So, as some of you are aware, I have been doing a lot of research.
I recently came across the July 1, 1943 Watchtower article "Righteous Requirements" and have simply been amazed that the society did not simply say "We require that Pioneers have this many hours." That would seem like a simple thing to do, or say. And would even be a reasonable way of defining what would make someone a Pioneer, etc.
Nope, the Society has to take it one step further, and make it seem as though Christ himself were feeding the words to them:
These expressions of God's will by his King and through
his establishcd agency constitute his law or rule of action
for the "faithful and wise servant" and for their goodwill
companions today who will dwell upon the earth
for ever in the New World. The Lord breaks down our
organization instructions further and makes them more
practicable by further instructing us through his "faithful
and wise servant". He says, 'Let us assign the field,
the world, to special pioneers, regular pioneers and companies
of Jehovah's witnesses in an orderly way, sufficient
for everyone to thoroughly witness therein, and let us
place upon each one the responsibility of caring for the
New World interests in these respective assignments.' He
says the requirements for special pioneers shall be 175
hours and 50 back-calls per month, which should develop
into a reasonable number of studies; and for regular
pioneers 150 hours and as many back-calls and studies as
can be properly developed during that time. And for
company publishers he says, 'Let us make a quota of 60
hours and 12 back-calls and at least one study a week
for each publisher.' These directions come to us from
the Lord through his established agency directing what
is required of us; and, for those who really love the Lord
and are guided by his counsel, that is a reasonable service
requirement. This expression of the Lord's will should be
the end of all controversy. It is for your good that these
requirements are made; for thereby you are enabled to
prove your integrity and magnify the Lord's name.
Notice, it says "He says". I wanted to scream reading this, and am not sure how anyone can read it and still believe the "We have never spoken in his name" creedo you hear when confronting someone about failed prophecy.