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Thursday, January 31, 2008

89 Reasons Why One Ex-Member Left The Twelve Tribes

WHY I LEFT ELBERT EUGENE SPRIGGS “TWELVE TRIBES COMMUNES”


The reasons why a past member left the Twelve Tribes group. The past member that wrote this has wished to remain anonymous. Formerly known as: Northeast Kingdom Community Church, Church of God, The New Apostolic Order in Messiah, The Church in Island Pond and generally, The Communities

  1. (Friendship-love-dogma-shame-guilt-fear-) Warning: The Tribes consider all negative reporting on their life as “malicious lies and slander.” They also state “both those who lie and those who listen to lies are worthy of the lake of fire.”
  2. The community started in the 1970’s with a Christian couple, Gene and Marsha Spriggs, who helped troubled teens and furnished them a place to stay in their home. Somehow Christian hippie love and a free communal life degenerated into a total control religious cult mixed with Jewish Old Testament Law and the Christian Gospel.
  3. Though they beat around the bush with first time visitors, the tribes clearly consider themselves “the only true work of God on earth since the apostles.” Being the called, chosen, and the faithful, one member repeatedly shouted at a daily gathering, “1 am so thankful and not ashamed to declare we’re it! We’re it! God’s only people! We are the people He’s always wanted and never obtained!” The tribes teach that only they possess God’s Spirit. “If you’re in the world, you have another spirit, or perhaps an angel leading you to God’s body (Tribes).
  4. Only community members can preach the “true gospel.” They say “the sheep will obediently receive, hear and obey a ’sent one’ giving up wealth, jobs, friends, relatives and inheritance to enter the one sheepfold.” To join the community “sheep” must donate their time and free labor. “Saved” means calling upon Yahshua (Jesus is a demon) and consenting to outdoor baptism even in the middle of winter. Within the communities, opportunities abound for a member to “die to themselves” and “crucify their flesh.” Believing Jesus’ death insufficient to save a person, they render community members totally dependent upon the group.

  5. I was told, “God created a special place for His own where His Holy Spirit dwells, the Edah, our Twelve Tribes. Currently we don’t have twelve tribes, but someday we will. Forgiveness, love and restoration cannot occur anywhere else. Our Master Yahshua accomplished this through His death on the tree, suffering in our place and rising again on our behalf.”

  6. Full of unclean birds and spirits, Christianity is “the bloody whore of Revelation. Her ministers are liars. Thieves and draw glory to themselves while destroying the sheep,” according to Spriggs’ teaching. Instructed regularly, members omit ‘the bloody whore’ part with new visitors. Community members also believe “Jews and Christians failed to perform God’s purpose, so God cut them off, cast them aside and waited 1900 years for a people willing to obey His commands.” They try to persuade people into believing that “only they bear good fruit.”

  7. Members cannot enter any Church or Temple “especially on Sundays,” because “evil spirits are near”.

  8. E. Spriggs refers to the Bible as “the most dangerous book.” The tribes also say “In order to understand the Scriptures one must connect himself to the vine (the tribes). And in another teaching Spriggs says “The Bible is written to confound the wise and meant to be misunderstood unless you are under the anointing.” (Spriggs’ interpretation) Stone IV 6/18/89

  9. Before Messiah can return for “His Bride,” the tribes believe they alone must perfectly keep God’s laws for 49 years.

  10. Filling their members with fear and dread, the community makes it difficult for devastated members to depart. As they are leaving, defectors may hear “Whoever has the Holy Spirit and leaves the body is turned over to death. You will not live long.” In another teaching Spriggs says, “If a person even thinks about returning to Egypt, our Father will provide them an opportunity to return. ..If you go back, you will drown.” These damaged people can no longer trust God, themselves or others, and are unable to receive ‘help from the world.”

  11. AI Jayne “Ne’eman”, one of my shepherds told me candidly, “We make people unable to survive and stand on their own two feet in the world.”

  12. The tribes latched onto the Catholic purgatory model for their “three eternal destinies” teaching. One of their main sales pitches, they treat this teaching like golden revelation from on High. Even though Jesus said, “Why do you call me good, only God alone is good,” the tribes teach some people are “good” and “live according to their conscience.”

  13. The tribes “freepapers” and Website fail to give potential “sheep” the dark, depressed, painful side of life in the communes.

  14. Community members cannot accuse their leaders of wrong or voice discontent. Concerning complaints and malcontents Spriggs says, “Whoever is against the Father makes himself brother to Satan, the rebel prince of this world system.”

  15. If you “oppose the anointing” (Spriggs, his elders or teachings), God may cause you to become ill, experience an accident or die.” Mary Wiseman, who died of cancer, told another sister, “You don’t know Yoneq (Spriggs), he can have real anger.” Following her death, the elders remarked, “Our Father removed Mary from His body because she opposed the anointing.” Spriggs and his henchmen are untouchable little kings.

  16. By inhibiting critical thinking among community members, a “group think” mentality prevails. Accordingly, followers surrender their right to make value judgments. (They cannot reason ). All female members must wear dresses or hideous clown-type pants. Men must grow their hair long enough to tie their hair in a short pony tail. Unity means “we perfectly agree about everything.” We do not agree to disagree like Christianity with all their denominations.” We are one as Yahshua commanded.” They always rid themselves of those who cause division.

  17. Young adults who break away from the tribes are told, “you are forsaking God, your parents and friends, so you can indulge your flesh in the world.” One young man courageously told two shepherds, “I can’t live this way.” Later the elders publicly blamed the young man’s mother as a poor example of an imma (Hebrew mother).

  18. Gene Spriggs decides all belief, practice and lifestyle. Positioned in a place of unrivaled power-and control. Spriggs the monarch and pope of the community answers to no one. Being the sole leader of the tribes. Spriggs prefers to maintain a low profile, and keeps any knowledge of his whereabouts, lifestyle, or finances secret.

  19. Carefully guarded in each commune house, Spriggs’ teachings are not available to the public nor to many of the sheep. Sometimes an elder may give a less dramatic teaching if he believes “It will help a ’sheep’ to increase. One newer black member repeatedly asked to see “the Ham teaching” which describes “God’s curse on the black race, their continuing sin of disrespect, and their duty to serve whites.” Believing that the teaching would cause him to stumble, the elder denied him access. Outsiders often hear, “any brother may bring a teaching.” Actually this means any brother may study a teaching Spriggs dreamed up and then repeat the teaching to the household. I often heard, “scripture is not personally interpreted.” Another oft heard control phrase within the community is, “you need to receive and cling to the anointing (Spriggs).”

  20. Though I’ve heard reports of Spriggs watching television and reading whatever he chooses, the average community member cannot exercise such freedom. By contrast, radio, television, and printed materials are off limits to almost all community members. Musicians use cassette players, but soon they will not enjoy access to them. Tribal teen boys often read newspapers and various magazines when they are alone. Listening to the car radio is a gray area.

  21. Bowel movements and how you have them are critical. During bathroom visits, members squat on small unstable wooden stools. A difficult feat it is! They say “toilets are killing Americans, because as you sit not enough crap comes out. This causes colon cancer.”

