An introduction to the Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Minnesota 2022-2023

 An introduction to 

The Grand Commander

of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota.

2022-2023

SK David John Dumonceaux, KCT, KYCH was born in March of 1964.  He attended Cold Spring Elementary and Junior High.  He graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School in 1982.  He graduated from St. John’s University in 1986 with a major in German and a minor in computer science. He has 4 brothers and 2 sisters.  His Parents are Dr. Robert and Evelyn Dumonceaux. In 2002 he married the love of his life Carol, and they reside on her family farm in Clitherall, MN. He has 2 children from a previous marriage and 3 grandchildren.

SK David was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on January 19, 2008.  In 2013, He was Exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason and was Greeted as a Select Master and in 2014 he was Knighted.  He was Master of Corner Stone Lodge, Fergus Falls, MN in 2014.  In 2016 he was installed as a District Representative for the Grand Lodge of MN and continues in that role. He was the High Priest of Fergus Falls Chapter #27 in 2019, He was Commander of Palestine Commandery #14 in 2018 -2020 and was the Illustrious Master of Alpha Council #8 in 2019-2020.  He maintains an active role in these 3 bodies as the secretary/recorder and treasurer as well as treasurer of Corner Stone Lodge #99.  He is president of the Fergus Falls Masonic Building Corporation.  SK David is also active in many other masonic organizations and has received the Knight of the Royal Arch award from the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of MN, the Cryptic Mason of the Year award from the Grand Council of MN and the Gold Shield award from the Grand Commandery of MN.  He is a Knight York Cross of Honor recipient and in 2022 received the honor of being dubbed a Knight Commander of the Temple.  He is active in the ritual of all the Masonic bodies that he is a member of.  He has participated in many side/chair degrees. He is a member of Zuhrah Temple, a past president of Birak Shrine Club and The Birak Kar Kor and is a life member of the Turtle Club.  SK David is also a member of Goldenrod Chapter #61 of the Order of the Eastern Star and serves as the Worthy Patron of the Chapter.

SK David was appointed to the Grand Commandery line by SK R. James Luchsinger.  In June of 2022, at the MN grand Conclave he was elected and installed as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of MN. SK David has a great line of officers who are willing to work hard and tackle many of the difficult items that are presented to the Sir Knights of MN.  His motto for the year is “Iron sharpens Iron, so Knights sharpen Knights”

The phrase “iron sharpens iron” is found in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” There is mutual benefit in the rubbing of two iron blades together; the edges become sharper, making the knives more efficient in their task to cut and slice. Likewise, the Word of God is a “double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), and it is with this that we are to sharpen one another—in times of meeting, fellowship, or any other interaction.

The proverb also indicates the need for constant fellowship with one another. Man was not made to be alone, for did not the Lord God say this, even before the Fall (Genesis 2:18)? How much more, then, after the Fall of Man, do we need to come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ for seasons of fellowship and prayer? Clearly, this was recognized by the saints of the early church (Acts 2:42–47), who “devoted themselves” to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, all corporate activities that provided opportunities for sharpening one another.

There are two points to make about the above proverb. First, the meeting of two together in the Lord’s name will always guarantee blessing. It is a means of grace that the Lord Himself promised—where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is among them (Matthew 18:20). Also, we see a similar meaning in Malachi 3:16, for those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. When we sharpen one another in real Christian fellowship, the Lord bends an ear from heaven and is pleased. Not one word about Him which brings Him glory escapes His notice.

Returning to the analogy, if a knife is blunt, it still continues to be a knife, although it is less effective, less useful in service. Let us therefore be encouraged to spend more time together, exhorting, encouraging, praying, admonishing, sharing God’s Word, praying over God’s Word and the needs of our local Commanderies, that we become sharper, more cutting in this ministry that the Lord has assigned to each of us. Too often what passes as fellowship in our Fraternity is centered on food and fun, not on sharpening one another with the Word of God in thoughts and deeds. In far too many instances, the only knives being sharpened are the ones used at potlucks.

A knife that has been sharpened will also shine more because all the dullness has been rubbed off its surface. Likewise, we will shine better for our Commanderies, if we do the things mentioned above consistently, all of which will unite us in harmony. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Therefore, as the author to the Hebrews says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”

Please Sir Knights, sharpen one another.  Help each other grow and be kind to each other.  Life is too short and remember We are Knights Templar!

Yours in the Faith,

In His Service.

David J. Dumonceaux, KCT , KYCH

Right Eminent Grand Commander

Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of MN

218-205-4880

david@dxdesign.biz

SK David adapted the above few paragraphs from the article “What does it mean that iron sharpens iron” found on the internet at GotQuestions.org..