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Elizabeth Clare Prophet

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Elizabeth Clare Prophet
Elizabeth Clare Prophet wearing a white t-shirt, appearing to be wrapped in a blue and black checkered blanket, grinning at camera
Prophet in 1984
Born
Elizabeth Clare Wulf

(1939-04-08)April 8, 1939
Long Branch, New Jersey, US
DiedOctober 15, 2009(2009-10-15) (aged 70)
Bozeman, Montana, US
Other namesGuru Ma, Mother of the Flame
OccupationSpiritual leader
Years active1959–2009
Known forFounder of the Church Universal and Triumphant
Children5

Elizabeth Clare Prophet (née: Wulf, a.k.a. Guru Ma[1]) (April 8, 1939 – October 15, 2009)[2] was an American spiritual leader, author, orator, and writer.[3] In 1963 she married Mark L. Prophet (after ending her first marriage), who had founded The Summit Lighthouse in 1958. Mark and Elizabeth had four children. Elizabeth, after her second husband's death on February 26, 1973, assumed control of The Summit Lighthouse.[4][5][6]

In 1975, Prophet founded Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT), which became the umbrella organization for the movement, which she expanded worldwide, and which has been described, including by Prophet, as "New Age".[7] She also founded Summit University and Summit University Press.[2] In the late 1980s Prophet controversially called on her members to prepare for the possibility of nuclear war at the turn of the decade, encouraging them to construct fallout shelters.[8] The failure of prediction was a setback for the church, resulting in a loss of membership.[9] In 1996, Prophet handed day-to-day operational control of her organization to a president and board of directors. She maintained her role as spiritual leader until her retirement for health reasons in 1999.[10] As of the 2020s, videos of her sermons play an important part of the church's religious work.[7]

During the 1980s and 1990s, Prophet appeared on Larry King Live, Donahue and Nightline, among other television programs.[11] Earlier media appearances included a feature in 1977 in "The Man Who Would Not Die", an episode of In Search of...[12] She was also featured in 1994 on NBC's Ancient Prophecies.[13]

Early years

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Elizabeth Clare Prophet was born Elizabeth Clare Wulf at Monmouth Memorial Hospital in Long Branch, New Jersey on April 8, 1939, the only child of a German immigrant, Hans Wulf, and his Swiss wife, Fridy.[14] She grew up with her family in Red Bank, New Jersey during the Second World War.[15] She describes her earliest childhood as idyllic, yet also chaotic and unpredictable.[14] In 1942, when she was two years old, her father was detained on suspicion of being a German spy.[14] In her autobiography she writes that upon his release he inspired her to help others who may also suffer because of their nationality, race, or religion, [16] and that the Holocaust convinced her of the reality of absolute evil in the world. This played a main role in her deciding to major in political science in her studies.[17]

She also writes of her father's addiction to alcohol, his verbal abuse of her mother and violent temper which he directed towards them and the destruction of his beloved fish tanks.[18] Prophet came to believe that when the blood alcohol content creates a chemical imbalance in the body, possessing demons take over the mind and the emotions.[19]

In her early life, she periodically blacked out. This happened in the third grade, when she was about to say her lines in a Christmas play, and recurred throughout her life. This was first diagnosed as petit mal epilepsy, known more commonly today as absence seizures, although she believed it was a way of escaping her father’s alcoholic rages.[14] She did not find medication helpful, and discontinued using it.[20] Her mother later confessed that in 1937 she took some pills in an unsuccessful attempt to abort her pregnancy with Elizabeth. Prophet thought her mother was implying the medication may have contributed to her childhood blackouts. Prophet herself did some research, and believed the use of quinine sulphate could have damaged the developing nervous system and the brain.[21]

Elizabeth Wulf claimed mystical experiences while growing up. She claimed that when she was about four, she had a vision of herself playing on the sands of the Nile river in Egypt. (Her mother told her that it was a past life.)[22] She claimed that as a child she felt God's light around her naturally, and heard a sound in her inner ear like that of an ocean wave or the roar of Niagara Falls.[23] While water-skiing, she said she felt she was suspended in a place where other spiritual beings existed, who were joyous in the light, radiating love. This motivated her to find out more about who these "saints robed in white" (Rev. 7:9-17) were, for she had always believed in the "universality of all true religion".[24]

