I wrote... often... dear trevorbv (peace to you!)... and not always "sticky sweet", either. I always received a response from "The Writing Department." Usually, within a few weeks/months. One took over a year. Most were, "Here's what we believe," some were "Wait on Jehovah," and a couple were "Speak with your elders/CO." The one that took over a year to get a response was quoted (without the quotes) in the October 15, 1995 WT. It was the article discussing the Greek word "tote"... and resulted in the change as to the teaching that the "separating work" started in 1914 (it couldn't have because it doesn't take place until AFTER Christ returns, which is AFTER the "tribulation"... which apparently hasn't occurred yet, according to their current teaching).
The letter that stands out most to me, however, is the one I took to Bethel and personally handed to Carey Barber. I don't say this to toot my own horn; I say to say that one CAN literally meet with a GB member face to face (well, up until that time - I would not be surprised if that little meeting began an impetus to end that kind of thing).
We (the sister that accompanied me to Bethel and I) were granted an "audience" by Mr. Carey when we asked as he was passing by our table after lunch. The sister is quite a beauty, so he didn't even hesitate to say, "Sure, come on down to my office when you're done!" We didn't get to go to his office, however - either he thought twice about it or someone thought about if for him... and so we "met" in the lobby of the Bethel Headquarters. Talked for about an hour, during which I gave him a letter I had been directed (by my Lord) to write. The letter set forth, biblically, how it is absolutely impossible for one who has died to be resurrected simply because their death has paid for their sins. The reality is that one's death, while covering the COST of one's sins... does not REDEEM one from death. That... a resurrection to life... is a gift... from God.
Anyway, he never read the letter. Although we discussed what was in it, he refused to read it, even look at it. He rolled it up quite tightly in his fist and kept it there the entire time. But he told me why: he said (and this is quote) that "The Governing Body [hasn't] had anything to do with the Watchtower since 1972." He then told me that "everything" had been "handed over to the Writing Committee" at that time, "in anticipation of 1975." He did "promise" me, however, that he would give the letter to the Writing Department. His exact words were, "I promise to see that this gets to the Writing Department" (not the Writing Committee, so...).
Anywho... I doubt that it made it past the first round file... or shredder. BUT... NONE of my numerous letters ever made it to the local BOE (excluding the two I wrote stating I believed I should partake)... and none at all resulted in a "shepherding" call, or counseling, or even a JC. And other than the two I mentioned, the only time I know of that an elder knew of my letters is when one asked to read them (all) after the October 15, 1995 WT article.
BUT... I write all of this to say that I am living proof that it can be done (or, maybe used to be able to be done): one just may be able to get a letter to a GB member. But will he actually READ it? That's something else altogether. But I still say one never knows... until one tries. For me, other than the airfare and trip arrangements, etc., it really wasn't difficult at all.
Again, peace to you!
A slave of Christ,
SA
