What is JZ's relationship to the community?

Independent historian Charles LeWarne, who studied the history of ranch /community relations in his paper "Pride of the Prairie Encounters Ramtha" says, "In the early years, the community exhibited signs of apprehension toward JZ. They interpreted from the erection of the wall and cast-iron gates that something secretive and malevolent was going on. Townspeople in small groups used to come lay their hands on the white walls and asked God to rid Knight's home of demons. Some threw rocks at her windows."

Over the years Knight has been called the daughter of Satan. Her sons felt the sting of ignorance and prejudice while attending the schools in Yelm. In the late 80's, an unidentified man shot at JZ. The bullet missed her and struck the lawn trimmer she operated.

As Ramtha students began to migrate to Yelm, making it their home, there was somewhat of an adverse reaction that JZ was responsible for the dynamic growth. In viewing the demographics, however, it is clear that the town was growing anyway, regardless of this influx of students. This is one of LeWarne's conclusions as well. Says local resident Gail Schorno, "A lot of people here enjoyed the peace and quiet of their little town and resented the influx of a group of people. They resented what they were doing too. They resented their taxes going up. Yelm would have grown anyway, but here we had a group of people to blame for the growth and the change."

LeWarne says it is possible to understand why the then rural, isolated community of Yelm might have felt apprehension toward Knight and the teachings. "People fear unfamiliar groups, be it a halfway house or a group thought of as unconventional religion. LeWarne concludes, "In their own way the townspeople are becoming enlightened."