Another study, with altered emphases, might well reconstruct a decidedly different story. A couple of notes on sources. Because a historical account of the movement has not been compiled, this study makes use of sources not previously utilized, some of which are not published. Where possible, I have attempted to corroborate movement accounts with outside sources although the church was not widely known prior to the early 1970s. Although Lofland employed pseudonyms and professed greater interest in sociological questions than in the movement, his treatment is an important source of data and is cited extensively in this work's initial two chapters.
Subsequent chapters contain additional references, mainly to newspaper accounts.
Apart from print sources, I conducted a number of interviews some of which are noted in the text's citations. This study could not have been undertaken or completed without the assistance of a number of persons. Dr. J. Stillson Judah, Dr. Lewis Rambo, and especially Dr. Elden Ernst whose historical expertise is responsible for any wider appeal this work may have. I also wish to thank Dr. A. Durwood Foster and Dr. Richard Quebedeaux. Special thanks are due to the many Unification Church members who loaned me materials, granted personal interviews and lived with me during the research and writing of this history.