Cracking Open My "Prophet" Grandfather's Holy Book 

I loved the chat comment: "Why is God's word always so wordy?" I love it.... can we put that on a bookmark? or a book cover?

It seems like her granddad had an amazing intellect. Imagine what he could’ve done if he had his mental health under control and could focus his energies on something productive

I have a copy of this book along with the fold out chart titled "Descent of the Holy Priesthood of God from Adam to Ezra Taft Benson" which is stored in a pocket affixed to the inside of the back cover. I worked for the Mormon church in the 80s and 90s and just after President Benson died (1994) I happened to be at the garbage dump (actual garbage truck) located in the first lower level of the church office building at the food services loading dock. One of the church maintenance workers, whom I knew well, was throwing away various items that had been cleaned out of President Benson's office and this book was one of those things. I had no idea what it was, but it was interesting because of its size and I grabbed it. At the time it was hard to track down the source so I just put it on my bookshelf at home and it became an interesting conversation piece over the years especially the fold out chart. Occasionally, I would look through it, but I always thought the author had to be kind of crazy to put something together like this. As a subscriber to this channel I saw the preview screenshot with the top of the book showing and about fell off my chair. I don't know how or why this was in Benson's office, if he even knew about it, or knew about it and ignored it, but it did come from his office.

This book makes me question how many “prophets”, modern & historical, may have had some type of schizophrenia or other mental illness that could cause some sort of delusions of grandeur etc.

This book is what happens when you combine high intelligence, unemployment, mental illness and heavy drug use 👀👄👀😂😂😂. Some clean their whole house with a toothbrush, some engage in methematics, this gentleman created a comprehensive analysis of religion from A to Z, he was on another level 😳😂😂

I like how this reveals mental health and writing spritual text. I've wondered what the mental health status was of a lot of authors of books that do have a larger following.

I look forward to reading this book. My local libraries would hesitate to purchase a copy. Very likely too heavy for someone to carry around. Even though I am not religious, I think that if every library had a copy, it might bring visitors to the library , as not many libraries would. many books with 2242 pages. This book should remind us what a person with paranoid schizophrenia is capable of writing. It weighs 15LB (pounds) or 6.80 Kgs (kilograms).

Shelise your hair looks absolutely fantastic in this video!

