Peoples Temple Collection; Box 27, Virtual item 26, Q1023- San Francisco sermon

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_27.26

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

Go to file

Dates

Digitized: Late 1973/Early 1974

Creator

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

Summary Note

This tape of a Peoples Temple service takes place in San Francisco in the early 1970s. Jim Jones’ address to the congregation includes many elements found in other tapes from the period – descriptions of healings he has performed, criticism of the Bible balanced against evocations of biblical scripture to reinforce his points, and requests for offerings, among others – but there are also singular aspects to the service as well. At one point, Jones opens the floor for a question-and-answer session about the church and its beliefs, something rarely done; at another point, he asks visitors to stand and identify themselves and give their church affiliation, if any, a way of introduction which he says they have never done before. The service includes other familiar aspects as well, including testimonials to Jones’ healing powers and charity, and singing (which is cut off). Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website, along with the tape transcript.

Rights Statement Note

The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.