SPECTRUM
- PART 2,
Urantia Foundation vs. Kristen Maaherra
THE HISTORY
A. Contact commissioner Dr. William S. Sadler stated in a History (submitted as evidence by plaintiff Foundation to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals): "Just about all that is known or could be told about the origin of the Urantia Papers is to be found, here and there, in The Urantia Book. A list of such references is to be found on the back of the dust jacket of the Book." (History, Page 000301).
B. "The Papers were published just as we received them. The contact commissioners had no editorial authority. Our job was limited to `spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.'" (History, Page 000314, first paragraph).
C. Doc Sadler (William S. Sadler, Sr.) wrote How the Urantia Papers Started and The First Urantia Papers, in the History of the Urantia Movement.
D. "During these early years, all of our observations and investigations utterly failed to reveal the technique of reducing messages to writing." (History, Page 000295, last sentence.)
E. ". . .the phenomena connected with the personality, who was later associated with the Urantia Papers, was in no way similar to any other well-known type of psychic performance such as hypnotism, automatic writing, clairvoyance, trances, spirit mediumship, telepathy, or double personality. It should be made clear that the antecedents of the Urantia Papers were in no way associated with so-called spiritualism . . ." (History, Page 000292).
F. "The Papers were published just as we received them." (History, Page 000314, first paragraph).
G. "The Contact Commissioners had no editorial authority." (History, Page 000314, first paragraph).
H. "Our job was limited to `spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.'" (History, Page 000314, first paragraph).
I. "Page 865, par. 6, 7. The narrative of the midwayers function in initiating and carrying forward to completion the Urantia Revelation." (History, 000302, #7).
J. "The midway creatures are super-material beings and are just beyond our range of vision. They are the permanent citizens of the inhabited worlds. They exist on a level between angels and mortals, hence the name midwayers. For more information on these marvelous beings, I suggest you read Paper 77." (Definition of midwayers by Thomas Kendall, 10/09/73, letter No. 1431*).
K. ". . . the Celestial Revelators do not want any human being any human name ever to be associated with the Urantia Book. . ." (History, Page 000306).
L. "They [the superhuman revelators] are determined that future generations shall have the book wholly free from all mortal connections . . ." (History, Page 000306).
M. Our "unseen friends" (the revelators, the superhuman personalities) "were engaged in" making the contacts with mortals. The revelators selected the contact commissioners, and the revelators initiated the presentation of the Urantia Papers. (History, Page 000293, first paragraph).
N. The superhuman revelators directed the contact commission: "We were instructed," (Page 000299, paragraph 1),
O. "we were told that the Revelatory Commission would be pleased..." (Page 000309, first paragraph);
P. "It was the design of our unseen friends . . ." (Page 000311, first paragraph);
Q. "We were enjoined to refrain from . . ." (Page 000311, last paragraph);
R. "At long last, permission to publish the Urantia Papers was granted." (Page 000313, first sentence);
S. "Upon receipt of these instructions [from the superhuman revelators], the Contact Commissioners entered upon the task of publishing the Urantia Book and preparation of plans for its distribution." (History, Page 000313).
T. "The first group of Papers numbered 57." (History, Page 000308).
U. ". . .the superhuman agencies and personalities responsible for transmitting the 57 Papers would engage to enlarge the revelation and to expand the Papers..." (History, Page 000308).
V. From Harold Sherman's book, How to Know What to Believe. Sherman quotes "Dr. Norton" (Dr. Sadler): "This continued for perhaps seven or eight years when what we considered the first edition of the papers was finished. At that time, the Forum received its first direct message, and its members were advised that now, since their knowledge had been expanded, they should be able to ask more intelligent questions and that if they would do so, as they commenced a rereading of each paper, these intelligences would completely revise the entire tremendous manuscript."
TIMELINE ORIGIN OF THE URANTIA PAPERS
From the evidence collected, there seems to be two different phases of contact with the revelators:
In the "early years" the revelators were choosing the contact commission, testing the human subject to make sure he remained "fortuitously unconcerned," and getting the "comprehension barometer" (the forum) into place. Once these folks were involved and following the revelator's orders - so the revelators could be reasonably sure the humans would actually publish the revelation - in 1934 and 1935, the Papers were materialized, by a technique unknown to anyone, including the contact commission.
"Facts" that have been documented as first hand evidence fall into two fairly distinct categories: Facts describing either the "early years" or facts describing the actual materialization of the Papers.
Early Years
1. In Mind at Mischief, Doc reports on the early contacts: "I was brought in contact with it, in the summer of 1911, and I have had it under my observation more or less ever since, having been present at probably 250 of the night sessions, many of which have been attended by a stenographer who made voluminous notes." Doc apparently tried to recall and destroy all copies of Mind at Mischief later.
2. Bill Sadler (in his tape on origin) says of these earliest contacts: "This man would go to sleep and he'd talk and what came out was intriguing and different."
3. However, it is clear that: ". . . the phenomena connected with the personality, who was later associated with the Urantia Papers, was in no way similar to any other well-known type of psychic performance - such as hypnotism, automatic writing, clairvoyance, trances, spirit mediumship, telepathy, or double personality. It should be made clear that the antecedents of the Urantia Papers were in no way associated with so-called spiritualism. . . " (History, Page 000292).
4. "I am sorry I cannot supply you with more detailed information about how the papers in the Urantia Book were received. I can say this - no mediums, psychics, or sensitives were in any way connected with this revelation. The only information we have is that contained in the book itself. If all of the information in the book is put together by you in a continuous story, you will know as much as I do." Emma Christensen, document # 934, 7/02/74.
5. In the early years, the "unseen friends" (the revelators, the superhuman personalities): "were engaged in" making the contacts with mortals, the revelators selected the contact commissioners, and the revelators initiated the presentation of the Urantia Papers. (History, Page 000293, first paragraph).
6. The superhuman revelators directed the contact commission: "We were instructed," (Page 000299, paragraph 1), "we were told that the Revelatory Commission would be pleased..." (Page 000309, first paragraph); "It was the design of our unseen friends. . ." (Page 000311, first paragraph); "We were enjoined to refrain from. . . " (Page 0003 11, last paragraph).
