The two Rios boys, Raul and Gamaliel, became Ervil’s bodyguards. Ramona and Eddie Marston, Ervil’s stepchildren from Anna Mae, became his soldiers, willing to kill when Ervil gave the orders. Ervil compensated Dan Jordan, still Ervil’s right-hand man, by giving him two of his daughters and two stepdaughters as wives.
These families worked together to write and distribute pamphlets. One pamphlet, titled Priesthood Revealed, claimed that Ervil was God’s top representative and that our people were failing to recognize him as the patriarch of the kingdom.
Without delay, Ervil decided to throw his weight around and show Joel’s group who was really the boss.
One Sunday, shortly after the Church of the Firstborn had begun its service in Baja California, in walked Dan Jordan, the Rios family, and the Chynoweths with their three teenage children.
Rena Chynoweth sat down at the piano, authoritatively pounding out a familiar hymn. Her mother, Thelma, raised her hand and, with a smirk, led the group in singing, even though someone from our church had been preaching at the pulpit.
We were never so shocked . . . and frightened. Even though it was happening right in front of us, we could hardly believe Ervil’s followers would walk in unannounced and take over the congregation.
Intimidated, everyone in the meeting rushed out, exiting without expressing an objection to the hostile takeover.
Dan followed the crowd outside and raised his arm, revealing a previously hidden handgun. I couldn’t believe Dan’s transformation. Once, he had honored and loved Joel, believing and teaching that he was the One Mighty and Strong. He had revered him as the prophet who would save the world. Then he had become Ervil’s right-hand man, and now they both worked overtime to persuade Joel’s converts to denounce Joel and join Ervil’s team. With Ervil’s effective powers of persuasion, a few had abandoned Joel’s church to follow the charismatic imposter. Their frequent use of force left no doubt as to the identity of Ervil’s new soldiers.
Back at the church that Sunday, the disappointed worshippers gathered outside the small building, where Ervil soon appeared. He became very agitated, boisterously reprimanding our group for worshipping in his building.
When Joel heard about the takeover of the church building, he extended his token of peace by inviting Ervil’s group to share the church, taking alternate hours. Joel was always one to turn the other cheek. Some members were angry that Joel didn’t fight for our rights, but Joel was never antagonistic or confrontational. He felt Ervil had the right to preach among us, and, if a few members decided to separate themselves and follow Ervil, he wouldn’t stand in their way. Joel’s tolerance and grace certainly exceeded our expectations.
We learned later that Ervil was just bluffing about the church, because his group used it only a few times. He had simply wanted the Firstborners to understand that he was in control.
Ervil’s next move was even more shocking, however. One day he laid claim to all the buildings and land in Los Molinos, our Baja California colony. The place was now infiltrated with those who would antagonize and spread fear among our once-united group. Our worried members wondered if Ervil would evict them from their homes. It was a time of much unrest among Joel’s followers. Our fears escalated during the week, when the men left the colony to work in the States. The women and children felt abandoned, vulnerable, fearful, and unprotected; it was a very trying time for the community.
In response to Ervil’s claims, Joel brought it to Ervil’s attention that the Baja land had been procured for the Church of the Firstborn colony and that he and Verlan held the titles.
Ervil argued childishly, stating it all belonged to him. Ever the peacemaker, Joel responded by saying Ervil could have the land if he could produce the legal papers of ownership. “In fact,” Joel said disgustedly, “you can take any land that belongs to me, but I won’t allow you to take precious land from these poor Mexicans.”
Every word from Ervil’s mouth revealed that he was going to pursue his own agenda. Obsessed by his lust for power, he became intoxicated by his own self-worth. Joel left the meeting saddened by his brother’s unwillingness to comply. He knew now that there was no hope that the two would ever work together again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
My mother-in-law, Maud LeBaron, was afraid. She sensed that a death threat against Earl Jensen in a letter signed as the “Black Hand” was sent by her own son Ervil.
She was also upset about Ervil’s attempts to steal Earl’s wife Lawreve.
In addition, she was worried about Ervil’s son Arturo, who had been living with her until Ervil suddenly took him away from school to bring Arturo under his control.
On Mexican Independence Day, the flag waved high above Colonia LeBaron grade school, but Arturo was absent. That same day, distraught over Ervil’s irrational behavior, Maud wrote the first of several impassioned letters to Ervil, on September 16, 1971 (The LeBaron Story, pp. 201–210).
Ervil was making unceasing threats against Joel’s Church of the Firstborn, which its leaders had begun taking very seriously. This situation easily might take a disastrous turn.
Maud couldn’t sleep. Her mind reeled with fears of Ervil’s sins against Joel’s church. Maud began to write to Ervil, hoping to avert an inevitable bloodshed. Every sentence was laced with heartache. It was no easy thing for Maud to confront or chastise her beloved son. She begged Ervil to reconsider his wicked course and repent before it was too late. Yet in her mind, the only righteous path was to submit to Joel’s claims of authority.
