Peoples Temple Collection; Box 28, Virtual Item 11, Q1054-Pt.3- Redwood Valley sermon

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_28.11

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

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Dates

Digitized: 1972

Creator

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

Summary Note

(Note: This tape was transcribed by Norman Scott. The editors gratefully acknowledge his invaluable assistance. The editors are also grateful to Andrew Finlay for his correction on the date of this sermon.) This sermon from September 1972 in Redwood Valley contains many of the elements – including the contradictions and complexities – of a typical address by Jim Jones from the period. He castigates the Bible on numerous occasions, not only for its message, but for the human misery that has been perpetrated in the name of the Christian-Judeo God throughout history; yet within moments of vilifying it, he will quote the Bible as a demonstration, if not outright proof, of the divinity of himself and those who follow him. On numerous occasions, he raises the issue of his own faith-healing abilities and the miracles witnessed by those in the church, yet he chastises those who come for the sole purpose of being healed, and who are impatient to get to that part of the service without hearing his larger message. His background and training is as a preacher, and he scatters quotes from the Bible throughout his speaking, even as he assumes – and understands – that many of the people in the congregation recognize the quotes, yet he heaps criticism upon every other minister, referring to their Cadillacs and fancy trappings. Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website, along with the tape transcript.

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