7. "Since we have been operating under orders from our unseen friends..." Emma Christensen, document # 1346.
8. In 1897, Doc and Lena were married.
9. In 1911 Dr. Sadler describes his encounter with the "sleeping subject" in the Appendix from "The Mind at Mischief." The date of actual first "contact" with revelators is disputed and ranges from 1905 to 1911. Ernest Moyer's research shows the date to be mid-April, 1908.
10. In 1921 or 1922 the Sadlers moved their medical practice to 533 Diversey Parkway in Chicago.
11. January 25, 1923, was the first meeting of the group which became known as "the forum."
12. Emma Christensen ("Christy") joined the Sadler household at 533 Diversey Parkway in 1923. (Emma Christensen is widely believed to be the stenographer referred to in "The Mind at Mischief.")
13. February 11, 1924, the contact commission was formalized. Original members were: Dr. William S. Sadler; born June 24, 1875, in Spencer, Indiana; died April 26, 1969. Dr. Lena Celestia Sadler (Dr. Lena is in Who's Who); born June 9, 1875, in Abscota, Michigan; died August 8, 1939. William S. Sadler, Jr., born 1908, (or 1906?), died November 22, 1963. Anna Kellogg (sister of Lena). Wilfred Kellogg, who was the "anonymous donor" who gave the printing plates to the Foundation. Emma Christensen, born January 29, 1890, in Gem Township, South Dakota; died May 2, 1982.
14. The forum had 30 members in September, 1925.
15. In 1927 the forum pledge was formalized. The forumites all signed a pledge stating: "We acknowledge our pledge of secrecy, renewing our promise not to discuss the Urantia Revelations or their subject matter with any one save active Forum members, and to take no notes of such matter as is read or discussed at the public sessions, or make copies or notes of what we personally read."
16. In 1928, Bill Sadler was recalled from the Marines.
17. The revelators request the humans to ask questions. Page 000296 ("How the Urantia Papers Started") of the History.
18. The forum acted like a "comprehension barometer" for the revelators: "These papers were read to the forum. At the end of each paper was a note suggesting the next title on which questions should be asked, This is how they [the revelators] led us through the first time. They were read to the forum and they generated more questions and over a period of years this book accumulated." (From Bill's tape on origin).
19. "The first group of Papers numbered 57." (History, Page 000308).
20. ". . . the superhuman agencies and personalities responsible for transmitting the 57 Papers would engage to enlarge the revelation and to expand the Papers (History, Page 000308).
21. Meredith Sprunger relates that "the papers always appeared in a predetermined place and they were hand written. Handwriting experts agreed that it was not the writing of the human individual involved. They were requested to have these original papers typewritten and kept in a safe in Dr. Sadler's office. Whenever the original papers were copied, the originals always disappeared. Ten dollar bills were placed between the sheets and they found the original papers would disappear but the bills would remain in the locked safe. After the papers began coming, the contact commissioners were requested to read them to the Forum.
22. They discovered that after some papers were read and placed in the safe, they disappeared. When they inquired about this disappearance, very little explanation was given beyond the fact that it was their decision to withdraw the paper. Other papers were altered after being read to the Forum. The assumption is that they were required to read these papers to the Forum so that these spirit beings could observe human reaction to the material presented." These paragraphs refer to the earlier papers intended for the forum, not the actual (final) 1934 and 1935 papers.
23. February, 1925 - First questions submitted to the superhuman personalities.
24. Between 1925 to about 1929 the "first series" of papers was delivered. The members of the Forum read and responded to these papers. They drafted questions in response to what they read. The "second series" was an expansion of all of the first papers. Some of the titles were changed, some papers were deleted, others consolidated and new ones added. But the order was close to that of the "first series." Among the "first series" of papers were, Installation of the Godhead; The Son of God; The Sons of God; The Third Source and Center; Higher Personalities of the Third Source and Center; Spiritual Artisans; Ministering Spirits; The Planetary Prince; Evolution of Law, Order and Civilization; Adam and Eve; The Default; the "Religion Papers" (ultimately published as papers 99 through 103); The Jewish Idea of God from Melchizedek to Christ; Bestowals of Christ Michael; Thought Adjusters and Seraphic Guardians.
25. "And last, but not least, the technique of receiving the Urantia Papers in answer to questions was an entirely new and unique method of imparting information on the part of superhuman intelligences. The very book itself is original in origin and unique in impartation." (Page 25, Consideration of Some Criticisms of the Urantia Book, by Dr Sadler).
26. As Ernest Moyer puts it, "We must differentiate between the "papers" intended for the Forum, and the final Revelation. The two, while closely parallel, where not identical. The Forum papers were intended to bring a group of people into loyalty to the Revelation, and to introduce them to concepts. From this foundation the actual papers were then delivered."
27. On May 2, 1958, Doc Sadler replied to a letter from Meredith Sprunger. In that letter he stated: Now about the "Mind at Mischief" and Appendix. At the time that book was written we had not begun to receive the Urantia Papers. Our communications were varied and of miscellaneous nature, and furthermore, we had not been put under any restrictions about discussing the case. These were the times in which we could bring in magicians, physicians, and friends to help us observe this phenomena."
28. Note that Doc Sadler carefully distinguishes the "Urantia Papers." He and the other members of the Contact Commission "had not begun to receive the Urantia Papers" in 1929. Doc Sadler did not consider the Forum "papers" as part of the revelation.
29. A parallel description is in Bill Sadler's taped talk on origin: "One evening when they were talking to this chap, a kind of an argument came up. They were talking with someone who claimed to be a Mighty Messenger. They asked if he could prove he was a Mighty Messenger. 'No,' he said, 'but you can't prove I'm not either. If you knew what I know, you wouldn't ask these half-baked questions. You would prepare some of the most deep, searching and far-reaching questions you could possibly imagine. "' (From Bill Sadler's tape on origin).
