Grand Lodge A∴F∴ & A∴M∴ of Nebraska

Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry

Dear Friend,

T
here are a few important things you should know and consider before petitioning to join the Masonic Fraternity.

Freemasonry is a Fraternity which teaches ethics and morality. We welcome men of every color, creed,
religion, sect, and opinion, but each candidate for Freemasonry must be willing to profess his belief in a
benevolent Supreme Being. No atheist can become a Mason.

Although we require that our new members publicly state their belief in Deity, we specify no religion, we offer no
conception of the Almighty, and leave to each Mason what faith he should practice or what worship he should perform.
Beyond this simple requirement at your entrance into the Fraternity, Freemasonry will not go, and discussion of
religion in open Lodge is strictly forbidden.

Freemasonry distinguishes between patriotism and partisanship. While patriotism is encouraged as an essential virtue
both in the Lodge and in society at large, Freemasonry takes no position on political issues, and the discussion of
politics in open Lodge is also strictly forbidden.

Freemasonry’s history is illustrated by depicting the leadership structure, code of ethics, and symbolic tools of the trade
of ancient stonemason guilds, portrayed to its modern-day candidates through beautiful allegorical plays and lectures.
Veiled and forgotten by the mists of time, these mysterious and consequential trade secrets of ancient stonemasonry
once used in the unique construction of their magnificent structures were hidden from disingenuous eavesdroppers who
sought to exploit them, no different than a business patent is today. Modern-day Freemasonry uses these ancient
symbols to reveal a meaningful connection with morality that challenges its members to explore these mysteries and
apply these lessons to their personal lives. These are the “hidden mysteries of Freemasonry.”

The essential purpose of Freemasonry is the further development of the individual Mason as an honest, ethical, moral,
sincere, caring, and charitable man, learning more about his own potential as a human being and developing his
intellectual and spiritual character. A man should never enter the Fraternity in the hope of making business
connections or for any other sort of professional or mercenary gain. If he does, he will be disappointed, for they will
not be found there. What he will find is a group of like-minded men, who are willing to treat him as a Brother and
share in a deep and rewarding fellowship with him. In the Lodge, he will find true friends and life-long companions.

We expect men who petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry (Membership) to be good men, but not to be perfect. We
know that all men have limitations and weaknesses. Our questions are: does he care about others; does he feel a
responsibility to improve himself; does he wish to make the lives of others better as best he can; is he willing to be
open and honest with us and with himself?

Inside this petition we ask detailed questions about you. These questions are not asked of you out of idle curiosity.
When we accept a man as a Brother, we make a sincere promise to him that we will trust him completely and will treat
his needs and his interests just as if they were our own. This completed petition and the visit some Lodge Brothers will
make with you commence the process of sharing information which is vital if both you
and we are to be comfortable with one another.

We are pleased you are interested in the Masonic Fraternity, and we look forward to the
chance to know you as a Brother.

Sincerely and fraternally,

The Grand Lodge of Nebraska

TO THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER, WARDENS & BRETHREN OF:
LODGE NO. OF , NEBRASKA:

The Undersigned, unbiased by the solicitation of friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary or other improper motives, believing in a
benevolent Supreme Being, and having long entertained a favorable opinion of the Ancient and Honorable Society of ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED
MASONS, affirms that he is prompted solely by a favorable opinion conceived of the Institution, a desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to be serviceable
to any lodge, society, or institution that shall provide as a precedent that one shall be a Master Mason in good standing, such as to his fellow man, and
freely and voluntarily offers himself as a candidate for the Degrees of Freemasonry, and respectfully prays that he be admitted thereto, promising cheerfully
to conform to all established usages and to yield a cheerful obedience to all requirements of the Institution.

ALL INFORMATION MUST BE COMPLETED

PETITIONER’S INFORMATION
Full Name (Print or Type)
First Middle Last

Place of Birth Date of Birth / / Current Age

City & State Country Month Day Year

Have you ever changed your name?  Yes  No If so, give former name, when and where it was changed

Citizenship  U.S.A.  Other ________________________ Language(s) Spoken:  English  Other

Home Address
Mailing address City Zip Code +4
Months/Years at current address:

Preferred Phone ( )  Home  Cell Alternate Phone ( )  Home Cell

Preferred Email:  Home  Work Alternate Email  Home  Work

PROVIDE THE ADDRESSES OF THE LAST THREE PREVIOUS PLACES YOU HAVE RESIDED:
Address City and State
From to __________
Year Year
From to __________
Year Year
From to __________
Year Year
If in current town less than 2 years, give as references the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least 2 men, preferably Masons, at your last place of residence:

Are you married?  Yes  No Wife's Name _____________________________ If yes, do you live with your wife?  Yes  No
Dependent children?  Yes  No If Yes, list names and ages:

Social Media:  Facebook  Twitter @

Account Name Account Name
 None  Other
Specify Service & Screen Name

Present Occupation or Trade Employer Name

Employer Address Work Phone

Mailing address City State Zip Code +4

Length of Present Employment:  years or  months.

