Recently, in a short conversation with a co-worker; I noticed something very important about one religious cult group that would apply to others… Some how we ended up talking about the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I mentioned I had been there in the early 70’s. In order to demonstrate the excellent acoustics in the main temple area, a man walked down to the front while our tour group stayed near the back of the main seating area. He rubbed his coat sleeve and you could hear it from where we were. Next, he literally dropped a needle on a wooden surface and we heard it though we were several feet away! She exclaimed they did the same demo while she was there in the late 90’s! Some things don’t change.

     My family traveled out west one summer and spent several weeks in the mid-west and western United States. I asked her why she had an occasion to be at the Mormon Temple? This co-worker explained that she had worked for a large entertainment conglomerate with offices in the mid-west. She was an outside sales representative and responsible for one certain account in Utah, among others. This account was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints (LDS) or Mormons. The Mormon church was seeking help in digitizing the genealogy records that had been stored for years. The process was taking paper records stored in filing cabinets in caves and other safe places, as well as floppy discs and scanning/transferring them to CD’s in order to preserve the integrity of the information. Her company was a leader in the technology at the time.

     She talked about meeting with ten young Mormon men in a Board room and how stiff it became at times. Mormons are a patriarchal society and having to deal with her was apparently stretching their understanding. She said they were all polite and cordial, but still being stretched.

     About that time I asked her, “You know why they wanted to preserve the records, right?” She said no. I told her that Mormons practice the baptism of the dead. I told her they baptize dead people in proxy, so they can be a Mormon in the Celestial Kingdom. She was shocked! I sent here a link with a simple explanation. Here is another.. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp and http://tiny.cc/vat65 

     As she was leaving, it struck me as odd that after spending all that time with my friend, the Mormons did not tell her why preserving records was so important. Now, we will not know for sure; but could it have been that such a practice makes them look less than “traditional”? Could they have been instructed to not bring it up? Could they have been uncomfortable bringing such religious discussion into a “business” setting? Did they already know that mainline Christian denominations did not practice – baptism for the dead? Could it be that the baptizing the dead ceremony was reserved for those inside the group that had already passed previous tests for loyalty? From this we learn that what a religious cult group does NOT say could be as vital as what they do say. We can learn from what is not discussed openly by religious mind control group members.

     During my years of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) membership, there were certain things you discussed around outsiders and certain things you would wait to see if it was needed. Explaining -“Loud Prayer, Blasting and Deliverance” was not the ususal, acceptable conversation for someone on the outside or a first time visitor. At least, you did not bring it up until you had checked it out with Jane, is this the right time? She would “guide you”, if you let her. In doing this, it lessened “the attacks” at the new person and also “the attacks” against the church. This was the reasoning: don’t run them off by telling them too much upfront. So, as mentioned, we can learn a lot by what groups like WOFF don’t mention or don’t say or talk about openly. 

       Have any readers noticed this about present or past WOFF members? Did you ever sense the content of the service changed once a visitor (you) came in sanctuary? Did you notice as a visitor, that everything appeared so peaceful during the services? Are there previous members of WOFF that could add to the “don’t talk” list? You did not talk about where the money was being spent. Why? Because you did not know for sure! You did not talk about Jane’s temper- because that was the “anger of God”.  You did not talk about Jane putting Sam or other folks down in a service, because she was “getting ahold of them in the spirit.” She was helping them “walk in a higher place with Jesus.” She was giving them the “correction of God.” You did not talk about the strange group behaviors while deliverance was going on. You did not tell folks that you carried ear plugs to church because it got so loud at times. (there is at least one more post in the series on “Loud Prayer, Blasting and Deliverance” .. coming soon)

     So, WOFF has a website. www.wordoffaithfellowship.org First, let me say, in my opinion it is very well done. It follows the same pattern as other websites for people or companies affiliated with the church. I can appreciate the labor and work needed to complete the meticulous layout and design. At times, it has been slow to load, but that could be with my connection speed. The photographs are clear for the most part. But, what is not talked about may be as important as what is mentioned. Former members; review the sight and tell us what is missing or barely mentioned. In one of the next posts, we will discuss what is missing from the site and possible reasons why?

    Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members.  

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) This is post number 78.