30. At this challenge from the Mighty Messenger (former human) the contact commission and the forum composed questions: "My father was half English and half Irish and he got kind of mad - they were checking out this phenomena and here they were being challenged. Pop looked at the others in the group and said, 'Let's take him up on it.' So the next Sunday when the Forum met the whole group came in on the deal. I was told that approximately five thousand questions were given. Some were silly - how old is God, who created him, and so forth. What happened was this - one day the questions were gone and where the questions were kept was the first of the Urantia Papers and was entitled, 'The Universal Father.'" (Bill Sadler, tape on origin).
31. "The first group of Papers numbered 57." (History, Page 000308).
32. ". . . the superhuman agencies and personalities responsible for transmitting the 57 Papers would engage to enlarge the revelation and to expand the Papers (History, Page 000308).
33. Paper 1 was expanded into 5 Papers, etc.
34. Doc writes, "At the time I wrote this Appendix I was puzzled and bewildered. I had been unable to solve my problem but I still regarded it as some new phase of natural psychic phenomena. This manuscript was prepared either late in 1927, or early in 1928 - more than thirty years ago."
35. Consultation with "magicians, physicians, and friends" was prior to Doc's 1929 "Mind At Mischief" statement. In Doc's books are references to those persons as early as 1921.
36. Thus you can see that Doc Sadler continued to be in a state of confusion concerning the Sleeping Subject, as late as 1928. We now know that the actual Papers did not come through Sleeping Subject; they "materialized" miraculously in 1934 and 1935.
Actual Materialization of the Papers
37. "Remember: when we are asked, 'Just how did you get the Urantia Book?' if each of us told everything we know about the origin of the Urantia Papers, such a narrative would not fully satisfy the inquirer, for there is too much concerning the transmittal of the Urantia Papers that none of us fully understands. If you knew all we know, you would still be ignorant of much concerning the phenomena of factualizing these documents. No living person fully understands just how the Urantia Papers got translated into the English manuscript which was authorized for publication." (Page 9, Consideration of Some Criticisms of the Urantia Book, by Dr. Sadler).
38. All that was intended to remain in writing from the revelators is the Urantia Papers: "During these early years the contact commissioners received many communications and directives in writing. Almost all of these messages had a notation at the bottom of the last page which read: 'To be destroyed by fire not later than the appearance of the Urantia Papers in print."' (History, Page 000311).
39. Doc Sadler was a student and debunker of fake spiritualism. He emphasized the following over and over: "It should be made clear that the antecedents of the Urantia Papers were in no way associated with so-called spiritualism - with its seances and supposed communication with the spirits of departed human beings." (History, with the list of ways the Papers did not materialize).
40. Sometime around 1930 or 1940 Dr. Sadler is reported to have consulted with Harry Houdini and with Howard Thurston, a renowned sleight of hand artist who devoted considerable time to exposing fraudulent mediums and psychics. He is also reported to have consulted with Sir Hubert Wilkins, a noted scientist and explorer who investigated psychic phenomena in an attempt to understand the unique process of which he was a part.
41. "I can testify that the Urantia Papers were not the product of automatic writing or any other technique of psychic legerdemain known to me." (Page 13, Consideration of Some Criticisms of the Urantia Book, by Dr. Sadler).
42. "The technique of the reception of the Urantia Book in English in no way parallels or impinges upon any of the above phenomena of the marginal consciousness." (Page 14, Consideration of Some Criticisms of the Urantia Book, by Dr. Sadler).
43. "During these early years, all of our observations and investigations utterly failed to reveal the technique of reducing messages to writing." (History, Page 000295, last sentence.)
44. "The book did not come through a medium, or by automatic writing, or any of the well-known psychic phenomena, It was written by superhuman personalities, all of whom are described in the book." Emma Christensen, document # 568, 4/11/68.
45. Bill Sadler had a theory of how the actual Papers were written: "I'll tell you how I think this paper was written. And my theory is not one-hundred percent correct. But its the best I can find. Visualize several places in space - points A, B, C and D. I think the papers were dictated or conceived at point A and had we been there when any of these papers were written we would have seen nothing, A Divine Counselor is presenting his concepts in the language of Uversa. A translator is there who translates it into the language of Salvington. There is another translator there who translates from the language of Salvington to the language of Satania and another translator who translates from Satania into English. You cannot translate from Uversa into English because the languages are too far apart... Point A was linked by some sort of communication circuit to point B. At point B there would be something to see, but it would be rather dull. It would be a man asleep - doing nothing. Remember the resurrection and the way the stone was moved by the Midwayers? At point C you would see a pencil moving over paper with no visible means of motion. That's where the physical writing took place. Now point D would be where we found the Papers. This individual was never seen to write one of these Papers - and don't think we weren't wearing gumshoes looking. If he wrote them he was more clever than us - he was never observed to write them... We tried everything we could think of to see how this was being done, but were baffled. The text was entirely written in pencil - all in the handwriting of this individual who remarked that if they ever wanted to draw on his bank account he'd be a dead duck because the bank would pay on their signature. . ." (From Bill Sadler's tape on origin).
46. Since, "Just about all that is known or could be told about the origin of the Urantia Papers is to be found, here and there, in the Urantia Book." (History, Page 000301), we check Bill's theories with the Papers themselves. Necessary preparations for presenting the Urantia Papers to us were carried out by primary and secondary midwayers (beings quite close to us who can operate in both the spiritual and material worlds). It should be made clear, however, that the midway creatures are not involved in phenomena related to "spiritualism" or "mediumship" and they do not, ordinarily, permit humans to witness their contact with the material world (page 865).
47. Speaking of midwayers: "It was the work of this secondary group, ably seconded by certain of the primary corps, that brought about the co-ordination of personalities and circumstances on Urantia which finally induced the planetary celestial supervisors to initiate those petitions that resulted in the granting of the mandates making possible the series of revelations of which this presentation is a part." (Urantia Papers, page 865).
48. "On many worlds the better adapted secondary midway creatures are able to attain varying degrees of contact with the Thought Adjusters of certain favorably constituted mortals through the skillful penetration of the minds of the latter's' indwelling. (And it was by just such a fortuitous combination of cosmic adjustments that these revelations were materialized in the English language on Urantia.)" (Urantia Papers, page 1258).
49. "Page 865, par. 6, 7. The narrative of the midwayers function in initiating and carrying forward to completion the Urantia Revelation." (History, Page 000302, # 7).
50. Sometimes the Papers say, "dictated by" or "translated by," or "indited by," or "Presented by," or "authorized by," etc., when telling us the author.
51. The sleeping subject's Thought Adjuster was used - the sleeping subject was not used. He was in bed sleeping when the final Papers were materialized.
52. The Jesus Papers were given in a bundle, typed, with perfectly justified margins. "Part IV - The Jesus Papers - had a little different origin. They were produced by a midwayer commission and were completed one year later than the other Papers. The first three parts were completed and certified to us in AD 1934. The Jesus Papers were not so delivered to us until 1933." (History, Page 000309).
53. Kagan Affidavit, by forum member Bud Kagan: "Paper 119 came through in 1935 just before the entire Part IV was delivered complete - typewritten, justified, punctuated and capitalized. 1935 - Part IV - the "Jesus Papers" - delivered. All of Part IV was discovered in a vacant office, typewritten, next to the typewriter on which they had been produced. According to Bill Sadler this was not in the original Revelatory mandate, but the Urantia Midwayers enjoined the Commission and appealed all the way up the chain of command to include this narrative of Michael's final bestowal. It took one year (of our time) and the Ancients of Days ruled that it was not inconsistent with the Urantia Revelation to include the triumphant bestowal of Michael of Nebadon. A Melchizedek editor was appointed to work with the midwayer commission. It is possible that the "Life & Teachings" were already composed by the Urantia Midwayers and submitted as part of their brief. See last sentence of 77:9.9. The above is a published document on the world wide web, and I believe it to be true and accurate as it was related to me by Dr. Sadler, his son Bill and other early members of the Forum. See Internet www.ub fellowship.org /archive/ history/ h_timlin.htm. 6. The Author(s) of the above mentioned Papers (The Life and Teachings of Jesus) are described as a Midwayer (name withheld due to a pledge deemed sacred by affiant) who once guarded the Apostle Andrew, and his eleven associates Midwayers. Midwayers are not human beings, but personalities without form, whose genesis is over 36,000 years ago and are electrically energized. They are stateless and do not qualify as persons in accordance with the copyright act."
54. These words follow a list of ways the Urantia Papers were not received: "Note: The technique of the reception of the Urantia Book in English in no way parallels or impinges upon any of the above phenomena of the marginal consciousness." (History, Page 000305).
55. The revelators did not want any human name to be associated with the revelation, simply because the Papers are revelation, authored entirely by superhumans. ". . . the Celestial Revelators do not want any human being - any human name ever to be associated with the Urantia Book. . ." (History, Page 000306).
56. "They [the superhuman revelators] are determined that future generations shall have the book wholly free from all mortal connections. . . " (History, Page 000306).
57. "They [the revelators] did not want any human beings to be mystically associated with the Fifth Epochal Revelation of Truth to our planet." Emma Christensen, document # 619, 4/20/78.
58. "The Urantia Book claims to be a revelation and we believe it to be." "No human being's name is in any way connected with the book." Emma Christensen, document # 2016, 2/19/63. In 1936, Dr. Sadler finally admits that he now feels with certainty that the Urantia Book is what it says it is after reading the description of the twelve Apostles in Part IV. In April 3, 1939, "The Seventy" organized for intensive study classes (70 people volunteered) and begins meeting on Wednesday evenings at 533 Diversey Parkway, June 28, 1941, the R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company submits a contract for "Composition and Plates for Book - approximately two thousand pages" to Mr. W. C. Kellogg. September 11, 1941, Wilfred Kellogg signs contract with R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company for typesetting the Urantia Book. In 1942, forum members begin reviewing galley proofs of the Urantia Book - this process continued for nearly a decade. Mary Daley, employee of R. R. Donnelley, was assigned full-time to work at 533 Diversey Parkway assisting in reading of the galley proofs. May 31, 1942, was the last formal meeting of the forum.
59. January 11, 1950, was the formation of Urantia Foundation and signing of the Declaration of Trust. In 1950 the contact commission consisted of: Dr. William S. Sadler, William S. Sadler, Jr., Emma Christensen, Wilfred Kellogg, and Anna Kellogg. January 11, 1950, Wilfred Kellogg signed over his rights in the plates for the Urantia Book to the new trustees of Urantia Foundation.
60. The original trustees of Urantia Foundation were: William Hales, President, William S. Sadler, Jr., Vice President, Emma Christensen, Secretary, Edith Cook, and Wilfred Kellogg.
61. Then came time to publish: "At long last, permission to publish the Urantia Papers was granted." (Page 000313, first sentence).
62. "Upon receipt of these instructions [from the superhuman revelators), the Contact Commissioners entered upon the task of publishing the Urantia Book and preparation of plans for its distribution," (History, Page 000313).
63. "We did not receive authority from the revelators to print the book until 1955," Emma Christensen, document # 802, 12/27/71.
64. "Allow me to call to your attention some admonitions given us in connection with the mandate for the publication of the Urantia Book. Among other things we were advised: 'You are called to a great work and yours is to be a transcendent privilege to present this revelation to the peoples of this strife-torn world.'" (Page 1, Consideration of Some Criticisms of the Urantia Book, by Dr. Sadler).
65. "The human response to the revelator' initiative such as the mechanics of getting the Book printed and the organization of Urantia Foundation and Urantia Brotherhood are interesting activities but have no revelatory spiritual significance." Emma Christensen, document # 455, 6/16/78. January 2, 1955, Urantia Brotherhood General Council formed by 36 members of the Forum, signed a constitution, and William S. Sadler, Jr. was elected first President of the Brotherhood. February 11, 1955, formal arrangements for publication of the Urantia Book were started by Urantia Foundation. October 12, 1955, the first publishing of the Urantia Book - 10,000 copies were printed. Once the Papers were published, the contact commission and early trustees of the Foundation answered questions on origin. Over an over again, they claimed that the Papers are exactly what they claim to be, the fifth epochal revelation to the planet, authored by superhuman revelators sent to Urantia for the purpose of materializing a revelation. Over and over, the contact commission testified that there was no human authorship, no human editing, no human compiling or assembling, etc.