I made a quick timestamped commentary on this episode because I'm really excited to dig into this. For context, I've been an armchair Bible scholar for the past 6 years and my emphasis is in linguistics, history, anthropology, kinship, and violence. I have some understanding of Hebrew since I attended a Messianic synagogue and so the Bibles I have read include the Tree of Life edition, Jewish Study Bible, and Halleluyah Scriptures. I've also read maybe 40% of the Book of Mormon. Fun fact: my name has circulated a bit in the Las Vegas LDS network since I would eagerly debate Mormons at my home until they refused to come back. Which is always sad. My ex-wife would approach missionaries on the street and recommend they come talk to me and would give them my number. They would start typing it into their phones and it would already be in their contact lists, since their phones get recirculated whenever they go on missions. Anyway I appear to have been put on a "do not visit" list at least in that part of town. I also recently came out of a religiously abusive home and have really enjoyed your channel. Okay with that said, here are my notes from this reading. And many thanks to Sami for bringing this to our attention. I will be making a donation to acquire a digital copy because I love these kinds of things. It sounds like her grandfather was a legitimate scholar, dogged by schizophrenia with delusions of grandeur, stemming from some kind of childhood trauma. What Sami read, so far, was pretty fascinating. 18:20 The term "Jeshurun" is Germanic for the Hebrew Yeshurun, a derogatory name derived from the term "Yisrael" (Israel) which Yahweh calls Israel when they grew fat in the song of Moses in Deut. 32:15. 19:41 He's combining Ahura Mazda and Allah into one god even though these have very different prophetic claims than the Biblical Yahweh. Author is seeking a broader, universalist community by doing things like this. 21:33 This history that encapsulates Zarathustra seems to be combining Zoroastrianism with Yahwist priestly history or possibly Pharasaic Priestly history. 26:13 Again claiming all prophets are legitimate. 28:00 Modeling his own life off that of Joseph Smith 40:48 His creation story claims that God made men and that Hebrews call man "Adam." I wonder if he ever clarifies something that people often miss: on day 6 in Genesis 1:26-28 Elohim makes "man" as "Adam" and lets "them" rule over the earth as men and women. "Adam" in Hebrew is a cognate of "dam" which means "blood". "Adam" is not a proper noun, not someone's name in the modern sense. Genesis 2 is confusing then because "Adam" is made a second time. In Gen 2:7 Yahweh Elohim makes "the Adam" out of the "Adamah" which means the ground and puts him in the garden. So it seems as though he was familiar with some Hebrew terms but never really dug into the grammar, which would have indicated to him that the "Adam" in Eden might not have been the first "Adam". 42:28 The rib of Adam: there's a very interesting interpretation of this rib "Tzelah". The Hebrew word is a cognate of "Tzalah" which means "limp". So this term might have had a double meaning: the "rib" is both firm and limp. This might have been a very keen observation by the ancient Hebrews that man, unlike other mammals, lacked a baculum or "penis bone" and this was a prime differentiator between man and animal. Here's a good summary article: www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/ncbi-rofl-what-did-god-do-with-adams-penis-bone So despite the ambiguity of this in the English translation, the fact that he left this in, without going into too much detail, might show that he wasn't quite clear what it meant and thought it best not to change anything but leave it for future interpretation. 43:41 He also chose to leave in the notion that a man is to leave his home and go and live with his wife as it says from Genesis 2:24. When we look at this idea in terms of kinship studies, in ancient societies which are based in matrilineal descent, the man leaves the home and lives with the wife's family, which was presumably the arrangement that the author of the Adam and Eve story assumed was normal. This is also the situation with Jacob leaving Isaac's home to go and live with Laban in order to marry Rachel and Leah. Shameless plug: I recently wrote a brief article about Abraham's matrilineal descent and reworked his family tree, which makes more sense out of these strange stories: ericjacobus.com/2024/05/28/abram-the-last-matriarch/ 47:07 He's using the Hebrew calendar names for the months. These were lunar month names, which the rabbis maintain to this day. These appear to have originally been Babylonian terms, likely derived during the Exile. It sounds like he had a heart to understand the Hebrew roots of the Bible. 54:50 The lamentations of Jeremiah sounds pretty good, lots of good Doomsday terminology that fits with the author's predictions of the siege of Jerusalem. Overall, Sami's grandfather's history seems fairly strong (I especially want to hear what he says about Egyptian masonry, since Freemasonry derives so much of its lore from the building of the Second Temple). But his theology is a bit weak, as he seemed to think somehow all the major prophetic claims of world religions were somehow compatible. We can probably safely say that he wasa not the second coming of the Messiah after all. However, that doesn't take away from the scholarly value of his book, nor any other holy book for that matter. I think the Book of Mormon, for example, is a fascinating look into the psychology of an early American pioneer like Joseph Smith, his interactions with Native Americans, and his (failed) attempts to understand their origins. Thanks again, that was a lot of fun. I look forward to following the rest on Sami's channel.

Was 1992 the year he was planning to be recognized as the prophet, and essentially starting a new path for the world?

It's wonderful that something good came out of something so bad. Glad you and your dad are doing well! Good for you! ❤

I am so sick of men starting cults as if we didn't have enough already in our country. I partially grew up in a cult but I was lucky to be too smart for them.

There was actually a popular syncretic religion called Manichaeism(sp?) which lasted for about 500 years that was persecuted alongside Christianity in the 2nd century which similarly combined beliefs from Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism. It was created by a Zoroastrian priest named Mani in Persia. This concept sort of reminds me of that.

I just donated because I totally want to read this or hear this I think this is fascinating

This should be a movie! Unbelievable!!

