The Trestleboard is an official publication of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32, which is a legally constituted Masonic Lodge operating under charter granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah. The Trestleboard is published for the sole and exclusive use of the members of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32, and any other use is expressly forbidden.  The editor of The Trestleboard is Glen Van Steeter.  Submissions of educational articles or other announcements may be sent to the editor at [email protected], and if selected for publication, will be given full attribution. All submissions are subject to the approval of the Worshipful Master of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32 and the editor of the Trestleboard.

Sickness and Distress

If you are aware of any members whom are in distress, please notify the Lodge Secretary using our Contact page “Email Us” form. Please put “Brother in Sickness and Distress” in the Subject line, and then provide details in the “Message” box. This information will be immediately received by multiple members of the Lodge when the “Submit” button is clicked.

Per requirement of the Bylaws and Policies of the Grand Lodge of Utah, full names will not be used in this section of the Trestleboard.

• Worshipful Brother Wailes is recovering from a hospitalization resulting from a slip and fall. Per Worshipful Brother Keller, he’s recovering but he’s feisty. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Brethren,
What a month it has been at Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32! I hope you’ll indulge me as I recap some of the wonderful things we’ve accomplished together and look ahead to what promises to be an equally busy August.

We began the month celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday on Independence Day, a fitting reminder of the liberties our Fraternity has long championed. We also enjoyed fellowship beyond our own doors, joining Canyon Lodge No. 13 for their annual picnic.
Our Stated Communication was well attended by brethren, visitors, and prospects alike, and we read three petitions for the degrees for the first time, a strong sign of the vitality of our Craft.

A special shout-out is owed to Worshipful Brother VanSteeter for his outstanding presentation at our Esoteric Education Night. This is exactly the kind of substantive, thought-provoking work that deepens our understanding of the Craft, and if you missed it, you truly missed out.

One of the true highlights of the month was traveling to Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 2 to witness the passing of Brother David Peck to the degree of Fellowcraft, who was Mt. Moriah’s candidate at our Collaborative EA earlier this year. There is something special about watching a Mason’s journey continue across Lodge lines.

And a special thanks to Worshipful Brother Hartman for organizing a wonderful morning of charity for his neighbor in need. When called upon, Twin Peaks simply showed up, plain and simple, and that says everything about the heart of this Lodge.

August is shaping up to be just as busy, with several degrees on the calendar. Of particular note, the Grand Lecturer will be hosting a regional Lodge of Instruction here at South Valley Masonic Center on August 22nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All Masons are welcome to attend, and all officers are especially encouraged to be there.

I’m personally looking forward to our service at the Utah Food Bank on the 15th, always a rewarding time of fellowship and charity. Don’t miss our next Esoteric Education Night and be sure to join us for our meetup at Chubby’s. As always, keep an eye on the calendar, as things change quickly around here.

I’d also like to extend an open invitation to our Officers’ Meeting, scheduled for 07/29. You need not be an officer to attend, but please understand we have business to conduct and busy schedules to respect, so come prepared and mindful of everyone’s time. If you have business or questions, don’t hesitate to bring them forward. If you’d simply like to observe and learn, you are always welcome. You can join via the link found on the calendar.

It is an exciting time in Utah Freemasonry, and especially here at Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks is thriving, and we want nothing more than to see our sister lodges across this jurisdiction thrive right alongside us. Visitation in August will be sparse, with virtually every lodge dark, but we’ll still do our best to get around. Stay tuned.

I love this Lodge, and I am extremely proud of the work we are doing, both within our walls and beyond them.

Fraternally,
Frank Keller
Worshipful Master, Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32

Well my brothers, as July winds its way to a close, and August is upon us. I am struggling to find words, it seems that the years pass quicker and quicker. We have 3 petitions to vote on in our August meeting, which means that we have the possibility of doing an up to triple EA degree on August 8th.  As that work continues I think we can safely plan for at least 1 more EA degree meeting this year before November, for this one learn the part of the office above you. I would like us all to step up for that final EA of the year.

With not much else I wanted to share a poem from Bro. Ron C Nischwitz Sr. It is titled The Words Left Unspoken. 

