In Lynn, the family attempted to earn an income through farming, but again met with failure when Jones' father's health further deteriorated. During his time at University, Jones was impressed by a speech which Eleanor Roosevelt delivered about the plight of African-Americans, and he began to espouse support for communism and other radical political views for the first time. Later, after police arrived at the headquarters, Sharon escorted her children, Liane, Christa, and Martin, into a bathroom. Jones was cared for by the female residents of Lynn, and they frequently invited him into their houses to give him food, clothing, and other gifts. Branham was known to tell attendees their name, address, and why they came for prayer, before pronouncing them healed.

Jones and his family faced harassment from government authorities for their affiliation with the Communist Party during 1952. Jones became active in San Francisco politics and was able to gain contact with prominent local and state politicians. In one 1978 White Night drill, Jones told his followers he was going to distribute poison for everyone to drink in an act of suicide. Drawing on a prophecy in the Book of Revelation, he taught that American capitalist culture was irredeemable " Babylon".Law at the Bar: Lawyer for striking air traffic controllers won back 60 jobs but suffered personal loss". In early 1952, Jones announced to his wife and her family that he would become a Methodist minister, believing the church was ready to "put real socialism into practice. During this time, aides prepared a large metal tub with grape Flavor Aid, poisoned with diphenhydramine, promethazine, chlorpromazine, chloroquine, chloral hydrate, diazepam, [227] and cyanide.

The drink became infamous for being linked to the Jonestown mass murder-and-suicide when it was learned that the cyanide poison taken by or forcibly administered to the commune's members was placed in Flavor Aid. Jones bragged to his congregation that he would like to be the successor of Father Divine and made many comparisons between their two ministries.Jones's terrified followers were only told they were participating in a drill when the event was over. They took part in services four times a week while attending a summer religious convention at a nearby Pentecostal church. In other instances, Jones had someone from his inner circle enter the prayer line for healing of cancer.