66. "The Papers were published just as we received them." (History, Page 000314, first paragraph). "The Contact Commissioners had no editorial authority." (History, Page 000314, first paragraph). "Our job was limited to 'spelling, capitalization, and punctuation."' (History, Page 000314, first paragraph).
67. See David Kantor's Timeline History of Origin and List of Sources on the Fellowship's website for more detailed information and dates.
THE JESUS PAPERS
"Part IV The Jesus Papers had a little different origin. They were produced by a midwayer commission and were completed one year later than the other Papers. The first three parts were completed and certified to us in AD 1934. The Jesus Papers were not so delivered to us until 1935." (History, Page 000309). The Jesus Papers arrived in a bundle - forum member Barrie Bedell, witness.
1. The Jesus Papers arrived in a bundle: forum member Bud Kagan, Affidavit: "Paper 119 came through in 1935 just before the entire Part IV was delivered complete - typewritten, justified, punctuated and capitalized. 1935 - Part IV - the "Jesus Papers" - delivered. All of Part IV was discovered in a vacant office, typewritten, next to the typewriter on which they had been produced. According to Bill Sadler this was not in the original Revelatory mandate, but the Urantia Midwayers enjoined the Commission and appealed all the way up the chain of command to include this narrative of Michael's final bestowal. It took one year (of our time) and the Ancients of Days ruled that it was not inconsistent with the Urantia Revelation to include the triumphant bestowal of Michael of Nebadon. A Melchizedek editor was appointed to work with the midwayer commission. It is possible that the "Life & Teachings" were already composed by the Urantia Midwayers and submitted as part of their brief. See last sentence of 77:9.9. The above is a published document on the world wide web, and I believe it to be true and accurate as it was related to me by Dr. Sadler, his son Bill and other early members of the Forum. See Internet www.ub fellowship.org /archive/ history/ h_timlin.htm. 6. The Author(s) of the above mentioned Papers (The Life and Teachings of Jesus) are described as a Midwayer (name withheld due to a pledge deemed sacred by affiant) who once guarded the Apostle Andrew, and his eleven associates Midwayers. Midwayers are not human beings, but personalities without form, whose genesis is over 36,000 years ago and are electrically energized. They are stateless and do not qualify as persons in accordance with the copyright act."
2. Plaintiffs Responses to Defendant's Requests for Admissions, April 25, 1994, Request 32: "...because of the acknowledgment by the listed authors of the participation in the origination of the content of the Urantia Papers by the midwayers, who are not defined in The URANTIA Book as "superhuman beings;" the acknowledgment of some 3000 human sources or origins for the text of the Urantia Papers; as well as the active participation of the contact personality, the Contact Commission, and the Forum in the originating process of the text of The URANTIA Book. . ."
3. "The midway creatures are super-material beings and are just beyond our range of vision. They are the permanent citizens of the inhabited worlds. They exist on a level between angels and mortals, hence the name midwayers. For more information on these marvelous beings, I suggest you read Paper 77." (Definition of midwayers by Thomas Kendall, 10/09/73, letter No. 1431*).
TESTIMONY FROM EMMA CHRISTENSEN:
Ms. Emma Christensen ("Christy") wrote thousands of letters for the Foundation over the years. Here are excerpts from some of her letters concerning editing or arrangement or organization of the Urantia Papers:
A. Letter from Emma Christensen, October 25, 1973: "The authors are all listed in the book itself, and you will find papers describing them in detail, as this is the only information we have regarding the origin, nature, and organization of the Urantia Book." Exhibit C-1.
B. Letter from Emma Christensen, April 20, 1978: "I can categorically assure you that no humans decided the content of the Urantia Book. The Book is as the revelators gave it to us." Exhibit C-2.
C. Letter from Emma Christensen, March 6, 1975: "The Urantia papers were not discovered. They were transmitted to this planet by an Orvonton Commission sent to Urantia for this purpose." The Urantia Book is complete." Exhibit C-4.
D. Letter from Emma Christensen, May 20, 1974: "Through your assistance we shall be able to move forward with the tremendous undertaking of bringing the supernal teachings of the Urantia Book to all mankind, unchanged by any human ideas or doctrines." Exhibit C-5.
E. Letter from Emma Christensen, April 6, 1976: "The Urantia Book was not written by the Urantia Foundation. It is a revelation given to this world by superhuman personalities." Exhibit C-6.
F. Letter from Emma Christensen, April 29, 1977: Naturally, an epochal revelation is a major event, and from our understanding of superhuman planetary governments which the Urantia Book describes, we would expect that this revelation has received constant attention and been under considerable care of our superhuman superiors."
G. Letters from Emma Christensen, April 20, 1978, April 26, 1978, June 16, 1978, August 2, 1978: "I can categorically assure you that no humans decided the content of the Urantia Book. The Book is as the revelators gave it to us." Exhibits C-8 and C-10 and C-16.
H. Letter from Emma Christensen, May 8, 1974: "Two thousand years ago, the 'Word' was made flesh. today the 'Word' is made book." Exhibit C-12.
I. Letter from Emma Christensen, July 14, 1977: "The papers are based on no human authority." Exhibit C-13.
J. Letter from Emma Christensen, June 1, 1976: "No part of the Urantia Book was ever edited. It has been printed as it was given to our world." Exhibit C-15.
K. Letter from Emma Christensen, September 8, 1977: "The Urantia Book has not gone through any alterations. It was received in all essential respects just as you now find it, and was written in the English language." Exhibit C-18.
L. Letter from Emma Christensen, March 23, 1960: "The Urantia Book was published just as we received it in English. There was no editing. Our only jurisdiction had to do with typing, proof-reading and publication." Exhibit C-20. (2151).
