What does teacher mean?

Since the time I began reading The URANTIA Book in 1963, the word "teacher" has usually brought a look of puzzlement and confusion when discussed in relation to dissemination. There seems to be an allergic reaction to the word, even though it is mentioned hundreds of times in the Book from beginning to end. I’ve wondered about the comments such as, "Can anyone really be a teacher of all this?" "Where are the students?" "I could never do that," or the classic, "The Book is the teacher."

In the context of the general understanding of the dictionary definition, these are all valid statements. But I believe the word "teacher" in the revelation has a much broader meaning than the classroom image we visualize - listing facts, and figures. The URANTIA Book uses "teacher" in many roles - that of leader, preacher, parent, mentor, guide, instructor, philosopher, model and hero. It expresses a larger perspective, just as the Book gives us a larger vision of cosmology and Deity. Eventually everyone is both a student and a teacher as we hand down what we learn.

If this is true, what then does teacher training mean? I believe it means training ourselves, developing balanced personalities, growing a soul that continuously reaches out to God, following Jesus’ example of extending love, and inspiration to our brothers and sisters as we pass by. Jesus was not ordained in a formal way by any institution, and he had no courses in academic methods of education. He understood the hunger of individuals for expanded truth beyond what they knew. He gave them hope, courage and a faith to follow. He taught truth, both by living example, and by word. He taught by his choices and decisions, and he reached people at their level of understanding. He used every variety of communication – stories, parables, lectures, sermons, and simple conversation.

When a few of us came up with the concept of a "school of meanings and values", we knew our school had to be different just as The URANTIA Book is unique. It was a slow process to change the idea of a school from a building with walls and a flag, to a forum for learning that could be any place and any time…even a screen and a keyboard. I have come to realize that we need to think really BIG when we address the topic of education in this expanded truth. Everyone who attempts to plant a seed of truth, who carries a germ of desire to inspire - is a teacher. The training comes through process. When the student applies and changes there is growth. When there is group effort there is training in teamwork. Where there is tolerance and acceptance there is training in cooperative endeavor.

Having the great advantage of studying with those who were members of the Forum in the early days, I heard the following story more than once. I am paraphrasing what I understood. In the early days of the Forum the members were invited to ask questions for the Papers about science and religion. In the beginning the questions were mostly on facts regarding the universe for there was an eagerness for knowledge itself. However, there was urging to submit questions that dealt with greater spiritual meaning for the individual, for spiritual truth and understanding. Gradually the questions came.

There is a difference in knowing facts as knowledge academically and applying this personally, integrating these beliefs into a life of meaning and value. When one succeeds in translating this into faith-action, he becomes a teacher. This is not natural given our dual natures. It takes some growing in self-discipline just to try. However, we can’t wait until we are perfect for it won’t happen here.

I have a plaque that reads: Leap and the net will appear! Why can we do this? It is the sincerity of efforts and desire that counts. You and I with this desire can be teachers. The school is life, and all those who pass by are the students! ^SMV

The School of Meanings and Values has held many seminars and presentations at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, California over the years, and we've always enjoyed the beautiful grounds, and the simplicity of the Chapel. But this time was different. Could it have been because it was spring, a renewing of the spirit after winter, or perhaps just a sparkling weekend due to the cleansing rain the day before? I think it to be far more.

People began arriving the eve of Friday March 26. We were blessed with the opportunity to share in a candle light service held in the Chapel giving us time to reflect on the days to come and to thank our Father for bringing us together in love and fellowship. Afterwards we had a warm and rewarding get acquainted circle that propelled us into what was for many, one of the richest spiritually sharing weekends the School had ever presented. In the middle of our discussion time we were suddenly joined by a young man in a biker's helmet. Nathan Clukey had bicycled 800 miles from Grants Pass, Oregon through every kind of stormy weather to attend this retreat weekend. Could it have been we were spirit led? The uniqueness and thoughtfulness of the individuals present couldn't have been just a coincidence.

Saturday, March 27 started early and with earnest. The 34 attendees and speakers alike were anxious to get acquainted with the subjects at hand and to hear from others about the great work and efforts being made on an individual basis to further the message of expanded truth through furthering our understandings of The URANTIA Book teachings.

Keynote speaker, David Kantor spoke on Outreach, Present and Future. His paper, Exactly How Do Seraphim Work? (See excerpt on page 3) gave us a clear outline of how Seraphim "effect a personal, co-ordination of the numerous impersonal spirit influences which indwell, surround, and impinge upon the mind and soul of the evolving material creature". This paper was particularly relevant in that our purpose for the retreat was to study how we could best outreach, in the present and the future. And to be reminded that Seraphim "operate from the outside inward, working through the social, ethical and moral environment of human beings."

Dorothy Elder presented The Message and the Mission. Dorothy spoke beautifully of the Relationship of The Father, The Son and The Spirit to mortal man. God the Father, loves; God the Son, serves; and God the Spirit, inspires. "Jesus not only revealed God to man, but he also made a new revelation of man to himself and to other men. In the life of Jesus you see man at his best." The message of the gospel is knowing divine sonship, spiritual liberty, and eternal salvation. This is the core of the expanded truth.

