A business meeting is called on March 26, 1959. Less than one month before the predicted event (April 22, 1959).
“Held in the Office of the Vice-President March 26, 1959 , 2 pm.… The council now set about to determine the exact date for the commencement of the 1260 days of Rev-elation 11. It was in October of 1955 that the code article on the 1260 days was written. It was thought that this might be the beginning of the time. The records were gotten out and the mailing of the Novem-ber Code occured November 9, 1955… With this date as the starting point and counting the 1260 days the period ends April 22, 1959….Meeting concluded at 6:15 pm.”
The date of the end of the 1260 days is now official according to Florence and her council. The public is informed and by some accounts, over 1000 people will soon arrive on the camp. The Rod is to now be set upon the altar. The people had been warned that solemn church judgment would come in a prior new code newsletter by the council as follows –
As Florence and the council were approaching the date of fulfillment, they considered when the “solemn assembly” should be called. Meetings were called and prayers offered to know exactly when to call it.
On March 30th, 1959, a meeting is called to announce the following – “G.W. Saether now moved “that a resolution be drawn up that all Davidians in this country assemble on Mt. Carmel Center, Waco Texas, on or before April 16t, 1959.and that all Davidians in foreign countries be notified of this meeting and that they also hold themselves in readiness where they are to get their de-liverance from the Assyrian yoke. That these announcements be sent out as soon as possible. There was a second to this by J.O. Conrad and all were in favor of it. The meeting closed after 9 ½ hours at 6:30 P.M. T.O Hermanson offered the closing prayer.”
NOTE: This was sent out to all Davidians.
Dudley Goff, a close associate to Florence Houteff goes public to announce to the world Florence and her council’s expectations.
Soon bewilderment comes in and desperation begins to set in as to – why? Why had the people not been led to witness what surely, according to the deep study by the Florence and her council, would be the fulfillment of the 1260 days and the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 on April 22, 1959?
After prayer and many days of nothing happening, a sad realization begins to set in. On June 21, 1959 a council meeting is called and some of the comments made were –
Cecil Helman: “It was a mistake to place the Shepherd’s Rod on the altar. The Message stands on its own feet. This was the stand of the Council only and not that of the members of the association.. The events predicted have not taken place. .. The Council usurped the Spirit of Prophecy in prophesying and if the Lord condemns the General Conference then He will condemn us too.”
The disulution and break up soon occurs:
Florence decides that the message should not only go to the SDA church but to the world. She, along with others, particularly Dudley Goff embark on a radio program to reach the world. It soon fails miserably.
As time goes by the DSDA membership begins to lose members because of disillusionment and of the floundering of the Florence led movement.
Some subsequent events after the Knock out blow:
1) Ben Roden comes to Mt. Carmel frequently to promote His “Branch Davidian” teachings, relying on the central idea that Victor Houteff could not be the “real” Elijah because he died. The implication was that he, Roden, would be that one to finish the work, the “real” Elijah. He died in 1978. (See Adair’s aforementioned book)
2) After floundering through about 3 largely fruitless years with the message and seeing many leave the movement, Florence and the council throw in the towel and decide to end the movement altogether. She turns over the remaining assets to a lawyer for liquidation She later disavows the Rod message and even Ellen White as a true prophetess of God. Ironically she later marries and becomes Florence Eakin! Pronounced as “Achan” as in the Joshua thievery Biblical lesson.
3) A few of the original Rod members decide to regroup, led by brother H. G. Warden and M.J. Bingham, to form the “100% Rod only” group in California. Warden later joins up with Don Adair to start the Salem association in 1970. Bingham goes on to start Bashan organization. 4) Florence quits the movement and never returned. She retired in the state of Washington. She dies as Florenece Eakin at the age of 89.
The moral lesson for all Davidians:
The lesson of Florence Houteff is a sad one indeed. No matter how close we think we may be to the inner circles of God’s people, whether a council member, a team leader, secretary or any other position in the message, we are never to think our arch enemy will not attempt to throw us down or worse – out. Florence, just like Judas, was as close as one can get, yet ended being so far. Our King forewarned us in the White House Recruiter, yet sadly despite this warning many Davidians left this movement as the “blow” showed their lack of faith. Let us cling to our King and not to man and heed this solemn ensample for our admonition.
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Cor. 10:11)
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)
“Exactly at the close of the seventh year of the sealing message, and, as with our father Adam, on Friday, the sixth day of the week, January 1, the outworking of Providential purpose and design, restoring type in antitype, united in holy wedlock Brother V.T. Houteff and Miss Florence Hermanson, who has been connected with the message of Present Truth from its inception, and who, for the past three years, has been in active service to this cause. The ceremony, performed by Elder E.T. Wilson, was simple, solemn, and unforgettable, beautifully befitting the occasion. Moreover, it was the first marriage on Mt. Carmel, the home of the Elijah message, which is now in the process of restoring ‘every divine institution.’(3 SC, no.3, p.8, 1937)
Note: Pictures are from sister Bonnie Smith (age 90) taken while she was a young woman on the camp. Picture of brother Don Adair and sister Bonnie about two years ago.
