Jim Jones Direct Access to William Branham

Special thanks to our researchers who continue digging through archives to find more information about the historical connection between "Message" cult leader Jim Jones of Peoples Temple and "Message" founder William Branham.  The latest find is very significant: Not only was Jim Jones a "Message" cult pastor and evangelist, but Jones was also given direct access to William Branham and instructions on how to avoid his mail being bundled with the "common people".  

Research page updated, with a copy of the letter:
https://bit.ly/3u9h6Bg

A letter was sent by Joseph Mattsson-Boze to Jim Jones, granting Jones direct access to Branham.  In the letter, Boze tells Jones, "I have learned to love you", and that Jones represented the "kind of spirit that is the true Latter Rain".  This is significant because after the Latter Rain revivals shifted further and further away from William Branham and his Latter Rain version of the "Message", Branham sect leaders began claiming that the Latter Rain sect itself — which claimed that mainstream churches had become apostate due to Branham's theology —  had also become apostate.[1]

Jones was given direct access to William Branham by telephone.  Joseph Mattsson-Boze told Jones, "If you care to contact Rev. Branham his telephone is Jeffersonville, Indiana 2-1519".  Boze also instructed Jones to put a special marking on any mail sent to Branham, so that it was not bundled with the rest of Branham's "fan mail".  Boze told Jones that Branham's "mailing address is Box 325, Jeffersonville, Indiana.  Always mark it 'Personal'".  The marking of "Personal" would direct mail to William Branham, while the other letters sent to Branham by his faithful could be processed by Branham's assistants.[2]

Full Text of the Letter:

May 2, 1955.

Rev. James Jones
c/o People's Temple
15th Ave. No. & New Jersey
Indianapolis, Ind.

Dear Brother Jones:  Greetings!

Thank you so much for the lovely time we had together in Indianapolis.  Let us assure you that I learned to love you.  You represent that kind of spirit that is the true latter rain and that we so dearly love.

We had great farewell services here in Chicago yesterday before taking off for Africa.  Rev. Branham was with us and we were of course packed out.  Some nightly signs and miracles took place.  If you care to contact Rev. Branham, his telephone is Jeffersonville, Indiana 2-1519.  Always make it person to person.  His mailing address is Box 325, Jeffersonville, Indiana.  Always mark it "Personal".  I enclose a few lines of recommendation that you can send in his letter.

Before leaving I am sending you some addresses.  I wrote Rev. Alan Banks, the fine gentleman I talked to you about that I believe would be so helpful to you in your ministry.  He is: Rev. Alan Banks, 1125 E. 9th Ave., Albany, Oregon.

I also highly recommend Rev. Clair Hutchins, c/o Marantha Temple, 6th Ave & 2nd St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rev. Arthur Cornelius, 3819 France Ave. So., Minneapolis 10, Minn. 
Dr. Russell Meade, c/o Philadelphia Church, 5412 N. Clark St. Chicago 40, Ill.
Rev. A. W. Rasmussen, 912 So. 11th St., Tacoma, Wash.
Rev. Morris Flotts, 732 Ford, Lake Charles, Louisiana.

I believe this will probably help you for a while.  I will be leaving from New York on Wednesday staying at Hotel McAlpin, 34th & Broadway through Tuesday.  The little check is a token of love to you personally.  Please give my warmest greetings to Mrs. Jones as well as your lovely congregation.

Very sincerely yours,

P.S. I hope that you can be with me in Chicago this summer.
JDMB/mm

Rev. Joseph D. Mattsson Boze.

A copy of the letter can be found in the publications section on the research page.