Urantia Organisations – Past, Present & Future

Why Do We Need Them and What Are Their Functions?

Adapted from the Melbourne Conference Talk, October 2024

Introduction

I was asked by the conference organisers to present something on the Urantia organisations as some people are not too familiar with their history and present-day structures and activities. So we’ll take a look at the various stages of our organisations in the light of our conference theme: “Past, Present and Future—how are we travelling?”

Organisations in general can sometimes be associated with mundane terms such as hierarchies, bureaucracies, autocracies, or other such terms that don’t connote anything very spiritually fragrant. Religious organisations have some added negative connotations by being seen to have priorities such as dogma, theology, and pomp and ceremony rather than with nurturing and espousing spiritual brotherhood and true spiritual values for the individual and community at large.

In The Urantia Book we are told about the vast universe and how it is carefully organised. We are told throughout its many papers about the administrations of the Central, Super and Local Universes, as well as the major and minor sectors, constellations, systems, and planets by a vast array of celestial beings. The pattern to all these organised units contains a stepping down structure in a hierarchy that forms the general framework that allows trillions upon trillions of freewill individuals to operate throughout the cosmos without it all resulting in total chaos and mayhem.

We see how each of the planetary epochal revelations, sent to up-step the progress of the mortal races, are wisely orchestrated to allow plenty of time and opportunity for we mortals to grow at a natural pace, allowing us the freedom to choose or reject the way of the Spirit. We see how the Planetary Prince and his team prepared and organised the cultural centre of Dalamatia, how Van and Amadon and then Adam and Eve organised the Garden of Eden, how Melchizedek prepared and organised the Salem missionaries, and of course, how Jesus prepared and organised his apostles and disciples to spread the “good news” of his gospel. And, as we’re all aware, we’re told that the Urantia Revelation—the fifth epochal one—is in the same league as the preceding four. Now that’s a bold claim—one we need to ponder and decide for ourselves if that’s likely to be a true claim or not. If we conclude that it is true, then it can’t be taken lightly; if it’s untrue, then it would have to be the greatest fraud ever wrought upon mankind. Of course, most of us here wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think that it is what it claims to be. So, for we Urantia Book reader/believers, let’s always be mindful that we are not alone—as a matter of fact we’re in very good company.

Nature of Epochal Revelations

Each of the first four epochal revelations were spear-headed by celestial personalities who materialised on Earth in human form to deliver their revelatory message. However, the revelators of the Urantia revelation obviously didn’t need to do that; instead, they took advantage of the printing press—something that heretofore, never existed. This meant that the original, unadulterated message became accessible in book form which could reach way more people, and last for many more centuries, in its purest form. Just think about it… each of the previous epochal revelations relied on the giver of the message (a materialised celestial being) to train a small number of followers who then did their best to take the message to the world. Therefore, the original message, which had to be spread by word of mouth, would inevitably become watered down and eventually distorted and crystalised into dogmas and theologies that were often far removed from the original intent.

It was a brilliant stroke to provide this revelation in book form. But think about what an organisational feat it must have been for the revelators to get the message into the minds of human beings—humans whom the revelators relied upon to get the book into print, and to figure out ways to get it spread to the rest of the world.

In some ways, anyone who reads and embraces the Urantia teachings is, in effect, in an equivalent position to those previous followers who “sat at the feet of the Masters”. Everyone who reads this book has the potential to be like the apostles and disciples once they decide to dedicate their lives to finding ways to bring the teachings to mankind. We know the power of these teachings, and how they can influence us in so many ways that can help bring us closer to the Father. The early leaders of the Urantia movement knew this, as do many present-day readers. In a sense, we humans are like the last link in the long chain of the massive celestial hierarchy that strived to get this book into its material form. It’s our job, first and foremost, to embrace the teachings and live them as best we can. We are also called to service—to create an awareness that this revelation exists, and to do whatever we can to assist our heavenly teachers and guardians. We’re on their team, and they are on ours! What a comforting thought.