Influences

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Wulf grew up in a home that was mainly non-religious except for major holidays. (The New York Times describes her as being a Christian Scientist as a child.)[25] Her father was Lutheran, her mother nominally Catholic. Yet it was her mother's interests in Theosophy, the I AM Activity, and Christian Science that had the most influence on her.[26] In Theosophy and the I AM Activity she heard about the Ascended Masters, Karma, and Reincarnation; in Christian Science she was told that matter was not the only reality and that the spirit part of us made in the image of God was our true nature. Prophet stayed with Christian Science until she met Mark Prophet at the age of 22.[27]

Education

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Wulf spent her junior year studying French in Switzerland in 1956, and a year later graduated from Red Bank Regional High School ranked second in her class. She attended Antioch College in Ohio from September 1957 to March 1959 majoring in political science and economics. She transferred to Boston University in September 1959, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in August 1961.[28]

Career

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In the summer of 1958, Wulf took a co-op job as a camp counselor in a French immersion school in Vermont. She was in charge of a number of high school girls between 15 and 16 years old and her role was to discipline them. She described the experience as frustrating and said she ended up praying to God she might never be put in a position of authority over others.[24]

Elizabeth Clare Prophet in front of the chapel at the summit of Croagh Patrick, Ireland, 1980

In late 1958 she served an internship at the United Nations as secretary for Leo Rosenthal, a UN photographer. She claimed that her experience at the UN showed her that many of the ambassadors were not there to solve the world's problems and rather were engaged in power politics and manipulation of the world's economies. When she left after three months, she was depressed, and held the opinion that, to solve the world's problems people would need to change their concept of themselves and God.[24]

After moving to Boston in 1959, she worked as a secretary for the Christian Science church and The Christian Science Monitor. According to Prophet that is where she learned much about the publishing operations, organization, and administration of a church on a worldwide scale. This would help her later in running her own church.[29]

Wulf claimed she had realized she was intended to be a messenger while meditating with Mark L. Prophet at a public meeting in Boston on April 22, 1961. He had come to teach what he called "the Ascended Masters". She later claimed to have received a vision, while meditating with him, that her role in life was to pass on a higher teaching to further humanity's spiritual evolution.[30] She confided to Mark the next day she was also to be a messenger like him. He accepted her as a student at his mystical school, The Summit Lighthouse. She said she received another vision in June of that year by way of a visitation by the Ascended Master, El Morya, who told her to go to Washington, D.C. to be trained as messenger.[30]

After she attended her first conference in Washington in July, Mark Prophet returned to Boston in August to help her move to Washington to begin her training under him.[31] After her first marriage ended in divorce,[32] they married in 1963 and, upon his death on February 26, 1973, Prophet assumed leadership of the organization.[33] In 1981 the Church Universal and Triumphant purchased the 12,000-acre (49 km2) Forbes Ranch just outside Yellowstone Park, near Gardiner, Montana.[34] In 1986, Prophet relocated her headquarters to that property.[10][3]

Teachings

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The dogma of The Summit Lighthouse included a doctrine called the Path of Personal Christhood, or the way of the soul's one-on-one relationship with God through Christ consciousness. Prophet believed she shared the gift of the word, both written and spoken. She claimed to be in constant communion with God.

The Science of the Spoken Word, as Elizabeth and Mark taught it, was thought to be a gift of sound combined with meditation, prayer and visualization.[35] They believed that a Divine Gift (The Ascension) of union with God was possible.[36]

Preparation for nuclear holocaust

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In 1987, Prophet predicted a first strike by the Soviet Union if America did not implement a missile defense program. She began to admonish her followers to move to Montana and build nuclear fallout shelters for the impending nuclear holocaust.[37][10] Adherents started construction of a what was called the largest bomb shelter in the U.S.[38] at the church compound in Corwin Springs, Montana[8] on land purchased from magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes.[2] Church members not on the staff built private shelters nearby.

