“Fast from that Which is Not Perfect”: Food Abstinence and Fasting Cures in the Kingdom of God

Content warning: This article contains references to disordered eating and bodily harm.Beginning in March 1935, Orlean Kingston documented her rigorous fasts visionary experiences that revealed the proper diet for kingdom of God.1 In first entry on subject, she wrote, “We fasted every other day. I grew very weak. One night after fasting all day was such misery from hunger weakness could not sleep nor rest. prayed twice strength, spiritual strength when it seemed as though 2 [Clyde Gustafson] came home 1’s [Elden Kingston] place with a bowl food appearing something like candy.”2 A dark spirit struck ate food, painful sound buzzed through ears. “I fought be delivered,” wrote. “It would choke me. It left quickly came. thanked my Heavenly Father deliverance he had allowed me eat. slept till morning still feeling eaten meal.”3 From this revelation onward, developed regimen became common practice religious community.In work American Christianity diet, R. Marie Griffith has argued abstinence is one most “enduring elastic devotions aimed at discipline.”4 Food historically method discipline transformed body into vessel more capable insight. case Orlean, whose diary entries reveal lifelong interest its health benefits. never hid poverty, possible material explanation intense nutrition. However, mentioned direct cause fasts. Her primary concern rooted faith revelatory experiences. Bodily well-being were intimately connected, preferences, or lack thereof, stemmed divine encounters.In Davis County Cooperative Society (DCCS), small Mormon group incorporated 1941 by Orlean's brother, Elden Kingston, controversially associated forty-two-day fast. During his tenure leader group, John Ortell “Brother Ortell” followers faithfully called him, planned frequent instructed do same. Charts outlines instruct fast week dry (no water), water, two weeks grape juice alone, thirty days (at least) raw food. Those who participated tracked their physical “goals” along outcomes. Written instruction testimony credited male leaders community they received participation: talked about Order. He likened our bodies blacksmith shop. When things come fixed we are working else so put corner instead fixing it.”5 an extended period least once year. Other accounts include groups’ patriarch, Charles W. cited reason long life.6 Always present priesthood temporal, physical, knowledge better lead faithful. Notably absent women.7This reframes DCCS's product but embodiment woman's life. While mostly invisible historical record outside devotional literature, produced discernible impact community. Like women mystics before her, both celebrated chastised subsequent visions.8 The sister founder, spent years fasting, receiving visions, documenting dreams abstinence. Through later life, painstakingly experimented what believed ideal communion divine, complete Word Wisdom. diaries woman embodied devotion often confused belief perfected raises contemporary questions women's pathologized faith. Had been man, might have prophet. Nevertheless, largely ultimately broken foundation controversial marks body.Orlean Harriet Gustafson excommunicated Church Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints September 28, 1933, year husband teaching practicing polygamy Second Manifesto. She twenty-one charged “apostasy set forth authorities insubordination church ruling.”9 Although permitted speak during proceeding, resolved mission always follow teachings Joseph Smith. others time, deterred hearing continued engagement Mormonism. On excommunication, met Smith vision. offered distinct impression “all Brother get same die did.”10 spoke people dream required sacrifice dedication After comments, edge got boat, crossed side. Smith, believed, remained guide founded.By time disciplinary hearing, excommunications polygamous families increasingly common. father, individuals polygamy. homesteader Idaho Falls “had watching conditions L.D.S. saw well.”11 According account events, father “apostatized everlasting covenant” announced end polygamy, principle fundamental element faith.12 soon many Mormons communication Zitting, Woolley, Lorin C. men eventually led earliest iteration fundamentalists movement.13 recollections publications these men, well extensive studying history, convinced centrality plural marriage authenticity Taylor's 1886 revelation. further among perpetuate Millennium. affirmed meeting temple president, Elder George F. Richards, hearing. His comments sealed fate Church.Shortly ended membership, vision God Father, appeared him clothed plain suit. watershed moment