Avoiding conflict feels easier…
You convince yourself it’s not worth addressing…
not the right moment…
not important enough…
not necessary to disturb the peace…
So you leave it…
Unspoken…
Unresolved…
But unresolved things do not vanish…
They settle into the quiet corners of the inner Lodge…
They accumulate like unworked stones…
small at first…
then heavier with time…
Tension forms in the spaces between words…
Distance grows where clarity should stand…
And what was once small begins to change shape…
gaining weight simply because it was left untouched…
This is the cost…
not the moment you avoided…
but what that moment becomes afterward…
Every great faith teaches this truth…
The Christian learns that reconciliation restores peace…
The Jew learns that truth spoken in love heals division…
The Muslim learns that resolving discord strengthens community…
The Hindu learns that harmony requires courage…
The Buddhist learns that suffering grows when ignored…
And the Mason learns that Light reveals what silence distorts…
In the Lodge…
conflict is not chaos…
it is a call to uprightness…
The Square demands honesty…
The Compasses demand restraint…
The Level demands equality…
The Plumb demands integrity…
A Brother does not avoid what needs addressed…
He approaches it with calmness…
clarity…
and charity…
because the Work cannot advance when stones are left crooked or when fractures are left unattended…
Unspoken tension becomes heavier with time…
But spoken truth…
handled with dignity and brotherly love…
lightens the entire Lodge…
The lesson is simple…
and ancient…
Name what stands between you and harmony…
Bring it into the Light…
Address it with the tools of the Craft…
For anything left unresolved keeps its grip…
and slows the building of your inner Temple…
A Mason does not fear correction…
He embraces it…
Because every act of courage moves him closer…
to the man he is meant to become.

Fraternally submitted by Michael Hartman, Sr. Warden of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32

Brethren all,

If you’ve looked at the July and August calendars on this website, then you know that summer is no slowdown at all for Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32. There are detailed articles regarding social activities coming up in the next six weeks, so I’m going to keep this brief.

• August 10th: Summer Bowling at the West Jordan All-Star Lanes. RSVPs can be made up to August 8th. See article below for details.
• August 24th: Social meetup at Chubby’s Cafe in Riverton. See article below for details.
• September 12th: Ladies Appreciation Night at Toscano’s Restaurant in Draper. See article for details. RSVPs can be made up to September 6th.
• September 14th: Fellowship meal prior to our September Stated Meeting. Brother Rubens has the duty.

Fraternally submitted by Glen Van Steeter, PM – Junior Warden

On the Secretary’s Desk

Calendar at a Glance

• Monday, August 3rd @ 6:30 pm. Fellowship Dinner at the  South Valley Masonic Center.
• Monday, August 3rd @ 7:30 pm. August Stated Meeting at 7:30 pm. Casual dress recommended. Hawaiin shirts or polos and trousers.
• Saturday, August 8th @ 8:00 am. Triple Entered Apprentice Degree. Recommended attire: For officers and degree team members – Tuxedo or dark suit and tie. For sideliners, business or business casual. Officers and degree team members are asked to arrive by 7:30 am to help with Lodge room setup. We anticipate using the Egyptian Room (2nd Floor) at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple.
• Monday, August 10th @ 6:45 pm. Summer bowling at All-Star Lanes (West Jordan, Utah). See article later in this Trestleboard.
• Monday, August 17th @ 7:00 pm. Degree or officer practice at the South Valley Masonic Center. All officers should plan on attending. Please send regrets ahead of time if you cannot make it. Sideliners are always welcome.
• Thursday, August 20th @ 7:00 pm. Virtual Masonic Education. See the Calendar for information on how to connect.
• Saturday, August 22nd @ 9:00 am. District Lodge of Instruction at the Monday, August 3rd @ 6:30 pm. Fellowship Dinner at the  South Valley Masonic Center. See the article later in this Trestleboard for details.
• Monday, August 24th @ 7:00 pm. Chubby’s Riverton social meetup. See the article later in this Trestleboard.
• Monday, August 31st @ 7:00 pm. 5th Monday. To Be Determined.
• Wednesday, September 2nd @ 7:00 pm. Officer’s Meeting (Virtual)

Events

Summer Bowling – Monday Aug. 10th at 6:45 pm.

