Editing Marshall Applewhite (section)

==Housing and control==
In the late 1970s, the group received a large sum of money, possibly an inheritance of a member or donations of followers' income.{{sfnm|Chryssides|2004|1p=357|Bearak|1997}} This capital was used to rent houses, initially in [[Denver]] and later in [[Dallas]].{{sfn|Lewis|2003|p=112}} Applewhite and Nettles had about 40&nbsp;followers then and lived in two or three houses; the leaders usually had their own house.{{sfn|Bearak|1997}} The group was secretive about their lifestyle, covering their windows.{{sfn|Lewis|2003|p=112}} Applewhite and Nettles arranged their followers' lifestyles as a [[Recruit training|boot camp]] that would prepare them for the Next Level. Referring to their house as a "craft", they regimented the lives of their disciples down to the minute.{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2002|p=216}} Students who were not committed to this lifestyle were encouraged to leave; departing members were given financial assistance.{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2002|p=216}} Lifton states that Applewhite wanted "quality over quantity" in his followers, although he occasionally spoke about gaining many converts.{{sfn|Lifton|2000|pp=309 & 320}}

Applewhite and Nettles sometimes made sudden, drastic changes to the group.{{sfn|Chryssides|2004|p=365}} On one occasion in Texas, they told their followers of a forthcoming visitation from extraterrestrials and instructed them to wait outside all night, at which point they informed them that this had been merely a test.{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2002|pp=216–7}} Lalich sees this as a way that they increased their students' devotion, ensuring that their commitment became irrespective of what they saw.{{sfn|Lalich, ''Bounded Choice''|2004|p=90}} Members became desperate for Applewhite's approval, which he used to control them.{{sfn|Lifton|2000|pp=308–9}}

In 1980, Applewhite and Nettles had about 80&nbsp;followers,{{sfn|Zeller|2006|p=91}} many of whom held jobs, often working with computers or as car mechanics.{{sfn|Chryssides|2004|p=358}} In 1982, the pair allowed their disciples to call their families.{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2002|p=217}} They further relaxed their control in 1983, permitting their followers to visit relatives on [[Mother's Day (United States)|Mother's Day]].{{sfn|Lewis|2003|p=112}} They were only allowed short stays and were instructed to tell their families that they were studying computers at a [[monastery]]. These vacations were intended to placate families by demonstrating that the disciples remained with the group of their own accord.{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2002|p=217}}