  22. Concerning crap, while outdoors “members must bury all bowel movements because our Father walks around and may step in the crap.” Upon hearing this, I almost rolled on the floor laughing. All I could picture is a half-man half-horse deity trotting around the countryside and through the woods at night. You must honestly question who their God/god really is.

  23. A husband no longer holds authority within his family, but a shepherd usurps authority over your wife and children. This is humiliating and frightening.

  24. Eddie Wiseman beat a teenage community member leaving 89 bloody welts on her body. As a result, the family stayed away from the commune for 15 years, but sadly returned in 1998. None of them received the courage to pursue charges against “Eddie” (Hakam). I have heard stories of this man abusing at least one other boy. As the boy courageously told his elders of the abuse, they rewarded him by beating him and locking him in a closet. People like Eddie Wiseman and Gene Spriggs don’t repent. They never do anything wrong.

  25. Awakened and frightened by the boring religious service, a crying 2 year old child refused to sit like a miniature adult. In response, the parents rolled their son in a sheet to prevent him from moving his arms or legs. The parents repeated this “discipline” over several weeks.

  26. One of my shepherds approached me and said, “I don’t like the behavior of your two year old son. You need to hit him.” I felt like telling Al Jayne “Ne’eman”, “Too damn bad, look at your own children.” If I didn’t hit my son, I felt like Al Jayne would have enjoyed the task in my place. The tribes expect too much from small children. Burdened with the goal of raising up three successive generations of increasingly pure and perfect children, community members constantly “beat the tar out of their babies.” Spriggs also says, “If our children can’t learn obedience, Yahshua will not return.”

  27. Many parents “in the world” punish their children as a last resort. In the tribes, parents punish their children as a first resort. Walloping their children provides some adults with an excuse to leave a gathering. Instructed to remove their “disobedient” children far from the listening ears of visitors, the parents strike their children on outstretched palms or bare buttocks with long thin flexible sticks. Foolishness, joke telling, laughing or making faces often results in “discipline” for these young children.

  28. “My imma and abba (mother and father) hit me all day, “exclaimed a little boy.

  29. After my wife and I divorced, she and my 6-year-old son lived outside the community. I asked Al Jayne, I haven’t seen my son in several months, and I really miss him. You often drive to his town, can I travel with you sometime? Al responded with, “”If you visit your son when he is young you will only confuse him. As he reaches his teens, he will wonder and visit you.” Another newer, but older member told me, ‘”You’re just a babe. You must mature before you visit your relatives. Perhaps your son and former wife are sheep. They need to see you living obediently with God’s people, then you can share the gospel with them.” Several other members emphasized, ‘”You must follow the example of Abraham and place your son on the altar. You must reckon your son as dead, just as Abraham reckoned Isaac dead.” One sister suggested I seek legal custody of my son, and remove him from his mother. My former wife is an excellent mother. Taking him from her would break her heart and destroy her.

  30. According to Spriggs “parents who send their children to public schools hate them.”

  31. Community children cannot celebrate birthdays or “demonic” holidays such as Christmas or Easter.

  32. One teen-age girl boldly told me that “at one time the adults used to put children into boxes and lock them in closets. They wanted the children to experience DEATH.”

  33. To control difficult teenagers, the tribes sometimes sends them overseas to sister communes. This hinders relatives from helping the imprisoned teenager.

  34. The community routinely removes children from their parents, if the parents cannot raise them according to Spriggs’ standards. One young child moved into my communal home, and shortly thereafter his “teacher” thrashed him with a balloon stick.

  35. Within the community, parents routinely deny their children immunizations and medical care. They don’t want doctors to discover the many scars on their children’s buttocks. The community hates to spend money on “worldly medical care.”

  36. The daughter of one shepherd told me, “Growing up in the Edah is difficult. As a young child, I endured constant “discipline.” Currently, I am busy with never ending work, but when I marry I will have even more work, and my husband will rule over me. I know Yahshua loves me. I need to trust Him and give up my life.”

  37. I was told several times, “If you don’t use chopsticks during your meal, you offend and hate Japheth. (Oriental people, Native American people). The tribes hope to recruit more minorities. In Hamburg, members exercised more freedom concerning the use of forks or chopsticks.

  38. If the young children engage in imaginary play, pretend, fantasy or imaginary friends, their parents beat them. In one commune, small boys could not push blocks of wood, or make truck noises. Community children possess few if any toys, and cannot play unless an adult “covers” them. In defense of their views, they say, “we want our children to deal with real life, such as learning a trade or helping their mothers in the kitchen.” A commune house may own one ball or bicycle, which, the children may play with provided they don’t have too much fun. Sadly, the children enjoy little play time, because the adults must continue working “so that the sheep have a home to come to, food to eat and clothes to wear.”

  39. Within the communities, tightly swaddled babies, toddlers and small children are a common sight. Unable to move their arms or legs, the poor children are wrapped in a cloth or blanket like little mummies. They are made helpless and often must sit for long periods, while their mothers work. One member explained, “swaddling helps to break their will without breaking their spirit.” I often pitied a frightened little black baby wrapped in this way. She wanted to move but couldn’t.

  40. Mothers who deliver their infants in the hospital, lack faith in God and their brothers. A woman named Amy who suffers from a heart condition, endured six days of sleepless labor with a breech birth. She and her husband, Aaron Anderson, refused outside medical help and chose to “remain where our Father dwells.” “If you trust our Father you can accomplish anything.” They place no trust in doctors, hospitals or Christians.

  41. Years earlier, I questioned my household coordinator regarding women “who are just too small to safely deliver their babies at home.” Coldly he said “LET THEM RIP!” I was stunned. A cold religious spirit dominates in the community, which reminds me of some Old-Order Amish groups and “Desert Father'’ type monasteries. To them the “pain of child birth is beneficial for a woman.” Through many trials and tribulations we will enter the kingdom.” You need to die.” - -

  42. Spriggs’ teachings dictate that married women must produce at least seven children. According to Spriggs he says “God is going to bring forth a male child (144,000) with absolutely no deceit in them. There will not be one lie in them. They will be just like Messiah. They will be so pure that fire comes out of their mouth and they will be righteously indignant.”

  43. In each communal home, every newborn male endures circumcision. Furthermore they say, “Every adult male should desire circumcision.” The tribes totally ignore the apostle Paul’s extensive teachings regarding law, grace, and circumcision.

  44. Individuals and families lack personal privacy.

  45. Because they enjoyed a “burlesque” piece of lingerie, one couple had to confess their “sin” to the entire household. I felt sorry for them. Through his teachings, Spriggs instructs couples about “correct” sexual positions. Tribal control doesn’t necessarily stop at the bedroom doors. Content with their one baby, one couple had to repent when they honestly stated that they wished to have no more. This couple left the tribes after an entire household collapsed in Lancaster, New Hampshire, amidst a series of hushed up scandals.

  46. As I sat in a chair and silently prayed, One brother accused me “of communing with evil spirits.” A shepherd’s wife told me “You should pray aloud because the angels take our prayers to God.”

  47. If a wife refuses to join the tribes with her husband then “she was never his wife.”

  48. Within the communities, women must obey their husbands without reasoning or questioning. The community views a disobedient wife as rebellious, independent and un-submissive. To persuade the wife to repent, sometimes the husband may withhold sex from her.

