![]() ![]() Joseph Mattsson-Boze in Chicago, the Air Force testing greatly intensified the fear of invasion. In the years leading up to Jones being ordained into the sect through Rev. Over time, the “Latter Rain Message” became simply known as “The Message,” which Jones later referred to in private letters. That same year, the healing revivals led by William Branham merged with the “Latter Rain” sect to create the “Latter Rain Revival” of 1948. In 1948, the excitement UFOs increased to a new level when Colonel William Nuckols admitted that the United States Air Force was investigating the “saucers. That same year, the leader of The Message sect, William Branham, changed his stage persona to include an “angelic visitation” as part of his “faith healing” performances. The term “flying saucer” was coined in 1947 after Kenneth Arnold noticed flying objects moving “like saucers skipping on water” and newspapers mistakenly stated that he saw “saucer-shaped” objects. In light of that fact, it should come as no surprise that the history of The Message sect aligns with the UFO phenomenon. Multiple issues of The Voice of Healing publication (which advertised revivalist leaders in The Message) used the topic of flying saucers for fearmongering and to substantiate end-of-the-world doomsday prophecies. Television, radio, newspapers, and magazines were publishing even the slightest bit of information – whether true or not – about “flying saucers.” Why? The subject matter sold copies, and quickly! Even within the religious community, the mystery surrounding the phenomenon could be used to attract itching ears and wandering eyes with open purses for freewill offerings – if the End of Days was at hand, people had no use for money. Like the recent media frenzy created by the release of the National Intelligence report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, the 1950s saw Unidentified Flying Objects become a hot topic of discussion. Their sect became known as “The Message.” By 1961, Jones was so convinced of their doomsday predictions that he began claiming that extraterrestrials were warning him of attacks on Chicago and Indianapolis. ![]() After the public perception of UFOs turned from excited curiosity to fear of invasion from extraterrestrials, leaders of the sect seized the opportunity to push their agenda through fears of apocalypse. ![]() During the early years of his ministry, Jim Jones was a recognized leader of a religious sect that was obsessed with the UFO phenomenon. ![]() It wasn’t the first time that UFOs and thoughts of extraterrestrial beings had impacted Jones. Instead of responding to the question, however, Jones suddenly felt a rise in blood pressure and changed the subject. Another person joined in the conversation, expressing fears that the United States Government would soon develop a weapon in response. Alfred had recently heard information released by the United States Air Force describing the incredible speed and maneuverability of UFOs, and wanted to get Jones’ spiritual insight. Jim Jones to discuss a subject that was troubling his mind: Unidentified Flying Objects. In the spring of 1978, just a few months before the Jonestown Massacre, 14-year-old Jonestown resident Alfred March approached Rev. His latest book is Preacher Behind the White Hoods: A Critical Examination of William Branham and His Message. William Branham prepared by John Collins may be found at the informational website. His collections of articles for this site may be found here. (John Collins is a regular contributor to the jonestown report. ![]()
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