The Librarian

@mishy150181 shares: “This week we have been learning about the 12 apostles. we printed out the faces and stuck them on paper cups with the names on the back. the girls had great fun learning them.” ? thanks for sharing! View the full article

Getting the truck going in isolated territory in Jutiapa, Honduras. Photo shared by @katrachito_keiichi View the full article

Shared by @ecua_gringo Quichua language videos to young indigenous shepherd girls high in the Andes. Ozogoche, Ecuador. View the full article

In the ministry in Colombia. Photo shared by @rubanorugo View the full article

Take away the word beautiful and his statement would still be true. You are putting his emphasis on a certain word. What if his emphasis was on the word "wife" in the same sentence? The meaning would be different. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and say he is thankful for his wife. With the added plus that she is "beautiful". ;-)

Veanse mas celebridades que son Testigos de Jehovah también:

español / Italiano Part of a series on: Jehovah's Witnesses > Baptized JW's Serena Williams- tennis player ; 8 Grand Slam champion. Her "baptized" status is disputed since she has never been disfellowshipped for having a baby out of wedlock with Drake or her publicly nude photographs. Let's just say she is now the most famous celebrity who CLAIMS to be one. Venus Williams - tennis player ; 5 time Grand Slam champion Damon Wayans - TV and Film Comedy Star. Part of "The Wayans Brothers" TV show back in the 1990's. - Their father was a JW (someone mentioned even Anointed) Michael Jackson (deceased) Michael Jackson's Children and Mother Katherine Jackson Rebbie Jackson - Singer, daughter of Katherine Jackson Prince Rogers Nelson (deceased) Marques Houston - Singer and former member of the kid group "Immature" (and his manager) Coco Rocha - International Fashion Model Terrence Howard - actor; Ray, Hustle & Flow, etc. Children and brother are JWs. Studied when he was 17 years old. (not himself a JW) Bria Valente - Prince's Ex-GF back in 2007 - She has since remarried to another brother George Benson - Musician / singer (see also: George Benson and Friends - Sing Praises to Jehovah) "El General" - Panamanian singer Bobby Martin - Grammy winning producer. Mateo - African Musician Aoife Ní Thuairisg - Irish Television Presenter Tulsi Giri - Prime Minister of Nepal Bill Underwood - Reporter for the Phoenix Times Examiner Alexander P. Stewart - US Civil War Confederate General Allison Lozz - Mexican Actress (former). recently left novelas (soap operas) to be a more active in the ministry Maurizio Bianchi - Musician Ivana Brkic - Croatian Musician Angelo Palego - Leader of team searching for Noah's Ark Firpo Carr - Historian, author of Germany's Black Holocaust: 1890-1945; Wicked Words: Poisoned Minds - Racism in the Dictionary; founder: Scholar Technological Institute of Research, Inc. (STIR) Henry Carr - Olympian and NFL player (deceased) Herman Pizzanelli - Leading Uruguayan concert guitarist in the 1960s (convert to JWs) Willie Wise - NBA professional basketball player for Seattle Super Sonics and Denver Nuggets Dave Meyers - Professional basketball player (Los Angeles Lakers in 1970s) Mark McCumber - Professional golfer Dave Pear - NFL professional football player for Colts, Buccaneers, and Raiders (convert) Kid Gavilan - welterweight champion boxer; elected to boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 (convert to JWs) Jorge Påez "El Maromero" - Boxing World Champion Pele Reid - Boxing Champion Shont'e Peoples - professional football player (Saskatchewan Roughriders); convert to JWs La Lupe - Cuban salsa singer (convert) Janis Gill - ex wife of country music superstar, Vince Gill, is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Vince Gill is NOT a Witness. He is strongly and violently opposed. Fedor Chistyakov - Russian Singer Richard Cameron - Dutch Musician Valerie Campbell - Mother of Naomi Campbell Tom Edur - Former NHL ice hockey player Mrs.Ida Eisenhower - (Mother of President Dwight D Eisenhower) Leopold Engleitner - Buchenwald concentration camp survivor and centenarian Mickey Spillane - Novelist Larry Graham - Sly & the Family StoneDanny Granger - Indiana Pacers small forward; Professional Basketball PlayerTeresa Graves - Reputedly the first black woman to play the lead in a police movie, also a singer Gary Gygax - Co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons Scott Johnson - Actor Phillip Landry - Musican Maher Shalal Hash Baz - Japanese musician, name comes from the Book of Isaiah Margaret Keane - "Big Eyes" artist who said converting "changed her life." Peter Knowles - Famous soccer player in England who quit his football career in 1970 aged 24 to join the Jehovah's Witnesses Brian Locking - Bass guitarist with The Shadows for eighteen months, but left to Jehovah's Witnesses activities. Hank Marvin - Lead guitarist for The Shadows Bohumil Müller - Czech survivor of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp and underground religious leader under Communism. Viv Nicholson - famous London lottery winner in 1961. She then became a devout JW. The musical Spend, Spend, Spend was based on her story. Evelyn Ntoko (first wife of Nelson Mandela) Lieby Piliso - Nelson Mandela's younger sister Ken Richmond - The man who banged the gong in the Rank Organisation film logo from 1955 onward. Gevorg Petrosyanm -The Georgian-Armenian “Caruso,” who drives a taxi, but dreams of the stage Miu Sakamoto - Japanese Singer, a Daughter of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Akiko Yano Damo Suzuki (Converted in the 1970s, current membership status uncertain) Bobby Tambling - English footballer Phil Terry - member of the 60's R&B group The Intruders. David Thomas - Avant-garde rocker, "Jehovah's Kingdom come"[2][3] Jean Terrell - Replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes in 1970. Akira Toriyama - Japanese Mangaka(Cartoonist), Author of Dragon Ball(Manga) Yoshito Usui - Japanese Mangaka, Author of Crayon Shin-chan Reena Virk - Canadian child murder victim Lark Voorhies - actress, Saved By The Bell Lou Whitaker - Former MLB baseball player for the Detroit Tigers. Chet Lemon - played with the Detroit Tigers along with Lou WhitakerAkiko Yano - Japanese Singer, Former wife of Ryuichi Sakamoto Solveig Romero - Mexico and Switzerland, Actress and wife of Martin Campbell, the director of James Bond Casino Royale Chuck Winfield - Former Trumpet player for Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Rosalia Valdez - Former actress who left fame in Mexico to become a witness, daughter of famous Tin Tan Valdez. Carmina Villarroel - Filipino actress Patience Dlaminh - a weather forecast reporter in South Africa / Regional 'celebrity' Red Shea - Guitarist for Gordon Lightfoot (passed away in 2008) Tom Reynolds - He was one of the singers in the late 60's early 70's band 'Hamilton, Joe,Frank, & Reynolds. Toun Oni - Nigerian actress (featured in the TV drama 'fuji house of commotion') She was an active witness before her death a few months ago. In fact, she died of heart problems during the Lekki assembly hall construction work. Paul i.k Dairo (used to be one of Nigeria's top musicians); Last i heard of him, he is one of Jehovah witnesses. Wolf-Ekkehard Lonnig - a scientist from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Germany Hayden Covington - leading attorney for the Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Society; won multiple U.S. Supreme Court cases; represented Muhammad Ali in court [not sure if he left eventually or not?] Chappel Fisher - Country Music DJ in Florida, USA Michael Worilds - NFL Player Tony Garcia - Artist, DJ, Producer, Re-mixer, Arranger, Composer,Writer of Dance Music EDM, Funk Melody Freestyle Music Owner of High Power Records Honorable B. Dwight Goains - US Federal Judge