The Urantia Diaries of Harold and Martha Sherman: Volume Three: 1943

The years from approximately 1924 to 1955, in which the evolving manuscript of the Urantia Book was shared with a small group in Chicago called the Forum, is an intriguing period in the history of the Urantia Book and its readership. Only one source of extensive and detailed information about this period has come to light: the diaries and letters of Forumites Harold and Martha Sherman. During their stay in Chicago, from 1942 to 1947, the Shermans recorded what was said and done at every Forum meeting they attended. They also recorded their conversations with their Forumite friends and acquaintances outside Forum meetings. Their diligent documenting resulted in close to two thousand pages of eyewitness accounts which portray Forum life with unmatched vividness and immediacy. What makes their story especially piquant is that Harold was a controversial figure. Outspokenly critical of some of the plans of Forum leaders Dr. William S. Sadler and his son Bill, Harold was accused by Dr. Sadler of disrupting the superhumanly authorized running of the Forum. Sadler allowed the Shermans to continue to attend Forum meetings, but they became estranged from the Sadlers and kept aloof from most of the Forumites. Feeling unjustly blamed, the Shermans wrote sharp, critical reports of the ensuing Forum activities, which contrast with the vague, rosy accounts of the Forum given decades later by non-Forumites. In the six volumes of The Urantia Diaries of Harold and Martha Sherman, we present the Shermans’ Urantia-related experiences, as reported by themselves in their letters and diaries. This volume documents a full year of Urantia-related activity as witnessed by Harold and Martha Sherman and described in their diaries and letters. During this year, 1943, the Shermans continue to attend the weekly Forum meetings almost without fail and to record their recollections soon afterward. Feeling unjustly blamed by Dr. Sadler for the so-called rebellion the previous summer, they share their frustrations with their few friends in the Forum, and confide their growing doubts about the Doctors trustworthiness as custodian of the Urantia papers. Their closest confidante remains Harry J. Loose, now in failing health but still providing advice and instruction through long, frequent letters. The year culminates with Looses death, which Harold and Martha perceive as opening a new era in their lives. 1943 is also a busy year for Harold career-wise, as he continues his pursuits as author and playwright, and becomes host of his own radio program in Chicago. Mrs. Gusler made the unusual statement that Dr. Sadler had said, in an interview with her years ago, that he had been asked by student visitors, on occasion, to write different papers on Urantia subjects of interest to them. This struck us as a very odd request and not consistent with what little we know of these visiting intelligences from other planets. They apparently have the ability to observe operations here and to receive information on what is taking place from midwayers as well as through examination of different mortal minds. If the Doctor feels that he has been requested to write papers for the edification of student visitors, he perhaps would be so flattered as to believe himself competent to write papers for inclusion in the Urantia Book. Diary, December 11, 1943 During the reading [of the Midwayer Messages], Clyde Bedell got up and read from a published book (1942) which presented most of the data contained in these papers, almost word for word (A Democratic Manifesto by Emery Reves). . . . I am certain the doctor wrote this material and may have submitted it for the okay of the Midwayers . . . just like Christy suggested to me once . . . Letter, Harold Sherman to Harry Loose, July 6, 1943 Saskia Praamsma and Matthew Block are longtime Urantia Book readers who produce and distribute Urantia-related works via their company, Square Circles Publishing, and their squarecirclespublishing.com, squarecircles.com, and urantiabooksources.com.