CODE CODE CODE

Each number corresponds to a letter on the dial pad of an iPhone. The number of dots correspond to which letter under the number in the iPhone. For example, the letter "A" would be 1 and it would have one dot as its the first letter in the series under the number one (a, b, c).

Answer: "Be There or Be Square"

Jefferson Hope's Confession

I, Jefferson Hope, confess that I have killed Enoch Drebber of Salt Lake City, Utah.

It all happened about twenty-one years ago. I was driving some cattle from the Nevada mountains to Salt Lake City. On my way to my newly found home, I met the most stunning woman in my entire life. I immediately fell in love with the overwhelming beauty she possessed and the delicate features that added on to her unique character. I was bound to propose; in which I did.  Everything felt so perfect, giving the opportunity to marry the love of my life.

I thought wrong.  Lucy and John Ferrier, her adoptive father, lived in a Mormon community in which marrying a man outside the Mormon faith was considered a sin and would either be executed or faced very harsh consequences. I vaguely knew about her circumstances, but understood the harsh penalties she would be put through. Moreover, the Mormons found out that I proposed and forced her to marry either Joseph Stangerson or Enoch Drebber, removing any sense of individually she has.  I deeply wanted to save her. After all, I was, and still am, madly in love with Lucy. Initially, John Ferrier, Lucy, and I, had come up with a plan to run away. John completely agreed to this decision and was fully supportive of our profound love. I was very excited to save Lucy from this society of aggressive rules and unfair treatment and finally live a life of calmness.

I was in extreme shock and could not believe the news that came about; John Ferrier was murdered by the Mormons and Lucy was now engaged to Stangerson. This whole act was absolutely disgusting and savage. How could someone kill a girl’s father and force her into marrying someone whom she does not love? Lucy was now left alone in a world full of men who could take advantage of her in horrible ways. Furthermore, the depression grew in her and therefore died of a broken heart. This ignited an immense fire within. I could not understand what kind of human would take someone’s dignity. Did they have any sense of respect and manner? I knew what had to be done.

I found out one day that Drebber and Stangerson’s paths led all the way to London, England. The burning rage and hatred grew every year until I found them and carefully planned a way to retaliate. I never physically “murdered” them. They were given the choice of two pills; one contained poison, and the other was a normal sugar pill. I let fate chose their destiny, in which they received what they deserved. If what they have done was justified, then they would not die; but they both did. This was all purely done in the name of love. I love Lucy and I would do anything for her. What Drebber and Stangerson did was not justified, brutally murdering John and leaving Lucy for scrap.

Mormonism and Brigham Young

        Mormonism, whose followers are called the Mormons and Latter-Day-Saints, was founded by Joseph Smith less than 200 years ago. Mormons believe the Mormon church is a restoration of the Catholic Church as conceived by Jesus and that the other Christian churches have gone astray. Similar to Christianity, they believe that God is humanity’s Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, is their Saviour and atoned for the sins of mankind. Through repentance,, people can return to live with God for eternity. Mormons also believe in the Holy Ghost, which guides them and gives them knowledge of the truth of the gospel. They also do not believe in the Holy Trinity.

Joseph Smith, Jr. was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism. He is considered a prophet for the followers or Mormonism. Apparently, he was visited by an angel named Moroni who directed him to a buried book of golden plates. This book was inscribed with a Judeo-Christian history of the ancient American civilization. In 1830, he published the English translation of these plates and called it the Book of Mormon.

Originally founded by Joseph Smith, It was then developed by Brigham Young who migrated with the new Mormons to Salt Lake City in 1847. When Joseph Smith was killed, leadership of the church passed on to Brigham Young. Young was responsible for leading Mormon pioneers west to Salt Lake City in 1847 and the expansion of the faith.

Some rules of the Mormon community includes believing that the Heavenly Father has a physical body, the holy spirit is separate from God and Jesus, and having an afterlife. Mormons not only celebrate Easter and Christmas but have their own celebrations from events in Mormon history, birthdays, and national holidays. Mormons follow the book of mormons which supports and worship the Bible.

Plural marriage is a belief in the Mormon Church where a man can marry more than one wife. This is also known as polygamy and is also illegal in Canada. In Canada the polygamy is illegal thanks to the Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada and the bigamy is banned at Section 290. If someone is going to get married while being still married to another person, then they automatically commit the crime of bigamy. They are then  persecuted by the higher authorities and then considered voided. Even if with the consent of the first spouse, the second marriage cannot be valid. 

John Ferrier’s decision in allowing Lucy to marry a Gentile was surely the right one. He gives her the right to chose and live her life with the one she loves. He is justified in his actions as he was originally not a Mormon and was forcefully converted. Marriage is commitment and should not be forced on one person especially if one does not love their partner.

Some societies found polygamy acceptable as it is more efficient in a family. In some places and cultures, the more spouses one has, the more respected they are. A reason why this practice still exists, is the belief that women depend on men. The Supreme Court in the Canadian province of British Columbia has banned a polygamous group from using the name of the mainstream Mormon church. The church is pleased with the decision that protects its interests and reduces confusion. It is banned in Canada because the government do not want to ban their people of their basic human freedoms and civil rights which relates to the abuse of women and children.

Some norms my family practices comes naturally and date a long way back. When we enter our house, it is expected we put our pair of shoes together and neatly arranged it in the entrance; this is a Japanese tradition. While at dinner, we must say a short Japanese sentence, blessing the food and waiting until the guests begin to eat. Also, in Middle Eastern traditions, whenever we enter a new home, we must always bring a gift. 

