Church Universal and Triumphant Overview

Group Name: Church Universal and Triumphant

Founder: Mark L. Prophet (initially as The Summit Lighthouse); Elizabeth Clare Prophet (expanded and rebranded as Church Universal and Triumphant)

Current Leader: Valiantly (Vali) Gabriel

Date Founded: 1958 (as The Summit Lighthouse), 1975 (rebranded as Church Universal and Triumphant)

Locations: Headquartered in Corwin Springs, Montana, with centers and followers worldwide.

Characteristics:

• Group endorses non-orthodox theology: Yes, the church’s teachings combine elements of Theosophy, Christianity, and New Age beliefs. It emphasizes the Ascended Masters, a group of spiritually enlightened beings, and includes teachings on karma, reincarnation, and apocalyptic prophecy.

• The Leader is an infallible authority: Yes, Elizabeth Clare Prophet was viewed as an infallible authority during her leadership, with her teachings and prophecies considered divinely inspired. Current leadership continues to uphold her teachings.

• Leadership seeks control over members’ activities, behaviors, and finances: Yes, the church has been known to exercise significant control over members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances, often encouraging substantial financial contributions and commitment to communal living.

• Requires unquestioning faith and allegiance to the leader or group: Yes, members are expected to show complete loyalty and faith in the teachings of the Prophets and the church leadership.

• Suppression of Critical Thinking: Yes, questioning the leader’s teachings or the group’s practices is discouraged, and critical thinking is often suppressed to maintain doctrinal purity.

• Intimidation, fear, and shame are used to control members: Yes, former members and critics have reported the use of intimidation, fear, and shame to maintain control over the group and ensure adherence to its doctrines.

• Isolates or shuns former members, leading to loss of family connections and support: Yes, the church has been known to isolate or shun former members, leading to the loss of family connections and support networks.

• Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency: Yes, there have been allegations of financial exploitation, with significant pressure on members to make large donations and a lack of financial transparency.

• Allegations of sexual misconduct: There have been some allegations of sexual misconduct involving church members and leadership, though these claims vary in detail and substantiation.

Narrative:

The Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT) evolved from The Summit Lighthouse, founded by Mark L. Prophet in 1958. After Prophet’s death, his wife, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, expanded and rebranded the organization as the Church Universal and Triumphant in 1975. The church blends elements of Theosophy, Christianity, and New Age beliefs, emphasizing communication with Ascended Masters, reincarnation, and karma.

Elizabeth Clare Prophet was regarded as an infallible authority, and her teachings and prophecies were considered divinely inspired. Under her leadership, the church exercised significant control over members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances. Members were encouraged to make substantial financial contributions and often lived communally to facilitate greater control and commitment to the church’s goals.

Critical thinking and questioning of the church’s doctrines were discouraged, fostering an environment where intimidation, fear, and shame were used to maintain control. Former members frequently reported being isolated or shunned, leading to the loss of family connections and support networks.

Financial exploitation has been a significant issue within the church, with many allegations of financial abuse and a lack of transparency regarding the church’s finances. Additionally, there have been some allegations of sexual misconduct, though these claims vary.

Despite these controversies, the Church Universal and Triumphant continues to attract followers worldwide, maintaining its headquarters in Corwin Springs, Montana. The church’s current leadership, under Valiantly (Vali) Gabriel, continues to uphold the teachings and practices established by Mark and Elizabeth Clare Prophet.

Following Elizabeth Clare Prophet’s death in 2009, the Church Universal and Triumphant made significant changes, including downsizing their large communal site. The church’s headquarters, known as the Royal Teton Ranch near Corwin Springs, Montana, saw a reduction in communal living arrangements. This downsizing was part of broader efforts to address financial difficulties and adapt to a declining membership base.