Starting on 15 March 1990, over three days, "hundreds" of followers waited for a nuclear attack in various bomb shelters,[38] communicating with each other by radio. Insiders, however, spread the word that the event might be the real thing. No one knew for sure, and many children believed this could be the end of life as they knew it.[8] When no nuclear bombs exploded the event was compared to another unsuccessful prediction of the end of the world, The Great Disappointment of 1844.[38]

Post-disappointment

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Many left the church following this disappointment, but many stayed.[9] The Prophet's focus took a gradual turn away from nuclear prepping and toward community outreach. Around this same time, the nearly-completed construction was halted by court order when large amounts of stored diesel fuel leaked and contaminated the area.[8]

As of 2024 the church is headquartered in Montana and has "teaching centers" around the world.[7]

Final years and death

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Prophet was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in November 1998 and she died on October 15, 2009,[10][39] in Bozeman, Montana.[2] Her five children—Erin, Moira, Tatiana, Sean and Seth—were all still alive at the time of her death.[2] In 2009, her daughter Erin Prophet published Prophet's Daughter: My Life with Elizabeth Clare Prophet Inside the Church Universal and Triumphant,[40] and, in 2016, she contributed a chapter to The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements.[41] Prophet's children have largely stayed away from their mother's church. Some are on friendly terms with the group as it is today; others not necessarily. Prophet encouraged all of her children to fill various roles in the organization's leadership and spiritual work. At one time, Elizabeth appointed Erin Prophet as her successor but Erin declined this role. Sean Prophet is an avowed atheist, he has renounced all religions, including his mother's church. Tatiana Prophet is a conservative blogger on Facebook.[42]

Legacy

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For many years, around 15,000 hours of recordings of Prophet's sermons have been kept in a concrete bunker in Montana for safe keeping.[43] Video footage played on monitors of her "channeling, chanting, lecturing, singing, and prophesying" are part of the church's religious service and are said to "composed the bulk of her ministry".[43]

Ascended Lady Master Clare

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Those who adhere to the Ascended Master Teachings believe that Elizabeth Clare Prophet made her ascension after her death. (Adherents of Prophet do not refer to her death but to her "ascension".)[44] She is known by various names which have been given to her by different organizations, including Ascended Lady Master Clare and Ascended Lady Master Clare de Lis.

It is asserted that Lady Master Clare's previous incarnations were:[45]

Michael Flynn

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In September 2021, retired General Michael Flynn addressed the "Opening the Heavens 2021" conference, an evangelical Christian event organized by Pastors Hank and Brenda Kunneman of Lord of Hosts Church and One Voice Ministries. The conference was held at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, near Omaha, Nebraska. During his speech, Flynn led the audience in a supposed Christian Nationalist prayer that directly plagiarised a sermon given by Clare Prophet in the early 1980's.[citation needed] [dubious – discuss]

Jim Stewartson created a video comparison of Clare Prophet's strident sermon and the militant prayer led by Michael Flynn with Clare Prophet's words being restated unknowingly by the conservative Christian audience.[47][better source needed]

Works

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  • Soul Mates and Twin Flames: The Spiritual Dimension of Love and Relationships (Pocket Guide to Practical Spirituality)[48]
  • The Lost Years of Jesus: Documentary Evidence of Jesus' 17-Year Journey to the East[49]
  • Violet Flame: Alchemy for Personal Change[50]
  • How to Work with Angels (Pocket Guides to Practical Spirituality Book 4)[51]
  • Access the Power of Your Higher Self (Pocket Guides to Practical Spirituality Book 3) [52]
  • The Great White Brotherhood: In the Culture, History and Religion of America[53]
  • The Masters and Their Retreats (by Mark L. Prophet, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Booth Annice (Editor) )[54]
  • The Story of Your Soul: Recovering the Pearl of Your True Identity[55]
  • Your Seven Energy Centers (A Holistic Approach to Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Vitality)[56]

