Though these past years of struggle with the Foundation have been characterized in many ways, some unkind, I believe that there is validity to the notion that we and the Foundation and its members are engaged in a natural, evolutionary process to strengthen and broaden the capabilities of those groups of people committed to this revelation. While our human natures sometimes imbue such a process with the tones of anger and confrontation, I have come to view our interactions as akin to the leaving-home struggles of a young adult, albeit it with a bit more rancor and legality than is standard fare. And, just like that young adult, we must learn to function in the world in a productive, responsible manner, especially in view of the importance of this work. Just five times in the mil- lion-year history of human beings has epochal revelation shined its light on our planet!

So far, I believe that our Fellowship has taken its initial steps as an adult in a strong and honorable fashion. However, there are at least two issues that I believe need to be addressed as we approach the next century. First, we and the Foundation must find a way to co-exist with each other in a friendly, respectful, productive, strategic, and mutually-beneficial manner. Second, the leadership of The Fellowship needs to help guide the organization toward the fullest achievement possible of its apparent originating destiny. While the first of these may require a new generation of leadership not vested in the struggles of the past, the second is within our grasp today. Specifically, I would urge now that the book has been published by us as well as the Foundation and the inertia of rigidly-controlled book sales and distribution broken, that renewed energies be applied to the other elements contained in our organizational purpose:

The purposes of THE FELLOWSHIP are the study and dissemination of the teachings of The Urantia Book; the promotion, improvement, and expansion among the peoples of the world of the comprehension and understanding of Cosmology and the relation of the planet on which we live to the Universe, of the genesis and destiny of Man and his relation to God, and of the life and teachings of Jesus; and the inculcation and encouragement of the realization and appreciation of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man--in order to increase and enhance the comfort, happiness, and well-being of Man, as an individual and as a member of society, by fostering a religion, a philosophy, and a cosmology which are commensurate with Man's intellectual and cultural development, through the medium of fraternal association, ever obedient and subservient to the laws of this country and of all countries wherein THE FELLOWSHIP may extend.

Noteworthy to me among the various objectives set forth in this paragraph is the phrase “…by fostering a religion, a philosophy, and a cosmology which are commensurate with Man’s intellectual and cultural development, through the medium of fraternal association….” In my view, this is the primary purpose of our organization and while more difficult than the important, but material acts of publishing and distribution, will have the greatest effect on the planet over time. I believe it is the more difficult objective because while book publishing can be done well even by non-believers, we simply cannot do the other without modeling our own religion, philosophy, and cosmic consciousness commensurate with our commitment to making these teachings alive in our individual and collective lives. It is a certainty that these living manifestations of the teachings of The Urantia Book will one day grace this planet; our choice today is either to set forth on a course which fosters these principles or, if we continue to focus mainly on our materialistic work, abdicate this role to someone else.

Finally, as I ponder the events of the past 25 years, both those I saw as positive and those I felt were negative, I am struck by the deep dedication of all of the participants in this process, including the members of Family of God Foundation, the channeler community, CUBS, CERDH, the Trustees and the members of IUA, the Brotherhood/Fellowship and its Societies, those on both sides of the copyright and trademark issues, and the many other groups and individuals who contributed along the way. Despite the many misunderstandings and disagreements between these parties, I believe that virtually all were and are committed to the same essential cause: to do what each believes is best and right in bringing this revelation to the attention of the peoples of the world and to change our own lives and those around us in the process. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to play a small part in that grand endeavor.

Yours respectfully,

David N. Elders, Secretary