"The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry must continue to enhance its character as a premier fraternal organization, managed and led by highly motivated, forward-thinking men of strong moral and ethical quality. It must be attractive to men of good character and embraced by their families. It must continue to be financially sound and independent, and it must make a positive impact on the quality of life of its members and society in general through its teachings, and thus will be a world leader in the recreation of the traditional moral values, including Love and Charity."

 

Originally headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, the Supreme Council was relocated to Washington, D.C. after the Civil War. The organization is subdivided into Orients and Valleys. Members in Arizona either belong to the Valley of Phoenix or the Valley of Tucson.

 

It is important to note that Scottish Rite Freemasonry challenges no man’s political creed, leaving that to his country and to himself; it does not interfere with any man’s religious opinion, leaving that a matter between his God and his conscience; and yet is does seek to impress by the most sublime and beautiful lessons, enforced by the most profound reasoning the almighty power of truth, appealing to the highest and purest sentiments of the human soul for the enforcement of its principles. Ignorance, tyranny and fanaticism are its foes; liberty, equality, and fraternity are its watch words.