How the Angel Came to Me and His Commission
When a person suffers through extremely frightening or traumatic events, several details from that event are forever burned into their memory. People who experience trauma can often remember their surroundings in great detail, even including smells or sounds. Though memories often fade and blend with other memories, memories during trauma seldom change.
Because of this, researchers question whether William Branham actually believed the angelic visitation story used by later versions of his stage persona. In September 1951, William Branham claimed that his alleged angel met him in a cabin sitting on the bank of water near Green’s Mill. In some of the versions of the story, the angel transitioned from light to a physical form and he heard footsteps on the “old boards” of a wood floor before seeing the alleged angel (50-0821).
In May 1953, the stage persona used a slightly different story, claiming that the angel first met him in a cave near Green’s Mill. After changing the story, Branham had difficulty remembering how he had changed it, and continued to also claim that his first visitation was in the cabin. In March 1961, Branham mentioned the cabin during a prayer in a healing line.
Most people are unaware that the earliest versions of Branham's stage persona claimed that the event happened in his house. In November of 1947, Branham described an automobile turning a corner while he was sitting and reading his Scofield Bible. He ran to look out the door, but saw no automobile, and the light allegedly morphed into an angel.
Leaders in Branham’s cult of personality, however, prefer the cave story. Since the cabin is non-existent, and a cave is a place that cult members can still experience, the Indiana cave system has become an integral part of “Message” cult folklore.
Angelic Visitation:
https://william-branham.org/site/research/topics/angelic_visitation
Cave Pamphlet:
https://www.williambranhamhomepage.org/thecave.htm
Cave video:
https://www.brotherbranham.com/video_listing/greens-mill-william-branhams-cave-by-george-smith/
Because of this, researchers question whether William Branham actually believed the angelic visitation story used by later versions of his stage persona. In September 1951, William Branham claimed that his alleged angel met him in a cabin sitting on the bank of water near Green’s Mill. In some of the versions of the story, the angel transitioned from light to a physical form and he heard footsteps on the “old boards” of a wood floor before seeing the alleged angel (50-0821).
In May 1953, the stage persona used a slightly different story, claiming that the angel first met him in a cave near Green’s Mill. After changing the story, Branham had difficulty remembering how he had changed it, and continued to also claim that his first visitation was in the cabin. In March 1961, Branham mentioned the cabin during a prayer in a healing line.
Most people are unaware that the earliest versions of Branham's stage persona claimed that the event happened in his house. In November of 1947, Branham described an automobile turning a corner while he was sitting and reading his Scofield Bible. He ran to look out the door, but saw no automobile, and the light allegedly morphed into an angel.
Leaders in Branham’s cult of personality, however, prefer the cave story. Since the cabin is non-existent, and a cave is a place that cult members can still experience, the Indiana cave system has become an integral part of “Message” cult folklore.
Angelic Visitation:
https://william-branham.org/site/research/topics/angelic_visitation
Cave Pamphlet:
https://www.williambranhamhomepage.org/thecave.htm
Cave video:
https://www.brotherbranham.com/video_listing/greens-mill-william-branhams-cave-by-george-smith/