As an aside, speaking of teams; back in 2006 we held an International Conference for Urantia Association in Sydney. Urantia Book readers from all over the world came. The theme of the conference was “Rewards of Isolation—Small Teams in Deep Waters”. One of our good friends, Mark Bloomfield from England, attended and gave me a lot of food for thought after he expressed his dismay at our theme title. Mark was a real big-picture guy and was dedicated to seeding Urantia Books to libraries all over the world. (He personally delivered literally thousands of books into libraries and centres of learning throughout across the globe.) He emphasised to us the fact that we are more than just a “small team in deep waters”. Rather, he turned it around saying we are a “huge team in a small puddle”. He gave us the big picture of the universe organisation and what it took for all those personalities who authored the revelation to get it into our hands. With a team like that behind us, do we really think we’re alone in doing our minion work in getting the book and its teachings disseminated throughout the world. No, it’s in their interest to see that we succeed. It’s a project initiated by the Untied Midwayers—the true and lasting custodians of our planet. The book tells us that they have declared: “What the United Midways undertake, the United Midwayers do.”

As actual citizens of Urantia, the midwayers have a kinship interest in the destiny of this sphere. They are a determined association, persistently working for the progress of their native planet. Their determination is suggested by the motto of their order: “What the United Midwayers undertake, the United Midwayers do.”

Although their ability to traverse the energy circuits makes planetary departure feasible to any midwayer, they have individually pledged themselves not to leave the planet prior to their sometime release by the universe authorities. Midwayers are anchored on a planet until the ages of settled light and life. 77:9.3-4 (866.2)

So, they’re not going to leave us any time soon. With them, and the hosts of seraphim, cherubim, and all manner of other celestial beings helping us along the way, not to mention the Spirit of Truth and Though Adjusters, they make a formidable team indeed.

THE PAST – Early Organisation of the Urantia Movement

Revelators

Prior to human involvement, a team of celestial organisers had to muster dozens of celestial personalities who figured out what, and what not, to tell us and how much to reveal. We refer to these celestial beings as the “Revelators”. No gurus, no visible celestial presences, no coercion. They’ve served a major challenge to those of us who have embraced the teachings and values in The Urantia Book and want to help heal this confused planet.

Contact Commissioners

Once humans were brought onto the team, it took several decades before the first printing of the book in 1955. As many of you already know, in the early 20^th Century, Dr William Sadler, a renowned psychiatrist living in Chicago, who was also a successful “debunker” of psychic and mystical phenomenon by proving much of it to be fraudulent, was studying a patient who was talking in his sleep. Sadler was mystified when he couldn’t find any of the usual explanations for what was happening to this man; the content and subject matters being spoken were certainly not commensurate with his level of experience, intelligence or understanding. Sadler collected some colleagues together to assist in his investigations and to discuss what to do about the information they were hearing, and they all recognised that this was something extremely important. Eventually, after many years, five of them became what we now refer to as the “Contact Commissioners”. These five were in direct contact with the revelators right up to the first printing of the book.  

The Forum

We are told that once the Contact Commissioners “believed” this was something important, the revelators told them to form a closed body of trustworthy people with whom they could share the papers. These people came to be known as the Forum; there were about seventy of them. They would meet at Sadler’s home in Chicago and were given the papers to study and discuss. They were also encouraged to give feedback and ask questions. These questions were taken back to the revelators, and answers to the questions appeared in subsequent material. This process went on for decades.

As the time for printing became closer, the revelators gave the Contact Commissioners some guidance in how to proceed once the book was in print. There are no official documents containing any of these instructions, but the early leaders often alluded to them as they were forming the organisations that were to carry this book and its teachings to the world. One example of this is the famous “Publication Mandate”. I know it’s been frequently shown in conference presentations, but it never hurts to be reminded of some of the early instructions given to us that have set the course for the Urantia organisations.

The Publication Mandate

COMPILED BY: Certain members of the General Council of Urantia Brotherhood
FOR: The files of the Executive Committee of Urantia Brotherhood
PRESENTED: 4 April, 1955

It seems appropriate, a second time, to bring to the attention of the Executive Committee certain wise comments and advices which have been gathered over a period of years and which pertain to the future problems of The Urantia Book. These advices could well be presented under the general caption:

The Timing of The Urantia Book

“We regard The Urantia Book as a feature of the progressive evolution of human society. It is not germane to the spectacular episodes of epochal revolution, even though it may apparently be timed to appear in the wake of one such revolution in human society. The book belongs to the era immediately to follow the conclusion of the present ideological struggle. That will be the day when men will be willing to seek truth and righteousness. When the chaos of the present confusion has passed, it will be more readily possible to formulate the cosmos of a new and improved era of human relationships. And it is for this better order of affairs on earth that the book has been made ready.