Micaiah and Tabitha Bethune - Owners of the Fashion Industry "The Wild Life Reserve" out of New Orleans Alex Rance - Soccer Star Pavel Pavlov & Aleksandr Kryukov - Ukrainian YouTube Stars Minh Hung Godenzi - Miss Hong Kong 1984 Danny Collision - NBA Player currently in California Clarion Chukwurah - Nollywood Actress Irina Bohr - Russian singer Alisson Euler de Freitas Castro - Brazilian Footballer Carlos Gonzaga - Brazilian Singer Andriy Mykolayovych Nesmachniy (Ukrainian: Андрій Миколайович Несмачний) PC-One - Star of Slam in Haiti Jacy Brean - Author Mina Godenzi - Actress, Model and Miss Hong Kong Phillip Ingram - Musician Ramón Gómez Valdés de Castillo aka "Don Ramón" - Famous Mexican Actor Kenya Moore - not sure as to her current status though. Anneliese Zelina - Model Nicolas King - Singer Rob Richie - Major league baseball player with the Detroit Tigers Darren Collison Raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses President Dwight D. Eisenhower - WWII General and 34th President of the United States (1953–1961) Luke Evans - Actor Toni Braxton - SingerMichael Sam - First Gay NFL football player Nathan Day, frontman of grunge / Britpop group Darlia - "I grew up with a family whose parents were Jehovah’s Witnesses, so I felt very isolated."Kia Kahlo - Witness to rap Jacqueline Woodson Meg Myers - Musician / Singer Nathan Haines - Saxophonist Shushila Takao - Actress in New Zealand show "Filthy Rich" Kim Holland - Dutch Porn Actress Little Scream - Montreal musician Kelsey Lu - Fashion model Rebekah Vardy - I'm a Celeb star Alex Avery - Comedian in Portland, OR List of former Jehovah's Witnesses Michelle Rodriguez - actress, raised by mother Donald Glover - (aka Childish Gambino) Gregg Alexander - The New Radicals' lead singer; raised by mother Carol M. Swain - political scientist; professor at Vanderbilt University; author of Black Faces, Black Interests and The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration; left the Witnesses at the age of 20, in 1975 (Ms. Swain was born in 1954 into an extremely poor household in rural Virginia, not far from Roanoke. She grew up with 11 brothers and sisters, dropped out of school in the ninth grade and married at age 16 -- in part, she says, because she saw no need to plan for a lengthy future. She was a Jehovah's Witness, and she believed that Armageddon would begin in 1975) Peter Andre - Singer raised in Australia, presently living in London with wife pin up model *Jordan Naomi Campbell- Supermodel; Raised by mother Geri Halliwell - Singer (Spice Girls); Raised as a Jehovah's Witness[verification needed] Barbara Grizzuti Harrison - American writer of Visions of Glory: A History and a Memory of Jehovah's Witnesses(converted to Catholicism) Nancy Garrido - the now infamous kidnapper of Jaycee Dugard Latoya Jackson Michael Jackson - Michael became a Jehovah's Witness but disassociated himself shortly after his hit album, Thriller Olin R. Moyle - Former Watchtower Chief Attorney Dave Mustaine - Guitarist (ex-Metallica; Megadeth; ex- MD .45) Miki Nakatani - JapaneseActress, Raised as a Jehovah's Witness Gloria Naylor - novelist, author of The Women of Brewster Place (1982, American Book Award) Patti Smith - Singer and poet Leo Volpe Jill Scott-Singer; raised as one of Jehovah's Witness Hinano Yoshikawa - Japanese Fashion model and actress, Raised as a Jehovah's Witness K-os - Canadian R&B artist ; Raised Jehovah's Witness Rene Montes de Oca Martija - dissident human-rights activist in Cuba (son of JW) Selena Quintanilla Perez - Tejano singer ; raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses Sherri Shepherd from The View. Her father is an elder in his congregation. Jill Scott - a singer,poet & actress from USA, she played in the movie - 'why did i get married' Maureen Mwanawasa, wife of late Zambian president, though she disassociated herself, but she still attends meetings. the late president was also studying with JWs, his mother was a JW. his children also attend meetings, i think one is a publisher. Thandiwe Banda our current Zambian first lady who was a JW until recently when she disassociated herself. Reportedly a former pioneer. Mamontha Modise was a JW. travels all over the world to report current news 2 South Africans. Ja Rule - Rapper - raised a jehovahs witness and is no longer one, in an interview he said his mother was disfellowshipped Jaywon; currently a musician, was raised a witness, later decided to follow a way of life thats suits him. Rick Haynes - Musician Travis Scott - NFL football player for Rams (raised JW) Scott Cheshire - Gotham City Writers Eddie Griffin - Comedian Leaders of the music band Shakespeare's Unit Rumors of: Eddie Murphy - Not verified yet Josh Groban - We don't know what to think yet.. ? Some have suspicions.... Omarion - I believe he is only "studying" Jackie Chan - (I still don't believe the photo) Please Read Some people have wondered if we have listed people who simply studied briefly with Jehovah's Witnesses. As far as we know, this is not the case. Anybody can sit down and meet with Jehovah's Witnesses to study their beliefs. In no way would we consider that grounds for identifying somebody as a Jehovah's Witness. All of the people listed on our page have actually been considered Jehovah's Witnesses or considered themselves adherents of the faith, either by way of having been raised in the faith or because they were an active convert to the faith.Of course no insult is meant to Jehovah's Witnesses or anybody else by hosting this list. Personally, reading the biographies and faith statements of many famous Jehovah's Witnesses has helped tear down some stereotypes for me. It simply isn't true, for example, that this faith necessarily stifles creativity or achievement. Clearly, many adherents to the faith (including people raised in it as well as converts who chose to become Witnesses as adults) have been very famous creative people or have been very successful, as measured by worldly standards.Regardless of the obvious tensions between the pressures of worldly fame, versus remaining active in a religious faith which expects all of its members to live according to the highest Biblical standards of ethics and morality, there are indeed many "famous" adherents who have strived to remain faithful. Even for those who have failed to balance fame and success with the demands of their faith, the teachings and values they were raised with or embraced at some point as an adult remain forever an influence in their lives. Were this not true, these individuals would not be listed here at all. This list is based on what famous people themselves have said to interviewers and to the public. We have no access to actual Jehovah's Witness membership or attendance records. If a celebrity or famous person doesn't talk publicly about their experiences as a Jehovah's Witness, we would have no way of knowing about this part of their lives.The actions of a single individual should never be used to judge an entire group of people, and I believe most people realize this. Anybody who does try to condemn Jehovah's Witnesses by the behavior of their "worst" lapsed members or former members will stand instantly condemned themselves. This is because the cumulative behavior of the famous (and infamous) members of the group the accuser belongs to is far worse than anything they will be able to dig up relating to people who have been Jehovah's Witnesses. This is true of essentially any sufficiently large religious group. It is true also of anti-religious people, who are nearly always wise enough to avoid condemning entire groups by the actions of individuals, lest they be asked to answer for the hundreds of millions of murders perpetrated by Lenin, Pol Pot, Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Mao, Mussolini, Nicolae Ceausescu, Joseph Goebbels, Maximillien Robespierre, etc.

