The Last 100 Hits [Commentary]

When I originally posted this little website in April of 2008, I didn't think there would be much interest in what was presented. The idea here was simply to collect the web links to new information and fallout that developed in reaction to the then-upcoming National Geographic Special "Inside A Cult", to simplify the archival process of events as they happened. That documentary was to be the introduction of the Bent Cult to the American people. It was a re-hash of what British film maker Ben Anthony produced and showed to BBC audiences in 2007. What then happened was that many people found this website who were as interested in this subject as I was, and I am bit surprised that readers and researchers from across the globe still drop by regularly, even long after "Inside A Cult" originally showed, and the subsequent legal issues developed that eventually incarcerated Wayne Bent on 30 December 2008.

Daniel 9:24-27

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

And after threescore and two weeks (after 62 years) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

[Note that at the "midst of the week", April 19, 2004, Bent was 62 years old, and soon afterward he said he was no longer Messiah. He turned 63 (AFTER 62) on May 18, 2004.]


My earlier association with the LOR church between 2001 and 2005 led to what I thought was a close friendship with many there in Travesser. I had met Michael, whom I was convinced was Messiah, and traveled many times to "The Land" to share time and Christian fellowship with them. That relationship ended when the spirit they took became clearly foreign to the sense of Christ I knew. They were bound and determined to follow "the prince that shall come", after Messiah was cut off (not for himself, but against himself) in the Spring of 2004, as per the prophecy of Daniel. My friends intentions were to be the people who would destroy the city and the sanctuary. And just as we understood the prophecy would unfold, they most certainly were successful in their efforts to do just that. Now, the desolator himself (Wayne Bent) is desolated, and life in Strong City is over (desolated), just as Wayne Bent's son Jeff was quoted as saying in a recent Times Online article.

Daniel 8:9-14

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.

And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.


Imagine watching your friends pursue a tack that was leading them to desolation, and nothing you could do or say would change them of their conviction. The utter futility of trying to get through to them taught me an important lesson. I had to let them be who they were. They were the people of "the prince that shall come", and there was nothing I could do about that.

Excerpt from Final Thoughts | The Prophecy by Wayne Bent (Michael Travesser) August 23, 2004

"There are two prophecies, two witnesses, to our existence as the Sons of God. The first one I previously mentioned (editors note: Rev 12:1-6). In Revelation 12 it was prophesied that the woman (church) of God would go into the wilderness to be fed for 1260 days. This has occurred. We have been fed with the principles that form the basis for the Marriage of the Lamb. We were brought to the wilderness just as the Scriptures and the signs in the heavens stated. We were fed as stated, and for the time stated, and now the message of this time, the testimony of the time, is concluded. That is, the house is finished. This feeding which we received during our wilderness time is all contained in the Travesser Archive DVD.

The second prophecy seems even more significant. For it is the prophecy that pointed to the Messiah and the exact timing of his baptism. That prophecy is found in Daniel 9. Exactly 483 years after the decree to strengthen the city and the temple, Messiah would appear. Just as prophesied, exactly 483 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the wall, decreeing the rebuilding of the old wastes, I was baptized in the consummation of the marriage. The prophecy then states that in the midst of the week Messiah would be cut off. I surely was cut off, for all of the unction for the work was taken from me as instantly as corn is harvested in the field. This happened in mid-April, exactly 1290 days from the end of the prophecy as stated in Daniel 12 which occurs October 31, 2007. What we look forward to now is the final things that were prophesied in Daniel 9:26. "And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." Now, we shall witness the desolator being desolated, and that is the end of all things."



They went on, as a church, to mistake the flesh (Wayne Bent) as still being Messiah. They couldn't help but to do it. Only those established safely in Christ recognised Wayne was being consumed of the spirit of desolation after Messiah was cut-off, and as stated in the prophecy, "but not for himself" (indeed, he was against 'himself'). What happened next was what happens whenever strange fire is handled.

Matthew 24:15-16

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea (Strong City) flee into the mountains:

What remains to be seen now is how Daniel's prophecy plays out in its entirety. The sanctuary will be cleansed, so we'll get to see what that looks like. Look for that to happen next summer. Perhaps August, or so. And we'll get to see what it looks like as "there should no flesh be saved", too.

Matthew 24:22-28

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (That they might awaken from their slumber and trouble at some point before the sanctuary is cleansed.)

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before.

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For wheresoever the carcase is (the flesh), there will the eagles be gathered together (the worship, or cult, of the flesh).

Daniel 10:21

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (Christ in you) Daniel 12:1-3

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:10

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

[italics and additional parenthetical remarks mine]

What is happening now is that the Truth is aching to be known. People have a sense that things in Travesser are not really what they appear to be. It all makes no sense to them. There are too many ironies. Too many coincidences. Too many reversals, denials, "lies", costumes and rituals, convenient lapses of memory, and other incidents of behavior that seem to speak against the very spirit that is claimed to be in charge of their activities. That eerie sense will not go away as long as the Truth is unwittingly hidden by 'the people of the prince that shall come', and that includes those who are in unwitting compliance with their work to obfuscate the Truth. Now, this site serves to set the record of what has happened and what is happening. No amount of squirming, spinning, denial, or convenient loss of memory will save anyone from the truth of the matter. Truth will overcome all.