I was a nurse and remember the term "florid psychosis" which this book absolutely sounds like. I remember being stuck in the car with a man in the throws of florid psychosis and it was very much like this.

Father Nathan Monk would be an AMAZING person to send a copy to, and to also have on the show in general!

This is such a fascinating story. It can be looked at from the mental illness perspective as well as the religious scholar perspective. I am so glad that their family is healing and hopefully helping others.

I see cuneiform on the first page too. He definitely had a lot of ideas. I’m curious to see how he put it all together. He wouldn’t be the first religion to join all the prophets and teachers from all religions together-Baha’i’s do something similar too

Anyone here going to Crime Con? Nashville, here I come!!! (wearing my It’s a Cult t-shirt)!!!

It is sad for me to listen to the contents of this book, as being a psychologist this reminds me of the endless stream of consciousness and seemingly logical writings of a number of people with schizophrenia I have worked with.

Anyone else hearing a weird ringing sound in the begining?

Wouldn't it be risky to make it available to people? Surely some will think, just like her father, that her grandpa is onto something

The Hebrew on the first page is "Ehyeh asher ehyeh," which comes from the book of Exodus when God gives his names to Moses, and is usually translated as "I am that I am"

I’m sad i missed the live this time 🥺

I need this book in soft format.

Replay gang. Fun live. 📖

My ex husband had schizophrenia he was a great dad but when he went off his meds did drugs and drank he was abusive but before we got married he was so caring and funny

I was dubious at first but the author of this book of prophets is very well educated. The way he explains the big bang theory in particular caught my attention. What I can't decide is why he claims there was no stone age which dates from 10,000bc to 4,000Bc. Instead he starts with the Minoan era which had a lot of significant happenings which are well documented but finding any kind of teachings from the stone age would be next to impossible. It might be why he decided that 4000 BC the time line to start this. I think it's time to send a donation. It may take me some time but I'll be happy to give her grandfather's life work a read.

I would love to know if he wrote in chronological order? It sounds like he had hypergraphia, I believe Winston Churchill also had it.

How long was your grandfather a member of the church?

I am only in one half of an hour so far and I’m curious as to how a family that had one working partner that didn’t have a great pay job could have afforded to have all of those copies printed and bound that just seems so expensive.

Anyone can start something and people will follow. We are a people who want to "belong" to something... Best to do your own research... I am ex Mennonite and my family are Amish. 10 years later I am so happy I got away from my community. Best of wishes to anyone who is struggling on leaving... Jesus is our savior not our clothes or what we wear on our head or face. 🙏❤️🙏

❤❤

just some feedback: Sami's voice came across super loud compared to yours, Shelise. Not sure if that can be fixed?

Parts of this sound a lot like Dr. Bronner's soap bottle to me.

I would love to know if there are any references to the epic of Gilgamesh.

That is an insanely large book

16:37 Derek from MythVision?

55:19 the “boiling children” thing was a reference to an ancient pagan practice of sacrificing children to Moloch or other deities in exchange for a good harvest. Note how the full quote was “unbelieving women boil their children”

i kinda wanna try to read all of it... can you send me a copy?

Prophet my A...

There was a total solar eclipse, which streaked across North America in early April 2024. On land, it started in Mexico and moved northeast through the central USA and ultimately Quebec, Canada. the total eclipse lasted four minutes and you needed special eyewear to see the Moon's ascending and descending coverage of the Sun. Did the writer of the book witness any eclipses in 1986 and 1988 somewhere in the world. Seven minutes is not a bad guess as read by Sami. If you don't have special eyewear and just time the dimming and brightening of natural light, seven minutes is a decent conclusion. Did the writer of this book ever spend time staring at the Sun with no special eyewear? Seems like looking at the Sun is another day at the office for this world class nut job.

@58-59 minutes- I'm not sure, as I don't have a Bible to hand, but that bit of scripture sounds to me like it's been taken or adapted from the book of Revelation.

