Peoples Temple Collection; Box 7, Virtual item 22, Q134 - Jones autobiography

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_07.22

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

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Creator

Peoples Temple (Organization)
Jones, Jim (Jones, James Warren) (Person)

Summary Note

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States. On March 6, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B47 #5. This tape was found to contain the following: JIM JONES discusses his life story and stated his reasons for being a Marxist. JONES further states that he has a strong desire to die. Nothing was contained thereon which was considered to be of evidentiary nature or beneficial to the investigation of Congressman RYAN. This relatively short tape begins as Jim Jones’ self-described statement of autobiography, but later turns into a criticism of, and a challenge to, unnamed apostates and an advertisement for life in Jonestown. An edited transcript of the tape appears as part of an extended autobiographical statement here. Jones says he wants to explain his own patterns, to keep others from making the same errors he did, as well as to "make it possible for some to reach the sensitivity that I have reached." Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website, along with the tape transcript.

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