It has been quite some time since the last update on the leader of La Luz del Mundo (LLDM), Naason Joaquin Garcia.  The long, drawn-out legal process took almost 3 years to complete, leaving the lives of many victims in limbo as they waited for some sort of closure on a painful part of their lives.

  On June 8, 2022, Garcia was sentenced to almost 17 years in prison for 3 counts of sexual related charges against a minor.  Garcia was originally charged with 36 counts including human trafficking, rape, child pornography and forcible oral copulation of a minor. A copy of the complaint can be found here: California Department of Justice Filed Felony Complaint  Needless to say, it is the opinion of the writer and many others, that the judicial system failed the victims, their families, and countless others who were caught in the web of lies.  Garcia is still running the organization with the help of other complicit leaders from prison, as he tells his faithful that he will be with them again soon. The courageous Jane Does were permitted to address their abuser prior to his sentencing.  Their heartbreaking messages can be viewed and heard here: La Luz Del Mundo 'Apostle' Naasón Joaquín García Sentencing, Survivors' Testimonies

 Meanwhile, LLDM continues to push their way into Flowery Branch.  The residents of Flowery Branch have been very outspoken to the city leaders, letting them know that this is not what the people of the town want in their community. Unfortunately, LLDM successfully submitted a plan for building in April 2022, circumnavigating the city of Flowery Branch and sought approval from Hall County for their building, just over the jurisdiction lines. Permit can be viewed here: Hall County Building Permits  It is encouraged to contact the Hall County Commissioners to let them know your thoughts on this organization’s activities and how it will negatively impact not only the Flowery Branch area, but Hall County as well.  An organization whose leader is a convicted pedophile and yet still is allowed to hold position (additionally not internally investigated either) and highly regarded by the organization’s other leaders and members, should not be welcome in our area, let alone our state.  Contacting state officials should also be seriously considered.

Richard Higgins

Board of Commissioners, Commission Chairman

Phone: 770-535-8288; rhiggins@hallcounty.org

Kathy Cooper

Board of Commissioners, District 1 Commissioner

kcooper@hallcounty.org

  LLDM also attracted interests from media outlets.  HBO released the documentary Unveiled: Surviving La Luz del Mundo on December 6, 2022.  The film features several victims of the sect who courageously share their painful stories.  This is a film that will help educate you on what this organization is truly about and why it is so important that they should not be permitted to bring their darkness to Flowery Branch or any community in our nation.  There will be other documentaries coming forward in the next year that will further expose the evil of this cult.  And yes, it is a cult.  If you do not have HBOmax, you can also view all three episodes at:  

Unveiled: Surviving La Luz del Mundo  

 Lastly, this petition will be amended to include the names of the leaders in Hall County as well as Flowery Branch. Please share this with everyone you know and if you have not had an opportunity to sign it, your signature would be greatly appreciated it.  If LLDM is allowed to continue moving forward here, they will not stop at just one location.  It is imperative that this reaches all over our county as well as nation so that residents in other towns and cities like ours can know and understand what LLDM is. The leaders of this organization are the ones at the root of this organization of crime. The leaders are the ones that harbor and hide other pedophiles that harm countless children, and it is the leaders who refuse to investigate and they discourage victims from speaking out.  Most members are simply caught up in all of the deception, as they have been indoctrinated from birth and it is all they know. There is a stark difference between the leadership and the members, and it is important to acknowledge that.  

   Together we can make a difference and keep our communities safe from opportunistic predators.

Stand together. Keep pushing back.