In her first letter, she revealed a lifelong secret about her own father who, like Ervil, had heard voices in his head and received revelations that misguided him. She feared that Ervil might become like her father. She wrote:
My Dear Son Ervil . . . I never thought to tell you before, but as a warning, I will tell you now. My father was as much like you as possible. He was faithful in the Church . . . Something happened and he began to have revelations. It seems now that revelations run in the family. People talk commonly of your revelations . . . the Lord told you to take over. It doesn’t ring true . . . . If you love me, be humble . . . free from the spirit of revenge.
Eight days later, on September 24, Maud made her most shocking plea when she revealed that her dead husband, Dayer LeBaron, had appeared to her with a warning that Ervil would soon have blood on his hands. She wrote:
Dear Son Ervil, Your father came to my bedside and told me you were about to have innocent blood on your hands . . . To imagine Dad gave you some authority is a lie—a preposterous lie. Something terrible will happen to you if you continue to work against Joel. I know who your father gave the authority to. He had no confidence in you; you know it. I’m afraid you have lost your mind—you have the spirit of revenge, and the spirit and desire to murder . . . The sins of my father are being visited on your head. I’m sick about it . . . You have been too arrogant. So was he. If you execute anyone as you have threatened, you will never amount to a pinch of nothing. Are you sure, dear, you are well; so many are losing their minds—you will lose yours if you don’t repent and I know it. God has revealed to me that you are gone . . . The only sacrifice before God is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Still distraught, Maud decided to write to Ervil’s cousin Conway LeBaron on September 26, 1971, hoping that he could steer Ervil back on track:
Dear Conway . . . I knew when Ervil was here last that he had the wrong spirit, and I told Arthur that no one could use unrefined language and have the Priesthood of God.
She scolded Ervil on September 30, 1971:
Ervil Dear . . . It is terrible the condition you and Dan and Conway are in . . . Your father doesn’t want innocent blood on your hands . . . I demand that you honor your mother by respecting and coming before the church as a little child. Except you become as a little child now, you are lost . . . something extreme is going to happen. You will lose your mind . . . Somewhere along the way, you took too much glory to yourself. The only way out is to forg
et yourself in the best of good people . . . and God will guide you in the rest.
Almost a month later, Ervil returned to the LeBaron colony. He ranted as he preached, accusing Joel of usurping power. He tried to convince Joel’s members to believe and follow him. Maud wrote on October 27, 1971:
Son Ervil, . . . By their fruits you should judge them. Your fruits are hardness of heart, revenge, wresting the scriptures, ridicule, character assassination, and premeditated murder, waste of money and time, and hatred . . . I’m afraid each day for your life. You are naturally so handsome and sweet—but what might I expect? If anyone shoots, you will be to blame, so hurry and end the war.
Two days later, Maud was frightened by more rumors. A former police officer, Warren Foster, who had been loyal to Joel, had joined Ervil’s band of dissidents. Ashamed that Ervil was stealing Joel’s members and preparing for confrontation, she hurriedly wrote to him once again on October 29, 1971:
Dear Son Ervil, If you don’t repent, innocent blood will be on your hands . . . Warren Foster got in too big a hurry to start executing. Did you too? . . . Please be a good boy because I know the Devil is after you like never before and is taking you fast.
Upon hearing reports from frightened members that Ervil was spewing out death threats she saw the gravity of the situation. His anguished mother could see the handwriting on the wall. On October 30, 1971, she wrote:
My Dear Son Ervil . . . My father after teaching forty years in church . . . started receiving revelations for his own guidance. You look like him and act like him. He lost everything . . . The course you have planned ahead is abominable and you would know if you had the gift of the Holy Ghost. Right now you can right everything . . . You will fail terribly if you go further . . . For the sake of your great family you can’t afford to forever be nothing. A disgrace.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
In Dr. Martinez’s waiting room in Ensenada, I ran into my sister-in-law Gaye, whom I hadn’t seen in some time. We had visited for ten minutes or so when a pretty, chic Mexican woman took a seat across from us. I wondered what she’d think with both of us laughing, making up for lost time. It seemed rude to yak away when this woman evidently knew no English. Gaye’s older sister, Jeannine, who had run an errand, finally entered the office and took a seat next to Gaye. I greeted Jeannine, but I could tell immediately that she was feeling bad about something. “What’s wrong?” I asked her.
Gaye cut me off before she could answer. “She’s mad because I talked Joel into sleeping with me last night.”
Jeannine retorted hotly, “You knew darn well it was my night!”
The two bantered over the unfairness of their sleeping arrangements. Jeannine wanted justice; once and for all she was going to make Gaye understand her position. She blurted out, “Listen to me, Gaye. You knew last night was mine. Joel slept with Kathy the night before, then Claudine the night before that. I just want Joel to be fair, that’s all.”
Too busy arguing over their nights, neither woman saw the horrified Mexican woman’s jaw drop.
I cut in. “Jeannine that’s enough. You can discuss this later, somewhere more private.”
The look on the woman’s face gave it away. She understood everything. Accusingly, Jeannine spoke to the Mexican woman. “You don’t speak English, do you?”
