Births on January 30

Neal Chase, American educator

The Baháʼís Under the Provisions of the Covenant (BUPC): Origins, Prophecies, and Decline

The Baháʼís Under the Provisions of the Covenant (BUPC) emerged in the early 1970s as a distinct, albeit small, Baháʼí-derived religious sect. Founded by Leland Jensen, the group’s foundational claims and subsequent trajectory were largely shaped by an intricate dispute over leadership within the broader Baháʼí Faith following the passing of its Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in 1957. This foundational disagreement led to the BUPC adopting unique theological interpretations that diverged significantly from the mainstream Baháʼí community.

Founding Principles and Doctrinal Divergence

At the heart of the BUPC's inception lies a critical schism concerning the succession of authority within the Baháʼí Faith. Following the unexpected death of Shoghi Effendi, the appointed Guardian, in 1957 without a designated successor, a significant administrative crisis ensued. While the vast majority of Baháʼís ultimately affirmed the authority of the Universal House of Justice, elected in 1963, as the supreme governing body of the Faith, a minority faction believed that the institution of the Guardianship must continue in a physical sense. This latter group, which included Mason Remey (a Hand of the Cause of God who proclaimed himself as the second Guardian), subsequently experienced further internal divisions. The followers of Mason Remey, from whom the BUPC eventually drew its ideological roots, were formally disassociated from and shunned by the majority of Baháʼís who adhered to the Universal House of Justice's authority. Leland Jensen's BUPC essentially represented a further splintering from these remnant groups, asserting its own specific interpretation of Baháʼí covenantal provisions.

Prophetic Claims and the Study of Cognitive Dissonance

A defining characteristic of the BUPC under Leland Jensen's leadership was its preoccupation with apocalyptic prophecies. Jensen publicly declared specific predictions for global catastrophes, most notably forecasting a worldwide apocalypse for the year 1980. This significant prophecy served as a critical point of interest for academic researchers, particularly those from the University of Montana. They observed the BUPC's adherents intently, viewing their responses to the impending and eventual disconfirmation of the prophecy as a compelling real-world case study in cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance, a psychological theory primarily associated with Leon Festinger, describes the mental discomfort experienced by an individual who holds contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values, or is confronted by information that conflicts with existing beliefs. When the 1980 prophecy failed to materialize, researchers keenly documented the various ways BUPC members rationalized or adapted their beliefs to alleviate this psychological tension, offering valuable insights into human belief systems under pressure.

Membership Dynamics and Geographical Concentration

The University of Montana researchers conducted extensive observations of the BUPC over a substantial 16-year period, spanning from 1980 to 1996. Their studies consistently indicated that the group remained remarkably small throughout its existence. Membership levels fluctuated during this time but are estimated to have never surpassed 200 individuals nationwide across the United States. Geographically, the BUPC’s adherent base was heavily concentrated in Missoula, Montana, which effectively served as the group's headquarters. While a scattering of members were occasionally noted in other states such as Wyoming, Arkansas, Minnesota, Colorado, and Wisconsin, these external pockets remained significantly smaller and less stable than the core community in Montana.

The Impact of Disconfirmed Prophecy on Membership

Leading up to the anticipated 1980 apocalypse, the BUPC reportedly comprised approximately 150 members. However, the subsequent failure of Jensen's central prophecy led to a dramatic and significant decline in the group's size. The disconfirmation proved to be a pivotal turning point, causing widespread disillusionment. Consequently, nearly all believers residing outside of Montana eventually rejected Jensen's teachings and departed from the group. By 1990, the researchers estimated that the BUPC's total membership had dwindled to fewer than 100 individuals. The trend of defection accelerated throughout the 1990s. A membership phone list from 1994 further illustrated this contraction, showing only 66 members specifically within Missoula, Montana, and fewer than 20 individuals recorded across all other states combined.

Later Schisms and Current Status

The internal challenges facing the BUPC continued into the new millennium. In 2001, the group experienced another significant schism, this time over issues pertaining to its internal leadership. This further fragmentation resulted in additional defections from the already diminishing ranks and escalated into an unresolved court battle over the control of the group's assets and funds. As recently as 2003, researchers documenting religious communities in Montana noted the continued presence of a small BUPC community, estimating its membership at approximately 30 individuals, still concentrated in its long-standing headquarters in Missoula, Montana. This steady decline underscores the profound impact of disconfirmed prophecies and ongoing internal conflicts on the group's longevity and viability.

Frequently Asked Questions About the BUPC

What is the Baháʼís Under the Provisions of the Covenant (BUPC)?

The BUPC is a small Baháʼí-derived religious sect founded by Leland Jensen in the early 1970s, which diverged from the mainstream Baháʼí Faith over specific interpretations of leadership and succession following the passing of Shoghi Effendi.

Who was Leland Jensen?

Leland Jensen was the founder of the BUPC. He was notable for making specific predictions of global catastrophes, including an apocalypse in 1980, which garnered significant attention from researchers studying cognitive dissonance.

What was the main dispute that led to the BUPC's formation?

The BUPC's origins are rooted in a dispute over leadership succession within the Baháʼí Faith after Shoghi Effendi's death in 1957. While the majority of Baháʼís recognized the Universal House of Justice, the BUPC stemmed from a lineage that maintained a belief in the continuation of a physical Guardianship, a position divergent from mainstream Baháʼí teachings.

What is cognitive dissonance and how did it relate to the BUPC?

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological discomfort experienced when one's beliefs conflict with new information or reality. Researchers observed BUPC followers to study how they coped with cognitive dissonance after Leland Jensen's 1980 apocalypse prophecy failed to occur, noting their rationalizations and adjustments to their beliefs.

How large was the BUPC at its peak?

According to researchers, the BUPC's membership probably never exceeded 200 individuals nationwide. Its largest reported size was approximately 150 people leading up to the 1980 prophecy.

Where were most BUPC members located?

The majority of BUPC adherents were concentrated in Missoula, Montana, which served as the group's headquarters. While members were occasionally found in a few other states, the core community remained in Montana.

What happened to the BUPC after 1980?

Following the disconfirmation of the 1980 apocalypse prophecy, the BUPC experienced a significant decline in membership, with many members outside Montana leaving the group. Further defections occurred due to a leadership schism in 2001.