  49. A household coordinator referred to my wife as a witch when she tried to dissuade me from joining the tribes. At our baptism, we were told to ‘renounce Jesus and the demonic spirit of Christianity.’

  50. Several times a household coordinator secretly tapped into phone conversations when I spoke with my wife. In response he said, “I pay the telephone bill, and I have the right to know if someone is filling your head with defiling negative information.” (about the community).

  51. The tribes belittle Christians for attending church, sitting in a pew and listening to a clergyman talk about ‘white bread Jesus,’ yet in the community, teaching sessions may last three times longer than a sermon. I certainly didn’t feel like dancing when I heard these teachings.

  52. Those who sleep during a dull teaching must stand until the remainder of the session. During teachings, members may not use the bathroom or drink water

  53. At any time, you may be asked to stand in the center of a room ‘if you need help or correction.” They call this a “lemon fight.”

  54. You can understand why the tribes don’t tell new guests the real details of their life. It’s too bad for the guests who may be hypnotized by the initial love, smiles, compliments, hugs, dancing and testimonies. Because I was so sad in the world, I tried to sell myself on their “gospel.” I tried daily to believe that twelve tribes members were “the only Ones being saved.” After a while, I felt sick inside.

  55. Financially, the shepherds live better than “the sheep.” Makes sense right? Shepherds and sheep. Overseers of the community, shepherds possess credit cards, own cars, and control the money. They can buy food, purchase gifts for their wives and children, and take frequent trips. In contrast, the dumb sheep wash piles of dirty dishes, clean the toilets and wash the clothes. While most tribal women have few if any pictures to enjoy, Prisca, the wife of Aquilla owns and enjoys an expensive camera. Shepherd Al Jayne is fond of buying new higher-grade tools for his sons. His oldest son Nehemiah drives his own van and owns expensive musical instruments. Jesus said, “If you want to be the greatest, you must be the slave of all.” What did Yahshua say? “Disciples wash dishes.” Shepherds and their children do not. When I once hinted that Al Jayne’s boys never washed dishes, their mother responded with “you never sing songs or tell stories to my teenage sons while washing dishes.” A clear double standard prevails in the tribes. I think you call it a clergy-laity division.

  56. Men and women work long hours 16-18 hours) with no wages and little if any medical care. Members give everything and receive nothing in return except dances, hugs, baked squash, millet, beets, maggot infested potatoes, teachings and house arrest. As one brother said a couple of days prior to finally leaving, “I’m so tired…I’m so tired.” He could barely drive the car. After his departure, the elders said “his parents spoiled and pampered him.” The twelve tribes routinely use people and then cast them aside as “weak”.

  57. While working past midnight, a brother accidentally struck himself in the face with a hammer. Muscle hanging from his injured face, he called an ambulance. Because the elders desire to maintain control over communal money, the shepherds admonished the man for seeking medical care. Paid overtime isn’t even in tribal vocabulary. I remember hearing brothers ridicule time clocks “in the world.” If you have a time clock, be glad. Now that I live in the world, I’m glad that I receive “a living wage for a fair days work.”

  58. All communities will soon pay a tithe to cover tribal expenses such as property taxes and evangelism.. Guess who profits from any left over money? Elbert Eugene Spriggs. Eddie Wiseman. Don’t forget the higher ranks of “apostolic workers.” Silver and gold we have some. Lowly sheep you get none. We have it all. Keep laboring you sheep. -

  59. When I last lived in the tribes, the elders allotted only $10.00 per week per person for food, clothes and personal items. I waited three weeks to receive dental floss and longer for toothpaste. The shepherds and their families always had money for personal trips, ice cream and pizza. One elder, Aquilla, often frequents the local Denny’s Restaurant.

  60. One sister waited over two years to receive a bathrobe. Meanwhile, the shepherd just purchased a new and expensive computer system. Another sister spoke with me about her fear and guilt as she needed an eye exam and new glasses.

  61. Members need permission to visit family or friends “in the world.” They cannot attend any family funerals. Parents who oppose the Edah may never see their children again. When a young person joins the community, shepherds and their wives sometimes become the young adult’s new parents.

  62. Sexual abuse of children and physical abuse of married women, continues to be a problem within the communities. One single brother repeatedly exposed himself to the small children in a bathroom, and was asked to leave. Collectively, they refuse to repent for destroying the lives of their members. Denial is a key concept with the tribes, because they are always right and the individual is always wrong. One of their favorite sayings is “It is better to be wrong together, than to be right alone. Hitler would have agreed! Emphasis added!

  63. The tribes insisted that they never helped Steve Wooten, a member wanted by the police for kidnapping. I was present at the morning gathering when the FBI arrested Steve Wooten in Florida. The tribes lied. They sheltered him for many years. Member’s called his former wife, a witch, a prostitute, a liar and an unfit mother.

  64. The tribes forbid it’s members from taking medication. Over a ten year period, one sister stopped taking her medication for manic - depression which resulted in irrational behavior. Repeatedly dumped at homeless shelters and cheap hotels, the elders insisted that her condition was the result of rebellion and unconfessed sin. Several months later, she returned to the community amid promises from the shepherd Aquilla that they would never again ask her to leave. Sometime later, a brother substituted a strong Tribe -produced St. John’s Wort tincture for her prescribed medication. As a result, she suffered from insomnia for four days. Once again, Al Jayne ditched the penniless sister at a hotel and told her “I guess the last nine or ten years have been a real waste.” When I inquired about the sister’s whereabouts, the shepherd responded with “she went crazy.” The community always treats the individual as a scapegoat. In contrast, the twelve tribes are always “God’s holy people.” The communes are far worse than the churches they condemn, because love is not the rule.

  65. The tribes condemn Christianity “for the sin of the Nicolaitins” which they interpret as a clergy -laity division. In the tribes you have Spriggs-shepherd-sheep division.

  66. Attempting to obey the many Old Testament laws, the communities in essence practice legalism. They ignore the many warnings of the apostle Paul and the Jerusalem Council. In Acts 15 Paul said, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: To abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

  67. Forbidden to tuck in their shirts, tribal men look like slobs. Considering clean shaven men as emasculated and Roman, tribal men cannot shave or closely trim their beards. Priestly robes and wide headbands for use during the gatherings, are on the way.

  68. Members must eat whatever is on their plate, and if someone doesn’t like a particular food, they must eat more of it. Because I hate beets, one member told me, “Don’t think you’ll enter the kingdom if you don’t eat your veggies.” Sounds like legalism to me. Emphasis added!

  69. Community members can only wear cotton clothing against their skin.

  70. Community members cannot wear jewelry or wrist watches. During a gathering, his holiness Gene Spriggs smashed a member’s watch under his foot when the alarm accidentally sounded.

  71. Women in the community really suffer while working in the kitchen. While the men buy new tools from Home Depot, the women must chop cabbage and shred carrots by hand because they don’t have a food processor. They constantly cut their fingers on the very dull knives they must use. They must use temperamental old washers and dryers and hang out the laundry by hand. Because they refuse to install a dishwasher, the sheep must wash piles of dirty dishes. A former member once said “the community is the worst place for women since ancient China.” A drinking fountain would eliminate the need to wash 400 glasses each day. Women do not participate in tribal government.

  72. Children and adults within the communities cannot own personal pets. Most tribe children are fearful of cats and dogs, because they believe them to be unclean to a true Hebrew.