You told some of his story... here is more about the ending and a couple photos: Leo Kincaid Greenlees Birth: 06 June 1911 (It states " Other Country") Death: 17 Feb 1988 SS# 081445620 SS Death Index states: Last residence Brooklyn, Kings, New York USA Burial: Modesto, Stanislaus County, California USA Leo Greenless, W. Glen How, Nathan H. Knorr, Percy Chapman Governing Body member Leo K. Greenlees was forced to resign and leave Bethel in late 1984. He entered the Toronto, Canada Bethel in 1936, eventually becoming treasurer of the Canadian branch and of the IBSA of Canada. In 1964 he went to Brooklyn Bethel, and in 1965 was elected as a director of the Society's New York corporation. As a director Greenlees automatically became a "governing body" member when that body was formally instituted in 1971. He often spoke at Gilead graduations, and was the concluding speaker for the day at the Watchtower Centennial business meeting at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 6, 1984. A 1982 Watchtower mentions him as being on the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body. Greenlees' last mention in Watchtower publications is in the December 1, 1984 Watchtower where he is said to have passed out diplomas at the September Gilead graduation. In late 1984, Greenlees was allegedly convicted by the rest of the Governing Body of molesting a ten year old boy. The boy's parents had complained to the Society and it took action. Greenlees was a friend of the family and often visited them. After leaving Bethel Greenlees served as a Special Pioneer and eventually an elder in the "Downtown" congregation in New Orleans, Louisiana. He died in the late 1980s. Interestingly, the boy who Greenlees molested applied for Bethel service a few years later, around 1991, and was rejected.Note how Greenlees for instance, just disappeared from mention in Watchtower literature after 1984, and a January 1, 1986 WT article (p. 13), soon enough after that to be extremely suggestive, commented that: "Shocking as it is, even some who have been prominent in Jehovah's organization have succumbed to immoral practices, including homosexuality, wife swapping, and child molesting."If someone calls Brooklyn Bethel and asks the Public Affairs Office about Chitty or Greenlees, it’s likely that the response will be, “We cannot comment on such personal matters.” However, if one were to make inquiry about someone who has never been accused of such bad conduct, and who is unlikely to be so tainted because of their general reputation, the PA Office’s response would be outright denial. Obituary:Note that the obituary does not include the fact that Greenlees was one of the Governing Body of JWs "at the World Headquarters" for over 20 years. GREENLEES, Leo Kincaid - Unexpectedly at his home in Ceres, California, died of a stroke. He was hospitalized at Modesta for only one day before passing away the 18th of February, 1988. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland 77 years ago but immigrated to Canada in 1929. In 1931 he took up the full-time Ministry as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. His ministry extended across Canada including many years at the Branch Office of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in Toronto. For over 20 years, he served at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses and travelled extensively around the world in an official capacity. He continued in the full-time service until his death. He leaves two sisters and two brothers and several nephews and nieces. He was well loved and appreciated by all he touched in his life. A memorial service will be held in Modesto, California on Saturday, February 20, 1988. Greenlees had moved to the San Diego area after being quietly ousted from the Governing Body.

Want a family worship project? Feel free to start a post and/or write up an article on here for any member above not linked where we can compile historical information. Agape!

Part of a series on: Jehovah's Witnesses > Initially, the Governing Body directly appointed all congregation elders.[57] By 1975, the appointment of elders and ministerial servants was said to be "made directly by a governing body of spirit-anointed elders or by them through other elders representing this body."[58] In 2001, The Watchtower, stated: Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments of elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow the Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments. ...[R]ecommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office... Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity. Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.[59] The Governing Body continues to directly appoint branch office committee members and traveling overseers,[60] and only such direct appointees are described as "representatives of the Governing Body."[61][62] The April 1, 2007 The Watchtower stated that "the vast majority of [congregation elders] are appointed by representatives of the Governing Body".[63]

Part of a series on: Jehovah's Witnesses > Jehovah's Witnesses began capitalizing Governing Body as a proper noun in 1971;The Watchtower that year announced "The present Governing Body comprises eleven anointed witnesses of Jehovah." The original members of the 1971 Governing Body, all now deceased, are indicated in italics in the lists below. Current The following people are members of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses[7] (year appointed in parentheses): Samuel Herd (1999) Geoffrey Jackson (2005) M. Stephen Lett (1999) Gerrit Lösch (1994) Anthony Morris III (2005) Mark Sanderson (2012) David H. Splane (1999) Kenneth Cook (2018) Deceased The following individuals were members of the Governing Body until death (years active in parentheses, including years as Watch Tower Society directors, informally identified as the "governing body" prior to 1971): Carey W. Barber (1977–2007) John (Jack) Barr (1977–2010) William Lloyd Barry (1974–1999) John C. Booth (1974–1996) Charles J. Fekel (1974–1977) Frederick William Franz (1944–1992)—5th President of Watch Tower Society George D. Gangas (1971–1994) John O. Groh (1965–1975) Milton George Henschel (1947–2003)—6th President of Watch Tower Society William K. Jackson (1971–1981) Theodore Jaracz (1974–2010) Karl F. Klein (1974–2001) Nathan Homer Knorr (1940–1977)—4th President of Watch Tower Society Guy H. Pierce (1999-2014) Martin Pötzinger (1977–1988) Albert D. Schroeder (1974–2006) Grant Suiter (1938–1983) Thomas J. Sullivan (1932–1974) Lyman Alexander Swingle (1945–2001) Daniel Sydlik (1974–2006) Resigned The following individuals resigned or were asked to step down from their positions in the body (years active in parentheses): Ewart Chitty (1974–1979) Raymond Franz (1971–1980) Leo K. Greenlees (1971–1984)

