Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
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FBI Catalogue: Jones speaking
FBI preliminary tape identification note: Labeled in part “Healings”
Date cues on tape: None
People named:
Harry Dulsberry
Edith Alexander
Everett Jackson
Elizabeth Dixon
Betty Kirkendall
Charlie Phillips
Diane Drury
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
This is a faith-healing service inside a church. The tape is undated, so the location is unknown, but there are enough California-sounding addresses that the presumption is, it is from San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Jim Jones conducts several healings. He calls out a name, establishes that there is no connection between the person called and himself, and reveals a piece of personal information about them before discussing the illness, or goes directly to the illness or condition troubling them. Then, with prayer, or a touch, or the use of a cloth, he says the person is cured. An organ plays in the background, starting softly (or not played at all) when each healing starts, and then builds as the healing continues. Several end with a solo woman singing, with Jones joining in one or two hymns. An announcer periodically interjects descriptions, as though the service is being broadcast by radio.
There is also no indication of how long the service lasts, since the tape stops in the middle of several hymns, and when it resumes, the church is quiet again.
On numerous occasions, especially as Jones is contemplating the illness or doing the healings, he speaks in “tongues” (i.e. uses glossolalia).
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription 7/3/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On June 14, 1979, Special Agent reviewed (name deleted) the tape numbered 1B107-13. This tape was found to contain the following:
Approximately 23 minutes of sermons and faith healing by JONES.
The remaining portions of the tape appear to have no items of evidentiary value.
Differences with FBI Summary: None
Tape originally posted April 1999