shaped community's attire coveralls successive generations. recalled, “Strength power flowed right arm body. began talk words powerful sweet. Such heard powerfully expressed before, wondered stranger be. made known action High Council approved.”14 1920s 1930s removal institutional did necessarily mean identity. Rather, excommunication LDS catalyst longstanding involvement fundamentalist movement.15Kingston's difficult time. Most notably, homestead failed forced industrial labor railroad industry. precarious financial situation southern Utah, where J. Leslie Broadbent, movement, inquire participation consecration effort sought revive nineteenth-century communitarianism.16 Despite family's interest, Broadbent turned them away.17 experience, penned ordeal, centering elements refusal: If smaller key using under wrong direction how much greater quicker taken away if used harder repent receive again. Look easy lost faction S.L.18 why important keep Lord able distinguish between spirits no matter close evil appear Lord. duplicate everything must judge will deceived.19In telling, guides faithful direction. family toward unique claim, extant groups. There little information United Order Utah denied family.20 current member DCCS explained that, while Broadbent's organization, simultaneously claimed authority countered leading mutual disinterest. Contemporary descendants groups corroborate inclination denial contested authority.The deter mission. As happened Mormons, internal external economic conflict devastated family. Great Depression created difficulty caused particular hardship large families.21 initial catalysts early movement's reviving Smith's Zion.22 Internally, retain qualify Church's new welfare program.23 national support particularly vulnerable nation struggled. living solution.24Charles visitation God. until son revelations seeking guidance organization formed around family.25 recorded “The Sacred Things Order,” short document provides brief history visitation, took scriptures blanket up mountain near pray act amounted “greatest striving ever man.”26 meeting, overcome recorded, enduring order started deed Kingdom establish Earth second coming.”27 mountain, personage silence. “Sometime awakened someone standing lieing ground. light radiation Being. being read 42nd Chapter Isiah, 8 verses.”28 revelation, assured position rightful man God's world's end.According event founded, organize God.29 outcome organized 1935. formally registered state 1941. stated purpose promotion “the membership,” “increase talents abilities utilizing united funds efforts purchase, distribution production commodities performance sources economical way.”30 fulfilling mission, lasting peace abolish bloodshed. Bible class formation DCCS, timeline terms biblical prophecy: 1935 seed sown. 1936 above earth can seen. germinate.360 = time+720 times±180 half time1260 darkness1830 started–1260 times time570 A.D. gospel earth570+1290 2nd date Daniel, darkness 1860570+1260 Daniel1820 commenced1860–183030 difference dates Daniel1335 blessed comes date.1335+ 5701905 Michael stood plow ground.1936 great pyramid. says “even angels heaven know date. 1 commenced 1935.1936 —It grown world noticed it. 1905+ 30 Daniel1935 earth.31A dispensation bestowed Elden, amounting positioned itself re-Restoration than simply another movements.32Over emerging reimagined prophesied figure “set house God” held necessary seal Manifesto.33 Elden's twenty-sixth birthday, young went mountains undertook striving, term shorthand prayer fasting. period, “He shown become mighty strong prophet . also prepared go preach We hope gather elect over earth.”34 sealing keys full claim authority, established strict hierarchical leadership system based obedience priesthood.35Later doctrinal development visions trajectory only furthered Cooperative's divergence groups, especially Woolley group. lineage Christ, which afforded unquestionable group.36 apparent genetics argument “unlimited health” according members group.37 however, materialize. 