The woman answered in perfect English, “Yes, I do.”
Embarrassed by the situation, Jeannine lit into the woman. “Why didn’t you speak up and say something?”
“I was too shocked,” the woman answered defensively. “I was trying to understand your lifestyle. I was blown away when I heard you both fighting over one man.”
The nurse spared us further argument, calling Jeannine into the doctor’s office. My face must have been bright red from embarrassment, since I always do my best to avoid confrontations. I elected to retreat to the vehicle where I would wait for Gaye.
ONE NIGHT, AFTER SUPPER dishes were cleared up, I started washing the hands and faces of my smaller children. I wanted them to go to bed early so I could relax. My nephew Nathan, Joel’s stepson, knocked on the front door. He didn’t want to come in. “Mom said she needs to see you. She’s walking over here now.” He motioned down the road.
“Thanks,” I answered, closing the door behind me.
I headed toward Jeannine to meet her in the road. She had her five-month-old baby in her arms. “Hi, what’s up?”
“Please come with me to the beach,” she pleaded. “We’ll only be gone for an hour.”
I had no idea what she wanted, but because of the urgency in her voice, I joined her on the two-mile walk to the beach. Her baby fussed continuously, and heavy fog settled around us. The crashing of the ocean waves made it necessary for Jeannine to speak loudly as she explained what she intended to do.
“I wanted you to be with me for this wonderful event that is going to take place, but you and I are the only ones who can know about it. I have prayed for weeks for some way I can be close to Joel every day. He is so busy with his church and his other six wives. I never get to talk to him or share my feelings with him. I feel so lonely and rejected. But, after much prayer, the Lord showed me how I can be with him forever.”
I wondered what our going to the beach had to do with it. Her baby was cold. The thin receiving blanket definitely didn’t block the damp breeze that whipped around us.
“Don’t you think it’s best we head for home?” I suggested. “Your baby is getting too fussy and cold.”
“No, I just want you to stand here at the foot of this rocky cliff and wait for me.”
I couldn’t imagine why she wanted to climb the rocks ahead of us. “Let me hold your baby,” I offered.
“No, I want her with me.”
I felt uneasy; something didn’t seem quite right.
At that moment, she dropped the bomb: “Irene, I am going to be translated. God is going to come for me while I’m standing on those rocks, watching the waves roll in.”
Her words confirmed what I’d vaguely surmised. “Let me hold your baby,” I offered again, fearing for the child.
“No, I want to hold my baby close to me. It will be the last time I’ll see her in the flesh. It won’t be long. The Lord informed me that I’d ascend into heaven between eight and nine o’clock tonight. I want you close by where you can keep an eye on me. As soon as I vanish, come and get my baby. I’ll just lay her down in a safe place a moment before I’m caught up into the heavens.”
I felt as though I’d just been hit on the head. What does a person do when someone goes over the edge? I knew Jeannine would finally give up when her translation didn’t transpire, but I watched nervously as she made her way up the small rocky hill with a crying baby in her arms. Once near the top, she motioned for me to wait. I knew she wanted no interference from me.
Neither of us owned a wristwatch, but I was sure I waited for over an hour in the chilly damp breeze. I shook my head in disgust, laughing to myself. I thought we served a dependable God. Couldn’t he at least show up for the baby’s sake? Thick clouds of fog blew past, covering then uncovering the silhouette view of Jeannine.
Finally, I saw Jeannine making her way down the rocks, still carrying her squaling baby. She looked so dejected as she approached.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Through tears of disappointment, she admitted the Lord hadn’t come for her because of her unworthiness. “I had such hopes of being translated. Then I could be with my husband every minute, even when he’s with his other wives. I had such great expectations, but I guess I’ll have to perfect myself before the Lord allows it to happen.”
She was more than crestfallen, cold, and disappointed as I accompanied her home.
WHEN I HEARD that Ervil was in town on August 15, I decided that I had to confront him. I was angry about his claims in the recent pamphlet A Message to a Covenant People. His message was full of lies, defaming Joel. If Ervil’s name had been substituted for every reference to Joel, then it would ha
ve been true. So, I went over to Ruth Bateman’s house where I saw Ervil’s “Golden Calf” parked in her yard. To my surprise, there sat Dan Jordan with her son-in-law Ervil at the breakfast table as Ruth busied herself removing the dirty dishes. I felt very uneasy from all I’d heard the past few months of Ervil’s threats and power plays. Ervil’s demeanor was not friendly. He knew I opposed him. Nevertheless, he insisted I take a seat on the empty chair beside him. But he intimidated me, so I took another.
As soon as I sat down, Ervil began his tirade. “How can you follow Joel and Verlan when they both have become traitors to the Kingdom of God?” He knit his eyebrows, giving me an icy stare. I didn’t answer. I knew he wanted me to profess my allegiance to him. He continued speaking loudly. “Both Joel and Verlan are criminals.” Giving his words emphasis, he doubled his right fist, then pounded on the table in rhythm with his words, “Verlan . . . and . . . Joel . . . will . . . be . . . put . . . to . . . death!”
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