  73. A man cannot sleep with his wife during her monthly period, but must sleep on a floor mat. During this time, the woman is “unclean” but not too unclean to continue her daily work. You can see why the apostle Paul said: “The law kills.”

  74. Everyone in the tribes except Gene Spriggs and those closest to him are “covered.” This means someone always knows where you are working or where you can be found. In my opinion, it is the aim of the twelve tribes commune to discourage all independence (thought, action, freedom of movement, opinions, access to information, access to families) and to drive them into a hopeless, dispirited, gray herd of robots. They have lost all personal ambition, are easy to rule, willing to obey and willing to exist in selfless slavery to the community.

  75. Except for Spriggs, anyone can be “cut off.” Those who are “cut off” cannot wear their head covering (women), pray at gatherings, or participate in breaking of bread. Concerning those who are cut off, Spriggs says” … Don’t eat with them. We don’t talk to them except to reprove them, trying to bring them back to the faith -if we believe they are a brother or sister. We don’t have communion with them.” He also says, “One who has fallen and contracted “leprosy” needs to be restored and washed so everyone can touch him. If you touch him before this you get dirty, you contract their leprosy. “They shun the disobedient and rebellious member until they repent.

  76. Communal cars almost always have empty gas tanks. When people are given money for fuel, they usually buy a couple of gallons of gas, and then pocket the remaining money. Members are rarely given enough money to fill the tank, unless a shepherd needs to take a trip somewhere.

  77. Do you currently know where Yoneq is? What is he doing? How much money does he have stashed away? What kind of car is he driving? Who covers him? Has he been “cut off”? Is he “clinging to the anointing?” (Himself) Has he repented? Want to cause waves in the tribes? Start asking pointed questions about Yoneq. Why have some teachings “disappeared,” never to be heard again ?

  78. One brother told me he sleeps on a very hard futon so he can be prepared “for the wilderness..” The tribes are planning to gather in “the wilderness” someday because they believe the world will reject them. Sounds like Jonestown and Waco doesn’t it? Spriggs and elder Hawkins of the House of Yahweh should meet sometime and compare notes. But, they would probably “cut off” each other.

  79. The elders often censored, scrutinized and sometimes intentionally opened my mail. They always wanted to know if the sender was “a friend of Israel.” (The tribes).

  80. I often heard, “Only the strong survive in Christianity.” I marvel at this statement when I think of all the weary eyed, broken down and exhausted people I knew in the tribes. As Gene Spriggs says, “the longer you are in the body, the harder it is to remain, Only the faithful will endure to the very end.”

  81. Community members are slaves. It’s that simple. Members make it possible for Gene Spriggs to fly around the world, and for Spriggs and his buddies to retire in style.

  82. The twelve tribes is a high control, devastating religious cult which robs it’s members of basic human rights. Within the tribes there is no: free thought, free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, private property, freedom to travel, family contact, burial of relatives, earned income, inheritance, education, current events/world news, labor laws, workmen’s compensation, health insurance, right to bear arms, voting rights, fair trial, prescribed medications, choice of personal appearance, diet choice, marriage decisions, music choice, radio and TV.

  83. Before leaving I challenged the authority of my shepherd. He took on a different personality altogether as he said, “I am God in this house. You hate me and despise our Master. You love your own life. I’m trying to help you be saved.”

  84. The communities routinely give their “sheep” Hebrew names. They say, “Dead men don’t have opinions.”

  85. Everyone in the tribes must end each shower with a straight cold rinse. Cold not cool. This signifies the cold response disciples receive when they share the Tribes “gospel.” According to Spriggs, “the cold rinse multiplies white blood cells, prevents illness, and increases longevity.” I still cold rinse in the warmer months. In the winter, cold rinses terribly aggravate arthritis.

  86. Community members can only marry another member only if the body gives their holy approval. If the union benefits the body, they will approve the marriage.

  87. The last time I tried to visit the tribes, Aquilla escorted me out the door, because he feared I would “defile” their gathering or cause more “sheep” to leave. He was intensely interested in knowing if I was a Christian.

  88. No one needs to live in a legalistic cult to know God’s love, forgiveness, and brotherhood.

  89. I was told several times, “if you don’t use chopsticks during your meal, you offend and hate Japheth. (Oriental people, Native American people). The tribes hope to recruit more minorities. In Hamburg, members exercised more freedom concerning the use of forks or chopsticks.




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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Child Abuse Did Occur in the Twelve Tribes - Don't let TT leaders rewrite history


The Twelve Tribes leadership will tell you that every instance of child abuse within the Edah (church) is due to ignorant members who "misunderstood and inappropriately applied" Sprigg's teachings. One such leader told me in a conversation on FactNet, specifically, "Many people have received help for trying to apply spiritual principles without love because of the fear of doing wrong and unfortunately they end up doing wrong anyway. One cannot apply spiritual principles without love."

The major problem is the head of this organization, Elbert Eugene Spriggs is unable to "man up" and admit that he caused the abuses to happen through his teachings and example. Eddie Wiseman, Spriggs' second in command drove these teaching home and had a key role in "teaching" through demonstration how to administer them.

Yoneq (Elbert Eugene Spriggs) is the person who wrote the teaching "Execution of Justice" which I published last night. He was the one who lead by example in that teaching by telling a story where he beat little two year old Lydia Mattattall (who will be shown in the video below) who he had taken from her mother and father to be his and Marsha's own child since she was barren. They took Lydia to Europe to avoid her return to her father which a court had ordered.

In his teaching, Spriggs brags that she had been beaten until she bore the "brand marks of Yahshua" all over her body. He did this because she refused to give her thumb to him to "cut-off" with a huge pair of scissors. She finally succumbed and presented her thumb to him (to stop the beatings). This is an example of physical and mental torture of a child by the self proclaimed apostle! So when you combine this teaching with the method of thought and behavior control the group administers where members are expected to obey without question Spriggs' commands, how could they expect anything but child abuse to occur?

Over time, due to the intense pressure from media and government officials, the group has toned down their methods and teachings on beating children. And now they parade parents and children in front of the public who have been brainwashed into thinking abuses never happened, it was all just lies told by the "evil one" through his "agents" on the "outside". This is all evidence of classic thought and behavior control techniques. The Twelve Tribes should not be allowed to rewrite history and continue to spread their lies. Therefore, I publish the following teachings and video testimony to remind people what really happened in this community of fear and oppression. Watch the following video but with your "outside" eyes and remember, Spriggs' teaches that it is ok to lie to "outsiders":

Channel 5 - Chronicle


Let me highlight two key points from the video: 1. Eddie Wiseman pleads to stop the charges of child abuse (he wants the pressure to end) 2. He makes a blatant misrepresentation of the facts around the Island Pond VT raid. He says the judge "found no evidence of abuse and dropped the charges". That is not true. The judge found the raid to be unconstitutional, which it was, and therefore dropped the charges. Government officials were unable therefore to inspect the children and had to release them. In fact, State officials were acting on a warrant issued by another judge after they presented evidence that included a previous ruling by Judge Mahady in a child custody case. In that case, Judge Mahady ruled in May 1983 that the four children involved ''have been subjected to frequent and methodical physical abuse by adult members of the community''for ''minor disciplinary infractions." The Twelve Tribes is continuing their practice of lying to the outside world and attempting to rewrite history.