Date: Saturday, August 15th from 8 am to 10:00 am. Location: 3150 S. 900 W., South Salt Lake City.

Our bi-monthly service project is once again upon us. We need volunteers to help with sorting food, repacking, repackaging, or whatever else they want us to do. Contact Wor. Bro. Bob Hartman if you would like to help. Expect light-to-medium work. Dress comfortably. You will be working in a warehouse environment. Bring a few bottles of water. No sandals or open-toed shoes.

We’ve had super support this year. Let’s keep it up!

Lodge of Instruction – Saturday Aug. 22nd at 9:00 am

The Grand Lecturer and Deputy Grand Lecturer will be hosting a Regional Lodge of Instruction right here at South Valley Masonic Center (7390 Creek Road, Suite 203, Sandy, UT) on August 22nd, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. All Master Masons in good standing are welcome, and officers in particular are encouraged to make it a priority.

I don’t have a firm itinerary yet, but here’s what I know so far: the morning is expected to focus on learning and practicing our funeral work, and after lunch, the plan is to help brothers pass off prerequisites for sitting in specific chairs for the 2027 ensuing year. The Deputy Grand Lecturer will be at our next Stated Meeting, and I expect that to be a good opportunity to fill in anything I’ve missed.

Lunch is being generously provided by the Deputy Grand Lecturer, and it sounds like a good one: Teriyaki Chicken, Bone-in Ribs, Hawaiian Noodles, and Beef Wontons.

Instruction like this doesn’t come around often, and it’s worth your time whether you’re sharpening skills you’ve had for years or working toward a chair down the road.

To help plan for lunch, please email or call the Worshipful Master and let him know if you are planning to attend.

Warden’s Retreat – Saturday Aug. 29th from 8 am to 4 pm at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple

Grand Lodge Of Utah will be holding ‘Warden’s Leadership Retreat‘ on August 29th, 2026 at 10:00 AM MST.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master Samuel L Harris of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Utah and his Officers cordially invite you to attend our annual Wardens Leadership Retreat.

This retreat is designed to provide current and future Lodge leaders with practical knowledge, useful resources, and guidance from experienced Masonic leaders. Whether you are serving as a Deacon, Warden, or Worshipful Master, this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills and prepare for greater service to your Lodge and the Craft on your journey to the East.

DATE Saturday, August 29, 2026 
TIME Salt Lake Masonic Temple Conference Room 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION & FELLOWSHIP
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. 
COST $25 per person; Includes Lunch

What We Will Cover

• Understanding the Grand Lodge Bylaws and Code and leading within the laws of the Craft
• Improving ritual work and preserving the quality of the Masonic experience
• Strengthening public relations and the effective operation of the Lodge
• Retaining members and encouraging meaningful Lodge participation
• Understanding the duties of the Lodge Secretary and the importance of strong administration
• Caring for Lodge buildings, property, and long-term stewardship
• An open forum with the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Past Grand Masters to ask questions and discuss concerns facing our Lodges

The day will also provide time for fellowship and the opportunity to exchange ideas with Brothers from Lodges throughout Utah.

LUNCH OPTIONS: Jimmy Johns 

• Ham
• Turkey
• Beef
• Other or dietary restrictions

Registration Information

Registration closed at 8:00 pm on Monday, August 24th, 2026. Registration will be done through Grandview.

Registration closes at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026.

We encourage every Lodge to support the attendance of its Deacons, Wardens, and current Worshipful Master. The lessons shared during this retreat are intended to help our officers lead with greater knowledge, confidence, and purpose.

We look forward to seeing you as we gather in fellowship, learn from one another, and work together to strengthen our local Lodges and the future of Masonry in Utah.

Chubby’s Cafe Masonic Meetup – August 24th.

August Masonic Meetup at Chubby’s Riverton.

Date and Time: August 24th @ 7 pm
Location: Chubby’s Cafe, Riverton located at 1276 W 12600 S., Riverton, Utah.

Come on out and enjoy some good diner-style food with good company. Members, family and friends are welcome and those interested in learning about our Fraternity are always welcome!

