Category Archives: FLDS vs WOFF

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

Am I Wrong? Please, Let Me Know….

February 3, 2010 Admin Leave a comment

“Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.” – Thomas Jefferson

Am I wrong about the list of similarities between a group like FLDS and another group such as WOFF? Am I wrong based on the facts and not emotion? It matters not how much you or anyone else love and admire Warren Jeffs or Jane Whaley. What are the observed facts about the control methods used in both groups?

If you are in WOFF; you may say you are not being controlled. If that be the case, then express a desire to watch the news and not depend on the father-son news reporting team to funnel the “important” events to you in a service. If it be the case that there is no control over the information allowed; then subscribe to the local newspaper and read it and talk about what is in it to other members. If you are free to chose, then buy a new television and subscribe to satellite service as Jane does. A source that knows, says there are two satellites on Jane’s roof. (or at least there were a few years ago.) If there is no control going on at WOFF, then listen to your radio in your car with other members present. Why would WOFF members not be allowed to do these things?

Concerning the beliefs in each group, they do differ. But, does that matter? No. The beliefs in many groups actually go through changes just as the methods to control individuals go through evolution and change. As far as the individuals in each group, there are very likely sweet, loving people in both groups. I can vouch for many in WOFF as being good hearted, decent people who would help you do most anything needed.

It is the control methods used in everyday life of the members that has caught my attention. That is where lives are controlled and hurt – in the daily application of the control techniques seen in both groups. It is not just these two groups. As will be shared in weeks to come, the control methods are pretty much the same in most EVERY religious controlling group that I have studied. It is as if a “Handbook for Religious Cult Leaders” has been written and is being sold to certain individual leaders! Maybe the “book” is handed out for FREE! But, as people follow the instructions in this common scenario for controlling folks; it costs dearly. Families are broken, relationships are torn, individuals experience fear, confusion and anxiety. Children experience intense fears not beneficial for them and which may well scar them for years to come. Irrational fears begin to govern the lives of otherwise stable group members. It is amazing the dynamics of how individuals succumb to the “group think” and group pressures felt as the leaders mold and fashion the lives of their followers.

And to all you good WOFF readers; if I am wrong on everything, then you have nothing to worry about. If I am wrong on most things, then you have a little to be concerned over. Thus, if I am right and accurate in my observations to any large degree, then all of you should take note and begin to ask some of the same questions that many who have left asked and are still asking. Asking questions is NOT a sin, no matter what you have been told. (read the quote above..)

As Brent Jeffs said in “Lost Boy”, “It is amazing how well fear can work to surpress rational thought..” (page 99) When the fear based control methods such as the ones outlined in previous posts are used day in and day out; the effects are devastating. Many folks do not know the depths of how they are being affected until they leave and have stopped being molded and directed by narcissistic cult leaders. Many former members try to stuff down the feelings, questions and doubts. But, it is best to get the answers to the questions that may haunt and badger those who leave a cult. There is help available.

Questions and comments may be sent to author@religiouscultsinfo.com

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 some good readers inside of WOFF. I know for sure.. 🙂

(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. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

FLDS vs. WOFF – the Similarities – part 6

February 2, 2010 Admin Leave a comment

In both “Lost Boy” and “Stolen Innocence”, both authors give details of the struggles within their families. Specifically, the emotional trauma of their siblings leaving or “being put out on the side of the road” (page 47 – Stolen Innocence). Also, the threat and practice of being “reassigned” within FLDS was heart breaking to read about. Obviously, the daily struggles within FLDS for the families were a big part of the lives of each author growing up.

Reading these accounts was difficult on many levels. The number of families split up and broken at WOFF over the years is no small number. Over the years, the list only continues to grow of broken families or traumatized individuals stemming from WOFF and its practices. A few families would leave as a unit. But, the emotional baggage of having been a part of WOFF was great on any level for single people or families.

There was a the couple at WOFF who moved back west. The husband left and originally the mother stayed with the two boys. She went for a visit and never returned to WOFF. That story was quieted and not spoken about much at all.

There was the family that got up to leave WOFF in the middle of a service while certain folks tried to physically restrain the father. It was a big to do and left many folks shaking. Jane told the “strong guys” to “let him go”. He secured his wife and children and left. It was a big scene. A couple of days later, they were packed and headed back West to start a new life. They had been a part of the church and school for years. The children were clearly befuddled and confused.

