Branham's Influence on the Jonestown Massacre

We are still processing the information uncovered in an archive housing the "missing" issues of Voice of Healing magazine and other information critical to the life and ministry of William Branham.  The most important find thus far was Gordon Lindsay publishing an "open letter to William Branham" after numerous Voice of Healing evangelists rebuked Branham for his alleged abandoning the Gospel during the "also missing" sermons held with Jim Jones and Peoples Temple.  The accusations were so substantial that Lindsay was forced to publish a response, and made no attempt to defend Branham's actions and/or statements.  Instead, readers were reminded that even though Branham had gone astray, he could perform "miracles".

His account, combined with Jones' own description of Branham favoring financial gain over the Bible, seems to match what others have said.  Branham's accusations came in the Biblical form of "the mouth of two or three witnesses", and several evangelists were named.  Some of the prophecies, such as the Kenneth Hagin Prophecy, were published in books.  According to Frida Lindsay, Gordon Lindsay was aware that Branham had turned towards error.  Actions by the Voice of Healing publication after Branham's last convention with Jim Jones and Peoples Temple suggest that Lindsay agreed with the open letter.

In January of 1958, Lindsay announced the "Most Important Announcement in Ten Years" in an article in Voice of Healing.  According to the announcement, Voice of Healing was severing "an association of rather loosely connected ties."  Several evangelists were cut from the lineup of "Voice of Healing Evangelists", and Branham's name was no longer included in that lineup.  In a unanimous decision, Voice of Healing changed course to include "the ministries of others whom God should raise up and anoint." 

This event was a turning point for Jim Jones and Peoples Temple.  In Jones' own words, he then parted ways with William Branham and issued his own prophecy concerning Branham's death.  Though he continued working with Joseph Mattsson-Boze and others in the Latter Rain sect, Jones would ultimately change course on a pathway leading to Jonestown. 

If not for Branham's actions and/or words, the Jonestown Massacre might never have happened.