Bradley Whitsel

Elizabeth Clare Prophet, born Elizabeth Clare Wulf in 1939, was an American spiritual leader and author who established the Church Universal and Triumphant. Her teachings integrated mystical, Christian, and Eastern religious elements, leading her to author many books on spirituality that gained traction within New Age communities. At its height, her church attracted an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 followers.

Prophet gained notoriety in the late 1980s for predicting an imminent nuclear apocalypse. In preparation, she and her followers amassed supplies and constructed fallout shelters on their Montana compound, drawing the attention of federal authorities who investigated the church for firearms stockpiling. Following the non-occurrence of the predicted event, the church experienced a decline in membership. Prophet eventually stepped down from operational leadership in 1996, retiring fully in 1999 due to health reasons, though her recorded teachings continue to influence the church.

Born Elizabeth Clare Wulf in 1939, her early life in New Jersey was marked by her father's internment during WWII and later struggles with alcoholism and abuse. These experiences, alongside her awareness of the Holocaust, profoundly shaped her worldview, influencing her decision to study political science and her later focus on helping those who suffer due to prejudice. Prophet experienced periodic blackouts, initially diagnosed as epilepsy, which she perceived as a means of escape from her father's rages. She also reported early mystical experiences, including visions of past lives and a sense of divine presence, fostering a belief in the universality of true religions. Her mother's interest in Christian Science, Theosophy, and the I AM Activity introduced her to concepts like Ascended Masters, Karma, and Reincarnation, influencing her spiritual development.

After graduating with a degree in political science, Prophet worked in various administrative roles, including at the United Nations and for the Christian Science church, where she gained insights into large-scale organizational management. Her spiritual path deepened significantly upon meeting Mark L. Prophet, with whom she claimed to have Ascended Master visitations and received a calling to be a messenger. They married in 1963, and following Mark's death in 1973, Elizabeth assumed leadership of The Summit Lighthouse. In 1981, the organization purchased a large ranch near Yellowstone National Park, which became the headquarters for the Church Universal and Triumphant. Prophet's teachings, often delivered through "The Science of the Spoken Word," emphasized a direct relationship with God and the potential for divine union through practices like meditation and visualization.

In 1987, Prophet initiated "Operation Christ Command," predicting a nuclear war and urging followers to relocate to the Montana compound and construct fallout shelters. This period saw significant stockpiling of supplies and weapons, leading to an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, which resulted in the seizure of firearms and ammunition. When the predicted apocalypse did not occur in March 1990, the church faced a significant loss of members. Following this, Prophet shifted the church's focus towards community outreach, though construction on the shelters was halted due to environmental contamination. She stepped down from operational leadership in 1996 and retired in 1999, but her recorded teachings continue to be a central part of the church's activities.