There have been many young folks to leave WOFF and experience the trauma of being told -“you are not serving God!” “You will lose the “Call of God” and never make it!” The devil will take you to hell; you will go back to your vomit. You can’t make it on your own. The “unclean” will take you over! Yes, some did go back to their destructive habits. But, is that a reflection on their new freedoms or their previous environment? Were they ever given the help needed to stay away from old habits or did they just develop a pattern of dependency?

How do we count the families that were broken as one spouse would leave WOFF and the other not, or a grown child would leave and strike out on the own without the “blessing of Jane”..? From just the ones I know about and can remember… I can think of 27 families or individuals directly affected either by a spouse or child leaving. I can only remember one single lady who Jane said would be better off back with her parents… All others left in a cloud of confusion. These were folks with a “Judas spirit”.. according to Jane. She would often ask “Who is next?” This came more as a challenge then a true question.

So, what if my exact count is off? I believe I have missed by a few. The point should be well taken – broken families are common to FLDS and WOFF and evident and obvious to anyone who will examine the subject.

What is the common characteristic in the two groups that would lead to families splitting and/or children leaving their family and the church? It is difficult to name just one attribute, but here is a key one.

“Your only real family are [sic] the members of the priesthood who are faithful to our prophet. – Warren Jeffs

FLDS members were taught that the prophet spoke for God. As time passed, Warren Jeffs spoke for his father, the prophet and thus “for God”. By the end of his reign, Warren Jeffs had no checks or balances on his governing powers. Women and children were considered “property of the priesthood” and could be reassigned to another man by the “revelation” of the prophet. Thus, no real stability to assure the family units would remain in tact. Your “priesthood family” was more crucial to your life now and in the hereafter.

Matthew 12:46-50 (Amplified Bible)

⁴⁶Jesus was still speaking to the people when behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him. ⁴⁷^[a]Someone said to Him, Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You. ⁴⁸But He replied to the man who told Him, Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?⁴⁹And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all] ^[b]His adherents, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers.⁵⁰For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!

This scripture was often used to justify elevating the relationships with those who were in the church over natural family members who are not “doing the will of God”… Would Jesus really teach his followers to ignore family members who are not in WOFF or who are struggling to accept Jane Whaley as God’s only mouthpiece?

WOFF members are taught that Jane Whaley hears God and knows God’s will. She “hears” for members in matters great and small. There are no checks and balances in the power structure used at WOFF. Many times, I have seen a spouse so entrenched in their faith in Jane and Jane speaking for God, that the other spouse is a secondary consideration in the decisions of the family. If there is one spouse who does not agree with Jane, then the other one must chose and many times that choice is Jane’s word over their mate’s. At WOFF, choosing a spouse’s words or leading over the direct word from Jane Whaley could mean the family being put out of the church and “missing the move of God” (heaven..). The fear of being “put out” or “on church discipline” resulted in stress in families.

Thus, the seeds of destruction lie within the spiritual abuse environment created for the members. Each leader promised strict adherance to the beliefs and practices would give hope in the hereafter. Extreme “faithfulness and obedience” to the doctrines and “words of the prophet” in FLDS can lead to “being lifted up at the last day”. If you “doubt the Prophet and his will”, you could miss heaven.

In WOFF, following the “apostle” Jane would result in “fulfilling the call of God” (making it to heaven). To not “fulfill your call”, (follow “God’s will” through Jane) could cause you to miss heaven.

How can there be long term stability within the families with these practices in each group?

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.

(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. )

FLDS vs WOFF, Information control, Uncategorized

Information Control – Magazines -part 5 (cont.)

January 30, 2010 Admin 1 Comment

Information control is a mind control technique in several groups across America. We have been comparing and contrasting two groups in particular, FLDS and WOFF. We have listed several areas that are similar in both groups. Here is the experience of one fellow in WOFF showing his appetite for magazines and the consequences he faced.

When folks would not show-up for services, you would be careful to not make open conversation about it. Jane finally set the record straight and said “if you want to know where someone is- then come ask me”! She was the one responsible for whether someone was “in or out”, so go to the source!

She often times would just start sharing in a service where certain folks had “given over to devils” and been “put out of the church to find a place of repentance.” One day, she explained about a man who worked for a church member-owned construction company that had an on going project at the local hospital. This fellow had not been in services for a while. He and his family had talked to us several times and spent time with us but, we had not ventured to ask.