PROVIDE THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF YOUR LAST THREE EMPLOYERS:
Employer City and State
From to __________
Year Year
From to __________
Year Year
From to __________
Year Year

List Any Special Skills, Technical Expertise, Professional Licenses or Specialized Training You Use in Your Job:

List Your Hobbies:

[Candidate Initials ]
 REFERENCES
Each Petitioner is required to furnish the names of three persons (preferably Masons) as references OTHER THAN THE PETITION SIGNERS
Name Address Telephone or Email

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
IMPORTANT: All questions MUST be answered before petition can be processed.

Have you ever made application to or been rejected by any lodge of Freemasons in this state or otherwise?  Yes  No If yes, complete the following:
On or about _________________________________________, I made application for initiation in __________________________ Lodge No. _________,
located at ___________________________________________, and was ____________________________________(elected/rejected) to membership.

Give names and locations of all organizations (professional or other), fraternal societies, etc. you have ever or now belong to (if none, state None):

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?  Yes  No Ever granted a diversion/deferred prosecution?  Yes  No
If answer is YES to either question, list complete details below, including each charge, felony or misdemeanor, city and state, and result of charge:

For additional information, use a separate sheet

Military Service?  Yes  No If yes:  Army  Navy  Marine Corps  Air Force  Coast Guard Rank on Separation?

Years of Service __________ Retired?  Yes  No Discharge?  Honorable  Dishonorable  Medical  Other
Specify
Are you a Senior DeMolay?  Yes  No
QUALIFYING QUESTIONS
Do you believe in a benevolent Supreme Being?  Yes  No Are you a male at least 18 years of age?  Yes  No
If elected, the Holy Bible will be open in the Lodge when you receive your degrees. If you wish to bring a holy book of your choice to your initiation, please
inform the Lodge Secretary or Master.
What is your main objective in seeking admission to the Fraternity?
What financial benefits, if any, do you expect to receive from the Fraternity?
Are you financially able to care for yourself and those dependent upon you?

PETITIONER’S STATEMENT
Do you promise, upon your honor, to strictly adhere to and be governed by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, and by the Bylaws
of this Lodge? Answer: ______________________
Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor, that unbiased by friends and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself as a
candidate for the Degrees of Freemasonry? Answer: ______________________
Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of Freemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the
institution, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere desire to be of greater service to your fellow man? Answer: ______________________
Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of Freemasonry?
Answer: ______________________

I Hereby Authorize the Masonic Lodge to which I have submitted this petition, its members, and the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, its officers
and members, to contact any person or entity they deem appropriate to investigate my character, background, criminal and/or civil court history, and
qualifications for membership in this Lodge and the release of any of my protected records. I further consent to their review of any and all information
obtained as a result of this investigation, and I understand that any material found that is or may be associated with me that is deemed inappropriate by the
Lodge as having possible adverse effects on the fraternity is justification for my immediate disqualification as a petitioner. In addition, I acknowledge that
the information I have supplied on this petition is truthful, and that any deliberate misstatements, falsehoods, or omission may result in my petition being
rejected;

Further, I Promise that I will not apply to any lodge, society, or institution that shall provide as a precedent that one shall be a Master
Mason in good standing, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, Shrine, etc. until I shall have passed the proficiency examination as a Master
Mason;

And Further, I Certify that the information I have provided herein is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

X DATED THIS DAY OF , 20 .

SIGNATURE OF PETITIONER IN INK
 PETITION SIGNERS
(Petition Signers Must be Members of The Lodge to Which This Petition is Submitted.)
We Recommend, pursuant to the Laws of Freemasonry, the above petitioner as a candidate for the degrees of Freemasonry, based upon our
belief that he is of good moral character, temperate, industrious and capable of earning an honest living for himself and dependents, and we hereby certify to
his physical, mental and moral fitness to the best of our knowledge.

X
Signature Print Name

X
Signature Print Name

THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A FREEMASON

You have already started the process of becoming a Mason by asking for a petition. Answering the enclosed questions completely and forwarding it to
the Lodge Secretary with the requisite initiation fee in a sealed envelope is the next step. When your petition is received, the Master of the Lodge will
appoint a committee to visit with you personally. After their visit with you, they will report to the Lodge and the members will vote on your petition. If the
vote is affirmative by a unanimous ballot, the Lodge will contact you to set a date for your initiation – the Entered Apprentice degree.
A degree is a solemn and beautiful ceremony in the form of a theatrical play. You should dress accordingly, and avoid excessively casual clothes, shorts
or flip-flops. Coat and tie is often the style of dress. Masonic ceremonies contain absolutely no hazing or horseplay. After you receive the first degree, you
will be assigned a mentor who can help you become proficient in the material of that degree. When that is finished, you take the Second Degree. Upon
attaining proficiency in all three degrees, you will become a full member of the Fraternity.

THIS PETITION IS AUTHORIZED BY BYLAW § 2-802 AND THIS PETITION SUPERSEDES ALL PRIOR PETITIONS
GRAND LODGE EDICT REQUIRES THE USE OF THIS ORIGINAL PETITION OBTAINED FROM THE GRAND LODGE FOR ALL CANDIDATES AFTER MARCH 1, 2015
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