Spoken Word Publications
Spoken Word Publications was formed after William Branham's death by Floyd Patterson, Earl Williams, and Roy Borders to publish and sell transcripts of Branham's sermons in cooperation with the William Branham Evangelistic Association, later coming under Joseph Branham's control when Voice of God Recordings was founded in 1986. The name reflected Latter Rain "rhema" theology, in which spoken revelations, prophecies, visions, and doctrines from movement leaders were treated as "the Spoken Word," paralleling Kenneth Hagin's Rhema institutions and Voice of God Recordings' claim to preserve Branham's prophetic voice. Its inclusion in Gerald Lee Walker's Intent to Sue documentation for Sarah Branham and its administrative dissolution near the time of Sarah Branham's "Take It With You" letter place the organization within the broader legal and institutional controversies surrounding Branham's sermon-distribution network.
After William Branham's death in 1965, Floyd Patterson, Earl Williams, and Roy Borders formed the business entity Spoken Word Publications for the publication and sales of the transcripts of William Branham's sermons in cooperation with William Branham Evangelistic Association. The business continued until 1986, at which time Joseph Branham founded Voice of God Recordings and assumed control of Spoken Word Publications.[1]
The name, "Spoken Word Publications" comes from the Latter Rain doctrine of the "Rhema", the Greek word for "any spoken word".[2] Leaders in Latter Rain taught their sect that new revelations, visions, prophecies, teachings, or doctrines, when spoken by them, were "The Spoken Word". Kenneth Hagin, who was deeply involved with the movement, used the word 'rhema' for his alleged visions. Hagin's 'Rhema Bible Training College', and 'Rhema Ministries' are the Latter Rain counterpart to Branham's 'Spoken Word Publications' and 'Voice of God Recordings'. All bear names with similar meanings.[3]
Spoken Word Publications is named in the Intent to Sue documentation prepared by Gerald Lee Walker for Sarah Branham. Several cult members and cult leaders referred to the business entity as "Word Publications" referring to the collective operations of Spoken Word Publications, William Branham Evangelistic Association, and Voice of God Recordings.
It is of note that Spoken Word Publications was administratively dissolved the month Sarah Branham sent her letter, "Take It With You".[4]