Jane went on to tell how he had been “caught” looking at magazines on the job at the hospital. “He was so engrossed, he did not even notice so and so, (the Holocaust class teacher, practicing her craft..) standing behind him- watching.” She had passed on the incident to Jane and he eventually was fired from the job. He had set a bad example and “attacked the testimony of Jane and WOFF” by doing such an evil thing on the job at the LOCAL hospital. He had a family to support, so he found work at a local plant and worked there for a few years until he “found a place of repentance” for himself. He later returned to the former construction company and was allowed back in the church after a LONG TIME being out! Subsequently, the construction work he was doing became too taxing for his knees and I am not sure what happened after that. He was told by a doctor he needed to find another type of work.

So, be aware no place is “safe to sin”, especially in Jane’s county- Rutherford County, NC. Before my tenure was up, we all heard about Jane and one of her lieutenants catching a man from a sister church in NC several miles away playing video poker in a convenience store! He was toasted and roasted. He must have “loved it”, though. He moved a few years later from that sister church to the main WOFF in Spindale, NC. A few years earlier, I had had contact with his daughter and son-in-law. They did not “admire” the control techniques of WOFF and did not stay.

So, onward to other subjects. There are yet more similarities between FLDS and WOFF. Also, I will share more of my personal experiences from 16 years of church services, seminars, special music services, memorial services, weddings, Friday night fellowships, daily living inside a WOFF household and more.. Here are some of the titles of posts yet to come:

–Jane Makes $600 a Month (and Gives Sam $200 from Her $)

— The $50,000 Offering

— Jane Whaley- The Medical Debt Collector

— Jane Whaley Gets a New Dog- So Do Others!

— The May Seminar We Watched TV Preachers!

— The Toilet Paper Revelation

And yet, the fun “rolls” on…

(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. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Information control, Uncategorized

Information Control – Newspapers -part 5 (cont.)

January 30, 2010 Admin 1 Comment

We will continue discussing Information control, as we consider newspapers. Actually, this is another case of one standard for Jane and one for “regular ” members. Jane would be very concerned as to the content of the local newspaper – especially when it had anything to do with her or WOFF members. She would either bring the evil newspaper in the church service or have someone else (usually one of her trusted leadership) bring one in to read parts of it to us — the “regular” folks. Of course, any news article that cast her in a favorable light or half-way told her story, made her happy and she would mention the reporter’s name. Depending on the “battle” at hand, we may even hear something out of the Charlotte Observer! How did she know every time when there was an article about her and/or the church?

Regular members were not allowed to read the newspaper. One fellow’s wife found his newspaper under the seat of his pick-up truck and told Jane. Jane was ready for that “devil”. He was “corrected” in front of the whole church and made an example of… He said he was “just reading the sports page”… Oh, don’t make an excuse when Jane is giving you a major beat-down in front of the whole church! She would end up in such a high pitch, it would hurt our ears! She did that many times. You would think that everyone would just check their excuses at the door and take their scaldings! — Sadly, many did just that but, some would need more “persuasion”. This fellow took his “correction” and it was obvious he was barely treading water.

What about the “free” copies that would be thrown at the end of your driveway from the local newspaper? Many times they would be run over when going in or out of the driveway or rot until it was evident that they were destroyed. Then someone could pick them up with no danger of being accused of reading them! Yes, this was life at WOFF.

During the last few months of my WOFF tenure, I had an encounter that revealed the “newspaper devil” in me. Here is my personal experience.

In the first part of 2008, Bill Clinton came to Marion, NC. He was campaigning for Hillary. I rented a box at the local post office in Marion and there by the front door were two newspaper boxes just waiting for schlub like me. So, I glanced at the headline “Chief Campaigner”. Now, political leanings aside, that was big news for the small mountain town. I “stored” the info and truly had no inclinations to attend the meeting. Later that evening or the next; I shared that info with the same high school student from the Holocaust class. Well, the next church service, I was confronted in the hallway by one of the high level leadership. “So and so mentioned to me you were reading headlines from the newspaper in Marion! Do you have any conviction of how wrong that was?” I said- “No”. Immediately this person launched into a high-pitched Jane-like tirade about how “wicked I was and not setting a good example for the young people and how I would lose my family if this continued…” I was immediately sent to the “discipleship room” with all the other people struggling to “get their heart right”. In that room, you watched the church service on a “monitor” and were expected to fully participate with your “happy face”. It was understood, you were not allowed in the “sanctuary” before, during or after service. Well, most times: occasionally Jane would lift the ban and allowed those in discipleship to enter the doors, more often to sing, sometimes not. It was all so vague. If you needed further “correction” or “help”, you would hear your name over the monitor and quickly run to the sanctuary for your “encouragement” from Jane. Could it be more clear?

