Ep. 42: It's a Cult of Personality

Ep. 42: It's a Cult of Personality

July 8, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

The episode explores the story of a self-proclaimed prophet in Utah who misled his followers about the Second Coming.

"Two Women Sue Church When Christ Fails to Appear" In a small Utah town, a self-proclaimed prophet convinced dozens of followers that the Second Coming had a date on the calendar. When it didn't happen the way he said, he didn't lose his followers. He just adjusted the story. This week, Crystal and Andrea head to Manti, Utah, to unpack the rise of a charismatic leader who claimed direct communication with God, built a following through seances and secret plural marriages, and somehow talked his way out of a failed apocalypse. Along the way: whispered VHS tapes, a memoir from a woman who lived it, and a lawsuit headline you have to read twice to believe. Faith, control, and a prophecy that just wouldn't quit.

People in this episode

Hosts: Crystal, Andrea

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Church

Places: Manti, Utah

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