Indeed, friends, Messiah is come, in you. Not in a cult. Not in a prison. Not of flesh, but of spirit. The spirit of Christ, simply, plainly, in you. This has been the message of the Gospel all along. Christ does, indeed, come in "a man". All over the world that Spirit awakens within us. Every visit to this website is an opportunity for "the lightning [that] cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west". "So shall also the coming of the Son of man be". What opens up to us in His Spirit is His Kingdom, which is, and has always been, here and now within. Blessings to you. -Craig

Times Online's "Wayne Bent: The cult of the man they call messiah" Quote, “We’re not self-sufficient any more,” Jeff tells me. “Life here is over.”

"A source at the San Miguel Courthouse confirmed today that Wayne Bent was denied release on bond while his case is being appealed. More information will be posted as it becomes available." ~SC Mirror Site Comments Forum - May 29, 2009

National Geographic Channel's Trailer for "Inside A Cult, Messiah On Trial"

Visit NatGeo's schedule page for the next showing of this documentary.

Bent sentenced to 18 years, 8 years suspended

On-going Update of the day's sentencing of Wayne Bent from Beyond90Seconds.com

Jeremy Jojola reports with photos/video:

(Events of the morning listed below, latest first)

Just before 11:00 AM, Judge Baca sentenced Wayne Bent to 18 years, with 8 years suspended, to include sex offender treatment while incarcerated.

> Wayne Bent, "No crime comitted at Strong City".

> Bent’s followers speak, praise Bent

> Bent’s council Sarah Montoya wants ankle monitoring instead of prison

> DA Donald Gallegos: Bent "arrogant," recommends 15 years

> Former LOR member Prudence Welch, "Bent molested hearts and minds"

~

Related stories:

New York Times

Associated Press

KOB.TV/Jojola

Wayne Bent's intensely myopic view of the situation on the morning before his sentencing.

KRQE.com sums up Wayne Bent's current take on events. (a convenient list of their articles on the subject follows)

Below is Jeremy Jojola's report on Bent's latest explanation of himself

Bent’s sentencing is now set for Tuesday, December 30 at 8:30am in Las Vegas, New Mexico, according to Beyond90Seconds.com

Day 6 of the Trial - Jury's Verdict: Guilty on 3 of 4 Counts

Ongoing reports for the day from Beyond90Seconds.com

Filmmaker Ben Anthony's behind the scenes story

KOB-TV reporter Jeremy Jojola's gives this morning report

The jury's verdict: Guilty on one count criminal sexual contact, guilty on two counts contributing to delinquency of a minor, not guilty on one count of sexual contact.


Bent will remain on house arrest until sentencing, scheduled for the 29th of December.



Mark Horner's interview with reporter Jeremy Jojola after the verdict

Related stories:

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/crime_krqe_taos_bent_verdict_200812151053






http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jIFBKPQcesX84wXvSFNHAToMVzwwD953E4B01

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/us/16brfs-SECTLEADERFO_BRF.html?_r=1

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/15/america/Sect-Leader-Trial.php

"If men follow a man... [Commentary]

... and worship that man who promises them deliverance, they follow a false Christ". This was part of the answer given by Wayne Bent (Michael Travesser) when he was asked, "Who Is A False Christ? (One who promises to deliver, but does not)", as posted on his website "Ask Michael", May 25, 2005.

Further, he states, "They call me a false christ, while it is they who promise the deliverance that never comes. They promise salvation, but their followers stay unsaved still, committing their eternal sins, and experiencing their eternal condemnation. They burn in everlasting fire and they cannot quench it. It is the fire of their doubt, impatience, anger, fear and sorrow. They sin continually, ever hoping to come to the end of their life so that they can go to heaven someday. This is the fruit of following a man. This is the fruit of a false christ."

Wayne Bent can't help but answer any question about who he is without mixing words of truth with the contradiction of his own actions. While pointing to the characteristic fruit that exposes the false Christ, he cannot see how he and his church have sown the same actions and reaped the same fruit as that of a false Christ and his followers.

See their newly revived website for a video of how they want others to view them. Sadly, they make it clear they still have their messiah's unrealizable promise of deliverance. As long as that is all they ever want, that is all they'll ever have.

May Wayne Bent, and all of his followers, find the real peace that comes when we shed our outward delusion to find the Heaven that is, and always was, within. -Craig

KRQE.com has this report from outside the courtroom yesterday

Quoting the report: "Surrounded by his followers, Wayne Bent waited outside a Taos Courthouse on Friday.

News 13's Mike Paluska asked Bent if he'd do it again. At first, Bent and his followers chuckled at the question and he refused to give an answer. However, he'd later respond.

"Yes I would do it again, but I would have the state's permission," Bent said."

Day 5 -- Closing Arguments and Jury Deliberation

Ongoing reports for the day from Mark Horner's Beyond90Seconds.com

















Prosecutor Chavez's argument is that this trial is about the law, not the religion.











Defense attorney Montoya alludes that the State made Bent look like “weirdo” and “pervert”, says State didn’t prove case, there’s no evidence of crime, quotes Revelations from the Bible, and that common sense must take over in this case.


















Wayne Bent/Michael Travesser during the defense attorney's closing arguments









Just before 11:00AM, jury went into deliberation.



Mark Horner's interview with reporter Jeremy Jajola of KOB-TV on this morning's events. (Audio)



As if the event of the jury's deliberation was not creating enough drama for the moment, Jeremy Jojola reports that Bent, outside the courthouse, states that he will not eat if he is convicted (as posted at 12:46 by Mark Horner/Beyond90
Seconds.com).

A brief argument unfolds between current and former members...

Jeremy Jojolas update of the situation as the jury deliberates...