“But the publication of the book has not been postponed to that (possibly) somewhat remote date. An early publication of the book has been provided so that it may be in hand for the training of leaders and teachers. Its presence is also required to engage the attention of persons of means who may be thus led to provide funds for translations into other languages.

“You who have dedicated your lives to the service of the Book and the Brotherhood can little realize the import of your doings. You will doubtless live and die without fully realizing that you are participating in the birth of a new age of religion on this world.

“The future is not open to your mortal comprehension, but you will do well to diligently study the order, plan, and methods of progression as they were enacted in the earth life of Michael when the Word was made flesh. You are becoming actors in an ensuing episode when the Word is made Book. Great is the difference in these dispensations of religion, but many are the lessons which can be learned from a study of the former age.

“You must again study the times of Jesus on earth. You must carefully take note of how the kingdom of heaven was inaugurated in the world. Did it evolve slowly and unfold naturally? or did it come with sudden show of force and with spectacular exhibition of power? Was it evolutionary or revolutionary?

“You must learn to possess your souls in patience. You are in association with a revelation of truth which is a part of the natural evolution of religion on this world. Over-rapid growth would be suicidal. The book is being given to those who are ready for it long before the day of its world-wide mission. Thousands of study groups must be brought into existence and the book must be translated into many tongues. Thus will the book be in readiness when the battle for man’s liberty is finally won and the world is once more made safe for the religion of Jesus and the freedom of mankind.”

* In A History of the Urantia Movement, by Dr. William S. Sadler, this message is titled, The Publication Mandate. [This paper was presented by William S. Sadler, Jr. to the Forum on the above date.]

Urantia Foundation and Urantia Brotherhood

Urantia Foundation was formed in 1950 and registered under a Declaration of Trust according to US law. A board of five Trustees were appointed for life. Their role and responsibilities are clearly stated in a document titled the “Declaration of Trust Creating Urantia Foundation”. Their task for the physical book was to keep the book in perpetual print, protect the inviolate text, and get the book translated into many languages. Apart from these matters concerning the physical book, most importantly, it was their job to see that the book and its teachings were disseminated into the world. Naturally they weren’t going to be able to do all that on their own, so in 1955 the Forum members were tasked with forming a social, democratic, membership organisation called the Urantia Brotherhood. For many years the Brotherhood officers and staff worked out of the same offices as the Urantia Foundation in Sadlers home at 533 Diversey Parkway, Chicago.  (Sadler bequeathed his home to the Foundation.)

The Role of the Social Organisations  

The members of Urantia Brotherhood, and the Trustees and staff of Urantia Foundation worked side by side for a little over three decades. The Brotherhood’s job was to develop the social aspects of the movement, and foster study and dissemination. The Foundation’s address and contact details were printed in the front of each book so that people finding the book could contact them with questions about the book and about other readers in their area. The organisations began creating a network of readers so people could be put in touch with one another and receive news of both organisations’ activities and events.

As more and more people were finding the book, either through word of mouth or discovering it in bookstores and libraries, they were encouraged to form study groups that would help people fraternise with others who had found the book; of course, this kind of interaction helped people immensely in understanding the book, in growing spiritually, and in forging lifelong friendships. Apart from study groups they also arranged many social gatherings and retreats as well as large conferences. Once a study group had around twenty regular members it qualified to become a Society, which became an official “satellite” which were the local groups in the hierarchy of the Brotherhood.

As people grew in their enthusiasm for the revelation, many inevitably wanted for find ways of being of service. Naturally, the overarching goal of both the Foundation and Brotherhood was to find ways of making the book available for others to find, and to infuse the teachings into their own lives so they could be a living testimony to the spiritual power of the revelation.

The Rift

In the 1980’s, after the last of the Contact Commissioners passed away, there were growing tensions between some key folks in the Foundation and Brotherhood. (Dare I say, isn’t that just like human beings?) It’s a long story and I’m not going to get into it now or else I’ll be here all day. Suffice to say, some felt restricted in their ability to undertake their work and thought they could do more if they didn’t have to work with the Foundation. Therefore, in1989 the Brotherhood leadership announced that their organisation was going to be independent of the Foundation. The Trustees of the Foundation then felt compelled to de-license the Brotherhoods usage of the Foundation’s trademarks (which are the word “Urantia”, “Urantian” and the Three Concentric Circles symbol.) This meant the Brotherhood could no longer call themselves Urantia Brotherhood. Instead, they changed their name to “The Urantia Book Fellowship”. They moved their headquarters to another building in Chicago and left the Foundation bereft of an essential social arm to help them in their dissemination.

