Louisiana Lodge of Research

Transactions

Past Transactions

Previously published as physical volumes, the 2025 Transactions mark our first digital publication.

March 12, 2026

Freemasonry offers a rich tradition of symbolism, history, and philosophy, so rich that it can be difficult to know where to begin. We are here to help with that.

Our 2025 Transactions followed the traditional model: a call for papers, an editorial review, and a published volume. You can read them on our Substack. From here, we are doing something different. We will share writing prompts drawn from the degrees, the symbols, and the life of the Craft, and invite Brothers to respond in whatever form feels natural. A paragraph is enough. So is a page. The goal is to build the habit of reflection and put it into writing, because there is no better way to deepen your understanding of Freemasonry than to wrestle with what it asks of you.

Read the 2025 Transactions →

Our Current Prompt

The degrees place certain virtues before us not as ideals to admire but as disciplines to practice. Choose one from the theological virtues, the cardinal virtues, or the three great tenets of the Craft, and write about what Freemasonry demands of you. Where has it been tested? Where have you seen it lived out well, whether in Lodge, at work, in your community, or in your family?

A focused paragraph is as valuable as a fully developed essay.

Send your response to [email protected]

                                                                                              Fraternally,

                                                                                                     Brandon M. Smith

                                                                                                              Worshipful Master

2025 Transactions

  • Provocative Parables by Taylor Nauta, P∴M∴
  • Who is Tubal Cain? by Quincy Gotte, P∴M∴
  • The Progressive Line, Its Benefits and Burdens by Daniel D. Hrinko, P∴M∴
  • New Orleans: The Cornerstone of Scottish Rite Masonry in the New World by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • A Masonic Reflection on Wealth by Scott Knight, P∴M∴

2020 Transactions

  • The Battle of New Orleans and Freemasonry by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Discovering the Present Day Supreme Council of Louisiana by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Freemasonry the Verb by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Meaningful Myths, Truer than Facts by Taylor Nauta, P∴M∴
  • Cornerstone Principles of the Masonic Philosophy by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • Albert Pikes Address before The Grand Consistory of Louisiana by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • The Importance of the EA Degree in Understanding Our World as a Master Mason by J. Quincy Gotte
  • Seeing Through the Eyes of the Blind by Jonathan K. Poll
  • Masonic Ritual in the United States by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • The Origin of Nature of Freemasonry by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • The Elimination of the French Influence in Louisiana Masonry by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Ashlars of the Temple by Mark St. John
  • The Ancient Mystery Schools by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Historical Predicates for Freemasonry in Louisiana by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴

2015 Transactions

  • Early Grand Lodge of Louisiana Proceedings (part one) by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • The New Orleans Roots of Freemasonry in Mobile, Alabama by Wayne E. Sirmon
  • Why the FC Degree by J. Quincy Gotte
  • Vibrations by Elmo J. Barnes
  • The Art of Conveying a Message by Johnathan K. Poll
  • In the Presence of Fire by River Folsom Who are we, and where do we stand by Robert L. Poll
  • Albert Pike 101 by Arturo de Hoyos
  • The Masonic Philosophy: A Legacy of Liberty by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • The Importance of the EA Degree in Understating our World as a Master Mason by J. Qunicy Gotte
  • Strategies Fundamental to the Survival of American Freemasonry by Robert G. Davis

2014 Transactions

  • The Supreme Council Session in New Orleans by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Robert’s Constitutions (1772) – The Old Constitutions The Old Charges of Freemasonry by H.L. Haywood
  • The Powers of the Worshipful Master by Carl Claudy, P∴G∴M∴
  • The North Star by J. Qunicy Gotte
  • United Grand Lodges of Germany (VGLvD) by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • Forgiveness and Freemasonry by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Meeting on the Level by J. Quincy Gotte
  • Cathleen Whigham – New Orleans, Lady of the Valley by Louis J. Caruso, P∴G∴M∴
  • Finding Balance by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • We are the Working Tools by Bill Hosler
  • My Ideal Masonic Lodge by Raymon Sean Walters
  • Meeting on the Level by J. Quincy Gotte
  • The Four Hirams of Tyre by A.S. MacBride
  • A Look Back at Louisiana Masonic History by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • “Aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi” by J. Quincy Gotte
  • Communications and Masonic Membership by Charles H. Penn III, P∴G∴M∴

2013 Transactions

  • Masonic Words and Phrases by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • The Doctrine of the Balance by Joseph Fort Newton
  • The Use and Symbolism of Color in Masonry by Frank C. Higgins
  • The Mystery of Freemasonry by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴, 33°
  • Regius Manuscript by H.L. Haywood
  • The Chamber of Reflection by Michael Carpenter, P∴M∴
  • Masonic Communication by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Reading Masons and Masons Who Do Not Read by Albert Mackey, 33°
  • Recognition of a New Grand Lodge in France (1913) by Alain Bernheim, 33°
  • DeMolay by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴M∴, 33°
  • The Templar Degrees of The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pierre G. Normarnd, Jr., P∴M∴, 33°
  • A Masonic Metamorphosis by Lawrence D Wade, MD, P∴M∴
  • The Scottish Rite Bicentennial Academic Symposium: Reflections in Louisiana History by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • Language of the Heart by Carl H. Claudy, P∴G∴M∴

2012 Transactions

  • Esoterism and Freemasonry by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • “Personal Integrity” The Cornerstone of Masonic Philosophy by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴
  • Whence Came You? by John Belanger, P∴M∴
  • James Foulhouze – A Biographical Study by Michael R. Poll, P∴M∴
  • Evolution of the Ritual by Naresh Sharma, P∴M∴
  • Whiter are we Traveling? by Dwight L. Smith, P∴G∴M∴
  • What is Truth? by Michael Poll, P∴M∴
  • The Saint Domingue-Louisiana Connection by Ray W. Burgess, P∴G∴M∴
  • A Very Brief History of the Grand Lodge of France from its Origins to Present Time by Daniel Castoriano
  • The Story of Louisiana Lodge of Research by William Jules Mollere, G∴J∴W∴
  • The Evolution of the Three Great Lights by John L. Belenger, P∴M∴
  • The Relevancy of Freemasonry in the Twenty First Century by Clayton J. Borne III, P∴G∴M∴

The Louisiana Lodge of Research is a subordinate body recognized by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana, F. & A.M.