Dear friends of Urantia Foundation and The Urantia Book,
Would you have ever imagined in your wildest dreams that you would find yourself participating in the dissemination of some of the most liberating spiritual truths since Jesus walked on earth? While we, as readers of The Urantia Book, may be engaged in work which is quiet and lacking in public attention, our job resembles the Master's activities preceding his public ministry, as he prepared the way for the future reception of truth. If it takes 1,000 years for the Fifth Epochal Revelation to unfold, then we have just completed the first seven percent of the journey. These are the days for preparing the soil and planting seeds for future generations who will reap the harvest of this new spiritual awakening destined to transform our world.
The following report will inform you of Urantia Foundation's accomplishments in 2009 and will give you a look into what is anticipated in 2010. Your feedback is always welcome.
Mo Siegel
President Urantia Foundation
Publication Mandate
COMPILED BY: Certain members of the General Council of URANTIA BROTHERHOOD
FOR: The files of the Executive Committee of URANTIA BROTHERHOOD
PRESENTED: 4 April, 1955
THE TIMING OF THE URANTIA BOOK (Generally designated as “The Publication Mandate”*)
"We regard the Urantia Book as a feature of the progressive evolution of human society. It is not germane to the spectacular episodes of epochal revolution, even though it may apparently be timed to appear in the wake of one such revolution in human society. The Book belongs to the era immediately to follow the conclusion of the present ideological struggle. That will be the day when men will be willing to seek truth and righteousness. When the chaos of the present confusion has passed, it will be more readily possible to formulate the cosmos of a new and improved era of human relationships. And it is for this better order of affairs on earth that the Book has been made ready.
"But the publication of the Book has not been postponed to that (possibly) somewhat remote date. An early publication of the Book has been provided so that it may be in hand for the training of leaders and teachers. Its presence is also required to engage the attention of persons of means who may be thus led to provide funds for translations into other languages.
"(You) who have dedicated (your) lives to the service of the Book and the Brotherhood can little realize the import of (your) doings. (You) will doubtless live and die without fully realizing that (you) are participating in the birth of a new age of religion on this world.
"The future is not open to (your) mortal comprehension, but (you) will do well to diligently study the order, plan, and methods of progression as they were enacted in the earth life of Michael when the Word was made flesh. You are becoming actors in an ensuing episode when the Word is made Book. Great is the difference in these dispensations of religion, but many are the lessons which can be learned from a study of the former age.
"(You) must again study the times of Jesus on earth. (You) must carefully take note of how the kingdom of heaven was inaugurated in the world. Did it evolve slowly and unfold naturally? or did it come with sudden show of force and with spectacular exhibition of power? Was it evolutionary or revolutionary?
"(You) must learn to possess (your) souls in patience. (You) are in association with a revelation of truth which is a part of the natural evolution of religion on this world. Over-rapid growth would be suicidal. The book is being given to those who are ready for it long before the day of its world- wide mission. Thousands of study groups must be brought into existence and the book must be translated into many tongues. Thus will the book be in readiness when the battle for man's liberty is finally won and the world is once more made safe for the religion of Jesus and the freedom of mankind." (10.5)
* In The History of the Urantia Movement, by Dr. William S. Sadler, this message is titled, The Publication Mandate. [This paper was presented by William S. Sadler, Jr. to the Forum on the above date. For public consumption, the pronouns were modified, e.g., “we” instead of “you.” For this purpose we have changed them back to the original. Copies of this paper were inserted into the secretary's notebook of each standing committee of the Brotherhood. Committee chairmen received copies.]