Why not do 7 volumes instead of one massive book?

the Bible says the dead in Christ will rise. When Jesus comes again. Also the Christian church or the early church was founded on women. Jesus' followers in the beginning were a lot of women who funded his ministry. This is what i learned in the Evangelical Baptist Church. I'm from Canada if that helps to make more sense as to the type of Baptist Church i was raised in.

I don't know if this is actually a thing that people study, but I wonder how many "microreligions" (Is there a better term?) there are? People with very idiosyncratic beliefs without necessarily controlling larger groups of people. Another example which comes to mind are the beliefs of Philip K. Dick (an influential science fiction author who struggled with mental health and also wrote extensively about his mystical experiences and philosophical commentary. )

The book itself looks like it smells really good, ngl

What does her dad say about Xenu?

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. 15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

Late 80's early 90's was not that long ago!

You guys aren't copying this out manually are you? There's software that can help with this, all you need to do is scan each page. Sometimes even a photo is enough.

Page 2000 sounds more like the book of revelations type of thing. From like the KJV. but a little different.

like a shark in a tank full of Parana which will swarm and over take the shark in the small tank because the shark as no where to go....he'll have to shrink to adapt or die trying 😭he might try to catch and swallow a few Parana but most of the Parana will rip him apart slowly degrading the shark over time unless the shark can leave the tank but he'll still slowly wither away being internally wounded.

My mom got a huge gold decorated bible from my catholic great grandma I bought one from goodwill this last year huge decorated bible really pretty got lots of pictures in it more about catholic religion than a Bible

What happened 🤷‍♀️ now we have a Big Book 📖 🤔

It seems he used Assyrian history and calendar...

I think the current video is interesting either way, but I wonder how you are defining "cult" for the purposes of the channel? Is it anyone with "weird" beliefs? Or high-control religious group or something else? did "grandpa" (I didn't catch his name) have followers? Are you including this text because it is an offshoot of Mormonism?

Right after the 41-minute mark, she said rim, not rib. 🤔

Hey sweet lady finally caught a live. How's your beautiful new baby doing?

This sounds like he to from the book of Enoch.

Book should been called down the rabbit hole I hated talking to my ex about god cuzz he would go down the rabbit hole and get angry about it drove me nuts if he wrote this stuff down it would been this book schizophrenic ramblings he was smart tho if he could have done something with it would been good for him

What sect of Islam was he following?

My satanist ex husband is schizophrenic mental illness and having some religious beliefs is not good lol

There was far too much reading of the book. I don't want to hear any of it. I want to hear what it was like for her growing up in her family. How did she feel about her granddad claiming to be a prophet? What was it like for her when she knew her grandpa was inventing his own religion? I care about her and the emotional impact it had on her. I don't want to hear more religious dogma anywhere.

As much as I appreciate that you're reading to us, don't forsake breathing for us. Good grief! Your grandfather was long winded.

Jesus warned there would be false prophets, false teachers, this is how most religions originated.

38:23 Astrologist? That's about zodiac signs and other made up stuff. You probably meant astronomer, although technically the right person would be a cosmologist when we talk about big bang theory.

My brother also suffers from mental problems, he wrote a joke book_And none of the jokes are funny_My mother is also mentally ill and wrote a "cookbook" that even donkeys refuse to eat_You don't want to know about my father, scary,,,,,,,

Shelise… Are you not at all concerned about in promoting this book that you may inadvertently wind up jump starting the formation of a new cult? Especially knowing that the writer was mentally ill, and that some of listeners could be prone to slide back into one particularly the newly free? Just a concern I’m having listening to the way the book is being talked about.

The Quran was revealed by one man, so I can understand where your father came up with that idea or assumed it. That man did not write it down, others did , and they acknowledged him as the one who revealed it to them, as he was given it from the angel Gabriel.

666

Interesting example of mystic psychosis... yikes!

It seems it is a book of false prophets. The only prophets are those in the bible. None of the others have prophesies that have been forfilled. Corruption and deceiving.