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Minnesota here we come.
Brother Steve Grant.

Anyone who's ever lived or traveled in Minnesota most likely has heard of Minnesota Nice, and possibly they've experienced it. For those who have never been fortunate enough to be in Minnesota; well, Minnesota Nice, I believe, is something every parent drills into their children no matter where they live, but someone in Minnesota came up with a phrase to publicize it. Minnesota is the North Star State, and Masonically the North Star symbolizes Truth.i However, there are times when Minnesota Nice seems like that term is a myth here in Minnesota; just as Truth is hard to find at times no matter where your travels take you.

Truth is a big thing in life. We as individuals want to continue a devotion to truth in the children we raise, just as our parents taught us the value and meaning of truth. In the various ceremonies and degrees of Freemasonry we will hear about the virtues of Truth, in fact Freemasonry is the only organization I know of which has Truth as one of the principle tenets of the organization.

Just what, or how much, do we know about truth? Is Truth only a symbol to us in Masonry that we like to talk about, or is it more? If we turn to the Great Light of Masonry, the Holy Bible, we will find much information which will lead us to the truth about Truth.

What are some symbols of Truth?

The Burning Bush in the story of Moses on Mount Horeb is a symbol of truth. Fire consumes material things, but here in this biblical event Moses received Light from God Himself, and nothing was consumed. Truth does not consume, it enlightens. Light, More Light, and the Further Light, which we as Masons are seeking makes all things clear in the brilliant light of knowledge.

The author Stephen Covey says that truth is knowledge of things as they are.

Another symbol of truth is the Breast: The breast, in the Great Light of Masonry and in Masonry itself, is represented as a symbol of trust and faithfulness. One of the jewels of a Fellow Craft is 'the faithful breast.'

The Great Light of Masonry, The Bible, is also a symbol of Truth. It is a place for the Mason to go in search of the spiritual knowledge necessary to 'choose the right and reject the wrong.

The Column of Wisdom which is represented by the Master of the Lodge is also a symbol of truth. As the sun rises in the East to bring light to the day, the rays of truth and wisdom also come forth from the Worshipful Master of our Lodge as he presides in the East to bring light, (knowledge,) to the Brethren assembled in Lodge.

The color Blue is a symbol of truth, the Truth of God. The truth that is in the Great Light of Masonry; the Holy Bible is a reservoir of truth, and as seekers of truth this is one of the main places to be in search of it. "How weak and insignificant is the mind of one who can see nothing of value in the Great Light of Masonry." The truth that is in the Bible is eternal; it has outlived nations and civilizations.The Truth and wisdom contained in the Great Light of Masonry is always fresh and interesting to the Mason who is searching for that which was lost.
The phrase 'True Blue' means a person of enduring virtue and unblemished reputation. Truth and trustworthiness are symbolized by the color blue; "a fitting symbol of the character a Freemason should attain."

The Shekinah is also a symbol of Truth; Divine Truth. The Divine Glory and the Divine Truth, is the Shekinah of Freemasonry.

The search for truth is the greatest object of Freemasonry, and as we advance in knowledge we will find that our search for light, for the word, for truth, for God, are different phases of the same quest.

Those Masons who are members of the Royal Arch will recognize the Signet of Zerubbabel as a symbol of truth, and it is called the Signet of Truth. Presenting this signet shows the presenter is in search of truth and it shows that he who is in possession of it is authorized to pursue the search.

Here is some truth about Freemasonry and the Holy Bible. I will quote this directly from the Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible.

1. "The science of Freemasonry revolves around a word of supreme importance which became lost before those to whom it had been promised could receive it."
2. "This word was necessary to the very existence of the craft, and a substitute was provided which was to be used until in the course of time, and after a persistent search, the right word might be found.
3. This fact is known to every Mason, but very few know that the same symbolism runs through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation."
"He is the freeman whom the truth makes free." William Cowper 1731-1800

Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas = [Latin] = Plato is dear to me, but dearer still is truth. Attributed to Aristotle [384-322 B.C.E.]

From the Great Light of Masonry: = "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart." Psalm 15.1-2 NIV