“I want to make a statement about…me…now, if I became deceived, I will never tell you what I’m going to tell you now…I am telling you if I go off into strange ideas, misconduct, rebellion, you name it, don’t follow me. I want to tell you that now, because if I start doing that I’m gonna try to get you to follow me! I’m gonna come to you and tell you it doesn’t apply, it doesn’t mean me, no, no, no, no, no, no, it’s OK to follow me because ABCD and XY and Z. Do you understand what I’m saying? Listen to me now, when I tell you don’t follow me if I go off into weird ideas, or if I get off into other things that are total absolutely unscriptural conduct, because if I do I’m gonna paint it with a different face and try to get you to follow me. Do you understand what I’m saying brethren? Please remember that, because I promise you that if I become deceived, I’ll forget it, and I’ll want you to forget it…And I hope you’ll remember it well enough to quote it right back to me…But I’ll tell you what, I’m not going anywhere.”
-David C Pack
December 12, 1998
The Clarion Call of Apostle David C. Pack
Video and audio files can be found here and on Rumble
Despite his reputation as a moral leader, he had some serious personal issues. One of these issues was his sexual problems which caused much controversy.
Armstrong’s struggles with sex began when he married Loma Dillon in 1917 and started to have trouble performing sexually due his wives callousness or indifference. He sought help from various doctors but none could solve the problem until 1933 when he found Dr. Paul XXXX who helped him overcome this issue through hypnosis therapy sessions that lasted for several months.
Dr. Paul’s treatment seemed successful at first but soon after it ended Armstrong fell back into old habits and developed an obsession with pornography which led to further marital difficulties between himself and Loma Dillon. Despite all this, Herbert W Armstrong still managed to become one of America’s most influential cult leaders during that time period.
Herbert Armstrong is an interesting example of how someone can be both admired by so many yet also have deep personal sexual hangups. His story serves as a reminder that no matter how powerful or respected you may be, we are all human beings capable making mistakes regardless our status or accomplishments. Except when you say you have God’s backing as you break every commandment. Now that is another story for another day.
Part 2-
Herbert Armstrong’s legacy was tainted by accusations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with some members of the church under him.
The allegations against Herbert Armstrong stem from reports made to various law enforcement agencies throughout California between 1973–1986 detailing incidents involving inappropriate touching or fondling by him towards young women associated with The Ambassador College campus near Pasadena where he lived at the time. These reports were largely ignored since they occurred after Armstrong had already established himself as a powerful figure within both religion circles and society at large; however it wasn’t until after his death when more victims came forward accusing him of engaging in similar behavior toward them while they were minors—which would constitute statutory rape—that these accusations began to gain traction among scholars who studied Armstong’s work.
In light if these allegations, many people have come to view Herbert Armstong’s legacy through different lenses – no longer seeing him simply as an influential religious leader but rather someone who abused their power over vulnerable individuals.