Yahweh ben Yahweh facts for kids

Yahweh ben Yahweh (born Hulon Mitchell Jr.; October 27, 1935 – May 7, 2007) was an American religious leader. He founded the Nation of Yahweh, a new religious group based in Florida. At its most popular, thousands of African Americans were part of this movement. He taught that Jesus was black.

Early Life and Beginnings

Hulon Mitchell Jr. was born on October 27, 1935. He was one of 15 children. His father, Hulon Mitchell Sr., was a minister at the Antioch Church of God in Christ in Enid, Oklahoma. His mother, Pearl O. Mitchell, played the piano for the same church.

After leaving Oklahoma, Mitchell joined the military. He then studied law. In the 1960s, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. There, he joined the Nation of Islam (NOI) and changed his name to Hulon X.

In the late 1960s, he left the NOI. He became a Christian preacher who focused on faith healing. He called himself Father Mitchell. He was inspired by other African-American ministers like Father Divine. In 1978, Mitchell arrived in Miami, Florida. He gathered members from local Black Hebrew Israelite groups. Together, they started the Nation of Yahweh.

Leading the Nation of Yahweh

The Nation of Yahweh established its main office in Liberty City, Florida in 1979. This group is often seen as part of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement. Mitchell taught that God and all the prophets in the Bible were black. He believed that black people would learn their true history through him.

Mitchell's group also focused on business and charity work. These efforts helped him gain respect in the community. On October 7, 1990, the mayor of Miami, Xavier Suárez, even declared "Yahweh ben Yahweh Day."

Later Years and Passing

In 2006, Yahweh ben Yahweh became very ill with prostate cancer. His lawyer asked the court to release him from parole. This would allow him to "die with dignity."

Mitchell passed away on May 7, 2007, at the age of 71. The exact place of his death was not shared. His lawyers, Jayne Weintraub and Steven Potolsky, released a statement. They said, "Yahweh will be remembered and mourned by the millions of people that he touched through prayer and teachings."

Television Appearances

The story of the police investigation into Yahweh ben Yahweh has been featured on television. It was the subject of an episode of The FBI Files. This episode was called "Temple of Fear" (Season 3, Episode 10). It also appeared on an Investigation Discovery Channel show called Most Infamous (Season 2, Episode 1).

Family Connections

One of Hulon Mitchell Jr.'s younger siblings is Leona Mitchell. She is a famous soprano singer. She performed at the Metropolitan Opera.

See also

• Black Hebrew Israelites
• List of messiah claimants
• List of people claimed to be Jesus