Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the leader of the Church Universal and Triumphant, was known for her prophecies and teachings about impending apocalypse. Despite her claims of past embodiments as figures like Guinevere and Marie Antoinette, she was more relatable than mystical and had a sincere, ordinary demeanor. The church, headquartered in Montana, reached its peak membership in the Eighties and Nineties, requiring devoted followers to donate assets and selling hundreds of thousands of books. Though criticized for failed predictions leading followers to seek shelter with gold coins and guns, the church, now diminished, continues its weekly gatherings with members like Pamela who remain dedicated to Elizabeth’s teachings.
https://harpers.org/archive/2024/06/the-prophet-who-wasnt-after-the-apocalypse-that-failed-emily-harnett/