Which statement best captures the prohibition on writing or engraving the secrets?

• A. Not to write, indict, print, paint, stamp, stain, cut, carve, engrave, inlay, or enamel the same upon anything movable or immovable under the canopy of Heaven, capable of receiveing the least impression of a word, syllable, or letter, mark, figure, or character that may become ledgible or intelligible to myself or any other person whereby the secrets of freemasonry may become unlawfully obtained.
• B. Not to write the secrets on parchment or paper.
• C. Not to publish them publicly or share them with non-members.
• D. Not to write, on anything movable or immovable under the canopy of Heaven, the secrets in a way that could be deciphered or obtained unlawfully.

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is guarding the secrecy of Freemasonry by preventing any readable record of the secrets from being created on surfaces that could be accessed by others. The best choice states clearly that you must not write the secrets on anything movable or immovable, anywhere, in a manner that could be deciphered or obtained unlawfully. It captures both the broad scope (any surface) and the consequence (someone could read or obtain the secrets unlawfully) in a concise, precise way.

The other options are less fitting because they either limit the scope too narrowly (parchment or paper), imply a different action (publicly publishing or sharing with non-members), or add an exhaustive list of possible writing methods, which isn’t necessary to convey the protective intent.