In contrast, with your critical thinking (reasoning) hats on, listen to what Michael Painter and James Howell have to say about the raid in the video below. But let's start with the origin of the abuse, Elbert Eugene Spriggs:


First example: Below are quotes from Spriggs' Execution of Justice Teaching:

“Unless your son has blue wounds, by this standard, you know what kind of a standard is in you — it is the spirit that hates your son. If one is overly concerned about his son receiving blue marks you know that he hates his son and hates the word of God.” No date – Execution of Justice – Page 1

“Tell Hannah that Hephzibah (name Marsha and Spriggs gave Lydia when they took her away from her father and mother) is like Paul and says: “From now on let no one cause me trouble for I bear on my body the brand marks of Yahshua.” They are blue and she is receiving her discipline. She is growing up to be that last generation, being prepared, even in her nervous system, to be in that hour of supreme demand. Love Elbert.” - Elbert Spriggs, Execution of justice, Page 4

"Hephzibah is coming to understand that she is living for her father and belongs to him. The other day she was having great difficulty being obedient to his command: not to suck her thumb in bed. Elbert asked her to stick out her thumb because he was going to cut it off. He took a huge pair of scissors and came toward her. She was terrified, but (after receiving her discipline) she willingly stuck out her thumb to be cut off rather than let it cause her to stumble in her obedience to her father." - Elbert Spriggs, Execution of justice, Page 4

Below is the eighth video from an interview Channel 5 had with two high ranking defectors of the Twelve Tribes.



Example number two of the Leadership not the sheep abusing children:


Eddie Wiseman beat a 13 year old girl for 7 hours. This was a practice the TT started called "scourging" to break the will of a child. The father, Roland Church was forced to watch this take place. The next day, he took his children and left the Twelve Tribes after spending many years there. The following video has the testimony of both Roland and his daughter.



Example number three:

Eddie Wiseman was the Elder of the community where Michael Painter was one of his "Deacons". Eddie told Michael he needed to go support his wife in what she was doing. Michael found out his wife was told to "scourge" their 18 month old baby. She had broken 25 "balloon sticks" on the baby's body and was still beating her to make her "break". This was how Yoneq (Spriggs) and Eddie Wiseman (Yoneq's second in command) were "teaching" even the leaders within the TT to administer this teaching.



I have read so many examples from other ex-members in addition to the stories above. It is heart wrenching to hear a father lament over having to beat his child until marks were left on his body against his conscience because he felt he was submitting his will to God. The guilt and anguish still rest deeply in this man's soul. It is not acceptable to point the finger at the sheep. It was the leaders, Yoneq and Wiseman that made up these methods of abuse and lead by example on how to administer them. It is Elbert Eugene Spriggs that needs to stand in front of the entire Twelve Tribes and the World and repent for his actions.

The child abuse committed by Spriggs and his followers was a horrible thing. However, the more terrifying issue is that one man, Elbert Eugene Spriggs, was able to, with the stroke of a pen, cause loving parents to abuse their babies and small children. If he can do this, what else is he capable of talking these people into doing? The Twelve Tribes Media arm has started to put the following quote on their video and printed propaganda:


"Why do the people with the "right" doctrine persecute and kill the people with the "wrong" doctrine and not the other way around?

I asked one of the leaders of the TT Parchment press this question in my open letter published yesterday, "Are you proposing, persecuting and killing Christians next? I don't mean to be an alarmist, but, coercive control groups such as yours have done much worse. So maybe an alarm needs to be raised?"

It is very scary to think what Spriggs could convince his follower's to do. He has already convinced them to follow his commands without question. He has already proven they will do this. One of his teachings or commands is that his group does not have to obey or submit to the authority of the government if it conflicts with what God is telling them to do (via Spriggs teachings of course). They refer to this as a "moral" verses "legal" decision in which the "moral" will always outweigh the legal. They use double talk in that they will uphold the biblical teaching that all government has been put in place by God and therefore must be obeyed. The disclaimer is that is true only if the "moral" verses "legal" conflict does not exist. This group needs very close scrutiny. It is very far down a dangerous path that far too often we have witnessed only after the fact and then asked ourselves, "Why didn't we see that coming? Why didn't anyone say anything? Where was the red flag?"

I am Voice - Here is my red flag:





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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Elbert Eugene Spriggs Teaching on Child Discipline (or abuse you decide)


These teachings are not meant for public consumption and are not even given to new members until they are deemed "ready" to "receive" them. The following teaching is one of the most horrific examples of why the Twelve Tribes members practiced abusive measures in disciplining their children. The Apostle who supposedly spoke directly from God, tells his followers to beat children until they have blue marks on their bodies. He drives the message home by bragging about the physical and psychological abuse he gave to a two year old who he and his barren wife had taken as their own, even though a court order existed demanding the child be returned to her father. But the leader of the Twelve Tribes has access to great amounts of money and was able to travel the world to avoid the FBI and other authorities who attempted to retrieve the young girl.

Again I will state up front, "These words are from Elbert Eugene Spriggs (Yoneq) and his opinions are not shared by VOICE or any contributors of this site, it's hosts or the majority of mankind"

APPROACH: I do not plan to alter or edit or even comment on the original teaching. The Twelve Tribes consistently criticize those of us in "the world" for misinterpreting or twisting their teachings and beliefs. My approach is simple, expose it to the light of day as it is. The teaching will speak for itself. I will gladly entertain and respond to comments from prospective, current or ex-members as well as concerned family members/friends. Just click on the comment button at the end of the article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Execution of Justice - Undated

(Letter from Elbert concerning discipline and the seed of Abraham)


David Jones,

The execution of justice is joy for the righteous, but is a terror to the workers of lawlessness. A man who drifts from understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead (Pr 21:15-16).

He who spares his rod hates his son. This is a high standard of justice; many will be terrified at the standard in the last days and will desert that standard. They will drift away from what they have heard. But he who loves his son will be “diligent to discipline him.” The ground which drinks the rain which often falls upon it produces vegetation,but if it yields thorns and thistles it is worthless and ends up being burned.

"Diligent to discipline” and “disciplines diligently” can be kingdoms apart in their meanings. We may be diligent to discipline, but the discipline that we administer may not be with diligence within the standard we have received. The difference is accordingto our hearts (Ex 19:5).

Unless your son has blue wounds, by this standard, you know what kind of a standard is in you — it is the spirit that hates your son. If one is overly concerned about his son receiving blue marks you know that he hates his son and hates the word of God. There is a destructive spirit in him and somehow he can’t detect it. It is like a false shepherd who has a ravenous spirit within, yet he covers it with a mask of meekness and mildness.



Poverty and shame will come upon him who neglects discipline. (That is, the discipline which comes from the hand of the Trainer, the Spirit, through one who is under His control.)

We are the Spirit’s vessel for training the children which He has given to us to raise up for Him and His purpose. The children are not our own possession. If you feel that child is your own possession then you are a hindrance to God and cannot be a disciple. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. A little discipline is not better than none. No, if discipline does not produce the desired “effect or result” we will lose the child (Mt 10:21,37). And the desired result? (Heb 12:11; Isa 32:17). We “train up” — “up” is the desired effect. This is going to require “diligent” discipline and the entire submissiveness of the parents to the Holy Spirit within. Diligent means a constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken (Gen 18:19).

