In 1961, Prophet joined the Summit Lighthouse, which presented itself as a New Age spiritual movement. In 1963, she married the founder and spiritual leader Mark Prophet. In 1973, a year after her husband's death, she founded Church Universal and Triumphant. CUT's conduct, not beliefs, has made critics of its neighbors and former members, who point out the unquestioning subservience of CUT members to the group's leadership. The Union Tribune reported on November 12, 1997 that, "Disgruntled former members spoke of abusive controls. There were reports of weapons being stockpiled. Environmentalists were outraged by changes to the habitat-rich ranch... And then there was the strange episode over building fallout shelters and forecasting a possible nuclear attack."

The Union Tribune quoted Rev. Maynard Mathewson of nearby Paradise Valley Community Church saying, "I have observed and watched and listened for years. They definitely demonstrate the characteristics of a cult."

The Union Tribune also reported "To its detractors, Church Universal and Triumphant has altered forever the environment here, both physically and emotionally. 'They've brought development and pollution and crowding to this area,' says Julia Page, president of the Upper Yellowstone Defense Fund, an environmental group in Paradise Valley. 'When you criticize CUT, they twist it around and say we're criticizing their beliefs,' Page adds. 'This is America ... we don't criticize beliefs, we criticize behavior.'"

Former members talk of CUT as an abusive, controlling organization. Peter Arnone, who per the Union Tribune "left at Christmastime 1992, disgusted with the control that he says dictated what colors to wear, who to marry and even when husbands and wives should have sex" said, "This is a very destructive organization. It has hurt many, many people."

Former 12-year member Jan Carlson, agreed "You don't think, you just do. You think you're thinking but you're not thinking."

Although Prophet claims to be confident the organization will continue to flourish after her retirement, critics assert that in fact the organization is decreasing in membership and possibly facing demise.

Sources