M. Letter from Emma Christensen, August 28, 1975: "The Urantia Book was published precisely as it was given to the people of this planet. Not a word has been added or deleted." Exhibit C-21.
N. Letter from Emma Christensen, September 19, 1972: "No human scholars edited the book." Exhibit 794.
O. Letter from Emma Christensen, October 30, 1975: "the revelators did not desire any human name connected with this revelation." Exhibit 551.
P. Letter from Emma Christensen, February 19, 1963: "No human being's name is in any way connected with the book." Exhibit 2016.
Q. Letter from Emma Christensen, March 23, 1960: "The Urantia Book has not gone through any alterations. It was received in all essential respects just as you now find it, and was written in the English language." Exhibit 2867.*
R. Letter from Emma Christensen, August 13, 1970: "It was not discovered - it was well planned by a Revelatory Commission from Paradise." Exhibit 409.*
S. Letter from Emma Christensen, November 29, 1973: "Its origin is completely described in the concluding paragraphs at the end of parts I, II and III (pp. 354, 648, and 1319). The source of the information is described within the book itself. It bears no relationship whatsoever to any gnostic writings, at least as related to human origin." Exhibit 1193.*
T. Letter from Emma Christensen, October 25, 1973: December 20, 1973: "...any validation from human beings would be quite superfluous and entirely inconsistent with the quality of the revelation itself." Exhibit 519.*
U. Letter from Emma Christensen, April 29, 1974: "While it is to be expected that individuals will ask questions regarding the origin, we find that the best way to answer them is simply to state that the authorship is superhuman and encourage individuals to judge for themselves whether the statement is true." Exhibit 1224.* V. Letter from Emma Christensen, May 31, 1974: "You have perceived that the Urantia Book appears to be written from a superhuman viewpoint, which is exactly the case. You have probably seen some of the authorship statements in the book. All of these statements are true and correct." "We accept the Urantia Book for exactly what it purports to be - the Fifth Major Epochal Revelation of Truth to our planet." Exhibit 1268.*
W. Letter from Emma Christensen, July 29, 1974: "Every order of personality that took part in writing the Urantia Book is described and explained in the Book." Exhibit 845.*
X. Letter from Emma Christensen, April 17, 1974: "In view of the fact that the Urantia Book was written by super-human beings and our religious organization is only a human response to the supernal teachings of the book, I would not let our organization influence your decisions about the teachings of the Urantia Book." Exhibit 2130.*
Y. Letter from Emma Christensen, April 18, 1968: "It claims to be a revelation, and we believe it is. The papers were written by superhuman personalities (constituting a Revelatory Commission) and these personalities are all described in detail in the Urantia Book." Exhibit 1209.*
Z. Letter from Emma Christensen, July 2, 1974: "I am sorry I cannot supply you with more detailed information about how the papers in the Urantia Book were received. I can say this - no mediums, psychics, or sensitives were in any way connected with this revelation. The only information we have is that contained in the book itself." (934*).
TESTIMONY FROM TOM KENDALL
Tom Kendall also answered a great deal of correspondence for the Foundation over the years. Here are some excerpts from his letters concerning editing or arrangement or organization of the Urantia Papers:
A. Letter from Thomas Kendall, November 27, 1979: "The book also contains all of the available information on its origin and advent on our world in references scattered throughout its pages. Some of these references are listed on the back of the dust jacket. It makes fascinating reading and could be the adventure of a lifetime to undertake a thorough study of The Urantia Book to reconstruct the story of how such revelations are given to mortals on worlds such as ours. Revelation is a mystery to us, but hopefully we will gain more knowledge of this fascinating subject as we begin our quest for the Universal Father on the mansion worlds of the local system after our mortal death. The Urantia Book is arranged and assembled exactly as revealed." Exhibit K-1. (0750.)
B. Letter from Thomas Kendall, September 17, 1980: (0916). "The Forum existed over a period of many years and its composition constantly changed. There were many members, so many that it would be difficult or impossible to give all of the names and the level of education and achievement of each individual. They were really a cross section of humanity. If they had anything in common, it was an attitude of searching for higher realities. The important thing is that these people did not write The Urantia Book. It is entirely revelatory. The Forum members merely studied the Urantia papers prior to initial publication in 1955. No examination of Forum members ambitions, intelligence or community involvement would shed any light on the authenticity of this work which purports to be the latest revelation of truth to our world. The Urantia Book authenticates itself through the recognition by the reader of the truth contained in its teachings. The identity of the person who was the contact personality has been wisely withheld from us by the revelators. They must know only too well how we would tend to venerate someone who was involved in an epochal development such as this. The revelators did not want any human to be mystically associated with The Urantia Book. The contact personality was not a Forum member, to my knowledge. The origin of this revelation and its advent on our world is described in The Urantia Book itself in scattered references. No doubt you have read these passages during your several years of reading." Exhibits K-3, K-4.
C. Letter from Thomas Kendall, December 30, 1975: "It would seem presumptuous for mere mortals to affect any changes." Exhibit K-5.
D. Letter from Thomas Kendall, June 19, 1980: "The nature, origin and organization of the Urantia Book is explained within the pages of the Book itself in scattered references." Exhibits K-8, K-9.
E. Letter from Thomas Kendall, April 11, 1977: "The Revelatory Commission, no doubt, had many good reasons for giving us this message in the form and sequence as found in the Urantia Book." Exhibit K-10.
F. Letter from Thomas Kendall, October 27, 1975: "These superhuman beings really know how to use the English language." Exhibits K-11, K-12.
G. Letter from Thomas Kendall, January 31, 1978: "No human ever edited this material." "The authors are members of the revelatory commission and are superhuman." Exhibit K-13.
H. Letter from Thomas Kendall, September 17, 1980: "The important thing is that these people [forum] did not write the Urantia Book. It is entirely revelatory." Exhibit K-14, K-15.
I. Letter from Thomas Kendall, December 28, 1978: "Making certain that it continues to be available in the form in which it was revealed." Exhibit 421.
J. Letter from Thomas Kendall, November 2, 1978: As to origin, the Urantia Book explains its advent on our world and the reasons for its coming within its pages." Exhibit 429.