Fortunately, there were a lot of members in the former Brotherhood who did not agree with the decision of their leadership to break ties with the Foundation, and they left the Brotherhood and stayed loyal to the Foundation. These people formed the core group of a new organisation which came to be called “Urantia Association International” (sometimes referred to as “Urantia Association”). This new fraternal group was licensed to use the trademarks and continued to work harmoniously with Urantia Foundation. The structure, which differed somewhat to the former Brotherhood, allowed them to create satellite associations outside of the United Staes more easily which catered for countries where readers were few and spread out all around their countries.

One significant difference between the old structure of Urantia Brotherhood and the new Urantia Association is that study groups are considered autonomous, a-political, and independent of organisations even though the organisations provide services and advice to the study groups. As mentioned earlier, the former Urantia Brotherhood created their “societies” from study groups, meaning that members of such study groups would also be members of the Brotherhood. (The Fellowship has kept this structure.) However, the structure for the “Urantia Association” has “constituent associations” instead of societies to serve local regions. Members can join from anywhere in that region and do not necessarily need to be a member of a study group.

THE PRESENT – Work for Pioneer Religionists of the Fifth Epochal Revelation

For Urantia Book readers who want to be of service, and who decide that joining a Urantia organisation would present them with specific things to do to assist the spread of the revelation, such an organisation needs to have a solid structure—a framework—in which to operate. The work of dissemination is multi-faceted. We must find means and ways to take care of the physical book, to assist readers in their study of the book, and to provide opportunities for service and outreach to get the teachings infused into the wider community.

The natural evolutionary journey for individual students of the book is three-fold. 1) first they need to find the book, 2) next to gain an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the book, and 3) to grow spiritually and, as the spirit moves, spread the teachings (disseminate) in whatever way you feel called to do.

Throughout this journey with the book and its teachings, and through personal prayer and worship, we’re naturally embracing the teachings and infusing them into our lives.

Goals & Actions

Let’s say our overarching goal is to:

“Construct a new and appealing philosophy of living based on the teachings in The Urantia Book”

How do we do that?

Stage 1 – Seek and You Shall Find

Make the physicalUrantia Book available and provide an entry point for enquiring seekers looking for answers.

Stage 2 – Knock and the Door Will be Opened… Study… Learn… Spiritually Grow

Develop an understanding of the teachings of The Urantia Book—foster study and education of the book.

Stage 3 – Service, Service, and More Service

Disseminate the teachings of The Urantia Book to the world at large.

Stages 1 and 2 serve as kind of incubation stages for the individual. This is where readers discover, learn and spiritually grow to become ambassadors of the revelation. It can overlap with stage two and segway into Stage 3, which is where the rubber really hits the road—disseminating the teachings to the world at large. Hopefully seasoned readers who have a good grasp of the teachings and are sincerely attempting to live them in their lives, become proficient in attracting and assisting others in their spheres of influence to find the truth of the revelation.

Unzipping the 3 stages

Stage 1. Make the physicalUrantia Book available and provide and entry point for reader enquiries

1. Publisher – Urantia Foundation
   1. Prints and the book and arranges for it to be translated into the world’s languages.
   1. Distributes the book to bookstores, libraries, centres of learning etc.
   1. Displays the book at various trade shows and book fairs
   1. Protects and keeps the text of the book inviolate.
   1. Provides a portal for reader enquiries. Answers questions and refers people to fraternal organisations if contact with other readers is required.

• Urantia Organisations – such as Urantia Association International
  • Form constituent associations all over the world that organise to work together to achieve the mission to spread the book and its teachings far and wide.
  • Develop projects and programs that encourage volunteers to man booths at book fairs and expos, place books in libraries etc.
  • Provide training opportunities for readers to develop teacher and leadership skills.
  • Communication – keep the readership informed of news and events from readers all over the world.