Finally, Rosey Lieske shared, through slides and stories, The South American Ministry: the History of the URANTIA Movement in South America. Rosey has been corresponding with study group leaders in Bogota and Santiago since 1993 when Latin countries first received the Spanish translation. Independently she started a project to place URANTIA Books in libraries and prisons and also has contact with readers in Cuba who are trying to do the same. She also helps these countries obtain secondary works. (See Project Palomita, under Creative Outreach.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in an informal circle taking turns sharing our individual projects of secondary works of the URANTIA teachings. (See Creative Outreach, Page 11 and Mission to Africa Page 8 for details.) We were pleased that Prince John Baidoo, who befriended Norman Ingram in Ghana, Africa was able to join us. He told us about study groups in his city of Accra and other places in Ghana, and expressed the need for more URANTIA Books.

The weekend culminated with Cathy Jones leading a meditation followed by prayer and remembrance. The morning of reverence reflected what everyone was feeling. Our thoughts of Jesus and what he meant to us made our hearts overflow with joy in the knowledge that he is with us and within us. The power of this knowledge will surely continue to inspire and teach us. His love and mercy will certainly be reflected in us as we venture forward, to put into practice and motion all that we learned during this very unique, sparkling weekend, in Encino, California.

One weekend attendee summed up our discussion time this way: "There are many people who are working to make a difference in the world on so many levels - book publishing, mission work, book placement, media work, internet schools, retreat centers, sponsoring translations, and sharing as they pass by. So many ways to serve our Father."

No breathtaking revelation from the weekend, but incredible reinforcement for my faith in my fellow man, and the inevitability of this light spreading throughout the world. It will not be contained! ^SMV

Reference Notes: [Paper:Section.Paragraph] = New Edition;

(Page,Paragraph) First Print Edition.

Seraphim "effect a personal co-ordination of the numerous impersonal spirit influences which indwell, surround, and impinge upon the mind and soul of the evolving material creature." [113:3.1] (1244,2) They are "mind stimulators," continually seeking to promote circle-making decisions in the mortal mind. They "operate from the outside inward, working through the social, ethical and moral environment of human beings." [113:4.1] (1245,1) Values "always depend on the fact of relationships" [100:3.5](1097,2) and when we're talking about spiritual values, the "fact of relationships" refers to the relationships between personalities, human and divine; thus "the social, ethical and moral environment" as the locus of seraphic ministry.

We can view relationships between persons as living expressions of the values held by the personalities constituting the relationship. But at [196:3.10](2094,9) we find that, "The human mind does not create real values; human experience does not yield universe insight. Concerning insight, the recognition of moral values and the discernment of spiritual meanings, all that the human mind can do is to discover, recognize, interpret, and choose." (Review the four levels of value realization at [5:5.2](68,5).)

How, then, does mortal man come into contact with these universe meanings and values, so that discovery, recognition, interpretation and choosing might take place?

The master seraphim of planetary supervision apparently provide specialized meaning-value mediation to mortals who are aggregated in social groups. In reviewing this appendix, especially the material which deals with seraphic ministry on the evolutionary worlds, note the degree to which the various orders of ministering angels are involved in the mediation of spiritual meanings and values to ascenders in the context of mortal socialization.

Upon mortal death, the guardian seraphim becomes the personal custodian of "the mind patterns, memory formulas, and soul realities of the mortal survivor..." [113:3.4](1244,5) This is because, as a result of the seraphim's experience in coordinating spiritual ministry and mediating spiritual meanings and values to her ward during the mortal lifetime, she has become intimately familiar with her ward's mind patterns of response to such realities--the essence of the survival character. These patterns constitute the nature of the mortal's interaction with other persons. Remember that circle attainment has to do with cosmic socialization and the realization of universe citizenship. [110:6.16] (1209, section 6) Immediate resurrection is directly related to cosmic socialization--are you sufficiently socialized to fit into mansion world activities without a lot of special attention, or will you have to wait until a series of remedial services are scheduled in conjunction with dispensational classes? Note that our first assignment on the mansion worlds will be as assistants to the seraphim in the work immediately at hand. [113:7.3] (1284,3)

In the following material related to the various orders of angelic ministers, consider the nature of their tasks. What is it that they are attempting to accomplish? What are the realities which they are attempting to manipulate or foster?

"...co-ordinate a diversity of activities involving personalities of differing orders..." [26:3.4](288,4)

"...contribute enormously to the mutual understanding of the pilgrims of time and the pilgrims of eternity..." [26:3.4](288,4)

Upon reaching Havona, "...a pilgrim of space is always tutored by secondary supernaphim..." [26:4.3](289,13) They are referred to as "the helper hosts of the universal scheme of survival" [26:4.6](289,15) (For more on their general educational work in the central universe, see Paper 26, section 5 through the end of the Paper.)

Note some of the classifications of Primary Supernaphim (Paper 27):

Secondary seconaphim [28:5](310) -- Reflectivity ministers to the co-ordinate Trinity associates of the Ancients of Days -- reflect Paradise meanings and values into the superuniverses.

Tertiary Seconaphim [28:6](313)

Note: The book refers to an awareness of the import of time, the realization of the solemnity of trust, and the appreciation of the sanctity of service as "the moral elements of greatness." [28:6.20](317,1)

In ministry, the Seconaphim "range from the shores of Paradise to the evolutionary worlds of space." Read [28:7.2-4](317,4)

Note that on the level of the local universe and particularly on the planetary level, the seraphim are heavily involved in fostering a more spiritual order of socialization.