Part of a series on: Jehovah's Witnesses > Updated: October 2014 Committee listThe Governing Body functions by means of its six committees, which carry out various administrative functions.[51] Each committee is assisted by "helpers," who do not necessarily profess to be of the "anointed". Governing Body meetings are held weekly in closed session.[52] Until 1975, decisions of the body were required to be unanimous; according to Raymond Franz, a two-thirds majority of the full body has since been sufficient to allow proposals to be carried, regardless of the number present.[36][53] The Personnel Committee arranges for volunteers to serve in the organization's headquarters and worldwide branch offices, which are each referred to as Bethel. It oversees arrangements for the personal and spiritual assistance of Bethel staff, as well as the selection and invitation of new Bethel members. The Publishing Committee supervises the printing, publishing and shipping of literature, as well as legal matters involved in printing, such as obtaining property for printing facilities. It is responsible for overseeing factories, properties, and financial operations of corporations used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Service Committee supervises the evangelical activity of Jehovah's Witnesses, which includes traveling overseers, pioneers, and the activities of congregation publishers. It oversees communication between the international headquarters, branch offices, and the congregations. It examines annual reports of preaching activity from the branches. It is responsible for inviting members to attend the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, the Bible School for Single Brothers (now called the School for Kingdom Evangelizers),[54] and the School for Traveling Overseers and their Wives, and for assigning postgraduate students of these schools to their places of service.[55][56] The Teaching Committee arranges congregation meetings, special assembly days, circuit assemblies, and district and international conventions as well as various schools for elders, ministerial servants, pioneers and missionaries, such as Gilead school. It supervises preparation of material to be used in teaching, and oversees the development of new audio and video programs. The Writing Committee supervises the writing and translation of all material published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, including scripts for dramas and talk outlines. It responds to questions about scriptural, doctrinal, and moral issues, specific problems in the congregations, and the standing of members in congregations. The Coordinator's Committee deals with emergencies, disaster relief and other matters, such as investigations. It comprises the coordinators, or a representative, from each of the other Governing Body committees and a secretary who is also a member of the Governing Body. It is responsible for the efficient operation of the other committees. The following was a simple explanation produced by WTBTS:

