jtr 9, Personal Reflections, November 2007

The articles below offer a wide range of perspectives on the life of Peoples Temple, the deaths in Jonestown, and the 29 years that have passed. All were written by former members and relatives of the people who died. While each individual story brings a powerful voice to any consideration of the events of 18 November 1978, their totality contributes to an even more important - if sometimes cacophonous - body of work. For that reason, these stories may also be found on our growing online collection of perspectives at http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/PersonalReflections/personal_reflec.htm.

We invite other members and families of Peoples Temple - whatever your views on the tragedy of Jonestown and the factors that led to its end - to join in this chorus. Contact us at remoore@mail.sdsu.edu or fieldingmcgehee@yahoo.com so that we may add your story.

1. The Peoples Temple Planning Commission by Laura Johnston Kohl
2. The Board (Of Elders) by Garrett Lambrev
3. Insight and Compassion: Vestiges of Peoples Temple by Jordan Vilchez
4. Jonestown Survivor 9
5. Moments in Time by Eugene Smith
6. The Theology of Peoples Temple: A View from Inside by Don Beck
7. To Honor and Cherish by Don Beck
8. The Death of Innocence
9. And The Truth Shall Set You Free? by Neva Sly Hargrave
10. How it began by Lela Howard
11. How to stop the nightmares by Lela Howard
12. A Blessing and a Responsibility by Lela Howard
13. Meeting The Lady I Never Knew by Chris Demirdjian
14. The Spirit Rekindled by Roger Stacy
15. Notes from a Journal by Andy Silver
16. Jonestown Relative Issues Call to Action by Susan Ashby
17. Going Home by Stephan Jones
18. Thank You by Vicki Perry
19. Why Study Or Reflect On Peoples Temple? by Laura Johnston Kohl