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William Branham Inside Peoples Temple

September 16, 2021

We just received a question regarding William Branham inside Peoples Temple (the physical building), and are sharing here for others seeking the information as well as for the search index to pick it up.  Branham held several revivals with Jim Jones and Peoples Temple in 1956 and 1957.  (Possibly more, additional records are being uncovered).  Some of those meetings were hosted or sponsored by Jones during Jones' years as a "Message" cult leader.  Branham's UFO theology appears to have influenced Jones and the Jonestown Massacre.

We just received a question regarding William Branham inside Peoples Temple (the physical building), and are sharing here for others seeking the information as well as for the search index to pick it up.  Branham held several revivals with Jim Jones and Peoples Temple in 1956 and 1957.  (Possibly more, additional records are being uncovered).  Some of those meetings were hosted or sponsored by Jones during Jones' years as a "Message" cult leader.  Branham's UFO theology appears to have influenced Jones and the Jonestown Massacre.

The advertisement for the 1957 convention hosted by Peoples Temple at the Cadle Tabernacle in Indianapolis, IN, lists the meeting schedules: 2:30 and 7:30 PM at Cadle.  "Morning services 10 a.m. in Peoples Temple".  (Indianapolis Star, June 1, 1957). 

Branham mentioned the [Peoples] Temple, correcting himself.

Last evening on the Temple or on the monument steps, an old brother came by and threw his arms around me and was weeping. For… Anyone standing around could hear him. He said, "I want to hug you, Brother Branham.” Said, "You prayed for me up in Lima,” I believe it was, and said, "The Lord healed me of cancer, and I’ve never had the opportunity to express my feelings to you for praying that prayer for me."
Branham, William. 1957, June 10. Faith Once Delivered To The Saints (57-0610). 

And interestingly, Branham spent a few minutes describing the "Temple" of Diana -- "Temple" being a topic of interest:

So there’s many things that looks appealing to the eye. I have often thought of seeing great shrines of the—of different religions and how beautiful they could be. I think of the—the temple of Diana in the Bible, that it’s claimed that it was more beautiful than the temple of Solomon, made out of marble and inlaid with gold of the goddess Diana of Ephesus. But the looks doesn’t count. It’s what God’s Word says. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man.” So then, faith could not rest upon looks. Then faith can only find its place in the Word. And we were asked to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints.  And the word saints comes from the word, "sanctified one.” And "sanctify” is a compound word which means "cleansed and set apart.” And the vessels that was put on the altar cleansed the vessels; the altar sanctified the vessels, and they were set apart for the service of the temple.
Branham, William. 1957, June 10. Faith Once Delivered To The Saints (57-0610). 

According to Branham, Jones (and by association Peoples Temple the sect) was hosting Branham and other Message/Latter Rain cult leaders in multiple states.  This statement below was made October 2, 1956, in Chicago, IL, several months after the Cadle meeting and months prior to the 1957 convention hosted by Jones again at Cadle.

And now, Father, may we be willing to go and share this great blessing with others. Help us to know Thee better by the gathering this afternoon, for we ask it, in Christ’s Name. Amen. Be seated.  Happy to see, today, is our host pastor, Brother James Jones, from Indianapolis, back there. So happy, and the brother from Spindale, also; Brother Winston Hare from California. I believe just as looking, I seen Brother Sothmann here was last from—from up in Canada, where we just had the great meeting up there. And many other friends that’s setting around. It certainly is a privilege, today, to speak to such a host of people, who I am expecting to live an Eternity with, in Glory. And have the privilege today to be standing to speak to you and fellowship with you around the Word of God. And it certainly is a privilege to do this.Branham, William. 1956, October 2. Father, The Hour Has Come (56-1002A).

The 1957 Advertisement: