The Branham Peaks "Mystery" Explained: Names, Myths, and the Record

Members of William Branham's "Message" cult of personality sometimes make pilgrimages[1] to the "Branham Peaks" near the Branham Lakes Campground, southeast of Butte, Montana. Within some circles, the name is presented as mysterious, with claims that no one knows why the peaks are called "Branham." In some sects, that alleged mystery is tied to an unusual statement William Branham made about a visit to the area.

Branham's claim of seven peaks

I stopped and looked up on the mountain, and I seen those seven hills. Now, here, if you want to see something: There was seven peaks on top of a mountain, one mountain, that run for several miles. The last mountain before you go into the other country; no more mountains after that. And it was running from east to the west, the mountain set, and it was snowcapped on top. The first two small peaks, and then a large peak; and then another small peak, and then a larger peak; and then a small peak, and then a great, large, long, snowcapped mountain. And I said, 'Lord, I do not understand what that means.' He said, 'How many peaks are there?' I said, 'There is seven.' 'How many letters is in your name? B-r-a-n-h-a-m, M-a-r-r-i-o-n B-r-a-n-h-a-m.'[2]
- William Branham

Branham used his stage name, "William Marrion Branham," rather than the name used on government documents,[3] "William Marvin Branham," to frame a point about the significance of seven letters. He then connected that idea to the Branham Peaks, asserting that he saw exactly seven peaks associated with his name as a sign given to him by God. In practice, few listeners had visited the area, and many would not have known that the surrounding region contains numerous peaks and long mountain ranges extending in multiple directions.

Origin of the place names

The surname "Branham" is common, and there is no mystery about the name of the lakes and peaks in the region. Branham Lakes was named after the family of Tom Branham, an early miner and prospector in Sheridan, Montana. The Branham Peaks were named in March 1933 and were officially listed as "Branham No. 1," "Branham No. 2," and "Branham No. 3" until their names changed. Only two of the peaks were grouped as "Branham Peaks"[4] while the other was named after a partner of Tom Branham named "Bradley." "Bradley Peak" also overlooks the Branham Lakes.[5]

Branham lakes at the head of Mill creek, soon to be reached by a forest road, have long been identified with the history of this section. THey take their name from Tom Branham who was one of the early day miners and prospectors of Sheridan.[6]
- Madison County Forum (Newspaper)

Branham's 1942 trip and later folklore

In 1942, Branham returned from the Butte area with a live wolf that he kept at his home in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In the newspaper account, his hunting activity is described as extensive, with multiple trophies attributed to wilderness excursions. The wolf was described as one of "several wild animals taken on his hunting trips." 

Rev. Branham is the owner of many hunting trophies, including skins from grizzly and black bears, shot in Alaska, Maine and the Rocky Mountains, and pelts of several other wild animals taken on his hunting trips.  He has another live wolf at his residence, captured last year near Butte, Montana. He contemplates leaving October 15 on another hunting excursion in the Rocky Mountains.[7]
- Jeffersonville News

Five years after Branham died, in 1970, "Message" member Jimmy Harrell of Macon, Georgia, wrote to the "Action Line" feature of the Macon News asking where the "Branham Peaks" got their name. He provided an incorrect location, "just west of Butte," and the U.S. Forest Service was unable to find any "Branham Peaks" to the west. After the newspaper reported that it had no information on the "Branham Peaks," the situation was quickly interpreted within the Branham movement as a "mystery."[8]