Universe Orientators -- Facilitate the passage of ascenders from the attained to the unattained level of universe service, helping them to make the requisite adjustments in the comprehension of meanings and values related to this transition. [39:1.10](428,5)

Seraphic Guardians of Destiny [Paper 113]

They influence us "in every possible manner consistent with the dignity of...personality. Under no circumstances do these angels interfere with the free action of the human will." [113:5.1](1245,7) As noted earlier, they are "mind stimulators", continually seeking to promote circle-making decisions in the mortal mind. They "operate from the outside inward, working through the social, ethical and moral environment of human beings." [113:4.1](1245,1)

It appears that seraphim somehow work within the context of interpersonal relationships. It might be helpful to imagine that when we are interacting with other persons--during the time in which we are actually engaged in the process of interaction, we are providing a temporary universe context in which seraphic stimulation and teaching may occur. If this is indeed the case, what attitudes of mind and soul might help facilitate this process?

Of course the Adjuster plays a role in our apprehension of values as well. At [196:3.13](2094,15) we find the comment that, "Unless an evaluator dwelt with man, he could not possibly appraise moral values and recognize spiritual meanings." The Adjuster is referred to as a "spirit-value sorter", an "indwelling interpreter and unifier." [196:3.14](2095,1). In prayerful and worshipful problem solving we can reflect on the memory of our interactions with other personalities and provide our Adjusters with an additional context within which further progress might take place. The context in which the Adjusters function is "amid and upon the ideas, ideals, insights and spirit strivings of the evolving sons of God." [101:1.3](1104,6)

Postulate: Spiritual life is a potential contained within the process taking place as personalities interact with each other. "Morality is the essential pre-existent soil of personal God-consciousness, the personal realization of the Adjuster's inner presence." [196:3.22](2096,1) Morality is the first level of self-management implemented by personalities discovering themselves functioning as social creatures in a personal universe. (Consider the social concomitants of the four techniques for augmenting Adjuster harmony at [110:3.6-10](1206,4).)

Seraphim "function as teachers of men by guiding the footsteps of the human personality into paths of new and progressive experiences." If you accept this guidance, you will encounter "the rugged hills of moral choosing and spiritual progress." [113:4.3](1245,3) Implicit in this comment is the understanding that these "new and progressive experiences" will be social in nature and will involve moral and ethical dilemmas.

The Master Seraphim of Planetary Supervision [114:6](1254)

Note that these angels work with social groupings of mortals. These are associations of mortal personalities focused on specific social processes which persist over time. Again, seraphic work here seems to be in the area of promoting the realization of higher spiritual values within the context of the shared meanings and values which classify these mortals together in the first place.

No study of seraphic ministry would be complete without consideration of the Transition Ministers. [48:6](551,6) The morontia life of an ascending mortal is really initiated on the inhabited worlds at the conception of the soul; these angels are devoted to facilitating the transit of mortal creatures from the initial life in the flesh into the early stages of morontia existence on the mansion worlds. What sorts of experiences might these angels lead us into as a means of preparing us for the mansion world life?

Some of the groups among them whose functions extend to the evolutionary worlds are: The Seraphic Evangels: "Dedicated to the proclamation of the gospel of eternal progression..." [48:6.7](552,5) The Racial Interpreters: They are the "skillful sociologists and the wise ethnic advisers of the first heaven." They function on the evolutionary worlds to further the efforts of the race commissioners to harmonize the varied viewpoints of the mortal races. [48:6.11](553,4) Review the seven divisions of Transition Ministers and consider the nature of seraphic ministry in the transition zone between material mortal creaturehood and the morontia life. [48:6](551,6)

Given an understanding of this angelic ministry which seeks to prepare mortals for life on the mansion worlds, what might be some of the implications for the way in which we approach our own outreach efforts? What might be some of the implications for the way in which we manage our own lives here on our world of origin relative to the impending mansion world sojourn?

By studying The URANTIA Book we can arrive at a fairly clear understanding of the goals and methods used by seraphic ministers in their efforts to stimulate spiritual growth and foster planetary social advancement--they already have a functioning, highly developed global educational infrastructure in place.

Given this, and recognizing that "man cannot cause growth, but he can supply favorable conditions" [100:3.7](1097,4), what might constitute a cosmically meaningful (and value revealing) model of mortal participation in this effort?

Postulate: We, as mortals, can most effectively engage in spiritual outreach by developing a model of ministry whose purpose is to support and reinforce the seraphic ministry which is being promulgated on a massive planetary scale and which already touches the life of every living person.

This ministry is understood to be related to the mortal realization of spiritual meanings and values in the context of interpersonal relationships. "Cosmic socialization constitutes the highest form of personality unification. Said Jesus: 'He who would be greatest among you, let him become server of all.'" [56:10.14](647,5)

In what ways might we facilitate seraphic processes in our personal relationships, in the various human communities of which we are a part, and in our attempts to promulgate the revelation?

What are values? Where do they come from and where do they exist?

How do the "four levels of the realization of values and the enjoyment of universe fellowship" described at [5:5.2](68,5) influence our understanding of the nature of values?

