Many parents have reported letters quoting scripture, and criticizing their parenting. These early letters were intentional. Their intention was to throw the family off the trail while it was still warm. Some recruits never write home. This usually marked a complete detachment, with no more communication.
Elders are brothers who have been around the longest.
Each cell is led by an elder. The recruit can make friends with other members. The recruit is responsible to any member with seniority, which, in the case of a new recruit, is everyone in the group. Women are subordinate to all men, regardless of seniority. New women are subordinate to everyone.