Summary:
“Preparing a People” was founded by and mostly attended by members of the Church, but it was never affiliated with the Church in any way. Its teachings were on the fringe of Church beliefs or in outright violation of Church teachings.
No Affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow were speakers and podcasters for a group called “Preparing A People (PAP).” It is now difficult to find information about Preparing a People because its leaders removed most of its online footprint in the wake of the murders.
Preparing a People was never in any way affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church never endorsed PAP. Church leaders never attended or spoke at PAP events. The Church’s website has never linked to PAP material. Preparing a People was founded by members of the Church on their own initiative, for their own purposes, without any Church involvement.
Origin of the Name “Preparing a People”
The name “Preparing a People” refers to the task of becoming ready for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. This is one of the duties of the Church, which it accomplishes by building chapels and temples, administering ordinances such as baptism and marriage, missionary work, and encouraging personal righteousness. As shown in the essay in this series about end times preparation, Church leaders focus almost exclusively on ordinary righteousness and charity, and hardly at all on sensational calamities, when teaching about preparation for the Second Coming.
Preparing a People Focus on Sensationalism Rather than Doctrine
The leaders of Preparing a People started the group despite there not being any obvious need for it; Church doctrine is that Jesus restored the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in order to prepare the world for His coming. Outside groups are not needed to help in the preparation. It is possible PAP leaders felt Church leaders were failing to address more sensational topics like end times prophecies and extreme prepping. These topics became the focus of Preparing a People.
Violation of Church Teachings
Much of Preparing a People’s material was on the fringe of Church beliefs or in outright violation of Church teachings. Several PAP speakers were later excommunicated.
Inappropriate Focus on Dreams and Visions
PAP often focused on “Dreams and Visions,” inviting speakers like Daybell to talk about their supposed visions or holding workshops to help participants receive their own visions. The Church does believe in revelation. However, it is unseemly at best and priestcraft or manipulation at worst to pay or charge money for a workshop to develop one’s visionary skill. And the scriptures are clear that only the prophets can receive revelation that interprets the scriptures or predicts the future for the entire Church. One’s own revelation is only applicable to oneself. Preparing a People was out of line in promoting individuals’ visions as necessary to prepare for the Second Coming.
Energy Healing Against Church Doctrine
PAP also promoted energy healing, which was always a violation of Church teachings on priesthood and true divine intervention. As of 2020, the Church’s Handbook specifically advises members not to participate in energy healing.
Preparing A People Promoting Fringe Theories
Preparing a People also promoted fringe theological theories like a dubious interpretation of the scriptural reference to 144,000 servants, a mortal “Davidic Servant” to take over leading the Church from outside established Church priesthood, and reincarnation or “multiple mortal probations.” These are all far outside the mainstream of Church members’ belief, and are never taught by Church leaders, as explained in other essays in this series.
Summary
Although the group Preparing A People (PAP) was founded by and mostly attended by members of the Church, it was never affiliated with or endorsed by the Church in any way. Its teachings were on the fringe of Church beliefs or in outright violation of Church teachings.
