William Branham's Introduction to Jim Jones

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Special thanks to our researchers who have worked so hard to process the records identified in the Jones archive. The connection between William Branham and Jim Jones of Peoples Temple is even stronger than we suspected. This is the first of several interesting finds in the archives.

William Branham was introduced to Rev. Jim Jones of Peoples Temple by Joseph Mattsson-Boze on May 2, 1955, a few weeks after the Indiana Assemblies of God District Superintendent Roy Wead defended William Branham in the Assemblies of God's battle against Branham's "Latter Rain Message" during a Voice of Healing Convention.[1] After the convention, Jones officially registered the "Wings of Deliverance" organization[2] which would soon transition to Peoples Temple. Jones would later become a leader in William Branham's "Message" cult following and assist Joseph Mattsson-Boze in rebuilding Branham's declining popularity after Ern Baxter, Gordon Lindsay, and the other Voice of Healing Revivalists denounced William Branham for what they claimed to be "seriously wrong" teaching.[3]

In the introduction letter, Joseph Mattsson-Boze assures Branham that he would "love the spirit that is in Brother Jones and the church he pastors".

Full Text of the Letter:

May 2, 1955.

Rev. William Branham
Box 325
Jeffersonville, Ind.

Dear Brother Branham: Greetings!

I herewith introduce. you to Rev. James Jones of Indianapolis, Indiana. Brother Jones is a servant of God and a bosom friend of mine. He has an excellent work, a young work in Indianapolis and I consider him and the church he pastors to have a great future in Indianapolis.

You will love the spirit that is in Brother Jones and the church he pastors. If it is at all possible for you give him a few days visit some time it will be a blessing in every way.

Very sincerely yours,
Rev. Joseph D. Mattsson Boze.
JDMB/mn

A copy of the letter can be found in the publications section below.

References

[1] Wead, Roy. Revival In Our Day. 1955, Mar. The Voice of Healing. "1955/03 Wead, Roy. Revival In Our Day I pray that somehow God will lead these brethren, help them to do something to take care of that tremendous need. Somebody is going to do it. It is divine order. It is in God's plan that every individual shall be reached by this glorious Message. If we don't do it, God will do it through somebody else I pray that somehow God will lead these brethren, help them to do something to take care of that tremendous need. Somebody is going to do it. It is divine order. It is in God's plan that every individual shall be reached by this glorious Message. If we don't do it, God will do it through somebody else."

[2] 1960, Apr 4. Articles of Incorporation: Wings of Deliverance. (Per 1960 Wings of Deliverance Corporate Filing, Wings of Deliverance incorporated Apr 4, 1944.). Accessed 2022, Jan 21 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01-01-ms3800_1955_incorp.pdf. "1960, Apr 4. Articles of Incorporation: Wings of Deliverance. (Per 1960 Wings of Deliverance Corporate Filing, Wings of Deliverance incorporated Apr 4, 1944.). Accessed 2022, Jan 21 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01-01-ms3800_1955_incorp.pdf"

[3] Baxter, Ern. New Wine Magazine, "New Wine Interviews Ern Baxter", Christian Growth Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, pp. 4-7, 22-24. "One of the reasons for my leaving him was that he was starting to say some seriously wrong things. When that, coupled with other circumstances, eventually became unbearable, I resigned.". "Baxter, Ern. New Wine Magazine, "New Wine Interviews Ern Baxter", Christian Growth Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, pp. 4-7, 22-24. "One of the reasons for my leaving him was that he was starting to say some seriously wrong things. When that, coupled with other circumstances, eventually became unbearable, I resigned."