Florence’s contributions on the camp:
She served on the Mt. Carmel camp as his doting wife, also doing secretarial duties along with help such as the stenographer for the Timely Greeting sermons. By many accounts she was a faithful helper to brother Houteff and the message. But due to the age difference, she was 17, he was 52, at the time of marriage, some criticized the it.
“The trouble is not with Brother Houteff’s marriage, but rather with those who judge Brother Houteff by their own standards. Had Brother Houteff married for the same reason that most others marry, then, of course, he could have taken a wife of almost any age, and it would have made no great difference to him. But Brother Houteff’s critics seem utterly to forget that he has a tremendous work, and that he does not need a wife able only to make a home for him, but rather one most able to assist him in his work. Hence, an aged woman, or one without experience in the work, would be to him a hin-drance rather than a help. Therefore, God has provided for him a “helpmeet” that will really help him, as he cannot successfully carry on the work while single.” (3 SC, no.5-6, p.8)
Note: Mrs. Hermanson, Florence’s mother was wholeheartedly in support of the marriage
Florence is privileged to write into the Golden Bowl:
“As a secretary of the reform movement, I have seen, in my observation of the field of “wheat” (Present Truth believers), that some are letting the showers pass by. They are not only failing to make use of the “rain,” but are even brushing from their garments the drops, fearing that it will do them harm!….Do not, my brothers and sisters, abuse God’s mercy, and turn a deaf ear to His pleadings by questioning and crit-icizing everything now “in the unfolding of truth,” when you should be feeding on the “green pastures” and on the holy “rain,” lest He surprise you at your “unholy feast. ” (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 690. (Florence Houteff) (3 SC, no. 5-6, p.3, 1937)
Brother Houteff was proud of her. “When I go out with my wife, people that have never seen me before, that have no idea who I may be, with but very little hesitancy call me “Reverend” because they take her to be a preacher’s wife. That shows what the people of the world think when they see properly well-dressed women. Better to have them think that you are a preacher’s wife or daughter, than to have them guessing what you could possibly be.” (1 TG, no.6, p.32)
Things drastically change on February 5, 1955:
Victor Houteff took ill at the beginning of 1955 and was submitted to the hospital. According to brother Don Adair, Florence went to see Victor the night before he died. The nurse had expressed hope that Victor would be released the next day. While he lay in his room, she I nquired about the anti-typical 1260 days of Rev. chapter 11. She knew he had been studying this prophecy for the correct understanding of the anti-typical event to come. He responded to her inquiry, “you’ll have your answer in the morning”. It was not to be. Victor died early that morning (Feb. 5). The whole Rod movement was to be upended! Florence would soon take this matter of the prophecy of the 1260 days into her own hands. The propheised “Knockout blow” would come through her. (Source — Don Adair’s book — “A Davidian Testimony”)
“Unparalleled, therefore, is the urgency that every eleventh-hour church member now quickly and solidly brace himself against the Enemy’s effort to deliver a knockout blow. We must be alert, too, to realize that the blow is to come from surprisingly unsuspected foes — from professed friends of the gospel, who are no less pious than were priests in Christ’s day.” (WHR, p. 33)
Brother Houteff dies:
Right after VTH died on Feb 5, 1955,Florence called a business meeting the very next day. The body had not even been cold yet. One of her main topics for discussion was what her compensation would be from that time forward. This, as we look back, raised all kinds of red flags. What wife who has suddenly lost her husband does such things? No true heartfelt grieving but instead a cold calculated “what’s in it for me” behavior. A sure sign of things to come.
The actual meeting minutes:
“To the Executive Council, I am requesting by this letter that the council convene for the purpose of considering and passing a resolution on the following requests made by V. T. Houteff before his death.
1) That in case of V.T. Houteff’s death which would automatically leave vacant the office of President, Mrs. Florence Houteff be appointed to fill the office of Vice President
2) That someone be appointed to succeed Mrs. Florence Houteff as secretary
3) That T.O. Hermanson be appointed a member of the executive council
4) That the council make a resolution to provide for the welfare of Mrs. Florence Houteff as long as she lives
Notice that all the meeting resolutions were strictly for the benefit of Florence and her family. She becomes the leader of Mt. Carmel (Vice-President). Later that year (1955) in the following code she makes the announcement –
“During the last months of his life Bro. Houteff was engaged in studying Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, no.15, preparatory to enlarging upon the subject matter therein for its reprint. At this time he expressed the definite conviction that the time prophecy of Revealtion 11:2-12 and Daniel 12:6, 7 could have met their fulfillment only in type from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. and that they have a latter-day fulfillment.” (11 Sym. Code, no. 1, p.3)
Note: VTH never expressed verbally or in written word what this latter-day fulfillment propehcy would be.