Waiting...



At 4:45PM -- According to Beyond90Minutes.com: Jury dissmissed for weekend. Deliberations continue Monday. No verdict.

Day 4 of the Trial -- Bent, Defense Witnesses Take the Stand

Ongoing reports for the day


Gabriel Travesser says that people have "twisted" the view of the LOR church.

One interesting thing he said was that Wayne Bent was not the leader of their group, and that they all were their own leaders (paraphrased). Later, the next day, the one not the leader gathered together the not followers and gave them their instructions outside the courtroom as to what they were to not do next (see KRQE's news video, posted above 12-13-08).

Yesterday, Gabriel made it known what he thought about "the media whore" to a media truck technician.

Jojola's morning events report (Audio)

Also see: http://www.kdbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9505237&nav=menu608_2_3

Allasso Travesser testifying.

Bent's defense seems to be resting on presenting the behavior of the adults toward each other to justify his behavior toward the children who lay naked alone with him "skin to skin" in his bed.

Jojola's midday audio report












Bent takes the stand, testifies of convenient memory lapses.












Jojola's wrap-up of the day's events (Audio)








Prosecution and defense rest, without hearing from any other witnesses associated with the LOR church. Tomorrow, closing arguments will be heard.

Beyond90Seconds.com reports that the judge's Gag Orger is lifted that constrained the participants in the trial.

DA off of Wayne Bent trial after mother breaks hip according to Beyond90Seconds.com

Day 3 of the Trial -- Teenage Sisters, Child Abuse Expert Dr. Elizabeth Dinsmore, Religion Expert J. Gordon Melton Take The Stand

More coverage from Beyond90Seconds.com:

Ongoing reports for the day

Horner interviews Jojola on this morning's events (audio)

Jojola on midday issues (audio)

Jojola on defense attorney Montoya's concerns about media coverage
(audio)





~

Reporter Jeremy Jojola: "Dr. Elizabeth Dinsmore: victims “groomed” by Bent in the same manner as a sexual predator"

Jojola on afternoon issues (audio)

~

The photo below is of Bent with "A.S." and "L.S." at an earlier time (approx. 2001)

Bent's attorney asks judge to dismiss charges -- motion denied.

ABC News (kind of) "exclusive" story, with pics of Bent's company

Mark Horner's analyses of the above ABC story

Abuse or Experience of God?

Day 2 of the Trial -- In Pictures

[Photos courtesy of The Taos News]

Related Story

Witness Tampering?

Listen to Mark Horner's interview with Jeremy Jojola as he reviews today's courtroom events

Day 2 of Wayne Bent's Trial -- Mother and Father of Children Testify

More from Beyond90Seconds.com:

Ongoing court reports for the day

Mark Horner - Jeremy Jojola Interview

"...Bent will take the stand to explain his side of the story" - Jeremy Jojola

http://kob.com/article/stories/S698118.shtml?cat=500




http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/crime_krqe_taos_cult_parents_felt_betrayed_200812092155_rev1

Mark Horner interviews Ben Anthony on his return to US for Bent's trial (audio)

Day 1 of Wayne Bent's Trial -- Videos and Articles about Jury Selection and Opening Statements

Beyond90Seconds -- excellent updates on the trial



~

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20081208/sect-leader-trial/

http://www.jeremyjojola.com/2008/12/trial-day-one-bent-abused-authority.html

http://www.kdbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9479060&nav=menu608_2_3

http://www.taosnews.com/articles/2008/12/08/news/doc493d5e7134819318969888.txt

http://www.kdbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9477043&nav=menu608_2_3

http://kob.com/article/stories/S695994.shtml?cat=517

http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9643:taos-trial-expected-to-draw-national-attention&catid=1:latest&Itemid=39

http://beyond90seconds.com/2008/12/08/will-wayne-bents-tome-ever-reach-jury/

http://www.koat.com/news/18225172/detail.html

http://www.jeremyjojola.com/2008/12/arrived-in-taos-for-bent-trial.html

Jeremy Jojola reports on the Wayne Bent trial.

Anthony and Jojola team up with Horner for coverage of the Bent trial, which begins today in Taos, New Mexico.

Bent's trial starts Monday, December 8.

Gag order rumored.

"11/24/2008 ORD: ORDER STRICTLY PROHIBITING THE PARTIES FROM DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA AND/OR THE PUBLIC" (see 21st and 22nd comment 05 Dec 08).

Just exactly where is "Strong City"?

1. Click the pic for larger view.

2. Go to Google Earth and mouse-over the map to the Latitude & Longitude coordinates shown on the pic. (Lat. and Long. show on the lower left corner of the map as you move the mouse.)

3. Double click and you're there!

Repeat performance of the National Geographic documentary "Inside A Cult" airs November 30th.

A story on the release of Bent from jail.

Bent released from custody.

"Emergency motion" aims to have Wayne Bent released from custody. Bent's emergency issues include the critical needs of relieving the state of transportation charges for the trial, relieving the state of the cost of incarceration, a haircut, and a change of clothes.

The fast has been broken. Perhaps the self-induced spell on Travesser is broken, too. May they all be blessed, awakening to the True healing heart of the Father, leaving behind forever the fantasies of the mind that are the cause all suffering. -c

Text from removed post "The Last Day" at StrongCity.info 10-31-08

The Last Day by Jeff Bent [mirror site]

Today is the last day of the year of Jubilee. The Jubilee is the year God's people are delivered from this earth. The Scriptures also call it "The Last Trump." This final message brings judgment, and announces the deliverance, the change, and the end of all things. We have been in the year of judgment since Ben Anthony filmed our celebration one year ago today, later mockng it in his documentary film. I am writing, perhaps for the last time on this page, to wrap up a few details of the last few days.