The Infinite Spirit is sometimes referred to as "the Universal Organizer" or the "Personality Co-ordinator." Note that the destiny of personality in the universe is not simply individual attainment but rather the exploration of the associative potentials of personality.[8:2.3](92), [112:1.9](1226,13), [F:V.4](8,4), [31:0.3](345,3) Seraphim work with us during mortal life to begin developing and enhancing the associative potentials of our personalities--our integration in cosmically meaningful ways with our fellow ascenders. How does this relate to the emphasis placed by The URANTIA Book on unselfish service? What role do values play in the actualization of the associative potentials of personality?

There is an excitement described by most readers at the discovery of The URANTIA Book. Then some time later its meaning engenders a response that proves our common bond. As the value of the revelation grows in us, the urge to tell the world lights a fire to evangelize, buy extra copies just in case someone might need one, and search our creativity for some personal expression of service-outreach. For many of us with a traditional religious background, our creativity hits the limits of what we have seen before so we scan the options that are familiar ground to traditional Christianity. We are surprised when the books we place are not read or others are not ignited by our passionate stories. In recent years, there have been bizarre attempts to change the world and initiate reform on a cross-cultural international scale.

There are two aspects of The URANTIA Book that come together addressing this personal urgency. One describes the role of commerce. On page 597 we find an interesting discussion of the state of other planet's human affairs ending with the pronouncement. "Commerce has been the great civilizer through promoting the cross-fertilization of culture." The culture of brotherhood as known by new-born citizens to the Kingdom of God is the commodity we desire to export into the world-at-large. The URANTIA Book refers to commerce in association with peace, security, and evolution. The laws of Dalamatia and the Garden of Eden included a code of commercial trade. Confronted with a monumental task, Adam eventually formulated a commercial trade plan to export the divinity of the Garden" into the barbarian world surrounding him. Adam’s plan was to establish the garden as a world trade center.

When we study the life of Jesus we see him working in a variety of roles prior to his ministry:

(P 1369) Jesus spent considerable time at the caravan supply shop, and by conversing with the travelers from all parts of the world, he acquired a store of information about international affairs that was amazing, considering his age.

The caravan cross-road served as the means of his education. He later worked as a caravan conductor, translator, tutor, smith, boat maker, and carpenter.

(P 1484 -§6) For Jesus this caravan trip was another adventure of exploration and personal ministry. He had an interesting experience with his caravan family - passengers, guards, and camel drivers. Scores of men, women, and children residing along the route followed by the caravan lived richer lives as a result of their contact with Jesus, to them, the extraordinary conductor of a commonplace caravan. Not all who enjoyed these occasions of his personal ministry profited thereby, but the vast majority of those who met and talked with him were made better for the remainder of their natural lives.

In the presentation of Jesus' time with Gonod we learn from these passages:

(P 1438) Most of the time en route to Carthage Jesus talked with his fellow travelers about things social, political, and commercial, hardly a word was said about religion.

(P 1465) That night as Gonod listened to the recital of these experiences, he said to Jesus, good-naturedly. "I propose to make a scholar or a businessman of my son, and now you start out to make a philosopher or philanthropist of him" And Jesus smilingly replied: "Perhaps we will make him all four; then can he enjoy a fourfold satisfaction in life as his ear for the recognition of human melody will be able to recognize four tones instead of one.

Secondly, The URANTIA Book is a map but it is not the territory. What is needed more than books are people who embody the book. This effort transcends reading. On page P. 1121 - § 1 we find this interesting statement;

"Mysticism, however, is often something of a retreat from life which is embraced by those humans who do not relish the more robust activities of living a religious life in the open arenas of human society and commerce. True religion must act."

World history can be viewed as the history of commercial trade. The URANTIA Book describes commerce in many places as a pivotal and positive influence in the development of society. Trade is clearly a principle influence in the cross fertilization of culture and is evidenced in the activity of Jesus life and in the efforts of Adam. These epochal ministries give credence to the role of commercial functionality in today's world. I maintain that in the course of our business lives, we come into contact with more people than in any other aspect of our day. We can think that our Sunday hat is left at home and the weekdays pass with the drudgery of survival needs and in such a focus we miss the greatest opportunity we have to be the fountains of God watering the souls around us. In no other venue does our need and dependence on one another show itself so clearly. If we could look down on our world, the inter-relatedness of our lives is evident in our transactions with one another. In addition, the United States has much in common with the caravan route cross-road. The hub of world-wide commerce, education, language and culture lies all around us. What we do locally has impact globally and for many of us business offers us direct international and intercultural contact today.

I always wondered how The URANTIA Book would be received by the Muslim world. Politics, business and our occidental-cultural-worldwide expansion has somewhat damaged our relationship between East and West, North and South and a "clash of culture and belief" was inevitable thought I. Well our trip to Senegal brought some answers.

From time to time our Parisian office receives mail from readers in Africa. Five years ago I intended to visit some of them from Ivory Coast, Gabon, Zaire and other African countries. Because of the lack of time I always postponed my trip. One and a half years ago I got mail from a man, Moussa N’Diaye, from Dakar, Senegal, who told me about his group of students of The URANTIA Book. I was so intrigued that I booked a ticket in January 1998 to go to Dakar but unfortunately I had to cancel for health reasons.