The anti-type of Rev. 11 prophecy becomes Florence’s obsession:
She is determined to complete the undone work of the prophet. Bro. George Saether gives us more light about her obsession, in his oral memoirs at Baylor University. Bro Saether was a long time council member on the camp with Bro. Houteff and then later with Florence Houteff.
Baylor University Institute for Oral Historylocated in Waco. Texas
Note: Baylor University has much old Rod literature, including numerous “new codes” that have been ignored by DSDA yet were published by Florence. They have numerous problems with them and contain outright falsehoods thus they are not discussed.
Information on brother Saether:
Brother George Saether was one of the old time members of the Mt. Carmel “camp”, as the original Davidians called it. He was there from 1937 to 1961, which was the year of the dissolution of the Waco organization. He played a very influential part in the Davidian movement.
After listening and reading the 10 interviews recorded at Baylor, we believe that unbeknownst to Daniel McGee, the Baylor interviewer, we feel the Lord was indeed guiding him because Mr. McGee, time and again, zeroed in on the subjects that would later prove noteworthy due to today’s controversies surrounding specifically Florence Houteff and the new codes and Ben Roden and the Branch DSDA.
The interview:
McGEE: … “Mrs. Houteff was now vice president and general manager. How did things develop from that point forward?” SAETHER: ….”She said, “I’m interested in the Bible study and I want to do some private studying.” Well, it wasn’t long after that— in 1955 and Mrs. Houteff cornered me one day in the office. We closed at noon on Friday so everybody could go home and get ready for Sabbath. She cornered me there and she talked all afternoon to me, trying to persuade me to her idea in Revelation 11… You haven’t got the proof, you haven’t got the backing of it. Where is the proof of this?” I was courteous with her, I wasn’t rough. I should have even made fun of it but I didn’t. She was in earnest, I thought she’d lost her mind.” (Interview no. 8, p.336-340)
As the months went by after VTH’s death , she continues to study the anti-type fulfillment of Rev.11. But something else very noteworthy occurs during that time that was done in secrecy as revealed by brother Saether.
SAETHER: “When we were selling this property here in Waco she sold— I’ve forgotten how many acres, herself, without any okay from the council at all. And to this day I don’t know what the price she got for it. I don’t remember and I think it wasn’t clear how much she got but I think she made a big mistake doing that. And, not only that, it was illegal. She didn’t have the backing of the council. That was the agreement; all the sales had to be okayed first by the council. And then the board of trustees— signed the deeds to the properties that we sold. We sold lot by lot.”
So Florence was involved in three very big endeavors – 1) privately writing out the latter day fulfillment of Rev. 11 in anti-type in the new codes 2) presenting it to the flock as “inspiration”, 3) literally selling acres of Mt. Carmel property by herself and not approved by the council.
This was all happening from 1955 to 1959 (and prior to the Knock out blow). and before the day she and her council predicted would culminate in the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 through out the church. Despite Florence’s private interpretations, some expressed doubt of her predictions presented in the new codes.
Saether: “in 1959 I was over here (old Mt. Carmel) trying to sell this place and it came to me forcibly that I should drive out and tell the people (the council) In the spring now, April 22, the time (that the 42 month) was supposed to end. It’d be better to tell them now than to wait… I told them when I came in. I said “I just was impressed that we ought to write and tell the people that we’re mistaken. That we made a blunder here and we want to rectify it before that times comes (April 22, 1959). There’s still time. Anyway they didn’t see it that way…”
The annoucnement of the 1260 day prophecy in anti-type is made:
“..we have already [November 1955] entered the period of forty-two months…” — 11 Sym.Code no.1, p.13
“Mt. Carmel hereby serves notice that she now leaves the prophecy of Revelation 11, as the Code has explained it, as the test by which the Lord will demonstrate whom he is leading.” (Sym. Code, vol. 14, no. 6, page 29) But other brethren objected to Florence and her council’s predictions by sending a letter to her and the council prior to the predicted date of the slaughter.
“…We may pardonably emphasize the fact that when the Council’s predictions and program as set forth in Codes, Vol. 14, Nos.6,8, and 9, come to naught (30th day of this April [1959] is the absolute limit of the 3 1/2 years embraced in their own pronouncement: “..we have already [November 1955] entered the period of forty-two months…” — 11 Code 1:13:3, it will be the private predictions and the private program of the new- Code and new-Carmel, not the inspired program of the ROD which will thus be denuded of integrity, discredited, and humiliated. The ROD and genuine ROD Davidians will endure to the end to finish their Heaven-ordained mission to the Church and to the world.” (“protest letter” dated April 9, 1959 by some original Mt. Carmel DSDA brethren).
Note: As shown, it appears some DSDA saw her publishing of the new codes (those VTH did not publish) as a “private program” with an agenda.
HearYeTheRod 