I read an article in the Albuquerque Journal this morning, where I was quoted as saying the people here "do not want to go on living." I do not remember the context of that statement, but I will say that it is accurate in the sense that we do not desire to sustain this earthly "status quo" any longer. We have been promised deliverance, and we are actively seeking and requiring this of heaven now. It is time, for our earthly work is finished. God has never failed us in the past. But the earth cannot hear these things without thinking "suicide." We cannot help what people think.

Last night my father, Wayne Bent, was taken to the new private prison in Clayton run by the Geo Group. I remember the promise, "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption." Ps. 16:10. The private prison industry represents everything that is hellish about this world today.

Wayne Bent is no longer eating food or drinking any water. He calls this "the fast of Moses," where Moses didn't eat or drink for 40 days while on the mountain waiting for the covenant of God to Israel. My father will not accept sustenance from the beast. He awaits the deliverance promised to him by God, and will not stop fasting until he receives it. If God sustains him, he will live. If not, he is ready to die, for he will not be the play-thing of the beast, made a spectacle in a court of liars and perverts where the truth is squelched.

I remember the prophecy of the prophet Simeon to Mary, where he said, "A sword shall pierce your heart, also." I have felt that sword intensely these past few days, as I've seen the machinations of the beast against my father, and his subsequent arrest yesterday. Judge Baca's arrest warrant is a death warrant, in my opinion. We call it "the death decree." All for a self-righteous, self-serving agenda. All because my dad touched the sternum of a girl to heal her, and touched another on her clavicle. As surely as there is a God in heaven, the powers of earth will be judged for this one day soon.

I have come to grips with the fact that the DA's office is run by monkeys. Mr. Benavidez was out of town this week and evidently his superiors in Taos have discovered the extent of the witch hunt he had going in Union County. In court yesterday, assistant DA Emilio J. Chavez formally withdrew Mr. Benavidez' motion for the court to order Strong City to allow police access for "welfare checks," saying it was not the District Attorney's responsibility to arrange welfare checks. The DA's office also denied on Monday that they were seeking civil commitments on Wayne Bent or others at Strong City, although our attorney heard differently from the sheriff's office, who was briefed by Mr. Benavidez last Friday and told to prepare to remove people from our land that evening. Failing to find a judge to sign off on it, Mr. Benavidez' plot foundered and then sank. I was told Tomás Benavidez was crowned "King of the Incompetents" by a newspaper when he was town attorney in Taos. Perhaps that award qualified him to work for the District Attorney's office.

Attorney Sarah Montoya rhetorically summed up District Attorney Donald Gallegos' reaction this week when he began assessing the damages caused by his absent deputy: "What in the hell are you doing? The religion of those people and their fast is none of your business." Thus, the back-peddling and damage control by the DA this week. We learned yesterday that the DA withdrew the notices of appearances filed on "the seven," who would not have cooperated anyway.

The beast feigns concern for our people, while doing its best to gag Healed and keep her under the most onerous conditions so she cannot have a voice in her circumstances, and in the court case in which she is being used. I was told yesterday that Attorney Justin Lea of Taos is now under some sort of sanction for sending Healed an email, asking if she wanted his help. Now the beast is going after him for "soliciting."

Never mind that Healed has written two public letters, asking the DA to leave her alone. The beast has made it clear he wants to crush anyone who tries to provide relief for Healed, and to take the gag off of her mouth. We had hoped, for Healed's sake, Judge Baca would interview Healed in camera and learn for himself the oppression she is living under. He struck that down. Our attorney then asked Judge Baca (at his suggestion) for an evidentiary hearing where Healed could speak, and he struck that down, also. The judge wants his trial, so he can close his term out with a high profile case, and maybe become judge again. Allowing Healed to speak would cause many problems for this case.

We told our attorney of the oppressive situation we feel Healed, a 17-year-old girl, is being confined in. We felt her living situation bordered on abuse, and that she needed someone to represent her interests. Our concerns were based on some things she had shared with her friends in August, and on the following communication posted early in September. Healed wrote:

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 at 1:40 A.M.

How the adversary is greatly enraged right now; I would say more than ever. I am reminded of the verse where it says the dragon was wroth with the woman. My parents were very angry after I returned to the house this last Tuesday after visiting Amiel and the others, so angry my mom hit me with the wire end of a fly-swatter twice and left a few bruises on my thigh. I think she felt guilty for it though because she told CYFD about it and also asked me the next days if the marks were still there.

Apparently this was written after the last contact our delivery people had with Healed outside of the Dollar Store in Clayton, but was unknown to any of us until early October. I had never known Healed's parents to hit their girls in the years I had known them, and I wondered how far "off the deep end" they had gone if the mother was willing to assault her 17-year-old daughter like that. What else is she having to endure, we wondered. I know Wayne Bent has taught the people here never to hit their children because children are just a mirror of the parents. He taught that if you wanted your children to change, you needed to change. Even the beast removes children from homes when parents are leaving bruises, but relief is withheld if the child is a believer in Michael. I shared my concerns with our attorney, Sarah Montoya, who appealed to a group of defense attorneys she networks with. Justin Lea offered his services pro bono, but Healed had to know someone was willing to represent her. Now, Mr. Lea is feeling the wrath of the beast. That is what happens when you try and wrest someone from the beast's grasp.