My trip to the “discipleship room” could have been predicted, if I had just stopped to think about it. I had shown my penchant for a capacity for independent thought. It was obvious to others that there were some “restraints” that I did not agree with. Honestly, I had been reading the newspaper for a few years as part of my previous job as a property manager for a church member-owned company. I had to place adds in the newspaper! What a goofy set-up! You can’t, you shouldn’t but, you have to in order to perform your job? Wow, who can win when the rules are so convoluted and subject to change according to the situation you are in at the time? There is no doubt that you will be wrong when making your way through the ever changing situations. But, who said living in a religious cult had to make sense or be easy? 🙂

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” –Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 1786.

Count me with President Jefferson.

(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. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Information control, Uncategorized

Information Control – Books -part 5 (cont.)

January 30, 2010 Admin Leave a comment

As we continue on the subject of Information control and books, let me relate my personal experience. Seniors in the church school would dual enroll in certain approved classes through a not so local community college. The one class I had personal knowledge of was an online version of a class on the Holocaust. It was open to adults in the church by the teacher and I wanted to enjoy some time with a high school student taking the class. My knowledge of the subject was very limited.

The book list was not long. I did read most of the material. One book was a pictorial of the time period. So, per the teacher, my book was “covered with sticky notes” by another concerned teacher close to the situation. So, as an adult my book was censored. Why did I let it happen? “You never want to appear “ungrateful” for someone taking the time to cover an “unclean picture” that “may attack you”… In order to continue with the class, I went along. The goal then was spending time with the student – not proving a point on censorship. The time spent with that student was more important than making waves. The goal was accomplished. I enjoyed the class regardless of the censorship.

Why bring it up? It proves many points. One was the lengths people inside a mind control group will go to in order to get along and stay, versus being singled out and corrected in front of the group or their family. I wanted to be a part of the class and knew compliance to the censorship was not an option, but a requirement.

Next, the teacher of the class at the community college holds a leadership position in WOFF. She preaches fairly often from the pulpit, as Jane allows and also serves as one of the administrators of the church sponsored school. She has taken Holocaust projects from her students and displayed them at certain public venues in the area, in years past. Her main class at the community college is the Holocaust class. She should be very familiar with Hitler’s Information control methods used to separate the German people from the outside world. Hitler’s learning position came as a “propaganda officer” in earlier years.

In April of 2008, during a sermon preached at WOFF; this teacher in the school and community collage chided in a very demeaning manner anyone in the church who wanted to read the newspaper, watch TV or listen to the radio. She mocked this “person” by saying, “I just want to know, I just want to know…” She wagged her head and used a very mocking tone. The irony was so overwhelming! She has studied the effects of Information control during Hitler’s reign of terror. Yet, she gave her personal endorsement from the pulpit of WOFF for censorship, OBVIOUSLY with Jane Whaley’s approval. This person’s message was in total agreement with messages Jane had preached in years past. How could this teacher in the community college setting deny what she had studied in the years past? Does she not even doubt in her own mind the harm of using censorship on a group of people?– Or in her mind, “Do the ends justify the means”? Again, as Hassan writes, “When you control the information that a person is allowed to receive, you limit their capacity for independent thought.” (Releasing the Bonds, copyright 2000, page 42) Her involvement in WOFF continues to be a subject of amazement.

What more can be said on this incident? What price do people pay to stay in a group such as WOFF? What is the cost of ignoring the obvious Information control that exists in both FLDS and WOFF ? What advantage does this teacher derrive from ignoring her knowledge of well documented mind control in Hitler’s reign and be a willing accomplice to push the SAME MIND CONTROL on the folks at WOFF?

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” – Adolph Hitler

(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. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

FLDS vs. WOFF – the Similarities – part 5

January 30, 2010 Admin Leave a comment

In “Releasing the Bonds”, (copyright 2000) Steven Hassan outlines the characteristics or marks of groups that practice mind control. He supplies the B.I.T.E. model as an easy way to remember the major parts of his well researched ideas. We mentioned this in the first post: Behaviour control, Information control, Thought control and Emotional control.

