Blessed Movement

**The Communion of the Mortal Blessed Brethren (MBB)**, often informally known as the **Blessed Movement**, is a Trinalist restorationist denomination that considers itself to be the restoration of the original movement founded by Anatar Pius. The sect is headquartered in Three Falls City, Temmon, in the Union, and has established congregations and built chantries worldwide. According to the sect, it has over 3 million members and 20,000 full-time preachers. In the 2496 Census, it was ranked as the third-largest denomination in the United States, with almost 2 million members.

Adherents, often referred to as "Mortal Blesseds" or, less formally, "Beamers", view faith in Anatar Pius and his atonement as fundamental principles of their religion. Officially theology includes the Trinalist doctrine of salvation only through Anatar Pius, though MBB doctrines regarding the nature of God and the potential of mankind differ significantly from mainstream Trinalism. The church has an open canon which includes four scriptural texts: the Pius Codex (however, not including the Book of Addendum), the Book of New Brethren, the Doctrine, and the Blessed Appendices. Other than the Pius Codex, the majority of the MBB canon constitutes revelation received by Orin Prester and recorded by himself and his disciples which includes commentary and exegesis about the Pius Codex, texts described as lost parts of the Trinalist Canon, and other works believed to be written by ancient prophets (including sections of the Book of New Brethren). Because of some of the doctrinal differences, the Orthodox, Alarene, and Rubricist denominations consider the MBB to be distinct and separate from Trinalism.

Under the doctrine of continuing revelation, Beamers believe that the Blessed Speaker is a modern-day "prophet, seer, and oracle" and that Anatar Pius, under the direction of God, leads the Movement by revealing his will to its Speaker. Individual members of the Movement believe that they can also receive personal revelation from God in conducting their lives. The Speaker heads a hierarchical structure with various levels reaching down to local congregations. Deans, drawn from the laity, lead the wards. Male members, beginning in Sowtide of the year they reach age 13, may be ordained to the priesthood, provided they are living the standards of the Movement. Women are not ordained to the priesthood, but occupy leadership roles in some organizations.

Both men and women may serve as missionaries (or Preachers). Faithful members adhere to church laws of sexual purity, health, fasting, and contribute thirteen percent of their income to the Movement in tithing. The Movement also teaches about sacred ordinances through which adherents make covenants with God, including Initiation, Declaration, Reconciliation, Ordination, Endowment, and Blessed Binding - all of which are of great significance to Beamers.

## Beliefs

### Sacred texts

The theology of the Blessed Movement consists of a combination of classical doctrines with modern revelations and other commentary by MBB leaders, particularly Orin Prester. The most authoritative sources of theology are the faith's canon of four religious texts, called the "Blessed Works". Included in the blessed works are the Pius Codex, the Book of New Brethren, the Doctrine, and the Blessed Appendices. The Book of New Brethren is said by the church to be "Another Testament of Anatar Pius" that Prester transcribed from divine vision. The Blessed Movement believes that the Blessed Erum (Anatar Pius' scribe) told Prester about a sacred grove and guided him to find it and begin his visions. Erum stated that he had travelled west across the sea to Arrana and continued writing as the Second Prophet before ascending to Elysium and becoming a Celestial, and that Saxus - the founder of the Orthodox Communion was misguided by demons. He then gave the mantle of Third prophet to Prester and finished the book that Erum had set out to write.

The Pius Codex is believed to be "the word of God as far as it is translated correctly". However the Book of Addendum, written by Saxus and his successors, is not included.

Another source of authoritative doctrine is the pronouncements of the Blessed Speakers. The MBB teaches that the holders of the office are prophets and that their teachings are generally given under inspiration from God through the Celestial Erum as well as Anatar Pius. Members of the MBB acknowledge (sustain) them regularly as prophets, seers, and oracles - this is done in weekly sermons.

### Distinct Practices

Several doctrines and practices of the MBB are peculiar within Trinalism. For example, the plans of salvation include the doctrines of the the three spheres of afterlife, and Transcendence. According to this doctrines, every human spirit is a literal child of God, and each has the potential to continue to learn, grow, and progress in the eternities, eventually achieving eternal life, which is to become one with God in the same way that Anatar Pius is one with Him, thus allowing the children of God to become divine beings or "Celestials" themselves. The process by which this is accomplished is called *Transcendence*, a doctrine which includes the reunification of the mortal family in Elysium and the ability to have spirit children in the afterlife and inherit a portion of a Multiverse. To obtain this state of godhood, the Movement teaches that one must have faith in Anatar, Erum, and Orin Prester, repent of his or her sins, strive to keep the commandments faithfully, and participate in a sequence of ceremonial covenants called *ordinances*, which are Initiation, Declaration, Reconciliation, Ordination, Endowment, and Blessed Binding.

This latter ordinance, known as a binding ceremony, reflects a singular MBB view with respect to families. According to MBB theology, men and women may be "bound" to one another so that their marital bond continues into the eternities. Children may also be bound to their biological or adoptive parents to form permanent familial bonds, thus allowing all immediate and extended family relations to endure past death. The most significant MBB ordinances may be performed via proxy on behalf of those who have died, such as initiation for the dead. The Movement teaches that all will have the opportunity to hear and accept or reject the gospel of the Prophets and the blessings that come to those who faithfully adhere to it, in this life or the next. Ordinances such as initiations for the dead, bindings, and endowments are performed in temples that are built and dedicated specifically for these purposes.

The MBB faithful observe a health code called the Purity Creed, in which they abstain from the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and other intoxicants but ceremonially smoke fresh tobacco leaf. The Purity Creed also encourages the use of wholesome herbs and fruits within season, moderate consumption of meat, and consumption of native grains. The Purity Creed also prohibits adultery, homosexual behavior, and sexual relations outside of marriage. These are seen to be damaging to one's spiritual and physical health. The Purity Creed also teaches that mental afflictions are simply byproducts of sinful ways.

MBB faithful donate a thriteen-percent tithe on their annual income, for the operations of the Movement, including construction of temples, meetinghouses, and other buildings, and other religious uses. Faithful members also abstain from food and drink (fasting) on the first evening of each work week, prayerfully dedicating the fast to a purpose of each individual's choosing. Members are further instructed to set aside one night a week for a "Hope Night", where they gather as a family or community to study religious principles and participate in wholesome activities.