Part of a series on: Jehovah's Witnesses The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses[1] based in Brooklyn, New York. The body assumes responsibility for formulating policy and doctrines, producing material for publications and conventions, and administering its worldwide branch office staff.[2][3] Members of the Governing Body say they are followers of Christ rather than religious leaders.[4] One member explained the Governing Body as being "Guardians of the Doctrine" when under oath in Australia in 2015.[119]Its size has varied, from seven (2010–2012)[5] to eighteen (1974–1980)[6]members.[7][8] As of October 2012, there are eight members.[5] Members of the Governing Body are not elected; membership is only possible by invitation of existing members.[9]Updated: Current list of the Governing Body as of October 2014 History The Governing Body in 1975 Since its incorporation in 1884, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has been directed by a president and board of directors. Until January 1976, the president exercised complete control of doctrines, publications and activity of the Watch Tower Society and the religious denominations with which it was connected—the Bible Students and Jehovah's Witnesses.[10][11][12]When the Society's second president, J.F. Rutherford, encountered opposition from directors in 1917, he dismissed them; in 1925 he overruled the Watch Tower Society's editorial committee—selected by Charles Taze Russell to have editorial control of The Watch Tower after his death—when it opposed publication of an article that altered doctrines on Bible chronology related to 1914. In 1931, the editorial committee was dissolved.[13][14] as of 2013 In 1943 The Watchtower described the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as the "legal governing body" of anointed Jehovah's Witnesses.[15] A year later, in an article opposing the democratic election of congregation elders, the magazine said the appointment of congregation servants was the duty of "a visible governing body under Jehovah God and his Christ."[16] For several years, the role and specific identity of the governing body remained otherwise undefined. A 1955 organizational handbook stated that "the visible governing body has been closely identified with the board of directors of this corporation."[17] Referring to events related to their 1957 convention, a 1959 publication said "the spiritual governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses watched the developments [then] the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society [acted]."[18] The 1970 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses noted that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania was the organization used to plan the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses and provide them with "spiritual food", then declared: "So really the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania."[19]On October 1, 1971, Watch Tower Society vice-president Frederick Franz addressed the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania corporation in Buckingham, Pennsylvania, stating that the legal corporation of the Watch Tower Society was an "agency" or "temporary instrument" used by the Governing Body on behalf of the"faithful and discreet slave".[20] Three weeks later, on October 20, four additional men joined the seven members of the Society's board of directors on what became known as a separate, expanded Governing Body.[21] The board of directors had until then met only sporadically, usually only to discuss the purchase of property or new equipment, leaving decisions concerning material to be published in Watch Tower Society publications to the president and vice-president, Nathan Knorr and Fred Franz.[20][22] The Watchtower of December 15, 1971 was the first to unambiguously capitalize the term "Governing Body of Jehovah's witnesses" as the defined group leading the religion, with a series of articles explaining its role and its relationship with the Watch Tower Society.[2][23]The focus on the new concept of "theocratic" leadership was accompanied by statements that the structure was not actually new: The Watch Tower declared that "a governing body made its appearance" some time after the formation of Zion's Watch Tower Society in 1884,[24] though it had not beenreferred to as such at the time.[10]The article claimed that Watch Tower Society president Charles Taze Russell had been a member of the governing body.[24] The 1972 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses stated that following Rutherford's death in 1942 "one of the first things that the governing body decided upon was the inauguration of the Theocratic Ministry School" and added that the "governing body" had published millions of books and Bibles in the previous thirty years.[25] Raymond Franz has disputed those claims, stating that the actions of presidents Russell, Rutherford and Knorr in overriding and failing to consult with directors proved the Bible Students and Jehovah's Witnesses had been under a monarchical rule until 1976, leaving no decisions to a "governing body".[26]In 1972, a Question From Readers article in The Watchtower further reinforced the concept of the "Governing Body"; the magazine said the term referred to an agency that administers policy and provides organizational direction, guidance and regulation and was therefore "appropriate, fitting and Scriptural."[23][27]Organizational changes at the highest levels of the Watch Tower Society in 1976 significantly increased the powers and authority of the Governing Body.[28] The body has never had a legal corporate existence and operates through the Watch Tower Society and its board of directors.[29] Re-organization After its formal establishment in 1971, the Governing Body met regularly but, according to Raymond Franz, only briefly; Franz claims meetings were sometimes as short as seven minutes,[30] to make decisions about branch appointments and conduct that should be considered disfellowshipping offenses.[31][32] Franz claims that in 1971 and again in 1975, the Governing Body debated the extent of the authority it should be given.[33] Headquarters purge Raymond Franz claimed that in 1980, unease with doctrines surrounding the significance of 1914 surfaced within the Governing Body. In February of that year, three Governing Body members—aware that those who had been alive in 1914 were dying out despite the teaching that their generation would live to see Armageddon—proposed a doctrinal change to identify the "generation" who would see Armageddon as those who witnessed the 1957 launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik, which would be considered a 'sign in heaven'.The proposal, which would have extended the deadline for Armageddon by 43 years, failed to gain a majority vote.[36][37] Former Witnesses James Penton and Heather and Gary Botting claimed that internal dissatisfaction with official doctrines continued to grow, leading to a series of secret investigations and judicial hearings. As a result, the Governing Body led a purge of dissenting Brooklyn headquarters staff in April and May 1980.[38][39][40] Raymond Franz claimed he was forced to resign from the Governing Body, and he was later disfellowshipped from the religion. The Watch Tower Society responded with a new, hardened attitude towards the treatment of expelled Witnesses.[38][39][41] In his 1997 study of the religion, Penton concluded that since Raymond Franz's expulsion in 1980, the Governing Body displayed an increased level of conservatism, sturdy resistance to changes of policy and doctrines, and an increased tendency to isolate dissidents within the organization by means of disfellowshipping.[42] Helpers The April 15, 1992 issue of The Watchtower carried an article entitled Jehovah’s Provision, the “Given Ones” which drew a parallel between ancient non-Israelites who had been assigned temple duties (the "Nethinim" and "sons of the servants of Solomon") and Witness elders in positions of responsibility immediately under the oversight of the Governing Body who did not profess to be "anointed".[43]Both that issue of The Watchtower and the 1993 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses carried the same announcement: In view of the tremendous increase worldwide, it seems appropriate at this time to provide the Governing Body with some additional assistance. Therefore it has been decided to invite several helpers, mainly from among the great crowd, to share in the meetings of each of the Governing Body Committees, that is, the Personnel, Publishing, Service, Teaching, and Writing Committees. Thus, the number attending the meetings of each of these committees will be increased to seven or eight. Under the direction of the Governing Body committee members, these assistants will take part in discussions and will carry out various assignments given them by the committee. This new arrangement goes into effect May 1, 1992. For many years now, the number of the remnant of anointed Witnesses has been decreasing, while the number of the great crowd has increased beyond our grandest expectations.