Stage 2. Foster and Develop an Understanding of the Teachings

Urantia membership organisations, such as Urantia Association and the Fellowship, find ways and means of assisting readers in their journey with the book by helping them gain a deep understanding of the book’s teachings, as well as encouraging social interaction between students of the book. The following lists some of their tasks:

1. Education—Fostering Study of the Book
   1. Study groups. Encourage readers to get together in study groups to enhance their understanding of the book. Study groups can be both face-to-face and online and dedicated to focusing their study on The Urantia Book. They are autonomous, a-political groups and may seek assistance and advice from the organisation and other groups. Study groups:
      1. Provide opportunities for students to gain experience by presenting topics in study groups, webinars, and conferences.
      1. Provide mentors of seasoned readers who can assist new readers in their understanding of the book.
      1. Encourage readers to become study group hosts to initiate and organise study groups and liaise with readers to hold regular meetings in their local area.
      1. Develop teachers and leaders who can assist readers in their understanding of the book and develop an art for learning how to spread the Urantia teachings to the non-Urantia Book reader community at large.

• Regular conferences. Bring readers together regionally, nationally and internationally to partake in further in-depth study and socialising over multiple day events. Encourage seasoned readers to make presentations and lead workshops at such events.

• Webinars. Provide presentations by seasoned readers using online platforms to reach a wide range of readers.

• Leaders and Teachers. Develop leaders and teachers to assist others in their study and to make things happen with projects and programs. They are also needed in administration such as running constituent associations and networking.

• Study Aids and Secondary Works. Encourage readers to create study aids and secondary works and assist with their distribution and make them available to study groups, conferences, and get-togethers.

Stage 3. Outreach to the Wider Community at Large

As individuals embrace the teachings of the revelation, they invariably develop a desire to let the world know about the book – to be of service in some way. However, too much zeal can be counterproductive if readers simply try to push the book instead of portraying the teachings of the book. Readers first need to be living the teachings, and second, develop ways to influence others in appropriate ways that touch their souls with spiritual values and spark genuine interest.

Prayer and Worship

The Urantia Book stresses the essential need for believers to exercise their faith through prayer and worship. Unless we are moved to attempt to share our inner lives with God and sincerely grow to love and trust him, we can stifle our spiritual growth. The more we grow spiritually and become more balanced and mature, the wiser we become in putting our faith into service and action. We start to see all humanity as our brothers and sisters because they are all potential sons and daughters of God. The surest way to serve the Father is to serve his children.

Here’s a brief categorisation of the different kinds of groups and that can be served or targeted with information specifically tailored to suit their mindsets.

1. Broader Community of Believers
   1. Christian groups and cultures
   1. Non-Christian groups and cultures

• Community of non-believers
  • Secular Society
  • Atheist and Agnostics
  • Scientific community
  • Non-believing Intellectuals
  • Sceptics

• Social
  • Youth
  • Family Life
  • Education
  • Politics
  • Morality and Ethics
  • Economics
  • Science and Eugenics

• Creative Endeavours
  • Art
  • Music
  • Literary
  • Public speaking
  • Online mediums such as podcasts, YouTube, and social media

• As You pass by
  • Remember how Jesus conducted himself in the world
  • Improve spiritual fragrance through prayer and worship
  • Be interested, friendly, and loving towards others
  • Be alert to ways of being helpful to others and those in genuine need
  • Family life
  • The workplace
  • Exercise wisdom and restraint when dealing with contentious issues concerning the Urantia Book teachings and the world’s social mores.

THE FUTURE

Work for the revelation lasts a lifetime. For the committed student of the book who has found ways to serve, there is always work to be done because “…the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” (150:4.1) There are a myriad of ways readers can serve. Each person needs to find their own niche where their abilities and talents are best used, be it through volunteering to serve in Urantia or other religious organisations, personal ministry, family and work lives, creative pursuits. If you are sincerely motivated to serve then prayer, worship, and factual meditation are essential for you to work it out with God as to how you can best channel your energy and talents to achieve maximum results. Our individuality and creativity are so vast that there can be no hard and fast rules as what you ought to be doing. It’s a “calling”, and if you’re alert and receptive to others, then opportunities will present themselves.

Conclusion

While Urantia organisations themselves can hardly be called spiritual, those who make up the organisation that provides services to fellow readers, are truly spiritual religionists. In my mind, two of the most powerful statements in The Urantia Book are: Love is the desire to do good to others (56:10.2) and God is Love.  If we follow Jesus’ 11^th commandment which is to: “love one another, even as I have loved you” then doors will open as you will surely “go in God’s name, and because you believe, others will know that he lives”.

“Freely you have received the good things of the kingdom; therefore freely give to your fellows on earth.” 191:4,4 (2042.1)

All of the above can be achieved with good and wise planning and organisation.