Let us look at some ways that both FLDS and WOFF use Information control. Hassan writes, “When you control the information that a person is allowed to receive, you limit their capacity for independent thought.” Hassan explains the areas o f control; “2. Access to non-cult sources of information minimized or discouraged a. Books, articles, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio” (pages 42, 43) (emphasis added)

We can stop here and immediately see similarities between FLDS and WOFF. Brent Jeffs in “Lost Boy”writes that ” in my early childhood, the church was nowhere near as strict as it became. We were allowed children’s books… Later, Winnie and his friends were banned by Warren, who thought humanlike animals was sacrilegious. Ultimately, the only books he allowed were the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and his own teachings.” (page 55) Then later, “Even books- particularly children’s books – were forbidden. The images in these books were idols. Kids should learn to read from the Book of Mormon or from Warren’s approved writings. Unapproved books were burned at Short Creek.” (page 103)

Elissa Wall in “Stolen Innocence”writes, ” While we were able to watch TV when I was much younger, life had grown more constricted under Rulon Jeff’s direction. In an attempt to cleanse the people of all outside influences, he banned television, films, and video games. Through Uncle Warren we’d been told that the prophet had ordered that all the books in the school library that were not priesthood approved be burned… ” (page 37)

As with FLDS, WOFF has gone through changes in the degree of information control over the years. Some areas have become more strict and some less. Television has been a “no-no” in regular member’s homes for many years. At the church, the television sets are called “monitors” so the children won’t be “confused”. These monitors are connected via a closed circuit broadcast system set-up in the buildings on the property. As mentioned, Jane has at least one television in her home and “God tells her when to watch it”. Other folks would “give over to it when God didn’t say and it would take them over.” So, that is why “regular” members don’t have TVs in their home.

Radio is “of the devil” and many a person has been scalded in front of the church for being caught or admitting to listening to the radio in their car. That “music or whatever you “gave to” (listened to) will take you to hell!”. One lady said that her husband was listening to music in his car while he drove around for work; was one reason they separated and eventually divorced. She found evidence of that music in his car! He would not stop listening to music that was not church (Jane ) approved!

Children’s books: ALWAYS a big deal at WOFF. Earlier on, I can’t remember one approved children’s book. Later, a member who serves as a librarian in a public school, would bring books to Jane and others in leadership for approval. She then would offer them for sale as a “fund raiser” for the christian school…? So, that was nothing but a seed bed of strife as something obviously would be missed and a parent would fuss because their child saw something “ungodly”. Eventually, the person who “approved” the book would stand up and admit they had missed something and as Sam would put it “every man for himself..” Which never was the case, since everyone lived so closely, that ANY book your child had someone else would see and if it did not “feel right” to them you would be reported…

Then there was the “sticky note” solution. Just cover that picture with a sticky note! And warn the children- if they lifted the sticky note, they would be in big trouble! It would show them that there was SIN in their life! Well, I know of what I write because at times, to help a teacher in the school; I would cover the pictures in the children’s school books- myself! Yes, I am guilty! Why? It was the accepted practice and to kept things going smoothly, you helped the teacher. You NEVER asked “Why are we doing this?” Rest assured, I have seen the error of my ways.

Things at WOFF may be different now, but I seriously doubt it. There was a time when there was a push to simply write their own curriculum. (Now, that would be an FLDS, Warren Jeffs thing – if I had ever heard of one!) Not sure how that has progressed or died away. There had been a publicized push years ago for the school to get accredited. That was put on hold with Jane’s assault trial. Not sure if the push has begun again.

We will continue in the next post with more on books. Then, lets talk about magazines and the dreaded newspaper. I do hear a whole lot of “quacking” goin’ on!

(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. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

FLDS vs. WOFF – the Similarities – part 4

January 27, 2010 Admin Leave a comment

As the list similarities between FLDS and WOFF grows, it is evident that the mode of operation used by the two leaders is the same. There is evidence of strong control and autocratic leadership methods in each group. FLDS being patriarchal and WOFF being matriarchal; with one central figure in each group who holds the power. (before Warren Jeffs “retired” with his arrest..)

Warren Jeffs was reported in “Lost Boy” as thinking of “himself as a singer/songwriter, but from my perspective (Brent Jeffs) he really didn’t qualify as either…His singing was amplified over that of the congregation, and often sounded off-key.” (page 59)

Jane Whaley also took the position as main songwriter in WOFF. She admittedly had no formal training for music, but that did not stop her. She would write songs often “hearing” them during a service. The whole order of service was predicated on whatever Jane “heard from God”; so we stopped and listened as Jane and her support group would gather around the piano and hammer out another song. The whole congregation was expected to “pull on God” to help “birth in the song of the Lord”.. Not every time was a song finished, it may be shelved until a later time.