Lucy is nicknamed “Flower of Utah” as it portrays beauty, desire, and admiration from others although it is a serious issue. This is a dilemma as she attracts men she is not interested in, especially the Mormons which restricts her to only marry men within the circle of Mormons. Moreover, she must chose to marry either Enoch Drebber or Joseph Stangerson even though she is deeply in love with a Gentile, which is a sin. Furthermore, she is put in a position where any personal choice and dignity is taken away and is forced to act as an object where decisions are made for her. Lucy is treated inhumanly and unfairly without given the option of choosing her own path. Ultimately, basic freedom rights are taken away from her and her whole family is affected by any further decisions.

Lucy’s whole life in A Study in Scarlet portrays the unjust treatment women receive within the Mormon circle. Women and men are not treated equality and women and stripped of all their basic rights and are barely free to make their own choices. Doyle exemplifies the recurring theme of man’s being the dominant element in their culture. Lucy is forced to marry someone whom she does not love or else she must face harsh consequences. He illustrates that Mormons are hateful and power lusting people with selfish goals. Doyle proves this with this quote:"You have defied the Prophet and the Council of Four. You shall rue it to the end of your days."

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/ataglance/glance.shtml ←

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-101

http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/joseph-smith

http://www.religionfacts.com/mormonism/comparison.htm

Masonry and A Study in Scarlet

      Masonry (or Freemasonry) is the oldest fraternity in the world, although the exact age of it is unknown because the actual origins have been lost in time. Masonry is a disciplined and systematic course of self-improvement based on a Golden Rule: “Always do to others what you would like them do to you.” Masonry is a “secret” organization that appear to be harmless gatherings and they promote belief in God and is usually associated with Christianity, however it is not similar at all. The difference is, that the only belief requirement is not that one must believe in one god, but rather, in the existence of a “Supreme Being,” which includes gods of Islam, Hinduism and any other world religion. Masons are spiritual and moral men who choose to associate with groups with similar thinking patterns for mutual benefit. Masons are allowed follow their own path as long as it coincides with the ethical principles of integrity outlined with Masonry.
      It is uncertain how Masonry formed, although a theory was it arose from stonemasons’ guilds who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages and were influenced by the Knights Templar, a group of Christian warrior monks formed in 1118. The language and symbols used in the fraternity’s rituals come from this era. In 1717, Masonry created a formal organization in England when the first “Grand Lodge” was formed. A Grand Lodge is the administrative body in charge of Masonry in a certain geographical area. Four lodges in London formed a United Grand Lodge of England and standardized the ritual on the three symbolic degrees Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America. George Washington was a Mason and Benjamin Franklin served as the head of the fraternity in Pennsylvania. Also, during the 1800s and early 1900s, Masonry grew increasingly. At that time, the government had provided no social "safety net". The Masonic tradition of founding orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only security many people knew.
      Masonry is a fraternal organization that preaches brotherly love, relief, and truth.  The only requirements for Masonic membership are sound mind and body and belief in a Supreme Being. Members should be kind, tolerant, respectful, and help those who are  suffering.
      In A Study In Pink, connections between Brigham Young and Enoch Drebber that Drebber was indeed a Mason.  Drebber fled to Salt Lake City after a conflict, which is the city where Masonry first established. After his death, there was a gold ring found in his pocket, which was a masonic device. Those carrying such object is considered a Mason. 
      Although Sherlock Holmes was never truly said to be a Mason, he surely portrays characteristics of one.  Sherlock Holmes is considered as a Freemason, because of his detailed knowledge of the fraternity and his core values align with those of Masons as well. He is obsessed with looking at details and finding the truth behind all problems. Although he is considered lonely and has no friends except for Watson, he devotes his life to the safety of him and those who he deeply loves. This is a perfect example of a quality that a Freemason would have.

      Sir Arthur Conan Doyle entered into Freemason on January 26th, 1887, at the Phoenix lodge in Hampshire when he was 27 years old. He originally came to find elements of his his spirituality which occupied his mind. During Doyle’s initiation, he became great friends with a man with the name of Dr James Watson, of which his name has been used in the Sherlock series. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle resigned Masonry in 1889, rejoined in 1902, and left again permanently in 1911.

Sources: 
"Masonic Papers" by W.Bro. Yasha Berensinerhttp://www.masonicworld.com/education/files/oct06/meaning%20and%20purpose.htmhttp://themastersmasons.homestead.com/masons.htmlhttp://www.saintsalive.com/resourcelibrary/freemasonry/facts-about-the-masonic-lodgehttp://www.msana.com/historyfm.asphttp://grandlodge.on.ca/home/about-freemasonry/who-are-masons.html

Need a Consulting Detective?

6 KEY FEATURES IN A DETECTIVE MYSTERY

                                                 6 THINGS IN A DETETIVE MYSTERY

1. Detective must be memorable (both clever and a bit ordinary; must have talent, mannerism, and eccentricity)
2. Crime must be significant - constructed around a murder or a great theft, murder crime must be worth the detective’s time and efforts
3. Criminal must be a worthy opponent - adversary should have equal cleverness to be more interesting, intellectual equal of the detectives; conflict becomes a battle of intellectualness between detective, criminal and reader.
4. All suspects, including criminal, must be presented early in the story - the fun of the plot is part of how the reader also assess the situation. The reader should know enough of the character and assume it is a main character and not a random last minute character before the story ends.
5. All clues discovered by the detective must be made available to the reader - the reader must be given the same opportunity as the detective to solve the crime; this means, same evidence, same suspects at the same time it is made available to the detective. An author may deliberately mislead the reader as long as the detective is as well.
6. The solution must appear logical and obvious when the detective explains how the crime was solved - the reader must be convinced that they could have done exactly the same to receive the same outcome. The reader must see how the detective got to the solution and see the pieces just like in a puzzle. This is what is so appealing to a detective story.