CYFD commits child abuse, and we knew there was no way on this green earth that they would help Healed after we learned what Willow went through. Willow was emotionally and psychologically abused by Phyllis Mayfield, then supervisor at the CYFD Raton office. Willow said that Phyllis "was like a loaded gun, and you never knew when she would go off." Phyllis' outbursts and harsh, overbearing manner would leave Willow pale and shaken at times. Willow's father mailed a written complaint to Susan McDowell at the CYFD headquarters in Santa Fe, reporting Phyllis' strange behavior. Susan responded with a phone call saying basically, "That's your opinion, have a nice day."

I learned recently that Ms. Mayfield was fired from CYFD over the past month "and would not be returning." Why was she fired? Reportedly, at the time she was supervising Willow when she was in CYFD custody, Ms. Mayfield was coming to work intoxicated. CYFD received complaints from people who came to the state office and saw Phyllis intoxicated. The Raton Police called her one night to attend to a case and she arrived on the scene drunk. This is hear-say, but anyone can check and see if Ms. Mayfield is still at CYFD. She is not. She was fired. Colleen Doyle also was involved in the state-sponsored kidnapping of our children, and she, too, has been fired from CYFD for reportedly the same reasons. This may explain why CYFD suddenly dropped Willow like a hot potato during our last fast in June. This is my own theory of course, but I think they saw enormous liability issues in the way our children were being traumatized by their employees who were abusing alcohol in their state employ.

We certainly would not wish for Healed to have to endure the same situation with these folks again.

We have left off battling with these beastly entities, and now the battle is God's alone. We have been brought to our extremity by the attacks of the state and former brethren who are riding on the back of the beast. We believe this is all arranged of God, to bring us to the place where we can receive His deliverance, and know without question it came from Him, and not our own efforts. There is no earthly help now, and we have no strength of our own. Father has given us these instructions:

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. II Chron. 20:17

Editors Note: Indeed, friends, you never needed to fight this battle. The ego needs to fight this battle. Always does. But the One, the spirit Who is your True Self, is in need of nothing, whatsoever, for all is well in Heaven. Release the spirit of the busy separate self, and you become still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you! Praise Father, for in this hour is your deliverance!

When we actually do believe what the Scriptures say, and no longer allow the dragon to color the reality of things (audio interview with Montoya), then Truth shines brightly to us. When we SEE that there was war in heaven (past tense), when Michael and his angels fought (past tense) against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought (past tense), and prevailed not (past tense), neither was there place found anymore in heaven for them (none of them), it is because we have finally realized the war is over, for the spirit that corrupted us is gone, and all that fills us is the Power and Truth of The One. Christ is in charge; we are safe by His Grace.

Truly, there is nothing left to do or to say otherwise, except to perpetuate suffering. Be blessed in The Lord. -Craig

See Prudence Welch's video for her parents in Strong City.

The last day, according to Jeff Bent...Where, pitifully, the door is left wide open for many, many more "last days" of suffering for the Lord Our Righteousness (LOR) church.

Mark Horner provides eight (8) more court documents filed today at the Union County Courthouse in Wayne Bent's case.

ABQ Journal reports change of venue will be to Taos, date undetermined.

ABQ Journal story outlining Jeff Bent's explanation; "...that his father's “thinking is there will be no trial.” Wayne Bent's followers believe that midnight tonight ends their “Year of Jubilee,” with a deliverance by God from their “earthly life,” Jeff Bent said. “We are glorified, given new bodies and ascend to heaven,” he said. The Year of Jubilee is “the year of judgment when the last trumpet is heard from God and God's people are set free from their earthly bondage,” he added. The window for God's deliverance ends at midnight and he fully expects to be delivered by God and has no plans beyond that, Jeff Bent said. The church members believe “that if (the deliverance) doesn't happen, they don't want to go on living.” He said does not mean they will commit suicide, just that “they want to stop sustaining life.”

KOB.com story on Bent's arrest

Fox News story on Bent's arrest

"In a telephone interview Thursday with the Albuquerque Journal, Bent's son, Jeff Bent, said: "We don't anticipate any future beyond Oct. 31." He said the group is expecting God to "deliver" them "free from earthly claims." "

'Failure to appear' causes Bent's arrest.

Bent's 'deliverance'?

Strongcity.info announces Bent delivered to a Clayton, NM hospital, by order of Judge Gerald E. Baca.

Wayne's Seven lovers get a lawyer, won't make appearance.

*UPDATE* 10/30/08 9:10 AM (Jeff Bent says) This morning the DA's office informed Mr. Maestas that they are withdrawing the notices for the seven and will not compel them to appear for questioning.

Wayne Bent (Michael Travesser) speaking, from an audio clip recorded six years ago, instucting the children of the church; "...and for the children...it's very, very important for you right now...to receive your instructions...do exactly what you're told...don't fight or quarrel, or resist anyone or anything..."

Additional court documentation from Beyond90Seconds.com

It seems that the LOR church intended and nurtured the difficulties that now embroil them. Here is an audio clip from 2002. It's sad they have yet to understand that the 'war in heaven' they are involved in is about the warring spirit within themselves.

These think the end of war in Heaven comes only by one side winning, and they think they are on the side that wins. They can't fathom the whole meaning here, which is that neither 'side' 'wins'. War ends once and for all when no party prevails against the other, as they become One and complete, and their warring spirit is no longer found anymore in Heaven.