1948, diagnosed cancer. died following succeeded (Ortell Ortell”), married daughter, making wife niece. With marriage, initiated marriages intended “perfect own bloodline.”38Interrogation begins ends allegations incest Ortell's eugenic experimentation.39 quest perfection, regulations regarding sexual. Fasting dietary restrictions hallmark creation embodiment. site identity practices. Explaining importance “green drink,” thick comfrey concoction consumed former explained, remember sermons sacred green drink was. really entangled your spirituality faith.”40 drink, restriction, even point death, markers righteous.Fasting part 1832 “continue forth.”41 Saint strengthened mind “more active” focus things.42 faith, exemplified deity. collapsed any divides carnal Protestants religion marked embodiment.43 practice, instituted day, Sunday per month designated collecting additional offering poor. days, gathered offer “worshipful, inspirational blessings lives,” weakened bodies.44Like nineteenth century, “blended sense concerns longevity.”45 addition 1833 beliefs health. Wisdom, outlined moderation emphasis grain seasonal produce. Griffith, “most and, recently, vigorous model regular Christian Anglo-American world.”46 Currently, interpret restriction alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea. Outside Church, code expanded some added insights continuing revelation.47 These expansions included increased attention fasting.While followed Wisdom favored discipline. practices changed foods beneficial soul. isolated instance. For rest revelations, encounters were, times, influenced beyond immediate provide subject corresponded loss child, Elaine, seven months age.48 years, correlated desire children, “Last dreamed 9 soaked wheat mixed whole flour milk breakfast. Some vegetables dinner fresh fruit supper. At fourth baby born. within 15 minutes warning without pain. eat way.”49 arrive dream, body, future posterity, benefits correct life.Central transcribed “natural” state. gave avoiding salt honey promoted mono meals, “only each meal.”50 insight detailed sustain heal sick. By preparing “singleness heart,” learned “be perfect.”51 way, preparation combination science nurtured fit accommodate 1940, follows: combinations are:Don't mix fruits starches together.Don't starch protein you full.Leave table hungryThis brings us back combinations. starchy vegetable non vegetables, fruit,Wheat breakfast.Vegetables (starch starch)Fruit supper.Don't bread potatoes winter carrots rice etc. bread.52In restrictions, “unrefined” excluded milk, frequently diaries. outline, individual “added promised word wisdom tells health.”53While hold priesthood, her. corporeal nature demonstrates complex way acts entire herself compliant diet. sweets, brother affirmation, seems hard sometimes (meaning foods) start craving take some.”54 response difficulty, “When Our sends innumerable company join born down fields then you'll plenty eating.”55 everyone rejoice “Knowledge coming am reminded prophecy says, ‘The sin sick because laws know.’”56 “prophet” holder keys, everyone.Orlean influence “Sister Beecie,” whom described “very servant all.” confirmed dreams.57 Beecie dreamed: secondary eggs, butter cheese those cells change doing die. But live raw, multiply fast[.] Secondary account.”58 referenced several recollections, Sister given insights.Orlean's convince everyone. some, raised answers. Early concerned encouraged quantities foods. instance, approached “eat everything.”59 “learned spirit” avoid counter Wisdom.”60 unsurprising mirrors modify out “weaker” bodies’ ascetic practice.61 concern, internalized women, cautioned experience. Similarly, wished practice. confronted years. Out leader, suggested.Orlean's short-lived. explaining leadership's concern. problem confusion coreligionists. materialized growing discord upset mother, felt children starving desired [Orlean] did.”62 disagreement against feel bad preferences. “You sure didn't hurt me.”63 mother's forgiveness similarly short-lived.Considering tried approach. Six attempted explain acceptable limited quantities.64 Limited obsession preoccupied Today, argue preoccupation death. instruction. see now meaning kind use mainly awful (secondary meats). [Elden] anxious careful, careful good us. Concentrated sparingly concentration. Natural times.”65 coincided leadership. Over less food.Despite opinion role earth, moments, cast aside leader's favor own. “In truth don't continue old condemnation. Before sinning ignorance sins for, make tabernacles cleanliness delight dwell.”66 Based diaries, area life chose own.Like Catherine Siena deprivation source subsequently justified purely spiritual. instances, far liken incorrect consumption suicide.67 dreams, medicine healed well. evening, work, three glasses leader.68 arrived home, worry done thing consuming milk. awoke severe illness. Fourth July parade accompanied unlike supposed parade. fine participate participated, gravely ill. interpretation followed: “Thinking again except head ached. told understood try right. knew taking milk.”69 restrictive everything. Confusion others.Despite relied intake, cutting twelve ounces meal.70 pain workdays, acknowledged, “renewing itself” diets.71 “This wisdom. me, Thank seen bestow upon wonderful help worldly may gain hidden treasures w