K. Letter from Thomas Kendall, September 26, 1979: "I am convinced that the Urantia Book was indeed written by celestial authors. If the Urantia Book does constitute the fifth epochal revelation of truth to our planet, it would have to have been written by supermortal beings." Exhibit 483.
L. Letter from Thomas Kendall, September 15, 1972: "As stated in the Urantia Book, this is a revelation presented by superhuman personalities all of whom are described in the book itself. All information regarding the transmission of this material, to our knowledge, is given in the book itself and you will find paragraphs listed on the back of the dust jacket which will give you some light on this subject." Exhibit 521.
M. Letter from Thomas Kendall, March 6, 1978: "The Urantia Papers are self validating and possess a wholeness that one recognizes as you proceed through the book." Exhibit 669.
N. Letter from Thomas Kendall, November 27, 1979: "The book also contains all of the available information on its origin and advent on our world in references scattered throughout its pages. Some of these references are listed on the back of the dust jacket. It makes fascinating reading and could be the adventure of a lifetime to undertake a thorough study of The Urantia Book to reconstruct the story of how such revelations are given to mortals on worlds such as ours. Revelation is a mystery to us, but hopefully we will gain more knowledge of this fascinating subject as we begin our quest for the Universal Father on the mansion worlds of the local system after our mortal death. The Urantia Book is arranged and assembled exactly as revealed." FF.M. Exhibit A-18. (750).
O. Letter from Thomas Kendall, December 29, 1975: "It is closer to perfection than any individual mortal or human agency could make it." Exhibit 887.*
P. Letter from Thomas Kendall, August 22, 1975: "The teachings ... are best appreciated when studied in their complete form." Exhibit 724.*
Q. Letter from Thomas Kendall, March 24, 1981: "They [the revelators] wanted to bestow these truths to the mortals of our world unencumbered by any 'egg shells' of its arrival." (1329).*
R. Letter from Thomas Kendall, May 28, 1975: "We believe that the Urantia Book is a meaningful whole." Exhibit 1335.*
S. Letter from Thomas Kendall, September 14, 1977: "The revelators speak so eloquently and, no doubt, took many years and obviously great care to present to us the inspiring story of Jesus' life and its meaning for mortals of our world that it seems unlikely that we humans could really improve upon it," Exhibit 1336.*
T. Letter from Thomas Kendall, May 28, 1975: "...we believe that the Urantia Book is a meaningful whole . . ." Exhibit 1335.*
U. Letter from Thomas Kendall, September 14, 1977: "The revelators speak so eloquently and, no doubt, took many years and obviously great care to present to us the inspiring story of Jesus' life and its meaning for mortals of our world that it seems unlikely that we humans could really improve upon it . . ." Exhibit 1366.*
V. Letter from Thomas Kendall, January 3, 1983: "the attached paper on origin, by Dr. Meredith Sprunger may be helpful to you." "I have no knowledge of further written transmissions. Our relationship with any of the orders of extra-human personalities are always to be determined by them." Exhibit 2176.*
W. Letter from Thomas Kendall, April 25, 1973: "If you have a copy of the Urantia Book with a dust jacket, I suggest you look up and read the references on the back which will give you all of the available information 'Concerning the nature, origin, and organization of the Urantia Book.'" Exhibit 524.*
X. Letter from Thomas Kendall, November 2, 1979: "The information concerning the origin, nature, and organization of the Urantia Book is in the book itself in scattered references." Exhibit 852.*
Y. Letter from Thomas Kendall, April 25, 1973: "I suggest you look up and read the references on the back which will give you all of the available information 'Concerning the nature, origin, and organization of the Urantia Book.'" Exhibit 1351.*
Z. Letter from Thomas Kendall, April 25, 1973: "If you have a copy of the Urantia Book with a dust-jacket, I suggest you look up and read the reference on the back of the jacket, 'Concerning ... the Nature, Origin, and Organization of the Urantia Book.' All the information available on this topic is included in the book itself." Exhibit 1447.*
TESTIMONY FROM JIM MILLS
Jim Mills was also a Foundation spokesperson who answered a great deal of correspondence for the Foundation over the years. Here are some excerpts from his letters which concern editing or arrangement or organization of the Urantia Papers:
A. Letter from Jim Mills, October 26, 1972: "The information contained in Section 4, Paper 94 of the Urantia Book was indited by its signed author, a Melchizedek of Nebadon. No human mentality was engaged in its original compilation which has been reproduced exactly as it was transmitted." Exhibit M-1. (0445).
B. Letter from Jim Mills, June 11, 1973: "The authors have placed the sequence of studies in their present arrangement for their own good reasons and while it is tempting to skip around, much better results are obtained by slow steady reading." (0589). Exhibit M-2.
C. Letter from Jim Mills, November 9, 1973 and November 23, 1973: "...unchanged by any human ideas or doctrines." Exhibits M-3 and M-4.
D. Letter from Jim Mills, March 14, 1971: "In regard to your questions relative to the authors of the papers which comprise the book, all we can say is that they are the work of those personalities and commissions whose names appear appended to each paper or group of papers." Exhibits M-5 and M-6.
E. Letter from Jim Mills, July 30, 1971: "The authors of the book are exactly as they describe themselves, and their identity and function is described within the pages of the book itself." Exhibit M-7.
F. Letter from Jim Mills, January 3, 1973: "The final origin of the Urantia Papers lies in the authors themselves. You will note that all papers in the first three parts are signed by their author, while credit for the presentation of part four is given to a commission. As these are all superhuman beings the next question arises as to the technique of transmittal." Exhibit M-8.
G. Letter from Jim Mills, August 14, 1973: "The Urantia Book is based entirely upon the statements of the authors of the individual papers, all of whom are self-identified or identified by other authors. No human being had any part in authorship itself." Exhibit M-10. (1241).
H. Letter from Jim Mills, August 24, 1973: "The human subject is unknown to all members of the Foundation and the Brotherhood, and is presumed deceased. Had the writers of the Papers considered his identity important, we speculate provisions would have been made to perpetuate his memory." Exhibit M-12, M-13.
