the jonestown report 9, Personal Reflections

jtr 9, Personal Reflections, November 2007The 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 here.

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@sdsu.edu or fieldingmcgehee@yahoo.com so that we may add your story.

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