Faith is not doing something you think or feel or imagined the Lord has said to you, or acting on an impulse, but it is obedience to what He has said to you (in your heart and mind). You carry out what the Spirit says in your heart. All the true seed hear from Him, “For I have chosen him in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord.” Abraham was singled out by God for His purpose. How could he command his household “after him”? If you think you can be saved by some doctrine and not by obedience, you are not one of the seed. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him. We are only saved by hearing the Lord and obeying Him. This begins a life of obedience and this is the life of His seed. The seed of Abraham is of his faith. His faith was that he believed God and obeyed Him. Abraham was singled out to do something, out of all the people on the whole earth at that time (Ex 18:5).

What did God single him out for? Everyone who has heard His voice in their heart and does the same as he, is Abraham’s seed and is singled out for the same purpose he was. Only those are the seed, no one else has heard Him. Do you have a doctrine which says something different? Then you do not know the Lord. Unless you come into understanding it proves that you do not know Him. If you do come into understanding, let us not drift away from it. Why did God single out Abraham from the whole earth? Gen 18:19 — It is written down for our instruction and understanding.

Who is the seed of Abraham except the seed who lives in this word. Yahshua is the word. Abraham had one special purpose and was singled out by God to do this purpose. He was “saved” in order to do what he was “saved” for. What was it? Why was he saved?

He was singled out to command his sons.

Unless Abraham was faithful to this, the promise of God would not have come upon him. But God knew Abraham. Does God know you? Does God save anyone He does not foreknow? Through His seed, God will carry out His promise to Abraham. Is God able to carry this out in you?

The word chosen in Gen 18:19 means in Hebrew known. Whoever is chosen is singled out by God to carry out His purpose — the same purpose Abraham was chosen and singled out for: To charge his sons, so that the Lord can bring to Abraham what has been promised. Because of who Abraham was (known by God), God would not hide from him what He was going to do on earth, nor will He hide it from Abraham’s seed (Mt 10:40-41; Amos 3:7; Dan 9:10-11).

Abraham’s special role in order to fulfill Gen 12:1-3 was to command his sons.

Gen 12:1-3 was the promise. Ga1 3:1-18; 15:6 — In order to do the works of God, one must first believe. Abraham’s seed is contingent upon us in Gen 15:5. Not all Israel is Israel. David was smote in his heart and greatly disciplined by the Lord when he made a count of Israel. The number of the natural descendents is not important, but rather whoever has faith (seed). Circumcision or uncircumcision makes no difference to God. But what does make a difference to Him?

1 Cor 7:19 — Obedience to Him in our hearts makes the difference, not the external letter, not to the Bible — His commandments are in our hearts. Paul did not want anyone to do anything except by faith: hearing God in your heart and obeying out of true faith, not out of feigned obedience, legalistically.

What did Abraham’s faith consist of? What was the substance of his confession? What is the substance of your baptismal confession? It will be the same as Abrahams! (Rom 4:17 - 5:5). Abraham was not justified by the works of the Law, but because he believed God. Rom 3:28 - 4:2 — For if Abraham was justified by the works of the Law he would have something to boast about. But Abraham believed God, and God foreknew him. This was before the Law was given and Abraham loved God and was God’s friend. So, no one can command his own children unless he is in Messiah in the Church, in that seed. Within the body of Messiah even if an individual, on his own part lacks ability, stamina, fortitude, and even personal diligence, this is compensated for in Messiah. They are in Messiah’s Body — lets say, His compassionate, loving, helpful, concerned and caring Body. As Hannah so vividly described in her letter to Marsha, “What a wonderful relief, what a rest, what a salvation — God loves me, He cares for me, I am in Him, I can discern His Body, I am worthy to have communion; by His grace, I am saved.” AMEN.

Ga1 3:6,16 — Even so, Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness; now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “and to his seeds” as referring to many, but rather one. “And to his seed.” That is the Messiah. The seed is all those included in the Messiah by FAITH. Ga1 3:26-27 — Heirs in “fulfillment” of the promise. We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (verse 14). Faith is responding to the voice of the Lord in obedience — we are saved by this faith.

This is a quote from Hannah’s letter to Marsha
:

Marsha, I just want to say I love you and Elbert very much. You have truly been a friend to me. More than that, I gave up my parents, but the Lord gave me more parents, better ones, in you. I hope you understand what I mean. You’ve truly comforted me and helped me when I needed it. I guess it’s not been only you, but the whole body. So much now, I see my great need to depend on my brothers and sisters for everything — raising my children especially. I’m just thankful I’m here, safe in the Father’s hands.”

Mk 10:29-30 — This is the seed that I am talking about.

Tell Hannah that Hephzibah is like Paul and says: “From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the brand marks of Yahshua.” They are blue and she is receiving her discipline. She is growing up to be that last generation, being prepared, even in her nervous system, to be in that hour of supreme demand.

Love,
Elbert

Patricia, thank you for your letter about Sweden. You are an overcomer. God knows you.

We awoke this morning hearing Annette’s lovely voice. What a wonderful family I have. We are heirs in fulfillment of the promise: All one in the Messiah. An heir is one who receives the promise. A real heir carries out — succeeds — the one in fulfilling what was promised (1 Jn 2:6). Succeeds means to attain a desired objective (Heb 11:39-40).

"What are we to do,” they ask, “to carry out the things that God requires?” “That you should believe in Him whom He has sent” (Jn 6:28-29).

The reason Isaac was so willing to let his father sacrifice him was because he had been raised his whole life knowing that he did not belong to himself, but belonged to his father, and he was not living for himself, but living for his father. Hephzibah is coming to understand that she is living for her father and belongs to him. The other day she was having great difficulty being obedient to his command: not to suck her thumb in bed. Elbert asked her to stick out her thumb because he was going to cut it off. He took a huge pair of scissors and came toward her. She was terrified, but (after receiving her discipline) she willingly stuck out her thumb to be cut off rather than let it cause her to stumble in her obedience to her father. Elbert didn’t actually cut it off, but he wants Hephzibah to understand that it is better to have your hand cut off now rather than later. He wants her to be saved.

It is absolutely necessary to raise our children to know that they do not belong to themselves, but to their father. How else can they believe that they don’t belong to themselves except by training them as our Heavenly Father trains us to believe this. We only “regain our true life” if we lose our false and criminal life. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses it for My sake shall find it. Abraham received back the promise only after he had killed his only son the only son who could bring about the promise. Abraham had faith to surrender his only heir. Abraham was tested. He endured under trial to see whether he would obey (Heb 11:17-19; Gen 22:1; Jms 1:12). Abraham obeyed by faith for he heard God say, “Abraham, take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go sacrifice him.”

The error of “the local church” and many churches is in allowing doctrine to substitute for obedience. We can do as they say, but not as they do, for they do not truly discern the Body of Messiah though they have much wonderful doctrine. Without seeing Gen 18:19, the Body of Messiah doesn’t make sense.

