Dear Jehovah's Witnesses

Charles Taze Russell’s Will vs. Rutherford’s Actions in 1917

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:59:21 -0700

After Charles Taze Russell died on October 31, 1916, the Watch Tower Society faced the most significant leadership transition in its history. Russell had anticipated this moment years earlier and carefully outlined, in his Last Will and Testament, how the Society's publications and affairs should continue after his death. Rather than appointing a single successor, he established a system of shared oversight involving an Editorial Committee, a Board of Directors, and trustees who would safeguard the Society's voting interests.

A Humorous Antecdote

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:40:58 -0700

Because I had been sharing my newly found faith with my brother and my nephew's son (I'm sure there's a proper family term for that, but I have no idea what it is), I received a shepherding call from two elders who still consider me one of Jehovah's Witnesses. In a way, that was rather nice.

When Did the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses Come Into Existence? A Historical Timeline

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:18:38 -0700

Most Jehovah's Witnesses assume that the modern Governing Body has existed continuously since the days of Charles Taze Russell, or even that it is a direct continuation of the apostles and elders in first-century Jerusalem. Current publications present that picture of continuity.

A careful reading of the organization's own literature, however, reveals a more gradual development. Over more than a century, Jehovah's Witnesses changed not only the structure of their leadership but also its identity and authority. The Governing Body familiar today is the product of several significant organizational and doctrinal developments.

This article traces those developments using Jehovah's Witnesses' own published history.

Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1914, and the Overlapping Generation

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:05:33 -0700

In 2014, David Splane of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses released a video attempting to explain why Jehovah’s Witnesses still claim we are living in “the last days.”

Promises You Can’t Trust: The Watchtower’s Record of Failed Expectations

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:00:29 -0700

In the January 15, 2004 Watchtower, an article appeared with the reassuring title "Promises That You Can Trust." Its argument is simple and compelling: human promises often prove unreliable, but Jehovah's promises are different. Jehovah has demonstrated through his record that when he says something will happen, it happens.

What Does “This Generation” Mean to Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:23:30 -0700

One of the most recognizable teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the belief that we are living in “the last days.” Closely connected with this belief is Jesus’ statement recorded at Matthew 24:34:

“This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”

Are you a Friend or Just Friendly?

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:36:25 -0700

One expression I heard thousands of times as one of Jehovah's Witnesses was simply this:

"Friends..."

The Dichotomy of Belief: When Trust in Jehovah Becomes Trust in Men

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:00:22 -0700

One sentence in this week's Treasures From God's Word workbook caught my attention because it Is a contradiction. Although in saying that I know not many Jehovah's Witnesses will know it is a contradiction.

When Bible Principles Become Organizational Laws | Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Conscience

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:04:14 -0700

The Watchtower's July 12, 2026 study says that Bible principles should guide our conscience.This raises an unavoidable question:

If a Bible principle is supposed to guide the conscience, what happens when an organization removes the conscience from the decision by making the principle into a rule?

That's the irony at the heart of the article. On one hand, the article praises conscience. On the other hand, the organization's history shows a repeated pattern of replacing conscience with regulations in areas such as smoking, gambling, tobacco sales, military-related employment, birthdays, and other matters. That contrast gives your article its central point without needing to overstate the criticism.

When Principles Become Laws

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 14:42:14 -0700

There is nothing wrong with Bible principles. In fact, principles are one of God's greatest gifts to mature Christians.

A principle teaches us how to think, not merely what to do.