UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2000 EskDale, a religious commune and the Order of Aaron Katherine Jones Peek University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Peek, Katherine Jones, "EskDale, a religious commune and the Order of Aaron" (2000). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1221. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/ccjs-xknf This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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VI-VII This reproduction is the best copy available UMI* Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ESKDALE, A RELIGIOUS COMMUNE AND THE ORDER OF AARON by Katherine J. Peek Bachelor o f Science East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg 1965 Master of Arts Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff 1970 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies College of Liberal Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2000 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1403094 Copyright 2001 by Peek, Katherine Jones All rights reserved. UMI UMI Microform 1403094 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. Ail rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Beil & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced witti permission of ttie copyrigtit owner. Furttier reproduction protiibited without permission. Copyright by Katherine J. Peek 2001 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas November _, 20 nn The Thesis prepared by K a t h e r in e J . Pmek Entitled E skûaLe f A Religimus Commune and—the. Order Of—Aaron is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts u Examination Committee Chair Dean of the Graduate College Examination Committee Member Examinathxamination CommiUeaMember f i g . Graduate College Faculty Represeribntiv^ PR/1017-53/1-00 u Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT EskDale, A Religious Commune - And the Order of Aaron by Katherine J. Peek Dr. George Urioste, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Anthropology University o f Nevada, Las Vegas The focus o f this thesis will be a narrative overview of the religious commune at EskDale, Utah and its affiliated religious sect, the Order of Aaron. This study includes field research utilizing participant observation, informal interview and formal interview methods. Historical background information was gathered with a literature review and fi-om newspaper clippings, letters and other documents supplied to me by the community at EskDale and the Order o f Aaron. Through this study 1 will review the founding o f the religion and the community. 1 will also identify changes, previously undocumented, that have occurred during the last ten years. Descriptions of the life of the community will be based on my first impressions, gathered during a period o f less than three weeks, at EskDale. Practices and beliefs o f the Order of Aaron and EskDale will be compared to other religious and communal groups. m Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................üi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................................... vüi CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION................................................................................... 1 Hypothesis and Proposal ........................................................................................................ 3 Obtaining Permission for the Study and Methods Employed ........................................... 3 CHAPTER TWO DR MAURICE GLENDENNING........................................................6 Family Background and Early Life...................................................................................... 7 The Middle Years-Marriage, Family and the Curse ........................................................... 9 Formative Steps in Establishing the Order of Aaron. .......................................................12 Forging the Character of the Order of Aaron .....................................................................15 CHAPTER THREE RELIGION.......................................................................................... 19 Behefs .....................................................................................................................................19 Ordinances, Sacraments and Rituals ..................................................................................25 Levels of Membership ......................................................................................................... 30 The Structure of the Order of Aaron ..................................................................................30 Funerals ..................................................................................................................................31 CHAPTER FOUR FIRST STEPS TO LIVING IN COMMUNITY..............................33 Alpha C olony........................................................................................................................35 Partoun ...................................................................................................................................36 CHAPTER FIVE ESKDALE..............................................................................................39 Location and Land ........................... 39 The Village ............................................................................................................................ 42 Economics............................................................................................................................. 46 Daily Life...............................................................................................................................54 Uniforms............................................................................................................................... 58 Special Events and Celebrations .........................................................................................60 Funerals ..................................................................................................................................62 CHAPTER SIX ..........................................................................................................................67 Crim e....................................................................................................................................