The York Rite is a confederation of degree systems consisting of the Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Rite Council, and the Commandery of Knights Templar. As practiced in Utah, it is sometimes referred to as the American Rite of Masonry. While most of the degrees of the Ritual were nurtured in England, it is in North America that they have attained their highest development. It is only in America that there is a regular arrangement of the degree systems as a total Rite.

A Master Mason should be interested in Masonic advancement and the lessons exemplified in the York Rite degrees –lessons of honesty, charity, harmony, justice, spirituality, service, fortitude, hope, prudence, fidelity, truth, religion, faith, love, and toleration, become part of one’s life as a Mason. The York Rite becomes that teacher of the philosophy of the Blue Lodge Mason.