Notes

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  1. ^ "Church Blamed for Stroke". Santa Cruz Sentinel. February 14, 1986. p. 18. Retrieved April 23, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b c d e "Elizabeth Clare Prophet dies at 70; former leader of religious sect". Los Angeles Times. October 19, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Melton, J. Gordon (1991). "Prophet, Elizabeth Clare". Religious leaders of America. Gale Research Inc. p. 376. ISBN 0-8103-4921-3.
  4. ^ Jones, Lindsay (2005). "Prophet, Mark and Elizabeth Clare". Encyclopedia of religion (volume 11) (second ed.). Detroit : Macmillan Reference USA. pp. 7445–7446. ISBN 0-02-865980-5.
  5. ^ DeHaas 1994, p. 21-37.
  6. ^ "Obituaries – Elizabeth Prophet". Telegraph. October 23, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c Harnett, Emily (June 2024). "The Prophet Who Failed". Harper's. p. 51. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Egan, Timothy (April 24, 1990). "Guru's Bomb Shelter Hits Legal Snag". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Harnett, Emily (June 2024). "The Prophet Who Failed". Harper's. p. 52, 58. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Flandro, Carly (August 28, 2011). "The legacy of Elizabeth Clare Prophet". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  11. ^ DeHaas 1994, p. 31-32.
  12. ^ Nimoy, Leonard (host) (December 31, 1977). "The Man Who Would Not Die". In Search of... [Television series]. NBC.
  13. ^ McCallum, David (host) (1994). Ancient Prophecies. Coast to Coast Productions. ASIN B0027PIA6M.
  14. ^ a b c d Harnett, Emily (June 2024). "The Prophet Who Failed". Harper's. p. 55. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 8.
  16. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 33.
  17. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 37.
  18. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 67.
  19. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 74.
  20. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 90.
  21. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 101.
  22. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 48.
  23. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 106.
  24. ^ a b c Prophet 2009, p. 131.
  25. ^ Grimes, William (October 16, 2009). "Elizabeth Prophet, 70, Church Founder, Is Dead". New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  26. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 45.
  27. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 52.
  28. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 238.
  29. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 18.
  30. ^ a b Prophet 2009, p. 188.
  31. ^ Prophet 2009, p. 211.
  32. ^ Grimes, William (October 17, 2009). "Elizabeth Prophet, 70, Church Founder, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  33. ^ Lewis 2009, p. 171.
  34. ^ Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Elizabeth Clare Prophet". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  35. ^ Prophet 1972, p. 1.
  36. ^ Prophet 1991, p. 9.
  37. ^ SU Press dictations
  38. ^ a b c Harnett, Emily (June 2024). "The Prophet Who Failed". Harper's. p. 50. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  39. ^ "Former CUT leader Prophet dies at age 70". Billings Gazette. October 16, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  40. ^ Prophet, Erin (September 24, 2008). Prophet's Daughter: My Life with Elizabeth Clare Prophet Inside the Church Universal and Triumphant. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-59921-718-5.
  41. ^ The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements ed.James R. Lewis, Inga B. Tollefsen - 2016 Page 48 0190466170
  42. ^ "Tatiana Prophet's "Back to Facts" Magazine & website blog links". facebook.com. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  43. ^ a b Harnett, Emily (June 2024). "The Prophet Who Failed". Harper's. p. 50. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  44. ^ Harnett, Emily (June 2024). "The Prophet Who Failed". Harper's. p. 59. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  45. ^ "Church Universal & Triumphant / Summit Lighthouse – WRSP".
  46. ^ "Ascended Master Encyclopedia (published by The Summit Lighthouse)".
  47. ^ Wood, Graeme; Stewartson, Jim (October 6, 2021). "[retweet by Wood of video clip assembled by Stewartson]". X/Twitter. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  48. ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare. (1999). Soul mates and twin flames : the spiritual dimension of love and relationships. Corwin Springs, MT: Summit University Press. ISBN 0922729484. OCLC 48715081.
  49. ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare (1987). The lost years of Jesus : documentary evidence of Jesus' 17-year journey to the East. Livingston, MT. ISBN 091676687X. OCLC 19548026.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  50. ^ PROPHET, ELIZABETH CLARE. (2017). VIOLET FLAME : alchemy for personal change. [Place of publication not identified]: SUMMIT UNIV PR. ISBN 978-1609882747. OCLC 961008524.
  51. ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare. (1998). How to work with angels. Corwin Springs, MT: Summit University Press. ISBN 0922729417. OCLC 41851600.
  52. ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare. (1997). Access the power of your higher self. Corwin Springs, Mont.: Summit University Press. ISBN 0922729360. OCLC 52630538.
  53. ^ The Great White Brotherhood in the culture history and religion of America : teachings of the ascended masters given to Elizabeth Clare Prophet. Prophet, Elizabeth Clare. Colorado Springs: Summit University Press. 1976. ISBN 0916766160. OCLC 3017927.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  54. ^ Prophet, Mark. (2003). The masters and their retreats. Prophet, Elizabeth Clare., Booth, Annice. Corwin Springs, Mont.: Summit University Press. ISBN 0972040242. OCLC 53117044.
  55. ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare. (2007). The story of your soul : recovering the pearl of your true identity (1st ed.). Gardiner, MT: Summit University Press. ISBN 9781932890112. OCLC 148873543.
  56. ^ "Your Seven Energy Centers". Elizabeth Clare Prophet. Retrieved February 15, 2021.

References

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