There is no way to bring about the promise without obedience to the Spirit of God, not the outward word. “Pray reading” of the word is not obedience to the word. It only makes you feel good. But who is making God feel good? This only comes through the faith of his children. Faith is obeying God in your heart, not doing good things, not making Good choices about what to buy, etc. in your work. Faith is laying down your life for your brother, not getting him a good job in the world and expecting him to give some of his money to the church as an expression of his faith. This is feigned obedience, not true faith that pleases God. Nothing pleases God except the exact faith of Abraham. That is the faith Yahshua had (Gal 3:16). He became the sacrifice (Rom 12:1).

All the overcomers of Hebrews 11 had that same faith. They all had faith until they died, they endured to the end, yet they died without receiving the promise (verse 39). Everything they had faith for has come upon us. They wait for us. Yahshua also waits, He is one of them.





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Open Letter to Keli (alias Michael Markuson) of the TT Parchment Press

Keli – I extended the virtual “right hand of fellowship” to you in responding to your email questions and you abused this offer. You have been trained well by your oppressors. Here is your fruit so that you and others may judge the character of the Twelve Tribes:

  • You send me an email under your pre-tribe name (Michael Markuson) and from an optimum online email id ( theprinterman@optonline.net ). This leads me to think one of two things:

1. You are either afraid to admit you are with the Twelve Tribes but you wanted to take a stab at me with your question? or

2. You were being outright deceitful and did not want me to know you are with the Twelve Tribes.

So which is it, do you have a spirit of fear or deceit? Why didn’t you use your tribe email account to send the question (keli@parchmentpress.net)

  • You ignore my request to remain anonymous for the obvious reason that I do not want repercussion from the TT for being able to speak my opinion. It is a common cult practice to slander anyone who leaves or talks against the cult. The TT has this one down to an art form.
  • After I request you only communicate with me on my website or on Factnet, you send me repeated emails attempting to discover my personal information and location.
  • You are a hypocrite. One example of this is your membership in ChristianSource Free Software and Linux Users Group. Nothing wrong with that right? Well, let’s dig a little deeper. To become a member, you had to complete the following form http://ofb.biz/mailman/listinfo/christiansource_ofb.biz . Within this form you agreed to the following term: We ask that you would please read through and accept our Statement of Faith before joining. This statement of faith is located at the following URL http://cs.uninetsolutions.com/statement_of_faith.html Therefore, after denouncing your faith in Christ and Christianity in order to become “emersed” (baptized) in the Twelve Tribes, you have just renounced your faith in Christianity to get “Free Stuff”. And you state Christians are hypocritical! It looks like once again, another member of the TT is actively practicing Yoneq’s teaching on lying.
  • You are a hypocrite – You created and published the following cartoon and movie on YouTube criticizing Christians and Christianity while your manipulative thought reform group are absolutely no different.
Twelve Tribes Media Cartoon titled "Die Heretic Scum"

You show a Christian kicking another Christian off a bridge because they don’t believe the exact same creed? So that is what you think of a Christian preacher? You are no different in your condemnation of all Christianity? Your cult believes all Christians are going to the Lake of Fire for eternity because they refuse to submit to your manipulative mind control tactics and believe your self proclaimed Apostle, Prophet and Elijah, Elbert Eugene Spriggs twisted teachings. Most of these teachings he picked and chose from various Christian and non-Christian denominations. Not that I agree with your perception of Christians wanting to kill each other (sick) but do you think that is worse than condemning them to eternal suffering which is what the TT do?

By the way, that Harlot movie was very well done. It had to have cost a great deal of money to produce. The wealth used to produce this movie was made off the backs of the free slave labor your members and their children provide to Yoneq and his band of elders. Finally, what exactly do you mean by the ending statement?:

"Why do the people with the "right" doctrine persecute and kill the people with the "wrong" doctrine and not the other way around?

You have put this statement on many of your written documents as well. Are you proposing, persecuting and killing Christians next? I don't mean to be an alarmist, but, coercive control groups such as yours have done much worse. So maybe an alarm needs to be raised?

Keli - Your name used to be Michael which meant "Who can be like God" but the Twelve Tribes did not want you to have that identity, instead they gave you the name Keli, which means "Vessel". I'm sure they gave you some good explanation for this change. My opinion is they wanted you to become an empty vessel so they could fill you with the poison of their teachings and then control you. Have true strength like the Angel and think for yourself and see what you have become a part of.

And if you want to reply, use the comment button below not email because I can no longer trust that you will not further attempt to infect my computer.

Voice



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Monday, January 28, 2008

Michael Painter and James Howell Video Interviews 1-9


Elbert Eugene Spriggs - Early Years


After starting Twelve Tribes


Gene and Marsha Spriggs at the Asheville NC Commune


Interview with Michael Painter and James Howell, 1/23/93.
Michael Painter was in the Communities for 18 years and started many of the Communities’ "cottage industries," and James Howell was Spriggs personal secretary and third in command for over a decade.


Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4




Video 5

Video 6


Video 8 (video seven contains "editing" scraps so this is next in line)


Video 9




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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Yoneq's teaching on lying





You voted, I heard and here it is. Yoneq's teaching on lying.

These teachings are not meant for public consumption and are not even given to new members until they are deemed "ready" to "receive" them. The following teaching was also one of Yoneq's earlier writings. Again I will state up front, "These words are from Elbert Eugene Spriggs (Yoneq) and his opinions are not shared by VOICE or any contributors of this site, it's hosts or the majority of mankind"

APPROACH: I do not plan to alter or edit or even comment on the original teaching. The Twelve Tribes consistently criticize those of us in "the world" for misinterpreting or twisting their teachings and beliefs. My approach is simple, expose it to the light of day as it is. The teaching will speak for itself. I have highlighted certain words that I feel address Yoneq's belief that it is ok for "them" not to tell the truth to "us" for the reasons he gives. I will gladly entertain and respond to comments from prospective, current or ex-members as well as concerned family members/friends. Just click on the comment button at the end of the article.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11/29/88 - Yoneq
Phase 2 - Lying

Rev. 21:8 - ("But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.") - This literally means there is real fire and brimstone. Hell now is not a literal fire. The 2nd death is a lake of fire, this is not symbolic. All liars will have their part in the lake of fire. Rev. 22:15 - ("Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.") There is a difference between telling a lie and loving and practicing lying. If you love lying it is a different thing - you can't get that paid for - there is no atonement - it is premeditated love for lying - practicing it.

There is a vast difference between bearing false witness and concealing the truth. Bearing false witness is against the law - the 10 Commandments. You can't continue breaking the 10 Commandments without going to death. Your conscience will accuse you. Romans
2:15 - ("They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them." Prov. 19:9 - ("A false witness will not go unpunished, and the liar will perish.") Rev. 3:5-11 We will be confronted with this - We must judge it right.

Ex.
20:16 - ("You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.") - Lying under oath when it hurts someone else when you are trying to get out of something. Bearing false witness will send you to the 2nd death. There is a difference between bearing false witness and concealing a matter (not telling the truth) that others have forfeited their right to know because of their hostile and evil attitude toward God. King Saul forfeited his right to know about Samuel's visit to anoint the new king. 1 Sam. 16:1,2,4 We have to make that judgment - If someone told a malicious lie or not. The court would say it was a lie because they would think they had a right to know. Saul forfeited his right to know. Samuel's reason was to anoint the king so the sacrifice was a diversion. But it didn't hurt anyone because Saul forfeited his right to know because of his actions. We must understand this and pass it on to our children in the right way. Sometimes we make a stand with the truth by not revealing the truth or by our answers that are or are not true. Since we respect and honor all authority from God we know to whom and when to honor it for we must all stand at the judgment seat of Messiah for what we did in the Body. Our definition of lying means the intentional deception of those who had a right to know. They need to know for the sake of justice and righteousness - then we are obligated to tell them the truth.