I. Letter from Jim Mills, November 13, 1973: "Any validation from human beings would be quite superfluous and entirely inconsistent with the quality of the revelation itself." Exhibit M-14.
J. Letter from Jim Mills, December 11, 1973: "Its true origin lies in the authors themselves." Exhibit M-15.
K. Letter from Jim Mills, December 19, 1973: "The revelation was presented as an entity in itself, to stand upon its own feet." Exhibit M- 17.
L. Letter from Jim Mills, August 6, 1973: "The Urantia Book is the work of many personalities, none of which are human. Each paper is signed by its author, often identified only as a member of a group, sometimes individually. This is true of all papers in Parts I, II, and III. Part IV is the work of a commission, all members of which are superhuman." "These statements usually bring forth the question: "How did it get here?" The story of the technique of transmission is to be found in the book itself but not as a continuous narrative. It is found in bits and pieces scattered throughout the book. The discovery and assembly of the bits and pieces is an intriguing pursuit which may be undertaken only after several readings." "We function to bring the Urantia Book to human minds. Its acceptance or rejection by them is a matter of their own personal choice. To paraphrase an old aphorism, "we bring the water to the horse, the drinking thereof is his decision."" "We believe the Urantia Book is exactly that which it purports itself to be. But that is only our decision - one which each of us has made individually." Exhibit 917.*
M. Letter from Jim Mills, August 28, 1973: "the Urantia Book, in our firm belief, is exactly what it purports itself to be, including its authors." Exhibit 634.*
N. Letter from Jim Mills, January 16, 1974: "Where did the book come from? From the minds of its authors who are all described in the book itself." Exhibit 419.*
O. Letter from Jim Mills, January 18, 1974: "The source of these various papers lies totally with the authors themselves." Exhibit 440.*
P. Letter from Jim Mills, August 4, 1972: "The truths and concepts portrayed are entirely their work. We of the Foundation and the Brotherhood are merely the earthly trustees and preservers of this tremendous work." Exhibit 728.*
Q. Letter from Jim Mills, October 16, 1972: "Our 'unseen friends' adhered to narrative only." Exhibit 1194.*
R. Letter from Jim Mills, November 15, 1972: "As to the semantics employed, we had no control over them. We have reproduced the text exactly as received. We are pledged to preserve it inviolate, and will do so." Exhibit 510.*
S. Letter from Jim Mills, December 6, 1972: "The origin of the book is in the authors themselves and primarily the Revelatory Commission (corps of truth revealers) mentioned on page 1 of the Foreword. The technique of transmittal is to be found discussed in the text itself..." Exhibit 758.*
T. Letter from Jim Mills, March 14, 1973: "The Urantia Book is not the statement of the ... Foundation. Its authorship is clearly stated in the book itself." Exhibit 2606 and M-19.
U. Letter from Jim Mills, June 4, 1973; Exhibit 1373.*
V. Letter from Jim Mills, July 2, 1973; Exhibit 456.*
W. Letter from Jim Mills, August 28, 1973; Exhibit 634
X. Letter from Jim Mills, September 7, 1973; Exhibit 1286.
Y. Letter from Jim Mills, September 11, 1973; Exhibit 460.*
Z. Letter from Jim Mills, November 6, 1973: "Through your assistance we shall be able to move forward with the tremendous undertaking of bringing the supernal teachings of the Urantia Book to all mankind, unchanged by any human ideas or doctrines." Exhibits 477 and 1287.*
AA. Letter from Jim Mills, October 23, 1983: "I quote his statement immediately following the above. 'Note: The technique of the reception of the Urantia Book in English in no way parallels or impinges upon any of the above phenomena of the marginal consciousness.'" Exhibit 1129.*
TESTIMONY BY BILL HALES
William M. (Bill) Hales was the first President of Urantia Foundation and long-time forum member. He testified in a deposition taken on October 21, 1994:
A. "I can categorically assure you that no humans decided the content of The Urantia Book." (W. Hales dep., page 22, line 20).
B. "The book is unchanged from the way the revelators provided it." (W. Hales dep., page 23, line 7).
C. "The essential facts which explain the origin of the Urantia Book are found in the book itself." (W. Hales dep., page 22, line 14).
D. "The Urantia Book was published just as it was received in English. There was no editing. Our only jurisdiction had to with typing, proofreading, and publication." (W. Hales dep., page 19, line 24 continued on page 20, lines 1-3).
E. "The book is as the revelators gave it to us." (W. Hales dep., page 22, line 21).
TESTIMONY OF SCOTT FORSYTHE
Scott Forsythe, Foundation Administrative Assistant, also answered a great deal of correspondence for the Foundation over the years. Here are some excerpts from his letters which concern editing or arrangement or organization of the Urantia Papers:
A. Letter from Scott Forsythe, October 18, 1978: "I can categorically assure you that no human decided the content of the Urantia Book. The Book is as the revelators gave it to us." Exhibits F-1 and F-7.
B. Letter from Scott Forsythe, December 11, 1980: "In response to your request for information about the origin of the book, we are enclosing a copy of a paper entitled, 'The Urantia Book: The Question of Origin.' This is the only publication of the subject of origin available from our offices. We are aware of no other publication of the subject." Exhibit F-3 and F-4. Meredith Sprunger's pamphlet, "The Origin of the Urantia Book," above.
C. Letter from Scott Forsythe, July 28, 1980: "The Urantia Book was presented to the world as it was received and no alterations of the text have been made or will be made." Exhibits F-5 and 2843.
D. Letter from Scott Forsythe, December 12, 1980; Exhibit F-6.
E. Letter from Scott Forsythe, October 25, 1978; Exhibit F-7 and F-8.
F. Letter from Scott Forsythe, July 28, 1980; Exhibit 2843.*
G. Letter from Scott Forsythe, December 12, 1980; Exhibit 2684.*
H. Letter from Scott Forsythe, November 4, 1983: "The book was given as a complete work and intended for students of truth in that form (see page 215, paragraph 4, for a philosophical consideration of this point)." Exhibit 1090.*