Page 78, THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART TWO: DECEPTION

CHAPTER NINE

TEMPLE OF THE VOICE

©2017, Olan L. Smith

The Former Alicia Santos entered the living room and shouted, "May it be so! My husband, my wife...glory to the Voice, the lie of the wolf will not prevail, I will reveal the City of God to the world, a place I have touched! Today we go not to a meeting, but we go to the Temple; it is time I get to work."

Reuben felt prepared, his thoughts were under control and he was at peace for the first time in his life. The trio walked down the wide sidewalk to the Temple of the Voice. The sidewalk divided in two narrower paths that separated the followers in two directions around the building. Then the pathways peeled off into six thinner paths, three on each end as they lead to the Temple. Each of these paths divided into two tapering conduits channeling the members to the twelve entrances into the Holy Temple ― four on the north, four on the south and two each on the east and the west. The twelve gates represent the twelve Apostles. Twenty-four deacons, male and female, gathered in groups, two at the start of the twelve paths leading to the temple, and greeters welcomed the membership, at each prior divisions of the way leading to the temple of the Voice. The twenty-four deacons gathered in groups of two for each of the twelve doors of the temple shaped residence. Twelve Elders were the final the hierarchy to usher the people in the building.

The deacons dressed in navy blue suits and on each lapel, they wore a gold pin with a rectangular pearl inlay with the initials SA, embossed in the center, standing for "Servants of Adonai." They not only looked like Secret Service agents ― they were the guards of the temple. Deacons on the inside of the compound wore only the image of a roaring lion or lioness tattooed on each shoulder. All were in great condition, and they seemed both gentle like sheep and powerful as lions. They didn't read minds at the gates, but they sensed the emotions of those who made their way inside. If they sensed danger emoting from a person, they pulled them aside and searched for weapons. If they sensed sorrow or confusion, they directed them to counselors inside. If they sensed that a person's goal was espionage they allowed them to enter, because they would eventually find the Lord. 

 Inside the temple, all the people were directed to an area of lockers and there they found coed accommodations with storage, showers and hand towels. After showering, they dried themselves. After that they went to the outer sanctum for fellowship. The outer sanctum had many private areas for people to gather, talk and commune with each other. In the open area the furniture was arranged for support small groups while other areas were set aside for larger group interaction. In the talks, an elder would lead the group in an informal dialogue concerning the purpose and teachings of Levi. Many followers conversed mentally to each other, but for the most part it was discouraged in order to include new followers. In group discussion most of the responses were telepathic so all would understand the purity of their thoughts. If a person misunderstood a passage their thoughts were heard and addressed, there were no misunderstandings, and this openness stopped arguments and petty bickering. Their nakedness also revealed they had nothing to hide and it put everybody on a level playing field; young and old, rich and poor, the powerful and those without. It also told the members they accepted the glory of the Lord, and they felt no shame. They were the sheep of Adonai and he above all demanded respect of the self and each other, as they existed because of him who gives life.

No programs were made for the gatherers. People come and go as they pleased. They meet privately or in large group as they felt led. Only those in counseling met according to a plan, there was no lying, cheating, power mongering, or theft, all sins were laid bare and forgiven by everyone. The process of decision-making consists of a council of twelve deacons, who culled through ideas gather from the membership and then selected the best for consideration by the elders. A group of three elders met and planned the future course of temple using prayer and meditation, and they selected only the best of ideas to implement for the good of the temple. Each temple has one leader and his or her role is that of shepherd. Though, this could lead to variation that was the plan of the Lord. Variety, to the Lord, is the core of life. It breeds strength and independence. This, to the outsiders seems a weakness, but this is their strength and their mystery. The US government was very wrong, the SDL was very organized around the world.

As they neared the end of the main walk they received their first instructions from the greeters, "We sense you presence is of great importance. Please, continue to your left until you come to the fourth entrance path to the temple.