Brethren who were raised to the Degree of Master Mason in August

• Brother Lawrence D. McGill was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on August 10, 1965 and has 60.76 years of service.
• Brother Christopher Glen Van Steeter was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on August 19, 2024 and has 1.7 years of service.

Members who were born in August

• Worshipful Brother Glen H. Van Steeter was born on August 2.
  Brother Tiago Vidigal was born on August 4.
• Brother Joseph Steve Sanchez was born on August 8.
• Adam Rich Humpherys was born on August 12.
• Brother Frank Glade Keller was born on August 14.
• Brother J Earl Dowdle was born on August 20.
• Brother Joshua Delwyn Price was born on August 25.
• Brother Robert Paul Denning was born on August 27.
• Brother Richard Hunt was born on August 30.

Make sure you say “Happy Birthday” the next time you see these Brethren!

Service Project for a Neighbor

Worshipful Brother Robert Hartman organized a service project for a neighbor in need. On Saturday, July 18, several brothers showed up to help. Many hands make light work! We filled up a full dumpster within an hour and cleaned up the side yard area. A few volunteers acquired some spare tools and Frankie Keller was quite happy with his haul!

Triple Entered Apprentice Degree on Saturday, August 8th at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple

Brethren all, we have a rare opportunity to initiate three men who have been found worthy to become members of Twin Peaks Lodge No. 32 and receive the Entered Apprentice Degree.

TIME: 9:00 am to approximately 12:00 pm
LOCATION: 650 E. South Temple Street, Salt Lake City
REQUESTED ATTIRE: Dark suit and tie or Tuxcdo.

Officers and degree team members are requested to be a little early in order to quickly setup the Lodge room for the degrees.

Defining the Essential: The Wisdom of One Priority

In a world that glorifies multitasking and celebrates the ability to juggle dozens of “priorities,” we have quietly lost something essential. We speak of our priorities in the plural as if they were items on a grocery list—work, family, health, hobbies, lodge duties—all clamoring for equal attention. Yet this modern habit may be quietly undermining the very focus and excellence we seek.

The word “priority” was singular for 500 years. It came from the Latin root Prioritas, meaning “The First.” There was no such thing as “priorities” in a plural form. It wasn’t until the industrial revolution in the 1900s that the word become plural — As if we have multiple “firsts.” In reality, this was a distortion of the very nature of the word. Priority was singular. It was powerful. This idea is something I’ve been using to shift my mindset.

When everything is labeled a priority, nothing truly stands first. The word loses its force. We spread our energy thin instead of concentrating it where it matters most. As Masons, we are taught the value of wisdom and order. The Cardinal Virtues point us toward prudence and temperance – prudence dictates wise judgement, while temperance teaches order in all things.

The Power of a Singular Focus

Lacking a clear priority can easily lead to “confusion among the craft.” In the Book Essentialism, there is a warning that “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” Without a clear singular priority, we often fall into these patterns:

• The Default “Yes”: We automatically accept requests and become servants to everyone else’s goals.
• Loss of Control: Our schedules fill up with the trivial many rather than the vital few.
• Widespread Mediocrity: We make a millimeter of progress in a million directions instead of substantial momentum in one.
• Resentment: We eventually feel used and stressed because we are living someone else’s life by default.

While we may not control every option that comes our way, we always control our ability to choose. Here are a few practical steps that have helped me:

• Own Your Choice: Recognize that you have the power to decide what comes first.
• Establish Boundaries: Clear boundaries keep other people’s emergencies from automatically becoming yours.
• Learn the Power of “No”: Saying no may bring a short-term flash of awkwardness, but it earns long-term respect and protects your true priority.

Ask yourself, “What is the one thing that, if I give it proper attention, will make the other areas stronger or easier?” The shift is not always easy, but it is freeing. Discern what is important, and what is not important. Focus on the vital few, rather than the trivial many.

True freedom is not the ability to chase every distraction or say “yes” to everything. It is the liberty to “circumscribe our desires and keep our passions within due bounds.” This freedom lies at the heart of what it means to be both a free thinker and a Free Mason — the ability choose your own path with clarity and conviction and focus on what truly matters rather than being pulled in every direction by the demands of the world.

What Is Our Priority?

This question matters on two levels.

