Remembering The 51 Day Standoff In Waco, Texas – 25 Years Later

The Birth of The Branch Davidians

It was here, after Hoteff’s death, that his widow Florence Houteff announced that the expected Armageddon was expected to take place. Followers flocked to the center where they built houses, brought their cars, tents, and trucks after many of them had sold all of their possessions. However, Armageddon never came, and it was expected that Florence had made up the date. After the failure of her prophecy, control of the Mount Carmel Center fell to David Roden, the founder of the Branch Davidians. As the new leader, he began to promote different doctrinal beliefs that Victor Houteff’s original Seventh-Day Adventist religion. This was the birth of the Branch Davidians.