 In 1980 , Applewhite and Nettles had about 80 followers , many of whom held jobs , often working with computers or as car mechanics . In 1982 , Applewhite and Nettles allowed their disciples to call their families . They further relaxed their control in 1983 , permitting their followers to visit relatives on Mother 's Day . 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 . 
 In 1980 , Applewhite and Nettles had about 80 followers , many of whom held jobs , often working with computers or as car mechanics . In 1982 , Applewhite and Nettles allowed their disciples to call their families . They further relaxed their control in 1983 , permitting their followers to visit relatives on Mother <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>Day . They <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> only allowed short stays and <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> instructed to tell their families that they <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> studying computers at a monastery . These vacations <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> intended to placate families by demonstrating that the disciples remained with the group of their own accord . 
In 1980 , Applewhite and Nettles had about 80 followers , many of whom held jobs , often workin wid computers or as ride mechanics . In 1982 , Applewhite and Nettles allowed their disciples to call their families . They further relaxed their control in 1983 , permitting their followers to visit relatives on Mother  Day . They was only allowed short stays and was instructed to tell their families that they was studying computers at a monastery . These vacations was intended to placate families by demonstrating that da disciples remained with the group of their own accord .