"...And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels, and prevailed not, neither was there place found anymore in heaven for them...." (any of them)

-Craig

Mark Horner provides court documentation.

Suicide Watch

Deputies do check at LOR camp (link requires bundled advertisement)

State's motion to monitor Bent and company “approximately 46 people are in jeopardy of harm from starvation and may not be competent … to look after their own health and safety”

Trudy Sayer audio from Beyond90Seconds.com

Jeff Bent states that the District Attorney is acting to monitor the welfare of the members of their church. This follows a statement on their website that talks of not taking water after today.

Excellent update from Beyond 90 Seconds -- good insight - several court documents - and a comment from Wayne Bent.

Judge Baca tells Bent to “cease and desist from ... anything that might be taken as belittling or disrespectful.”

A judge has rejected a defense request for an evidentiary hearing, where the two girls who had naked encounters with Wayne Bent could describe their experiences. Instead, state District Judge Gerald E. Baca ruled Monday that the girls can tell their stories to jurors at a trial set for November 17th.

The Fruits Of The License Of Imagined Significance [Commentary]

If there is one central theme and recurring message in the story of Wayne Bent, it is that anything and everything can be correlated and made to be significant to support one's mindset.

Wayne Bent actually believes the story he tells himself every day. But that is where his connection with reality and what is Real, depart. We all do this to some extent, but for Bent, his delusion has become not just a way of life, but also a church, and a wonderful way to get what you want, without ever having to take any responsibility for ones actions. That is, until now.

Allow me to offer a "for instance" here. Let's say that every morning when you wake up, you find that your tummy begins to growl at about the same time that the sun peeks up over the horizon. You can find a correlation between the sunrise and your hunger in this event when it recurs every day, and then come to the conclusion that it is the sun that causes your hunger. Or, you could correlate your hunger and the sunrise to conclude that were it not for your power of rising the sun every morning by virtue of your internal rumblings, the world would always be kept in darkness, and woe to the world when you are gone! But of course, neither of these correlations are significant in the ways that such conclusions assume. They exist as correlation only incidentally. To find anything beyond a co-incidental relationship in such facts as the sunrise and your hunger is to be led by the imagination to places that have no basis in reality. The facts speak of conditions, but only a sanely reasoning mind can come to any conclusion that warrants respect as to what is true.

When the mind is driven by an ego-centered perception of the facts as they correlate to reality, all bets are off as to where the mind will go to satisfy that ego's need for what is seen as being true. Herein is Wayne Bent's folly; he does not recognize his ego, or the power it has over him. The significance of fantastic correlations can be taken to any extreme, as we have seen time and again in the behavior of this man. Moreover, it is the license he takes with his sense of things, and the extent to how far that license allows him to go with his mindset, that is most alarming. It is the wall erected by the State before his intended direction that has finally put an end to how far Bent can go with the license he has taken to satisfy his fantasies.

Bent recognizes that the State has in fact thwarted him. What Bent doesn't realize is that the activity of the State to move in and take control are not "personal", as he thinks, but are impersonal, and are designed and required to protect the potential victims of him and his church from themselves (due to any alleged criminality), as the State is bound to do by the statutes it incorporates. To allow Bent to remain immune to such statutes would set a new precedence to allow others such a license as what Bent has assumed. The untenable and irresponsible nature of allowing such a precedence would arm each and every child molester in New Mexico with a similar license.

In this situation the State is doing the right thing. And in doing so, the State is giving Wayne Bent ample opportunity to prove himself innocent of the charges of child molestation. But instead of seeing this as an excellent opportunity to be victorious over such charges by virtue of the truth as to his innocence, he takes the low road of presenting himself as being the victim, and in doing so, again, sets up the classic scenario that only an ill and ego-driven mind could want -- a battle that one cannot win. This displayed martyr syndrome on his part is enormously self-satisfying to him, and serves to further his agenda of being the 'persecuted' messiah of his cult, while denying that he has any personal concern in the matter. And yet, Bent may end up exonerated by the State, if the facts as presented are done so with adept professionalism by his council, in spite of himself, and if the efforts of the State to make the case against his activities fails.

If he is innocent, he will be found innocent, unless Bent is successful in his ploy to be found either mentally ill or unstable (by trying to starve himself to death before the trial begins), or by sabotaging his own council by making it impossible for her to present arguments in his case that stand in reasonable defense to the charges against him. By poisoning the process with his unrealistically derived conclusions, protestations, and vehement declarations that he and his church are the victim of a 'witch hunt', he thus attempts to change the focus from his innocence, to the guilt of a "mob" who "falsely accuse" him. His grandiose christ-fetish self perception displays seem incredible because they are incredible.

Indeed, if he has actually realized a spiritual Truth that now has the opportunity to be revealed on the world stage for what it is, he need only express that in the course of the trial. If such is the Truth, it shall ring as being so in the hearts and minds of the jury and the court. Either his utterly Righteous innocence will stand for him, or his guilt shall overcome him. If the spirit of Michael is to stand up in the man, now is the time. But the only spirit making any stand at this moment is the one of contention, blame, and self-righteousness. His council may have no better option than to maneuver merely to accomplish damage control in spite of his activities, instead of actually pleading his case based upon the principles of condoned religious activities and moral principles. Bent contends though, that no one else but he and his church can fathom their version if righteousness, so it might be too hard of a sell.

