The Family/COG Publications
Internal publications and secret directives
NEWS! Advanced Pub Search functions completed. Locate specific Mo Letters or other publications using a variety of user-friendly tools.
We're placing almost daily, new restored, uncensored** publications
online for your research. On those that may have been sanitized** we have placed notifications in red where we have found evidence of editing or censorship.
*Thanks to our hardworking typists and file donors—you know who you are!
**COG/Family publications were ordered purged in 1991 & 1996 (see "The Pubs Purge")
Next on our archiving project is creating a search engine that will enable
you to sort through titles alphabetically, by number, date, etc., with filters
and search words. You will also be able to search through the content of entire pubs archive
using search words!
The Family's founder Berg was one of the most prolific writers. He told his followers, "the pen is
mightier than the sword." His writings were collected in a corpus of printed letters
(called Mo Letters [after his adopted name, Moses David]) and distributed to his
followers and supporters. By his death in 1994, he had produced at least 3000
of these Mo Letters and numerous other works.
Following in his steps, The Family continues to produce
1000s of documents every year online and in print. Many of these show the discrepancy
between The Family's true insider beliefs and practices vs. their PR facade to the outside world. Researchers have remarked about their extensive and candid insider publications, making Berg and The Family ideal subjects for such cult & mind control study and analysis.
Secret Publications:
Many of The Children of God/The Family's writings were registered under different pseudonyms such as "World
Services," and most were designated DO (Disciples Only) status—intended for internal
use only, in keeping with the group's "deceivers yet true"
philosophy. The majority of these secret publications were only made available to public view in the 1990s through
defectors, police raids, court subpoenas, and journalistic investigations. When authorities
in a number of countries were able to take legal action against the group using
their own writings, the group decided to "recall" and sanitize Berg's more controversial
writings (see "The Pubs Purge").
It is worth noting that none of these controversial doctrines were geninely recanted but rather hidden, especially in the initial years of The Family's damage control.
Numbering protocols
The first Mo Letters were numbered alphabetically A - 0, but abandoned for a numerical
system, which went up to about 3000 by the time of Berg's death. The Family continued
to publish previously unreleased writings of Berg, and current leader Maria (Karen
Zerby) continued to publish her own writings which were also designated Mo Letter
numbers. These publications by Maria were released in GN's (Good News Magazines),
and later designated a GN numbering system. Like the Mo Letters, they were collected
in Mo Letter volumes. Thus, a latest publication may be numbered ML#3201, Maria#447
and GN#804 simultaneously, and collected in Vol. 25.
The above index includes not only the infamous Mo Letters, but
GNs (Good News Magazines), FSMs (Family Special Magazines, and numerous other
categories of pubs which contain writings of their current day leaders.
The Family's has produced many categories of publications such as: FFing Testimonies, Heaven's Girl, New Wine, LinkUP,
Grapevine, XN, END, Heaven's Library, Heaven's Library Book, Blade, Eve, Kidland,
International Prayer, Prayer List, FAR, Reflections, Mountain Streams, Tracts,
CLTP, HTK, Endtime Power, MLK, Kidz Biz, FC Pub, Activated!, Word Basics, Memory
Book, Preparatory Meetings, 12 Foundation Stones, Activated!, Meditation Moments,
Wine Press, Living Waters, Statements, Good Thots, Daily Food, CAT Studies, Activated
Books, Posters, Christian Digest, FBH, Family in action, Bíblia do Tempo do Fim,
CAEC GP Kids books, Kids, Free Zine ... We hope to bring you documentation of these soon.
Founder Berg's writings were collected in a corpus of printed letters (called
Mo Letters [after his adopted name, Moses David]) to his followers and supporters.
By his death in 1994, he had produced at least 3000 of these Mo Letters. Most
of them were collected and reprinted in Hong Kong, in several leather bound volumes.
exFamily.org has included commentaries with some Mo Letters:
As a condition for winning a landmark court case, The Family quietly acknowledged
wrongdoing on Berg's part for literature which endorsed adult-child sex (see Peter Amsterdam's Admission of Guilt).
In the opinions of many who have been hurt by the group, the Mo Letters could
be credited for promoting much more - child pornography, prostitution, adultery,
libel, abandonment, kidnapping (re: unresolved custody disputes), larceny, obstruction
of justice and political meddling ...
The extent of control Berg continues to wield on his followers from beyond the
grave, and the thought control mechanisms employed in his writings continue to
be of interest to psychologists and researchers.
Started in the 80s, these GN magazines originally contained a collection of Mo
Letters and other articles. In current day publications, GNs contain letters by
leader Mama Maria (Karen Zerby), and other leaders such as Peter Amsterdam (Steve
Kelly). Just as the Mo Letters, GNs are sometimes classified GP or DO, the latter
being "disciples only" and for internal use.
These DO writings are particularly interesting to researchers of New Religious
Movements, and to those who have loved ones or relatives within the group. The
Family's leadership continues to teach strange new doctrines, enact controversial
policies, and demand the sacrifices of its adherents - practices it would prefer
to leave unexposed.
Small pubs are dear to The Family. Since it's beginning in the early 60s, The
Family has produced small publications for its internal use. It began with such
pubs as the Set Card which
was about 100 verses on a small piece of paper that all members were required
to memorize. Other booklets included such pubs as The MOP and Daily Might, to
pendants and bookmarks.
Internal:
Educational standards vary from home to home, but with one common theme - home-schooling
with constant Family indoctrination. For most of its existence, the group has
had excellent educational material for young children, but in the opinions of
many experts, it also has an inbred environment that does not sufficiently allow
for the development of critical thinking skills necessary for tertiary education.
With emphasis on being mobile, the early COG developed flannel cards and the MoLion
readers for their young. Later, the Childcare Handbook was instrumental in shaping
educational attitudes. Some material intended for daily reading by children was
deemed by judicial authorities to be obscene and inappropriate.
The Family continues to struggle with the needs of its young - for all the answers
it claimed to have had, there now seem to be more and more unresolved problems.
Many parents are unable to properly provide the quality and consistency required
to home school their children adequately.
External:
The Family produces anything from Videos to the "12 Foundation Stones" and "Activated"
series, designed for new converts and Fellow members (part-time live-out members).
This section is not complete, will cover such items as
The Bible Album ...
MWM ...
Heaven's Magic posters/tapes ...
Kiddie Viddies ... etc
This section not complete: The group has produced anything from souvenirs like
"The Yoke" - a small piece of brass embedded in a piece of wood and tied to a
leather necklace, worn as a pendant... to hand-painted balloons...
Help wanted: If you would like to contribute to this section, please write
to us.
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