sale at

The Imperfect Storm | eBay Fired from the only decent job he had ever had and shunned by the Freemasons, he vowed to exact revenge. Morgan, a drunken braggart, soon let his plans slip in local bars. The Masons’ response was quick and ferocious.

New Morgan book reveals new information about the William Morgan Affair:

The Imperfect Storm — New Information About the Morgan Affair A new book, The Imperfect Storm , by Steven L. Harrison sheds new light on the most infamous cold case of the 19th Century: the abduction...

Four candidates emerged in the hard-fought presidential campaign of 1948: Republican Thomas Dewey, Progressive Henry Wallace, Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond and the eventual winner, Democrat Harry Truman. Although the candidates were intense rivals and had very different political views, all four were Freemasons.

The first Tyler at a Masonic Lodge meeting in Kansas was a Native American woman. Lydia Walker (Her tribal name was Mendias) served at the station outside while the Freemasons, including her husband Matthew serving as Senior Deacon, met inside. Her house at 350 Troupe in Kansas City, Kansas, served as the Lodge for that first meeting as well as the first meeting place of the Eastern Star in the state. Ms. Walker eventually became the first Grand Matron of the Kansas Eastern Star.

Charles Lindbergh, Keystone Lodge 243, St. Louis, once appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, not for any of his accomplishments in aviation, but for his role in inventing what was called an artificial heart!

Returning from the Holy Land in 1868, Brother Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) presented this gavel, made from a cedar tree near Jerusalem to Polar Star Lodge. Courtesy Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge #79, St. Louis.

At 22 stories (302 feet) tall, when it was built in 1897, the Chicago Masonic Temple was the world's tallest structure, with an impressive Lodge room at the very top. It was so dominant a feature on the Chicago skyline, it brought the word "skyscraper" into popular use. From the top visitors claimed they could see Council Bluffs, Iowa. Built to last at least a century, wrecking crews demolished it after only 47 years. Two factors led to its demise. First, built at a time when architects did not know much about the logistics of tall buildings, several of its rooms at the top served as theaters and places for social gatherings. Unfortunately, the elevators could not handle the large crowds going to those places and the building fell out of favor as a social venue. Then, in 1939, Chicago began building the State Street subway, which ran underneath the building and would have required an expensive retrofitting of its foundation. Given that, and the fact that the social set had long since gone elsewhere, the great Chicago Masonic Temple came down.

Congratulations to the newly installed 2024-2024 Officers of the Missouri Lodge of Research:

Worshipful Master: William G. Snyder
Senior Warden: Kevin B. Sample
Junior Warden: Josh Herbig
Treasurer/Secretary: Gail S. Turner, PGM
Senior Deacon: Daniel A. Sewing
Junior Deacon: Loyd G. Lyon
Senior Steward: Jeff A. Stokes
Junior Steward: Michael S. Smith
Marshal: Donald MacCormick
Tiler: Matthew D. Ruth