[44][45] Each of the current Governing Body members served as a committee "helper" before being appointed to the Governing Body itself.[46][47][48] The appointment of helpers to the Governing Body committees was described in 2006 as "still another refinement."[49] 2000 and beyond Until 2000, the directors and officers of the Watch Tower Society were members of the Governing Body. Since then, members of the ecclesiastical Governing Body have not served as directors of any of the various corporations used by Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Governing Body has delegated such administrative responsibilities to other members of the religion.[50] The current president of the Watch Tower Society, Don A. Adams, is not a member of the Governing Body. As of October 2012, the Governing Body comprises eight members, as shown below. Governing Body 2003 Photo shot prior to the death of Guy Pierce in the 2014 release "God's Kingdom Rules!" One of our favorite moments of Annual Meeting…when all 7 of the Governing Body came out and sang with the Watchtower Chorus the last and newest song called: “Jehovah Is Your Name”….what a powerful and moving 100 Year Celebration! @stephendianna See also Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses Letters from the Governing Body Funeral (Memorial) Programs for late **Governing Body** Members How to remember Governing Body Members' names Governing Body signing Bibles for public officials Residences of the Governing Body David H Splane: The Slave Is Not 1900 Years Old - Matt 24v45 - Frederick W. Franz was against the formation of a Governing Body References Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 216. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 703. November 15, 1972. "Our active leader today", The Watchtower, September 15, 2010, page 27, "They recognize, however, that Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth." "Bearing Thorough Witness" About God's Kingdom. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 2009. p. 110. As of September 2005, twelve members listed (See The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26) Schroeder died March 8, 2006. (See The Watchtower, September 15, 2006, page 31) Sydlik died April 18, 2006. (See The Watchtower, January 1, 2007, page 8) Barber died April 8, 2007. (See The Watchtower, October 15, 2007, page 31) Jaracz died June 9, 2010. (See The Watchtower, November 15, 2010, page 23) Barr died December 4, 2010. (See The Watchtower, May 15, 2011, page 6) Mark Sanderson appointed in September 2012 "A New Member of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, page 26.[1] Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 217. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2007). Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. pp. 4, 6. Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 178. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 123. ISBN 0-914675-17-6. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 58.ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 186, footnote. ISBN 0-914675-17-6. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 162–163, 214. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. The Watchtower. July 15, 1943. page 216, paragraph 24. The Watchtower. November 1, 1944. page 328, paragraph 32. Qualified to be Ministers. Watch Tower Society. 1955. p. 381. cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, page 74 "Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses", The Watchtower, February 15, 1959, page 115, "So with intense interest the spiritual governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses watched the developments... Without delay the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society closed a contract with the owners to use the Polo Grounds simultaneously with Yankee Stadium." Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Society. 1970. p. 65. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 57.ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Franz, Raymond. Crisis of Conscience. p. 44. The seven directors at October 20 were Nathan Knorr, Fred Franz, Grant Suiter, Thomas Sullivan, Milton Henschel, Lyman Swingle and John Groh. The additional four to form the Governing Body were William Jackson, Leo Greenlees, George Gangas and Raymond Franz. Testimony by Fred Franz, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh Transcript, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh, 1954, as cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, 2007, page 75-76. "Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now; A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. December 15, 1971. "A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower: 761. December 15, 1971. Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 1972. pp. 254–257. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 78.ISBN 0-914675-23-0. "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 703. November 15, 1972. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 44–110. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 228. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 45.ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 46.ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 81–105. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 80–107. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Jehovah's Witnesses–Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 108–109. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 218. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Franz, Raymond (1997). Crisis of Conscience. p. 262. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 117–123. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 158–165. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. "Witness Under Prosecution", Richard H. Ostling, Anne Constable,//Time// Magazine, February 22, 1982. Franz, Raymond (2007). "11-12". Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 219, 297–302, 319. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. "Jehovah’s Provision, the “Given Ones”", The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, pages 16-17 "Announcement", The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, page 31 "Organizing for Further Expansion", 1993 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 253-254 "Governing Body Addition", The Watchtower, November 1, 1994, page 29, "The new member is Gerrit Lösch. ... Lösch has served in the Executive Offices and as an assistant to the Service Committee." "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, January 1, 2000, page 29, "The new members, all anointed Christians, are Samuel F. Herd; M. Stephen Lett; Guy H. Pierce; and David H. Splane. Samuel Herd ... was also serving as a helper to the Service Committee. Stephen Lett ... was a helper to the Teaching Committee. Guy Pierce ... had been serving as a helper to the Personnel Committee. David Splane ... had been a helper to the Writing Committee." "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26, "Geoffrey W. Jackson and Anthony Morris III—would be added to the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. ... In April 2003, [Jackson] became part of the United States Bethel family and began to work in the Translation Services Department. Soon thereafter, Brother Jackson was made a helper to the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body ... 2002 [Morris] worked in the Service Department at Patterson and later as a helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body." "Walking in the Path of Increasing Light", The Watchtower, February 15, 2006, page 28 "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower: 29. 15 January 2001. The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29 "How the Governing Body is Organized", The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 85, 115. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. "A History-Making Meeting", The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 2011, page 21. "Schools That Teach Jehovah's Ways", //2012 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses//, page 13-17. "Theocratic Schools-Evidence of Jehovah's Love", //The Watchtower//, September 15, 2012, page 13-17. "A “Body of Elders” with Rotating Chairmanship", The Watchtower, November 15, 1971, pages 699,700, "how will the “body of elders” in each congregation be selected? The governing body through the Watch Tower Society will send out a letter asking the committee that now looks after each congregation’s activity to...prayerfully consider who within your congregation really meets the qualifications of an elder or overseer. ...Then recommendations will be made to the governing body. ...After the governing body receives recommendations from the congregation, then proper appointments will be made. The governing body will do the appointing of elders in every congregation and this information will be sent out by the governing body through the various offices of the Society throughout the world." Hope Based on the Unfolding Purpose of God", The Watchtower, February 1, 1975, page 86 "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed", The Watchtower, January 15, 2001, page 15 "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed", The Watchtower, January 15, 2001, page 15, "In addition to appointing Branch Committee members, the Governing Body appoints Bethel elders and traveling overseers. However, they do commission responsible brothers to act for them in making certain other appointments." "“Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear”", The Watchtower, October 1, 1988, page 18-19, "[The] traveling overseers sent forth by the Governing Body to preach the good news and help the congregations should be received hospitably and with respect. ...Elders, in particular, should show proper respect for these visiting representatives of the Governing Body. They are sent to the congregations because of their spiritual qualities and their experience, which is usually more extensive than that of many local elders." [emph added] "Cooperating With the Governing Body Today", The Watchtower, March 15, 1990, pages 19-20, "Since February 1, 1976, each of the branches of the Watch Tower Society has had a Branch Committee made up of capable men appointed by the Governing Body. As representatives of the Governing Bodyfor the country or countries under the supervision of their branch, these brothers must be faithful, loyal men. ...Branch Committees recommend mature, spiritual men to serve as circuit and district overseers. After being appointed directly by the Governing Body, they serve as traveling overseers. These brothers visit circuits and congregations in order to build them up spiritually and help them apply instructions received from the Governing Body." [emph added] "Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds", The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 27 "The Watchtower and Awake!—Timely Journals of Truth". The Watchtower: 21. January 1, 1994. "Building for an Eternal Future". The Watchtower: 25. January 1, 1986. 2012 Annual Meeting Program (Gov. Body is "Faithful & Discreet Slave" explained in 8 minute clip) "Seek God's guidance in all things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 11. "‘They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them’". The Watchtower: 200. April 1, 1972. "the modern-day “prophet,” the spirit-begotten, anointed ones who are the nucleus of Jehovah’s witnesses today" "The Things Revealed Belong to Us", The Watchtower, May 15, 1986, page 13. Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-914675-17-6. The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body, The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, page 24 ¶18 Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 211. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. "The faithful slave and its governing body", The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, pages 23-24, "They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond what even some experienced members of the "great crowd" may have. They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the 'other sheep' have. They do not expect special treatment; nor do they claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation." "A Secret Christians Dare Not Keep!", The Watchtower, June 1, 1997, page 14. "Insight That Jehovah Has Given", The Watchtower, March 15, 1989, page 22, "It is through the columns of The Watchtower that explanations of vital Scriptural truths have been provided for us by Jehovah’s 'faithful and discreet slave.' The Watchtower is the principal instrument used by the 'slave' class for dispensing spiritual food." "The faithful slave and its governing body", The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, pages 23-24. "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 23, "When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all." "Question From Readers", "The Watchtower", August 15, 2011, page 22 "Annual Meeting Report". "A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation", The Watchtower, December 15, 1971, page 762 "The Governing Body", 1973 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 257, "The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses consists of eleven brothers, all anointed of God. They are as follows: Frederick W. Franz, Raymond V. Franz, George D. Gangas, Leo K. Greenlees, John O. Groh, Milton G. Henschel, William K. Jackson, Nathan H. Knorr, Grant Suiter, Thomas J. Sullivan and Lyman A. Swingle." "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, January 1, 2000, page 29 "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26 "Governing Body Addition", The Watchtower, November 1, 1994, page 29 "A New Member of the Governing Body", //The Watchtower//, July 15, 2013, page 26. Interviews - 133rd Gilead Class (stated at video b. Mark Sanderson of Gov. Body) "Rejoicing Over "Victory With the Lamb", The Watchtower, October 15, 2007, page 31. "Britain", 2000 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 130 "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, November 15, 1977, page 680 "Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Enlarged", The Watchtower, January 15, 1975, page 60 "We Were a Team", The Watchtower, April 1, 2001, page 24. "He Humbly Served Jehovah", The Watchtower, June 15, 1996, page 32. "A Joyful Perseverer in Good Work", The Watchtower, July 1, 1977, page 399. "Service Assembly and Annual Meeting—Pittsburg", The Watchtower, November 1, 1944, page 334. "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation", The Watchtower, January 15, 2001, page 28. "His Deeds Follow Him", The Watchtower, December 1, 1994, page 31. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 273–336. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. "Gilead Sends Missionaries “to the Most Distant Part of the Earth”", The Watchtower, December 15, 1999, page 28, "Theodore Jaracz, a member of the Governing Body, who himself graduated with Gilead’s seventh class in 1946" "Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Enlarged", The Watchtower, January 15, 1975, page 60 Theodore Jaracz Memorial Service Brochure (1.4MB) "Jehovah Has Dealt Rewardingly With Me", The Watchtower, October 1, 1984, page 21. Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, "Background of N. H. Knorr", page 91: "On June 10, 1940, he became the vice-president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (Pennsylvania corporation)." The Watchtower, July 15,1977, "Firm to the End", page 441. "A Staunch Fighter for the Truth", The Watchtower, September 15, 1988, page 31. "His Delight Was in the Law of Jehovah", The Watchtower, September 15, 2006, page 31. "The corporation, the WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY, pursuant to its charter and by-laws, and the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, held its annual meeting at Pittsburgh, North Side, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the first day of October, A.D. 1938, at which annual meeting a Board of Directors was elected as follows, to wit: J. F. Rutherford, C. A. Wise, W. E. Van Amburgh, H. H. Riemer, T. J. Sullivan, Wm. P. Heath, Jr., and Grant Suiter, to hold office for a period of three years, or until their successors are duly elected." - 1939 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, "Election", page 195 "A Loyal Fighter Passes On", The Watchtower, February 1, 1984, page 9. "He Ran for “The Prize of the Upward Call” and Won!", The Watchtower, September 15, 1974, page 554, "On October 31, 1932, he [Sullivan] was made a member of the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania; he was also one of the eleven-member governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses." "A Time of Testing (1914-1918)", Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, ©1993 Watch Tower, page 71, "Thomas (Bud) Sullivan, who later served as a member of the Governing Body, recalled: “It was my privilege to visit Brooklyn Bethel in the late summer of 1918 during the brothers’ incarceration." Jehovah's Witnesses–Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 91. "How Priceless Your Friendship, O God!", The Watchtower, June 1, 1985, page 27. "Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Enlarged", 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 60 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 1980. pp. 257–258. "Announcements", Our Kingdom Ministry, August 1980, page 2, "Raymond Victor Franz is no longer a member of the Governing Body and of the Brooklyn Bethel family as of May 22, 1980." Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 120. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Beverley, James A. (1986). Crisis of Allegiance. Burlington, Ontario: Welch Publishing Company. p. 71. ISBN 0-920413-37-4. 1986 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 255 Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 322, 393. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Geoffrey Jackson testifies before the Australian Royal Commission 2015

