In 1920s Los Angeles, prophecy, greed, and death collided in the hills of California. This episode unravels the story of the Blackburn Cult—a mother-daughter prophecy, a girl kept on ice, and a courtroom that tried to make sense of itall.

Historical True Crime was named one of Feedspot’s Best 1920s Podcasts, coming in at #4. Feedspot highlights top podcasts across history, true crime, and culture — you can find their full 1920s list on their site. https://podcast.feedspot.com/1920s_podcastsSource Materials

Blackburn, May Otis. The Origin of God. Los Angeles: DeVross & Co., 1936.

Young, Paul. L.A. Exposed: Strange Myths and Curious Legends in the City of Angels. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2002.

Introvigne, Massimo. “Beth Sarim: Princes, Slander, and the Millennium.” The Journal of CESNUR 6, no. 6 (2022): 12–17.

“Believe Child Sacrificed in Ritual of Cult.” Associated Press, October 7, 1929.

“Los Angeles Authorities Probe Deaths of Cult Members.” Associated Press, October 9, 1929.

“Mary Otis Blackburn Convicted in Grand Theft Case.” Associated Press, March 3, 1930.

“Cult Leader Sentenced to San Quentin.” Associated Press, March 14, 1930.

Divine Order's Tale Smacks of Cult Fiction - Los Angeles Times

Take It On Faith: A Press Photo of Members of the Divine Order of the Royal Arms of the Great Eleven, Los Angeles, 7 October 1929 -The Homestead Blog

Female Justice Recap: “Persons Believing They Have Divine Power are Entitled to Assert It”: Religious Freedom in the May Otis Blackburn Theft Trial -The Homestead Blog

The Blackburn Cult - HistoricalCrimeDetective.com