When Norman Ingram and Roger, his friend, visited our Parisian office in September 1998, I gave them a list of names and addresses from African readers along with about 100 Livres d’URANTIA. Roger and Norman visited with this group in Dakar. My intention was to visit with Moussa a few months later. Richard Keeler, my wife and I booked tickets and I called Moussa to make hotel reservations for us but he insisted to host the three of us. We gladly accepted and we arrived in Dakar May 13, 1999.

When we landed at Dakar airport, at 10:40 p.m., Moussa and about 12 individuals waited for us at the airport. After a warm welcome and a song from Richard and I, we went to Moustapha's home, one of the four sons of Moussa. We had a short dinner and we went to bed.

The next 3 days were wonderful. We had several meetings, conversations, study groups with different people, and visit with families. We listened to individual testimony of their religious life and shared our understanding of the teachings of The URANTIA Book. Very quickly I came to the conclusion that they all lived the teachings of the book and it became obvious that they all showed the fruits of the spirit. Immediately I felt this indescribable feeling of belonging to the family of God that I experienced in Nashville. Marlene and Richard felt the same. During all our stay an atmosphere of understanding and love was omnipresent. Beyond our differences of culture and skin color, it was apparent that we were only one human race, the children of God.

Grown up as a Muslim he exceeded his beliefs and entered into a spiritual journey that led him to find Le Livre d'URANTIA in 1973. After a careful reading he started to study its teachings. Soon he was convinced of its revelatory nature and decided to share the new truth with his fellow countrymen.

Knowing the nature of the religious thinking and the cultural background of the Senegalese (basically Muslim) he thought it was not appropriate to introduce the book itself without a careful intellectual and spiritual preparation. Therefore he studied how Jesus taught his apostles and his group of believers. The presentation of new truth needs a soft, non-invasive, and loving approach that will not hurt the individual beliefs. He also selected in the Koran some basic principles and concepts that were close to The URANTIA Book teachings and on which he could start the introduction of expanded ideas.

During 7 years, from 1973 to 1980 he conducted sessions of questions and answers without telling anyone its source of inspiration. During all that time and through his wise personal ministry he expanded the understanding in the mind of his students and prepared them to accept new truths. He also gave lectures and conferences to his fellow professors, religious leaders, and political officials based on the teachings of The URANTIA Book.

Finally, in 1980, he decided to tell a group of very engaged students about The URANTIA Book. A new group including his four sons was formed and the group started a systematical study of The URANTIA Book. Most of Moussa's work was based on personal teachings. Soon a core of students appeared.

The Muslim tradition says that God has already decided everything for each and every human being therefore if they do bad or good it's God's will. Moussa started his teachings with the lessons about the Seven Mind Adjutant Spirits, followed with Personality and the Thought Adjuster (allowing the student to understand the functioning and interaction of those three elements in his own mind).

The realization that their personality has relative free will, allowing them to conduct their own life, and can survive death by making their own choice, the realization that God lives in their mind and can help their soul to make those decisions, were for most of them a great discovery and a relief. Women were particularly sensitive to such teachings and felt liberated from the Muslim tradition which says that only the husband gives Paradise access to women.

Having expanded their understanding, the new truths were easily accepted. We can appreciate the wisdom of such slow and wise approach in teaching new truths.

Moussa trained his students to become teachers. He asked them to make presentations on various topics as well as sessions of questions and answers as a method of training. When new readers come to the group each newcomer is assigned to one of the teachers, female with female teachers and male with male teachers. The teachers gave individual teachings twice a week starting like Moussa did and focusing on practical and spiritual matters. The emphasis is put on practicing the teachings everyday. This non-invasive, respectful and loving method works very well. The group of teachers is growing and expanding outside Dakar.

When the Revelators advised the early leaders back in the 1950’s to form thousands and thousands of study groups from which leaders and teachers would emerge we experience the wisdom and insight of such a method. Two factors are instrumental in success:

1. The presence of a leader indwelled by the Spirit - wise, patient, persevering, educated, respected, respectful, loving - showing the fruits of the spirit in his daily life and moved by the desire for unselfish service

2. The practice of a wise method based on Jesus' method in introducing new truth to the individual. Respect of the individual beliefs, positive and loving approach, methodic expansion of the understanding, exuding new truths step by step, showing the new light with "wisdom and discretion". "My beloved, you must always make a difference in teaching so as to suit your presentation of truth to the minds and hearts before you," said Jesus to his apostles. (p.1691 §4)

Before the trip to Dakar, I believed the Muslim world to be the last to accept the teachings of The URANTIA Book. I also wondered how illiterate people (over 60% of the world population) could have access to those teachings. It becomes clear to me that the Revelators' plan, the practice of Jesus' method, and the truth contained in the teachings of The URANTIA Book are instrumental to the success of the 5th Epochal Revelation.

Moussa’s students were not specially skilled to teach the concepts of The URANTIA Book. There are some basic concepts and methods to learn by training. Rather they were transformed by living in their daily lives the teachings and, as a result, they were attractive because they showed the fruit of the spirit: the loving and unselfish service and the tactful ministering to others. At this time, and according to Moussa, more than a thousand individuals have been taught about the new truths and The URANTIA Book.