As individuals: What is your priority right now? Is it advancing your career? Being more present with your family? Improving your health? Being involved in your community? Pursuing your hobbies? Or perhaps it is taking a step back to determine what you want your priority to be. There is no universal answer—only the one that rings true for you at this season of life.

As a lodge: What should our priority be? Is it fostering real fellowship so that every Brother feels connected? Growing in Masonic light through education and meaningful ritual? Serving our community in visible, impactful ways? Or ensuring the long-term health and vibrancy of our lodge so it continues to stand for future generations?

While there can be elements of each, we must identify and honor a true priority. Other important things don’t disappear—they find their proper place in support of what matters most.

Brethren, the trestle board of our lives is before us. Let us draw our designs with clarity and purpose. One priority. One focus. I invite you to reflect on this with me. What is the one priority you feel called to embrace right now? I look forward to hearing your thoughts at our next gathering.

Your Brother on the Level,
Ephraim Sng, PM

Sponsoring Lodge Obligations to a DeMolay Chapter

If you have never witnessed the DeMolay degrees presented, here is an excellent opportunity: Tuesday, April 11th, Senior DeMolays of Utah will be initiating 3 new members into DeMolay. If you like good ritual and good floor work, this is the place to be on Tuesday!

In a conversation with MWPGM Steven Lancaster, Executive Officer of DeMolay International in Utah, Brother Mike Hartman was informed that R.W. Moore Chapter of DeMolay is still considered an active Chapter, and Twin Peaks Lodge #32 is considered one of its sponsoring bodies.

This is the Mission Statement for DeMolay International:

We are the premier organization based on timeless principles, committed to developing and inspiring leadership, team building, and networking for young men ages 12 – 21.

We strive to not only create leaders, but extraordinary leaders of character.

What does that mean to Twin Peaks Lodge #32, and what does it mean to individual members of Twin Peaks Lodge #32?

To be a sponsoring body, the Lodge commits to, at the bare minimum, to assisting the DeMolay Chapter with financial support and providing the DeMolay Chapter a place to meet.  If the Lodge really wants the DeMolay Chapter to succeed, it will go much further in its support.

It means the Lodge will invite the DeMolay members to any and all functions proper to be attended by our youth bodies; it means the Lodge will remember that some of our best Lodge members came from the ranks of DeMolay.

Nay, more than that:

For these young men to become “extraordinary leaders of character” requires our involvement far beyond writing a check every 6 months or so. 

We know, from our work in Masonry, that building a character that matters, that developing our best morals and values, requires work, and it requires brotherhood; that is why we joined Masonry in general and Twin Peaks Lodge in particular.

It is no different for the youth of today. They need men of good character, good morals and good values, to teach them the important lessons of life in a modern world. They also need to learn leadership skills, teamwork, and brotherly love.

They cannot receive these invaluable instructions from Xbox, PlayStation, Minecraft, Facebook, Roblox, Instagram, or X.

I’ve heard you discuss the problems of today’s society writ large. Now, you have an opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life.

Lodge members will be needed to volunteer to go to the meetings of R.W. Moore Chapter, join the advisory committee, become Chapter Dads, and be willing to serve as active role models for the young men that have joined this worthwhile organization. No one member of the Lodge should be tasked with all of these requirements; the truth as we know it is this: if all of us do a part, in concert and with planning, the goal will be accomplished.  If none of us are willing to raise our hands, nothing positive will occur. If we wait for Brother AB to do it, Brother AB will get burned out and leave.

While the challenges of today are perhaps different on the face than in our own youth, the base is the same: The youth of today, the same as in years and decades gone past, need examples of what it means to make and keep a commitment, to stand by your fellow man, to be an honest and upright Man.

It is interesting to note that Twin Peaks Lodge is growing, and that our median age of membership is dropping with each new candidate. The youth of today, those young men that want to take part in DeMolay International in general and R.W. Moore in particular, represent a good potential base of future members.

I know the subject of R.W. Moore Chapter of DeMolay will be brought up at our September Stated Business Meeting. Come to the DeMolay degrees on Tuesday, and see for yourself why we should be supporting R.W. Moore right now!

Fraternally submitted,

Robert Hartman, Past Master