Lying constitutes maliciousness. That goes against your conscience which defiles you and condemns you if you know the truth. In these situations we must continue in the work and the truth will set us free so our conscience won't condemn us when we do something right. You may however pay the cost of deliberately concealing a matter of information.


Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Rahab, Samuel - did they have the obligation to tell the devil the truth? Are we obligated to tell the devil the truth? Do the courts have the right to know what you know? And what will the outcome be? Where are your friends? Who will suffer unjustly by your knowledge? We must judge these things right so our conscience can be programmed right. Is it warfare that we are engaged in? * It needs to be warfare - does your answer hurt someone else who is innocent? * It is according to warfare. Lying is more than intentional deception. Telling the truth may cause serious harm to an innocent party. Such intentional deception may be moral and must be determined by judging if someone has a moral right to know the truth for justice sake. Heb. 11:31 - ("By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in piece.")

Rahab was commended not rebuked for receiving the spies. If she had told the truth it would not have been for justice, but for injustice. We are obligated by our conscience and the Holy Spirit to always tell the truth. What constitutes the truth? Not telling the truth (in certain cases) is not a lie then. Truth is truth. Not telling the truth to someone who doesn't deserve the truth isn't lying. Telling the truth in certain circumstances may do serious harm to an innocent party. If they knew the truth it wouldn't always be justice by what they would do with their evil intentions.

We are obligated by our conscience and the Holy Spirit to always tell the truth, but we are not obligated to tell the truth to those who have forfeited their right to know by their obvious evil intentions.

Ex. 3:18 The essence of falsehood is the intention to deceive. Was God and Moses lying? Or did Pharaoh have a right to know the truth? He had hostile intentions so he had no right. Will the government have right to know when we flee? We aren't obligated to them - do we have to ask permission? There is a vast difference between concealing a matter and telling a lie and deliberately misleading the enemy during warfare. Warfare is the determining factor. The enemy in warfare does not have the right to know the truth. Because what would happen if they knew the truth?

In light of Rev. 21:8 and 22:15 and the Commandment in Ex. 20:13 is what we by all means want to avoid - bearing false witness, hurting an innocent person. At the Raid, the state didn't have the right to have the names of the elders and the children to carry out a grossly unlawful scheme. We are not to ever break the commandment to bear false witness against our neighbors. Our Father is showing us what His ways are. Our ways aren't always His ways. We were raised outside His ways and don't always know His ways. Prov. 8:7-9, 11 Sam.22:26 Someone can use your own principles in you for their own evil motives. It is the glory of YHWH to conceal a matter. Prov. 25:2 This adds discretion and wisdom to our life and the apostolic teaching.

There is no higher ethic or allegiance than to have love in your heart for your brothers and sisters. The ultimate allegiance is to have love for them. This is how you passed out of death into life, and how to obey the new commandment to love one another.




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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Coming Soon - Yoneq’s reasoning for why it is ok for the Twelve Tribes to not tell the truth

Yoneq wrote “Phase 2 – Lying” after the Island Pond incident where elders and parents deliberately withheld information concerning the names of children and their parents so that the police and the DA could not issue proper warrants which require this information be provided. “At the Raid, the state didn't have the right to have the names of the elders and the children to carry out a grossly unlawful scheme.” - Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

The Twelve Tribes still hold up to this day, their victory when a judge ruled the raid improper and dismissed the case. Many members and some shepherds were conflicted concerning what they perceived to be lying on behalf of the leadership. Also they were trying to reconcile what it means to honor the authority of the government (as God has established it) with the actions taken that day. Therefore, Yoneq felt it necessary to write this teaching to justify their actions. Once again, the means justify the ends. The interesting thing about this teaching is that Yoneq includes a disclaimer - “You may however pay the cost of deliberately concealing a matter of information.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

Below are some excerpts from the teaching on lying. The full teaching will be exposed later this week on www.YATTT.blogspot.com



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Our definition of lying means the intentional deception of those who had a right to know.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“There is a difference between telling a lie and loving and practicing lying.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“There is a vast difference between bearing false witness and concealing the truth.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“There is a difference between bearing false witness and concealing a matter (not telling the truth) that others have forfeited their right to know because of their hostile and evil attitude toward God.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“The court would say it was a lie because they would think they had a right to know”. – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“Sometimes we make a stand with the truth by not revealing the truth or by our answers that are or are not true.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“Since we respect and honor all authority from God we know to whom and when to honor it….” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“Our definition of lying means the intentional deception of those who had a right to know.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“Who will suffer unjustly by your knowledge? We must judge these things right so our conscience can be programmed right.” Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“Lying is more than intentional deception. Telling the truth may cause serious harm to an innocent party. Such intentional deception may be moral and must be determined by judging if someone has a moral right to know the truth for justice sake” - Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“We are obligated by our conscience and the Holy Spirit to always tell the truth. What constitutes the truth? Not telling the truth (in certain cases) is not a lie then. Truth is truth. Not telling the truth to someone who doesn't deserve the truth isn't lying.” - Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“Will the government have right to know when we flee? We aren't obligated to them - do we have to ask permission? There is a vast difference between concealing a matter and telling a lie and deliberately misleading the enemy during warfare.” - Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“At the Raid, the state didn't have the right to have the names of the elders and the children to carry out a grossly unlawful scheme.” - Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“You may however pay the cost of deliberately concealing a matter of information.” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988

“It is the glory of YHWH to conceal a matter. Prov. 25:2 This adds discretion and wisdom to our life and the apostolic teaching.” .” – Yoneq, “Phase 2 – Lying” 11/29/1988





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For my German Speaking Visitors

Follow this link to review a presentation made by Leipzig student Florian Böhnhardt.

Boehnhardt Zwoelf Staemme 2007

For my French Speaking Visitors

Interesting news article concerning the Sus House (castle) and controversy in France with the Twelve Tribes.

Entre bric à brac et vie de château, les drôles d'apôtres de l'Ordre Apostolique... (Tabitha's Place)


Click on the following link to get a wealth of information from an Anti-Cult Site in France

http://www.prevensectes.com/tabitha.htm

News Reel-1 on Tabitha's Place

News Reel-2 on Tabitha's Place


Place a checkmark beside all items that characterize the group in question. If you check many of these items, and particularly if you check most of them, you might consider examining the group more closely.

The above check list comes from Dr. Michael Langone, editor of Cultic Studies Journal, and often characterize manipulative groups. Dr. Langone suggest prospective recruits and family members compare these statements to the group. If one or more of these apply to your group you may have a cause for concern. I say, if all apply as in the case of the Twelve Tribes, you should repent (turn 180 degrees) and run.

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Yoneq 2004

I dedicate this song to Yoneq and the elders of the TT


Elbert Eugene Spriggs

Ok - This one is a little angry, but therapeutic just the same

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