In addition, ALL songs sung during praise and worship or any part of the service had to be Jane approved. If Jane was not in the sanctuary, you can rest assured she would be listening on the monitor in her office. (if she was in town) Occasionally, when she was out of town, she still would be listening to the service. Or she could be called by a lieutenant who suspected something was “not right with the music.” She has called back in on her cell phone and corrected whoever was leading the music. That person got things “off track” and she would call to “get things back in the direction God wanted them to go…”.

Most services the musical instruments would be a piano, electric keyboard and one guitar. Other instruments were added and taken away from time to time according to “what was working in the musicians” at the time. Jane finally heard from God that children could learn to play instruments. Then, some let the instruments occupy a “bigger place in their heart than Jesus”, so Jane stopped music lessons for a long while. As of late, I hear certain children have begun to play their instruments again, “after getting their breakthroughs…”

There would be no playing of the instruments at home unless “leadership had a ahold of it”… Jane did not want the children to “be taken over by the music devil”..

There were three refugees from the Christian music industry that had taken refuge at WOFF. ( I suppose they are still there..) One had been a recording artist and traveled as a drummer with a rock music “superstar”. He had stories that he mainly kept to himself as he has fought drug addition for years. He has been in and out of the church several times over the years. He would always “find a place of repentance” and Jane would let him back up on stage to sing after who knows how many battles with drugs??… Another man from a European country was an expert sound mixer or producer. He had helped bring certain music styles from Europe to America several years ago. He also had been part owner in a specialty guitar manufacturing company in Europe. The third “refugee” was a Christian music producer out of Nashville who had worked with several leading Christian recording artists. Each would get up and warn the young people of the horrors of not “submitting to Jesus” while playing or singing the song of the Lord. They would name names of several leading Christian artists who had major messes in their personal lives…

In “Lost Boy”, Brent Jeffs explains the restrictions on movies and music. “Movies were especially bad and to be avoided… And, of course, radio and tapes and CDs— except for Warren’s hymns and speeches— were blasphemous and could get you in trouble if you were caught with them. Some people would listen to his sermons on tape throughout the day.” (page 103) (emphasis added..)

In “Stolen Innocence”, Elissa Wall writes, “We were encouraged to listen to tapes of Uncle Warren’s important sermons as frequently as we could. Often in school we would hear these tapes wafting out of the loudspeakers as we went about our day. We also would listen to them at home the way other families would listen to music.. I searched for answers in the tapes… If I didn’t understand something, it was better not to say it aloud than appear to be questioning priesthood principles.” (page 52)

For years at WOFF, the only approved music tape was a praise and worship tape that WOFF produced. We wore out our copy. Also, like FLDS; we were encouraged to hear every service by coming back to the church and listening to the tape; if we had missed it for some reason. And for those “in discipleship” or on “church discipline” – listening to tapes of Jane’s sermons was an important part of “submitting your heart to find a place of repentance” or find out “where you had missed God.”..

As with FLDS, movies were not allowed at WOFF. But, Jane did allow folks to “hear God” if they should go to see “The Passion” a few years ago. It was truly a sight to see all those WOFF members in a movie theatre! It was strange, you were being watched to see if you were “giving over” and liking or lusting after the whole movie thing. We all came back to the church for prayer afterwards. The next service, one lieutenant got up and told everyone how wicked the movie was and we all were encouraged to repent for going. Jane had not gone. But, she knew ahead of time this movie would “test our hearts” to see if we still had the “movie devil” in us…

Again, the similarities between FLDS and WOFF stare us in the face. I close with a quote from one who was revered at WOFF, Ronald Reagan. His funeral was taped and watched as a church service. No one watched it at home, since no one but Jane admitted to having a TV in their house. “God told Jane” when to watch television. Many times she would watch “Christian” television. She would come back and update us on who “had truth” and who didn’t. I can’t remember her ever saying she totally agreed with any television preacher. Also, Larry King’s last interviewed with Tammy Faye Baker was taped and shown to the whole church..please, tell me why? We also watched as a church, the History Channel’s documentary on the “Origins of Christmas”. But that is for another day…

Okay, here is the simple quote:

“Facts are stubborn things.” – Ronald Reagan

Has anyone seen a “duck” lately?

(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. )