If this is to actually be a defining moment for Christianity the way Wayne Bent sees it, no matter what the court does, it will be a victory. The way he prefaces the trial (as in all things he does), it matters not what actually happens, for he shall be "vindicated" whether he is found guilty or not guilty. He shall be either the victor over "the beast" in a not-guilty verdict, or the victor as a martyr, if he is found to be guilty of any of the charges. And, if he is able to kill himself by starvation before the trial, his ego is allowed to have the ultimate final victory, confounding everything, especially the Truth of the matter. Such are the workings of mental/spiritual illness.

The best evidence that the the District Attorney has to convict Wayne Bent is the testimony of the children that simply point to facts that seem to correlate to his guilt as a pedophile according to the letter of the law. But is that a correlation that points to the truth of the matter? Did Wayne Bent actually take unclothed teen aged children into his bed as the children stated? And while that act may violate the letter of the law, does it actually violate the intent or spirit of the law, which is to protect children from people whose intentions are of pedophilia, but not necessarily to prevent them from being healed of a disease? Will the jury then conclude that his activities warrant his conviction as the law stands against pedophiles, or will they take into account his insistence that his actions were only spiritually motivated and did not amount to molestation, but were only meant to heal them of their spiritual ills?

Such questions immediately raise new questions. If these youngsters were spiritually ill, then who was responsible for that? With their lifelong inclusion in a religious society which was actually and really made up of Righteous individuals of the Lord, as the Lord Our Righteousness (LOR) church maintains, what room would there be for any spiritual illness whatsoever to begin with? And if these children were as pure and Righteous as Bent contends, just what exactly were they being healed of? If Wayne Bent or his council can truthfully communicate the answers to these questions in a plain and honest way, and if those answers speak to the truth of the matter convincingly, how could anyone convict him?

But Wayne Bent knows he has no believable defense. And his activities now are designed to try to change the subject, reflecting that realization, in his hope that he will not have to face the charges against him in court. It seems that Bent's best defense has always been the story that he is The Return Of Christ, for only as The Son Of God, Who is beyond reproach or susceptible to a shadow of a doubt to those who believe his story, could he ever be condoned to do what he has done. So now, since he cannot present himself as something he is not, his days are numbered, and with any luck he will at least have a chance of looking somewhat like a martyr. Such is the power of ego over a man. And such are the fruits of the license of imagined significance.

Craig

FACTnet.org's alert on current events concerning the LOR church, with two videos (shown here) addressing older issues, before a grand jury indicted Wayne Bent on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor in the second degree, unclothed, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor:

The Piper, a song by Robert Matson, speaks of the piper who seeks to lead followers astray.

And you could change your tune forever
But the piper's sound is sweet
Your living alone in your fantasy world
Where nothing, nothing's complete

Video clip from KOB Albuquerque news on Bent's latest tirade, "Claims he and his followers are leaving this world"

Bent: 'Prosecution bringing on the end of the world'

Bent breaks word fast while vowing new food fast and complains of a few things, again.

Strong City breakfast page

From word fast to yet another food fast PDF

Judge delays Bent's trial to November 17th.

"Remembering the Alamo -- Tony Alamo" and those who might take advantage of 'the separation of church and state'.

Mark Horner's "The Writings of Wayne Bent". Some recovered published material of the LOR church.

>>Court Recap of the pretrial hearing

>>Prior LOR (Lord Our Righteousness) church members reflect on their experiences -- video interviews by Mark Horner

Return To Castle Dome - Part One

Return To Castle Dome - Part Two (Added 11-07-08)

>>Bent's Pretrial Conference Moved Forward To August 12th

>>Wayne Bent's "Red Letter" calendar days -

August 12th: Pre-trial hearing. (Moved forward from Aug 19)
September 1st: State's plea agreement deadline.
October 20th: Trial.

>>Bent's attorney filed motion to drop grand jury indictments -- "religious healing practice"

>>koat.com coverage of Bent's arraignment -- Video

>>Judge sets Bent's bond at $150,000

>>Condition of Bent's release from jail pending trial -- Audio file from beyond90seconds.com

>>Bent arraignment court day set

>>Mark Horner's interview with Sgt Bobby Long about Bent's stay at the Clayton jail

>>Strong City goes silent...again.

...the 'Uncle Milty' connection...or, "Are you really happy to see me, or is that just a copy of 'the gospel according to Wayne Bent' in your hands?"

>>Bent indicted by grand jury

Jeff Bent admits truth about dad; "He's not Jesus Christ" -- Larry King Live

>>http://beyond90seconds.com/2008/05/09/larry-king-live-video-inside-a-doomsday-cult/

Prudence Welch's mother responds
>>http://beyond90seconds.com/2008/05/07/prudence-welchs-mother-responds-to-controversial-remarks/

Bond lowered for N.M. sect leader

>>http://www.kentucky.com/513/story/399275.html

N.M. Apocalyptic Church Leader Makes First Court Appearance

>>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354603,00.html

Prudence Welch Interview

>>http://beyond90seconds.com/2008/05/06/prudence-welch-video-interview/

Vice Magazine Reflects On Bent (If you can stomach it)

>>http://vice.typepad.com/vice_magazine/2008/05/new-mexico---bu.html

Wayne Bent quote: "To answer your questions (and you certainly will not believe my answer, since you would so love things to be as you imagine them) I have not slept with the virgins, or had sex with the virgins, and no, they have not seen me naked, except, perhaps, the nakedness that they might see if I were on the beach with my pants and shoes on." >> VICE Forum 18 May 2007

Wayne Bent quote: "But there has been sex with the seven (virgins), as the prophecy declared and as our own movie clearly related." >>Strong City comments 24 April 2008 #13