Last Nashville conference's theme was about ministering and we shared some good examples. Everyone can minister to others while at work, at school. in the family. To minister is not a profession reserved to an elite, it is a joy of service and a natural consequence of being a son of God. There is more joy and happiness to give than to receive and this is particularly true when ministering to others.

The new truths gained are to be personally presented. (This is demonstrated in the recent Fellowship survey: 70% of the readers were introduced to The URANTIA Book through friends or family). The person-to-person approach is far beyond any other method. Jesus exercised a personal ministry to the individual because he knew that every human being is different from another. He adapted his teachings to the level of understanding and maturity of the person to whom he was ministering. The URANTIA Book is instrumental in this process but not necessarily at the beginning. During 25 years only one URANTIA Book was available in Dakar but more than a thousand women and men were introduced to the teachings of The URANTIA Book through this group. To give away The URANTIA Book may help, but personal introduction to the book and loving ministry is much more efficient

To start the spreading of the teachings of The URANTIA Book in a given country requires a strong leader/teacher, enlightened with the teachings of The URANTIA Book, native of this country, who understands the needs of his fellow countrymen and knows about their cultural, social, and religious background. He will minister by teaching students, organizing the growth, and forming a core of teachers that will minister to their surroundings. With care, perseverance, and patience the new truths will soon become contagious and will replace in the hearts of hundreds and thousands of individuals the old beliefs. We can see the results of such a plan in Estonia, Finland, France, Lithuania, Senegal, and other countries. Recently, someone asked me why The URANTIA Book had no success in the United Kingdom. I believe it will have success when a strong leader will appear in this country

I have full confidence that slowly but surely the Muslim world, as well as other cultures, will be exposed with success to the teachings of The URANTIA Book if we keep our souls in patience. Evolution is the patient and slow technique provided by God to make the human being Godlike. Revolution is the impatient and unwise technique used by Caligastia to prevent human beings from becoming Godlike.

We left in July,1998, and returned this mid-May, 1999 – so it was about ten months.

Rev. Roger Goffeney and I went to place as many URANTIA Books as possible in the national public libraries of the friendly countries we could enter.

We went to the French speaking countries of Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, and the English speaking countries of Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. This was about one half of what we wished to cover. We placed 120 URANTIA Books in English edition and 114 French edition copies. All in all we placed 234 books and owe 10 more that we promised to individuals. I want to add that in the Senegal and Ghana national libraries The URANTIA Book is considered a reference book and it can only be viewed, not checked out, as in most African countries. Some libraries were in very bad shape because the countries don’t have enough funds to keep them up. Yes, our objectives were realized.

By the individuals’ interest, questions, spiritual discernment, and their truth seeking desire for, and understanding of, God.

Definitely the border crossings. When we came to a border we didn’t know the cost. Nothing was posted. The police charged whatever they wanted to charge. There was heavy drug enforcement at the borders and as many as five police checks coming and going from each border. We never knew how long we would be detained. It was costly and precarious.

How were you received by The URANTIA Book readers in the different countries.

Responses everywhere were positive and gracious. The English speaking countries are less inhibited. The French countries are under more control, less free, and most expensive.

The living conditions were primitive except in Ghana and South Africa. Ghana is by far the most civilized and "modern" country, except for South Africa. They have a democracy and capitalistic economy. For the most part the living conditions were very primitive – open sewers in streets, toilets – a hole in the ground, electricity always going out. But I found that conditions are not related to intelligence.

In our travels through West Africa (our party included myself, Rev. Roj Goffeney, Gbade Beavogui and Prince Eben Quaye), we found only two existing study groups. Most countries had never heard of The URANTIA Book let alone there being many students of the book or study groups anywhere but in Senegal and Ghana. As we met many truth seekers they took an immediate interest in the 5th Epochal Revelation; and if we were in their country any length of time, most of them wanted to start an immediate intensive study of the book by trying to start with a new group of students.

In these two existing study groups, we found them quite unique and very sincere in their searching for more understanding of the URANTIA concepts. Moussa N’Diaye of Dakar, Senegal tells his stories of how he found The URANTIA Book in France in l973. Being that he was Muslim and a professor of Social Psychology, he did a very intensive study of the book and contemplated on how he might introduce the URANTIA concepts to his Muslim brothers. In l975 he started a study group by giving lectures and answering his students' questions. He taught by lesson plan because they only had one book at that time. After eight years of this type of study his students asked him where he was getting this information, he said "Now that you ask, I receive it from a book called "The URANTIA Book." None of us in the URANTIA community had any idea that such a large study group was being conducted in West Africa. In my opinion they may be the most sincere study group I have ever met. Over 52 books were delivered to them. They meet every night of the week from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The first evening we visited their study group, the meeting was conducted in three parts. The first hour was by the youngest new member of their study group and he gave his dissertation on what God meant to him now and what he hopes it will mean to him in his future plans of married life and raising a family. In the second hour of the evening each of the eight teachers of the group gave their opinion of his understanding of God. The last hour Moussa, the master teacher, gave a new lesson. His method of teaching teachers and students is the most sincere and intense for understanding that we have ever seen.

There were about thirty-five to forty people who attended our presentation, and after the meeting we closed with all participating in the Remembrance Supper. In talking with these folks, it was ascertained that there could be as many as four hundred students over the years that have been a part of Mr. N’Diaye’s study group in Senegal. They are in need of financial assistance in order to keep in touch with those students who have moved back to their villages.

