The audiovisual recordings series contains audio and video recordings. Much of the video consists of short amateur films promoting Jonestown, showing off its residents, equipment, and facilities; there is also video footage of several Temple meetings. The sound recordings are much more varied. Some are recordings of Jim Jones’ sermons and his amateur radio broadcasts from Jonestown. Others document commercial radio appearances by Temple members and associates, including Marceline Jones, Mark Lane, and Jim McElvane. There is a long recording of an interview with Jim Jones by Phil Tracy of New West Magazine, as well as several copies of commercial music albums. Several tapes were bulk erased at some point between creation and donation.

This series will be of interest to researchers who are curious about how the Temple represented itself both to outsiders and insiders, as well as the religious doctrines that informed members’ thinking. Though heavily mediated, they provide an in-depth look into the Temple’s internal life.