Bent On Another Hunger Strike, Second One In A Week

>>http://www.krqe.com/Global/story.asp?s=8286844

Bent awaiting court appearance, refuses food

>>http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_9182987

LA Times Review Of "Inside A Cult" (Tonight)

>>http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-cult7-2008may07,0,1827676.story

If convicted, Bent could face more than 30 years in prison

>>http://www.newschannel10.com/global/story.asp?s=8286433

Dr. Phil Wants To Help

>>http://drphil.com/plugger/respond/?plugID=10640

Cult leader betrayed by disciple, followers say

>>http://www.krqe.com/Global/story.asp?s=8281936

UPDATED: Girls said cult leader had lain naked with them

>>http://www.krqe.com/global/Story.asp?s=8278165

Sect leader arrested in New Mexico sex probe

>>http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/07/2237316.htm

Sect's 'Messiah' arrested on sex charges

>>http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/06/sect.leader.arrest/

Wayne Bent arrested

>>http://beyond90seconds.com/2008/05/06/breaking-news-wayne-bent-arrested/

Church leader arrested on sex charges in northeast N.M.

>>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsH7mJX6DLL_3T9EQ6po9ojGv4-gD90G955O0

Jeff Bent responds to his dad's arrest

Video - Strong City Neighbor

>>http://www.koat.com/video/16097503/index.html

Former Members Speak Out

>>http://www.koat.com/news/16115882/detail.html

Investigation Into N.M. Cult Continues

>>http://www.koat.com/news/16082903/detail.html

"Inside A Cult" airs May 7th on National Geographic Channel

>>http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/3401/Overview#tab-Videos/05168_00

Sect leader wanted to sleep with teenagers

>>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/03/AR2008050300707.html

Former Follower: Sect Leader Wanted To Sleep With Daughters

>>http://origin.lcsun-news.com/ci_9131684

Documentary Might Have Triggered Church Battle

>>http://beyond90seconds.com/2008/05/02/british-documentary-might-have-triggered-new-mexico-churchs-battle-with-state/

Bent Considers Ending 'Hunger Strike'

Friday, May 2, 2008, in his own words. Considers the possibility of eating again. Imagines his possible arrest, sees it as cross to bear.

>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/friday_may_2_2008/#more-1427

From Cigar Chompin' To Pulpit Poundin'

The amazing transformation of Bent: before ("beer-drinking, cigar-smoking, cussing, ex-Navy man") and after ("the Son Of God").

Bent Considers Ending 'Hunger Strike'

See associated report:

>>http://www.groundreport.com/US/New-Mexico-Messiah-Denies-Child-Abuse

3 Children Removed From Apocalyptic Church

>>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24388578/

A Message To You From "Michael"

Wayne Bent says, in so many words, "I don't negotiate with terrorists".

>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/a_message_to_you_from_michael/

Wayne Bent Is Firm -- "I was never the initiator in any of the events"

So much for taking responsibility for oneself.

Read Bent's "The Real Issue"

>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/the_real_issue/

Excerpts from Wayne Bent, head of an apocalyptic church in NM

>>http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_9108026

Children Removed From Union County Cult

News reported by the local press. Bent on a hunger strike?
>>http://kob.com/article/stories/S429065.shtml?cat=520

Similar Stories At These Links

>>http://www.religionnewsblog.com/21312/michael-travesser-2

>>http://timjblair.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!B71A619F97F176BD!97967.entry

>>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsH7mJX6DLL_3T9EQ6po9ojGv4-gD90CBC400

>>http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=8249674&nav=menu193_2

Jeff Bent Gets Right Righteous With Governor Richardson

...when exactly is it that the image in the mirror puts down it's sword?
>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/letter_to_new_mexico_governor_bill_richardson/

Wayne is eager to give you his "Mark of the Beast".

>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/the_mark_of_the_beast_is_here/

Interesting Take On The "Inside A Cult" Documentary

...from "After The Truth", excellent first-hand accounts of having been in a cult.

>>http://afterthetruth.blogspot.com/2008/04/strong-city-cult-inside-cult.html

and here

>>http://afterthetruth.blogspot.com/2008/04/strong-city-cult-readers-reaction.html

State Police, CYFD Move In To Remove More Chidren

State Police and CYFD social workers removed Willow and Matthew, two minor children, from Wayne Bent's cult. This is the third day in a row that CYFD and State Police have taken action on the grounds of Strong City. It seems now that a move is being made to end the farce in Travesser.

>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/willow_and_matthew_abducted/P8/#c-1282

Join in the discussion at Travesser.info Forum ("The Truth About Michael Travesser"), send an email to Prudence Welch, and she'll sign you up.

Strong City Cinema -- "Experiencing The Finished Work"

Available at the Strong City mirror site.

Minor Child Removed From Strong City By Local Authorities

"Healed"

>>http://strongcity.info/LOR/sc/post/healed_abducted_by_aliens/

Cult Documentary Airs Tonight On the National Geographic Channel

...National Geographic Channel's "Inside A Cult" documentary about the Strong City cult airs tonight at 9PM ET.

>>http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/3401/Overview#tab-Videos/05168_00

Travesser Info Site From Prudence Welch

>>http://www.travesser.info/

Strong City Info

News and commentary from embedded sources inside the camp.

>>http://strongcity.info/

National Geographic Documentory "Inside A Cult"

>>http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/3401/Overview

Ben Anthony's Original Documentary "The End Of The World Cult"