​DeMolay International
​Walt Disney and his nephew Charles Elias Disney were active members in the Mother Chapter Order of DeMolay in Kansas City, Missouri
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International Order of DeMolay Emblem

Walt Disney's actual Membership Certificate in the Mother Chapter Order of DeMolay

​Walt Disney was one of the first members of the Mother Chapter in the Order of DeMolay in Kansas City, Missouri. Walt was member number 107. He was initiated on Saturday evening, May 29, 1920.  He was a good and close friend to the founder of DeMolay who was "Dad" Frank S. Land.

Walt Disney toook his membership in DeMolay quite seriously throughout his lifetime from the time he was first initiated!

In Walt's own words he expressed this belief:
“Later in DeMolay, I learned to believe in the basic principle of the right of man to exercise his faith and thoughts as he chooses. In DeMolay, we believe in a supreme being, in the fellowship of man, and the sanctity of the home. DeMolay stands for all that is good for the family and for our country.
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I feel a great sense of obligation and gratitude toward the Order for the part it has played in my endeavors. Its precepts have been beyond value in making decisions, in facing dilemmas and crises, in holding onto faith and ideals, and in meeting the tests which are best borne when shared with others in a bond of confidence and mutual respect. The DeMolay creeds had become a definite guide by the time I started making motion pictures, first in Kansas City, then in Hollywood. There is always some connection between a man’s character and what he creates or perfects, so we are told. And it may well be that the same influences which shaped the thinking and behavior and preferences of my youth, had something to do with the early steps of my movie career and the direction it took. It is gratifying to be assured that these same influences of DeMolay are still at work among so many young Americans today.”

​Walt Disney was a member of Mother Chapter for only two years until he reached majority age of 21. But what he got out of DeMolay lasted him a lifetime. He used the seven cardinal virtues of DeMolay as guiding principles in his family, business, religious, civic and social life. 

This is referring to The Seven Cardinal Virtues of DeMolay. These virtues are: Filial love (love of parents), Reverence for Sacred things (Respect for others, their beliefs, their opinions, the things they hold sacred), Courtesy (courtesy toward everyone), Comradeship (friendship), Fidelity (faithfulness), Cleanness (cleanness in thought and action), and Patriotism. The seven virtues of DeMolay are represented by the seven candles which are positioned around our Altar and as the seven jewels in the Crown of Youth. Every DeMolay is instructed in the meaning of the seven virtues during the initiation ceremonies by the seven Preceptors.
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In July of 1936, Disney returned to Kansas City to participate in the conferral of the Legion of Honor by "Dad" Frank S. Land on 100 candidates at the First Founder’s Conference

In 1936 Walt Disney came to Kansas City and was conferred with the DeMolay Legion of Honor by Frank S. Land

35 years after his uncle Walt was in​itiated, Charles Elias Disney, Walt Disney's nephew, was initiated into the
Mother Chapter Order of DeMolay
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Charles Elias Disney Lifetime Membership Certificate in the Order of DeMolay

Charles Elias Disney is a lifetime member in the Mother Chapter of the Order of DeMolay in Kansas City, Missouri. Charles Elias was a close personal friend of DeMolay founder Frank S. Land. Charles Elias' father was Raymond Arnold Disney, an older brother of Walt Disney. 

Charles Elias received the Initatory Degree and the DeMolay Degree in Mother Chapter on Saturday evening, March 19, 1955 in the Mother Chapter DeMolay home at 43rd and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

In Charles Elias' own words he expressed this belief:
“When I was first initiated in Mother Chapter, I was quite excited! I realized I had become a member of an extraordinary fellowship! DeMolay has always had a great influence on my life! Often, throughout my life, I have recalled what “Dad”  Frank S. Land expressed to me when he said 'I would likely rely on what the DeMolay precepts would always influence me both then and into the future.'  Dad Land was so correct, as I have often considered what DeMolay taught me in my personal and business experiences! In addition to my devout Christian faith, DeMolay has been such a positive daily influence on my life.”


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Images are used with permission
​Walt Disney's full name is Walter Elias Disney