The next organized study group we came across was in Accra, Ghana. The name of their study group is The Living Flame Fraternity. Their master teacher is Mr. Oblempon Nikoi and Prince John Baidoo presides at their meeting place which takes place at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Ten to twelve students have attended their study group for over nine years. Their format of study is quite unique from anything we have seen. They open with a prayer from their master teacher and then sing a song from gospel hymnals. Next they consecutively read a portion of The URANTIA Book from each of the four parts. They sing a hymn between each reading then close with asking and answering questions while discussing the book. I found it to be quite different from sequential and topical studies but very effective in its results.

While in Accra, members of the study group set up a morning TV talk show host to interview myself and Prince John Baidoo. I was always a little hesitant in participating in a public address and had refused such opportunities in the past while traveling throughout South America because of the one-on-one and slow-growth policy. With their persistence in trying to expand their study group, I consented. Prince John reported after the airing of the TV show that three new study groups are beginning to start up in Ghana.

After Senegal, we continued on to Gambia where we were invited to stay with a Mr. Sherif Njie. He was a Muslim and his wife number two was a Methodist. He invited us to his home because he thought his wife would be interested in what we have to say about The URANTIA Book. He was more interested in the URANTIA concepts than what he let on and originally thought, but used his wife as an excuse. As a result he spent the next couple of days taking us to the national library, the university and to his favorite French-English library. He interpreted the introductions to the directors of the libraries for us. He invited his neighbors over to listen to what we had to say. One neighbor, Mr. Kebba Sankareh, a teacher from the local high school, and Ms. Angela Badjah, a French/English teacher, organized new students to start a study group. We helped them all we could while we were there. As we left Gambia, we gave them the name of Mr. N’Diaye so they could ask him for assistance in starting their study group, since Gambia is also predominantly a Muslim country.

The next study group we helped start was in Guinea which had its beginning shortly after our arrival. We were unable to leave Guinea for a month due to the border closing. A war was going on in Sierra Leone and rebels had set the capital of New Town on fire. Joan Yole Gono was the first person to announce that she wanted to start a study group on Sunday afternoons. Since most of the five new students were already Christians from Liberia and Sierra Leone refugee camps, they wanted to start with the Life and Teachings of Jesus. They all enjoyed Paper l20, the bestowal of Michael on Urantia so much, they couldn't wait for the following Sunday's scheduled meeting. They asked me if they could meet the next evening and meet every night until we received our permission to move on to the Ivory Coast. We then continued to meet every evening for the next seven days. They have been meeting every Sunday since then with much growth and enthusiasm. For all the new people we had met in N'zerekore, Guinea, Mr. Gbade Beavogui from the Red Cross Center was the most sincere. He took a leave of absence from his job and was our guide out of the country and safely saw us through the border crossing to Abidjan, the capitol of the Ivory Coast, to the home of his brother Dr. Edward Guizie, who started a study group. He said we will see him at IC-99. Gbade has started a study group in his village since returning home. He wants us to find a URANTIA reader sponsor who owns a commercial chicken farm. He is willing to work free to gain the needed experience so that he can return home to help his village start a cooperative chicken farm of their own.

Next in Lome, Togo, a professor at the College Hampate-Ba, Mr. Norbert Keleou, started a study group for about a half dozen new students. They met weekly in the hotel where we were staying while we were there. The owner of the hotel listened in the first evening as I gave a presentation. He is now an enthusiastic new reader and gave permission for them to have their weekly meetings at his hotel.

From Togo my new guide, Prince Eben Quaye, from the Accra, Ghana study group, and I went on to Benin and Nigeria. In Onitsha, Nigeria, Reverend Dr. Daddy Hezekiah of the Living Christ Mission Church, received us in an audience with him. He is referred to as the Man of God, and there are several thousand members in his congregation. After this meeting and introduction he was quite impressed with this revelation and teaching about Jesus and asked his assistant to take us on a tour of their new huge cathedral-like church under construction. He also instructed his assistant to feed us a meal, give us a bottle of wine, a box of biscuits, and 6,000 Nigerian CFI in cash to help us on our mission to arrive safely to South Africa. This Man of God said he would study his new gift, The URANTIA Book, very carefully and will give us and his congregation a report as to his findings regarding this revelation. His financial contribution was the exact amount that we needed to pay for our lodging expenses for the four days we were there. Funds given us from a church under construction! Wasn't that something? Our Father does work in marvelous ways!

Our next stop was in Cameroon where we met Mr. Jean Marie, who indicated he would start a study group with the new readers we had met there.

Since South Africa is an English speaking country, it was decided that I would be quite safe traveling by my self, especially when Cynthia Taylor, an e-mail friend of Saskia Raevouri, promised to meet me at the Johannesburg Airport, which she did. It was truly a blessing to meet Cynthia and her husband, Herby, who took extremely good care of me while I was there. She also made arrangements to take me to several libraries and friends, especially friends at the Sufi school. Cynthia commented after sitting through the introduction of The URANTIA Book to the Springs Library as to how the two ladies there were so intrigued by what was being said. She also made arrangements for me to take the train to meet her friend Allister Bywater in Cape Town. He had found a youth hostel for me to stay at and I met many of his friends, who took me to Cape Point. They are looking forward to Prince Eben’s and my return in December to complete the URANTIA Outreach on the east coast as far as Egypt.

