"To Whomever finds this note
 
Collect all the tapes, all the writing, all the history. The story of this movement, this action, must be examined over and over. It must be understood in all of its incredible dimensions. Words fail. We have pledged our lives to this great cause. We are proud to have something to die for. We do not fear death. We hope that the world will someday realise the ideals of brotherhood, justice and equality that Jim Jones has lived and died for. We have all chosen to die for this cause. We know there is no way that we can avoid misinterpretation. But Jim Jones and this movement were born too soon. The world was not ready to let us live.
 
I am sorry there is no eloquence as I write these final words. We are resolved, but grieved that we cannot make the truth of our witness clear. This is the last of our lives. May the world find a way to a new birth of social justice. If there is any way that our lives and the life of Jim Jones can ever help that take place, we will have not lived in vain.
 
Jim Jones did not order anyone to attack or kill anyone. It was done by individuals who had too much of seeing people try to destroy this movement. Their actions have left us no alternative, and rather than see this cause decimated, we have chosen to give our lives. We are proud of that choice.
 
Please try to understand. Look at all. Look at all in perspective. Look at Jonestown, see what we have tried to do. This was a movement to life to the newest of the human spirit, broken by Capitalism, by a system of exploitation and injustice. Look at all that was built by a beleaguered people. We did not want that kind of ending - we wanted to live, to shine, to bring light to a world that is dying for a little bit of love. To those left behind of our loved ones, many of whom will not understand, who never knew this truth, grieve not. We are grateful for this opportunity to bear witness -- a bitter witness - history has chosen our destiny in spite of our own desire to forget our own. We were at a cross/purpose with history. But we are calm in this hour of our own demons of accident, circumstance, miscalculation, error that was not our intent, beyond our intent.
 
I hope that someone writes this whole story. It is not 'news.' It is more. We merge with millions of others, we are subsumed in the archetype. People hugging each other, embracing, we are hurrying - we do not want to be captured. We want to bear witness at once.
 
We did not want it this way. All was going well as Ryan completed first day here. Then a man tried to attack him, unsuccessfully. At same time, several set out into jungle wanting to overtake Ryan, kids, and others who left with them. They did, and several killed. When we heard this we had no choice. We would be taken. We have to go as one, we want to live as Peoples Temple, or end it. We have chosen. It is finished.
 
Hugging and kissing and tears and silence and joy in a long line. Touches and whispered words as this silent line passes. Determination, purpose. A proud people. Only last night, their voices raised in unison, a voice of affirmation and today, a different sort of affirmation, a dimension of that same victory of the human spirit.
 
A tiny kitten sits next to me watching. A dog barks. The birds gather on the wires overhead. Let all the story of this Peoples Temple be told. Let all the books be opened. This sight - a terrible victory - how bitter that we did not, could not, that Jim Jones was crushed by a world that he didn't make. How great the victory.
 
If nobody understands, it matters not - I am ready to die now. Darkness settles over Jonestown on its last day on Earth."