Another question about the Governing Body

by dgp 38 Replies latest jw friends

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  dgp

  Now that all the members of the original Governing Body have completed their earthly course, a question popped into my mind.

  I know that there was no Governing Body prior to 1971. Before that, how was Jehovah supposed to communicate with the anointed? And, how come he decided to have a Governing Body, so that the new light would come to more men, instead of just the president of the Watchtower? Why was a Governing Body not there since 1914, for example?

  I wonder if there was anyone who felt cheated on when they decided to create a Governing Body.

  I wasn't there, but I would appreciate any posts. Thank you.
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  GrandmaJones

  I was there. Just another loving provision. I don't even remember blinking.
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  miseryloveselders

  Prior to the Governing Body, Jehovah communicated to the brothers by Bro.Jack Daniels, and Bro.James"Jim"Beam.
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  Soldier77

  I've had both Bro. Jack Daniels and Bro. Jim Beam talk to me at the SAME time. Does this mean I'm annointed?
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  james_woods

  On a serious note, back before the governing body - everything was decided pretty much by the president of the WTS. In the case of Knorr, he just let Freddy Franz decide the doctrine and he kept control of the business end of things.

  In those days, the fiction was spread that "annointed brothers all over the world would write in spontaneously when new light was needed."

  Actually, the Governing Body, IMHO - was simply to get power away from the crazy Freddy Franz so that he could not embarras the society again like he did over 1975. Franz never forgave them for it, either.
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  miseryloveselders

  Actually, the Governing Body, IMHO - was simply to get power away from the crazy Freddy Franz so that he could not embarras the society again like he did over 1975. Franz never forgave them for it, either.

  Now this is a real gem! I've seen firsthand, and heard about politics in local congregations, and even assembly programs, but the backstory to Freddy vs the GB would have made for great television.
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  leavingwt

  Ray's books and Jim Penton's book will answer most of your questions, if my memory serves me correctly.
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  james_woods

  If I recall correctly, miseryloveselders, Ray Franz mentions this in CoC.

  Ed Dunlap personally told me about it - it was notorious backroom politics at Bethel in the day (how much Freddy hated the GB and would rant to his sauna boys about how the GB was not scriptural)
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  dgp

  Which brings us to the question of why it was necessary to take power away from Fred Franz if he was led ONLY by Jehovah. Or why Jehovah would need several men to make sure no one took advantage of his position as "slave".

  This is pretty much as the College of Cardinals: the Holy Spirit sometimes needs several votes to make sure he communicates correctly with so many cardinals. And even then the Holy Spirit makes obvious mistakes.

  Not that many of us need convincing, but it seems easy to see that this is just an administrative matter.
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  Lozhasleft

  I really cant believe that I actually accepted all this rubbish for so long....

  Loz x