A total of l20 Fellowship books were delivered to the English speaking countries, and 114 French books from the Paris Foundation office were distributed. This joint cooperation of all URANTIA readers shows us that harmony and unity can prevail. We have the names and addresses of all institutions and persons who received your precious gifts. Without everyone's joint effort, this little outreach would not have been possible. Africa was just too big to complete it all in one trip.

In December we have to complete the eastern half of this vital outreach to our African brothers and sisters. We hope to visit Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Egypt. Your continued prayers and support will be needed as we begin the next vital phase.

You may also support this effort by making donations to The School of Meanings and Values and designating your contribution for WOUN. SMV helped collect nearly $10,000 for the first mission to Africa.

Prince Eben and I send everyone our most humble thanks. We will see you all at IC-99 with many more stories to tell. ^SMV

Since 1992 Matthew Block, a former long-time resident of Chicago, now living in Glendale, California, has been researching the human sources of The URANTIA Book. He has since found over 100 books and journal articles which he believes were used as base texts in the writing of certain Papers. The fruits of his research will be presented in a series of reference books called The URANTIA Book and Its Sources. The first volume focuses on Papers 99 to 103 and will be published in the summer of 1999. The second book, covering most of the rest of Part III, will be available in early 2000.

In 1975 I found The URANTIA Book in a bookstore in Ventura. I was drawn to it because it contained 774 pages about Jesus. In 1980 I started a comparative study of the words of Jesus from the four gospels of the Bible. This endeavor was undertaken mostly to convince myself and my family (my wife is Jehovah’s Witness), that this book was not the work of the devil but truly was an epochal revelation. I used a total of fifteen different versions of the bible for my study. I cut out all the words of Jesus from the four gospels and then put the quotes of Jesus into chronological order (as presented in The URANTIA Book). It was my idea to retell the story of Jesus using only words that I could find in a Bible version. I was guided by the story of Jesus from The URANTIA Book, but unless I found his words in one of the many versions of the Bible I would not put it into my book.

The first book, Jesus the Word, only has the words of Jesus from the four gospels. The URANTIA Book is only mentioned in the Bibliography.

The second book, Jesus the Words of Jesus has information from The URANTIA Book with twenty endnotes referring to The URANTIA Book. It has an appendix which follows Jesus’ life from birth to ascension, giving his age, the date, the day, and the location. It gives the event, page number in my book, the gospel, chapter and verse in the Bible and page and line in The URANTIA Book. It also has an index, which is cross-referenced with my book, the four gospels and The URANTIA Book. It has the URANTIA Foundation's telephone number and web site. All of the words of Jesus The Word are in Jesus The Words of Jesus.

My third book Jesus A Revelation of God will contain the words from the first two books along with quotes of the words of Jesus from The URANTIA Book. It will not contain the appendix or the index. This third book is now being reviewed by the URANTIA Foundation for approval.

I ordered a book from their web site and was very impressed with the quality. As the author, I can get hardbacks for $21.00 each. If I buy 40 copies at a time I pay $9.00 each for softcovers. (Two years earlier I had looked into self-publishing and had figured it would cost me between $7,000 and $10,000 to self publish.)

We are devoted to publishing secondary works that will help readers and non-readers alike gain a better understanding of The URANTIA Book. Some of the items available are:

Located at Silver Springs, north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Every August, four one-week intensive study sessions will be led by experienced trainers who have the knowledge and skills to teach concepts, philosophies, and attitudes of The URANTIA Book. The Silver Springs Conference site sits on140 acres, has 5 ponds, with fishing, swimming, hiking, and cycling. Camping is also availabe. The luxurious guest wing houses up to twelve participants per week and the Center also has a new air-conditioned conference room.

In Chile, where all the groups come together several times a year to study specific subjects in depth, both Nina Bravo and Juan Paulo Vega have given extensive talks this year on the subject of self-mastery. This work is helping Juan Paulo in particular prepare for his presentation for the conference, which will be about self-mastery in the context of the new millennium.

The Chilean leaders (Nina Bravo and Oly Tartakowsky) were also recently surprised by a visit from readers from a nearby Arab colony who have been meeting for two years; they were found to be dedicated and devoted students of The URANTIA Book.

In Colombia, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Vargas has been busy translating the original notebooks that Dr. Sadler formulated as a curriculum for the Brotherhood School in Chicago. He believes that Dr. Sadler's approach to the material could be vital in the development of a program for teacher training in South America. Jose has been trying to secure a visa in order to be present at the Conference to talk about the importance of teacher training, as well as his approach to (extensive) outreach in Colombian prisons and hospitals.

In Cuba, Francisco Acuna continues to explore and talk about The URANTIA Book with his friends in the Baptist community. He's a very new reader and keeps his Bible and URANTIA Book open together by the side of his bed. I hope to visit with him in the year after next.

I've been receiving e-mail which David Kantor forwards from the Fellowship site from people all over Latin America. I've heard from readers from Mexico, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina. Most are looking for The URANTIA Book or have found it and are eager to connect with other readers. The work of JJ Benitez continues to be a powerful attractor."