La antigua construcción, que quedó sumergida en 1962, ha aflorado al bajar el nivel de las aguas en una presa del estado mexicano de Oaxaca.

Ждем тебя домой

Apple rumors a 5.8 inch display with an OLED display. No headphone jack. New Lightning connector appears to be in the works. Anyone seen a better picture?

Who is able to create a Google Earth .KMZ file with links to all the different countries secular news and branch offices listed here in the World News Forum. Or maybe two different Google Earth files? (I can add more as you need them) This would add another layer of navigability to the forum for users. Anyone tech savvy enough to tackle this project? Contact me on here. Agape! The Librarian

Not all of the elders are to be "princes" in the New Order. Jesus will appoint from only Governing Body helpers, Branch Committee members and Circuit Overseers. This is a change from previously held beliefs. -------------------------------------------------- One correction: Until the 1932 two-part Watchtower article entitled "Jehovah's Organization" all Elders were democratically elected by their local congregations. Prior to 1932 the local body of elders was NOT appointed by the Watchtower Society See also: http://wiki.jw-archive.org/Elder

The Best Life Ever JW Broadcasting - October 2014 This world would like to make me lonely But I got my friends with me We're trying hard to help others find friends eternally (Huh ah ah...) When I would worry about me Uh... This world would bring me down (Mmmm, mmmm, mmm... Huh ah ah...) I'm feeling better liftin' others off the ground (Hmm, mmm...) Look what I found I- I wanna know what I can do I wanna give what I can give That is the best feeling ever I- I know this'll last forever I'm where I wanna be This is the best life ever So many good things yet to be done With these two hands of mine I'll take some love and build us a bridge Connect your heart to mine (Huh ah ah...) When I would worry about me Uh... This world would bring me down (Mmm, mmm... Huh huh huh huh huh huh...) I'm feeling better liftin' others off the ground (Mmm, mmm...) Look what I found I- I wanna know what I can do I wanna give what I can give That is the best feeling ever I- I know this'll last forever It's better than a dream This is the best life... (Hmmm...) I'm not afraid come what may (Uh hu...) This kind of life gets better every day, every day, every way Oh, oh, oh, oh... I- I wanna live for more than me I wanna give till I feel free That is the best feeling ever I- I know this'll last forever Come with me you'll see This is the best life ever This is the best life ever This is the best life ever We Wont Forget You JW Broadcasting - November 2014 When the wind blows When the rain comes When the ground beneath you starts to slip away God is always near And he cares for you You're not alone Your friends are here We'll help you find your way We won't forget you We are your family We won't ignore you We will not fail to see We'll take your hand We'll help you stand We'll help you carry on We won't forget you We are your family. When the storms gone And the day breaks When our love surrounds you like a warm embrace When you come to know That it's really so Love is a part A perfect bond That time will not erase. We won't forget you We are your family We won't ignore you We will not fail to see We'll take your hand We'll help you stand We'll help you carry on. We won't forget you, We are your world-wide family, We won't forget you, We are your family. What Means the Most to Me JW Broadcasting - March 2015 What are the things that I value? The things that mean the most to me. What are the things that will help me to be, To be the person I want to be? With each new day there are choices to be made. Sometimes the choice will mean to be a trade. The times I have can never be replaced. The steps I take can never be retraced. That’s why I want to choose carefully. And choose what really means the most to me. How will I honor Jehovah, the One who means the most to me? I'll give the best I can offer to Him, and He deserves the best I can be. Never Give Up JW Broadcasting - April 2015 Father for me the time has now come. Fulfilling the words that were said by your son. If they persecuted me then they’ll do it to you. It’s not a surprise really nothing that’s new. Jehovah I pray please let me be strong. My life and devotion to you they belong. My record of faith will never be lost. I’ll be loyal to you no matter the cost. I’ll never give in to taunts and to threats. Enduring in faith I’ll have no regrets. To suffer these things for the sake of your name. I count as an honor I won’t be ashamed. I won’t give up, won’t turn aside. I won’t give up and I won’t run and hide. Let me be strong, let me be true. Carrying on, trusting in you. I won’t give up. You’ve trusted in me, I’ve trusted in you. Each trial I face you help me get through. No king and no ruler no family or friend. Can make me lose sight of the path at the end. I won’t give up, won’t turn aside. I won’t give up and I won’t run and hide. Let me be strong, let me be true. Carrying on, trusting in you. I won’t give up, won’t turn aside. I won’t give up and I won’t run and hide. Let me be strong, let me be true. Carrying on, trusting in you. I won’t give up. Honor Jehovah with Your Valuable Things JW Broadcasting - May 2015 There’s nothing Jehovah could possibly need, He made everything from the start. So what can I give Him, more how can I live In a way that brings joy to His heart? Now I know what it takes so with each day that breaks, Here’s what I will do: I’ll give to you Jehovah the best I have to give. I’ll live for you Jehovah as long as I may live. No matter what life brings. I’ll honor You with my valuable things. With love in Your heart, You have given us life, And I treasure the joy that it brings. What more can I do to give honor to you, Than to give you my valuable things. Yes, I know what it takes so with each day that breaks, I know what I will do. I’ll give to you Jehovah the best I have to give. I’ll live for you Jehovah as long as I may live. No matter what life brings. I’ll honor You with my valuable things. Glad I've Passed the Test JW Broadcasting - July 2015 Seems like there's something every day, Some new test that comes my way. (Something every day...) I never know what it might be, But whatever it might be, I know I have the key. Coz’ I can face it if I'm steady, And prepare so I'll be ready. How to act and what to say, When a challenge comes my way. At times it's tough for me out there. And so I turn to God in prayer. I pray I'll pass each test. Everyone that comes my way. I pray I'll pass each test. And be faithful through the day. Some things I know I'll face again, Like the pressure to fit in. (Face it once again...) There will be times when other kids, Do the things that God forbids. (The things that God forbids...) And pressure need to go along with, Kids I know I don't belong with. That's the time I call to mind, I don't want to be that kind. Coz' I'm a witness for God's name. So there's no cause to be ashamed. I'm glad I've passed the test, I was faithful all day long. I'm glad I've passed the test, I'm glad that I was strong. Give You My All JW Broadcasting - June 2015 So many choices that I could make, So many pathways that I could take. I know that someday I'll make my vow, How will I know if the time is now? I've seen the blessing that come to those who take their stand for You. This isn't something somebody chose for me. It's something I wanna do. I wanna stand up on my two feet. I wanna answer the call. I wanna have Your help when I am weak. I wanna give You my all. I wanna give You my all. I wanna know You and be Your friend. I want a life that will never end. I know You're real, it's plain to see. No other God can there be for me. Life's not a party, not just for fun, Journey's just begun. I wanna give you my best while I'm still young. To side with You and Your son. I wanna stand up on my two feet. I wanna answer the call. I wanna have Your help when I am weak. I wanna give You my all. I wanna give You my all. I wanna give You my all. I wanna give You my all. These Words... Must Be on Your Heart Movie Soundtrack Caught up in circles. I don't know which way to turn. My heart rules; Had my head fooled. Too late, I've fallen in love. To do what's right is a constant fight. Don't want to let my heart decide. I want God's Word to be my guide. It's so hard to break free. This desperate heart inside of me. Makes wrong feel right and right feel wrong, But Jehovah makes me strong. He says, "Know that I love you "I don't want to lose you. Trust in me in all you do. I'll be here to help you through." (But are you making the right sacrifices?) Our life is shaped by the choice we make. We have to realize what's at stake. Right from the start, It's a war for our heart, But it's ours to give away. To safeguard it means our life. Looking back, the choice I made To do things Jehovah's way, Seemed so hard, emotion's strong, But Jehovah helped me along. Now Is The Time JW Broadcasting - August 2015 With our days forever darkening, and the signs so very clear. We must keep our sense of urgency, as the end is drawing near. We will seize this opportunity, to declare Jehovah’s name. And the blessings of His kingdom, is the message we’ll proclaim. Now is the time for preaching with zeal. We’ll never give up or give way to fear. And now is the time, to show how we feel. Now that the final days are here. There will never be another time, for this preaching to be done. So we want to have a part in it, and reach out to everyone. When we look back in some future time at these days at which we live, Then we’ll say that for Jehovah, we gave all that we could give! Now is the time for preaching with zeal. I’ll never give up or give way to fear. And now is the time, to show how we feel. Now that the final days are here. With all loyal ones, surrounding us, we will run with all our might. Then we turn the final corner, and a new world is insight. Now is the time for preaching with zeal. I’ll never give up or give way to fear. And now is the time, to show how we feel. Now that the final days are here. Just A Smile JW Broadcasting - September 2015 We can tell a hundred stories; we can speak a million words. We can paint a thousand pictures, but will our heart be stirred. We can often make a difference, with a kindly word or deed. But sometimes just a smile is all we really need. Just a smile… can lift a weary heart. Just a smile… can help us make a start. When you’ve done your best, praying you’ll succeed. Then you will see, a smile is what we need. This world is unforgiving, full of coldness and despair. Many hopes are disappointed, by a world that doesn’t care. And we see it in their faces, as they passes on the street. So we offer a hope and comfort, to the people that we meet. Just a smile… can lift a weary heart. Just a smile… can help us make a start. When you’ve done your best, praying you’ll succeed. Then you will see, a smile is what we need. At times we feel downhearted, when no one seems to care. About the hope we offer, or the message that we bear. For some hearts that’s just too hardened, to receive the Kingdom seed. But could it be a friendly smile, is what they really need. Just a smile… can lift a weary heart. Just a smile… can help us make a start. When you’ve done your best, praying you’ll succeed. Then you will see, a smile is what we need. Finding Treasures JW Broadcasting - October 2015 In my reading and my study, There are treasures that I find. When I'm searching, digging deeper, When I take a little time. In my imagination I am in the scene. It helps me understand just what the Bible means Imagination and meditation, These are the things that help me see. They give me insight to help me do right, And be the person I should be. The person I should be. I can ponder on the people, Some were faithful, some were not. Their example gives me insight To God's feelings and his thoughts. Sometimes my meditation makes me realize, How I can be more pleasing in Jehovah's eyes. Imagination and meditation, These are the things that help us see. They give me insight to help us do right, And be the persons we should be. The persons we should be. Imagination and meditation... Imagination and meditation... Imagination and meditation... Jehovah Welcomes You Home JW Broadcasting - November 2015 It doesn't seem so long ago, When My name you've come to know. And it touched your heart, But you lost your way. Although you managed for a while, And some memories made you smile. It was in your heart to return one day. Welcome home my friend. Your life can start again. Stay beneath my wings. And know the lasting peace only I can bring. And I desire that you should know, What to do to come back home. As a ray of sun on a weary heart. Now here I stand with open arms, I'm your shelter from the storm. You can feel the joy of a brand new start. Welcome home my friend. Your life can start again. Stay beneath my wings. And know the lasting peace only I can bring. Now you're home. Joy of Conventions JW Broadcasting - December 2015 Before the music start some right beside you, The fire is growing, the fire is growing. The world in chaos but here we got peace. And we just started, we just started in. Yeah, yeah... We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters and more. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. Yeah… We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters and more. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. I’m on the edge of a human sea, and the tide is in. My eyes are surfing on unfamiliar faces, Still I know them, we’re family. You wave to me from across the stadium. What a beautiful sight. I feel refreshed like a new-born baby. If I’m not careful, I’ll start to cry. We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters and more. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. Yeah… We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters and more. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. Give me your hand, We’re in the same fight. You give me strength, To carry on towards eternal life. We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters and more. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. Yeah… We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters and more. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. And I love you even though I’ve never met you before. PDF