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I've been able to get my hands on these pictures of the new printed Study Bible which was released at the Annual Meeting yesterday. Has a light brown cover rather than the grey tone of the regular bible. The page edges are gold rather than silver. And it only includes Matthew-Acts. Surprisingly, while many of us were expecting the Org to reduce printing operations even further, this actually wasn't the case this year. Although apparently they did mention that due to the "high resolution colour pages and high quality materials", the Bible is rather "expensive to produce".

https://download-a.akamaihd.net/files/media_periodical/51/jwb_E_201909_01_r720P.mp4

2019 BRD Newsletter https://docdro.id/zCdI01Y 2019 BRD Visitor Center Newsletter https://docdro.id/WQpmfDD 2019--S-147-19-05-E https://docdro.id/Vrx3fVG

wow! It's been NINE years since the first "Shepherd the Flock Of God" Elder's handbook came out, that was so top secret that non-elders were forbidden to read it, and sisters were not even allowed to touch it, and to this day, most Jehovah's Witnesses are not aware that the book even exists. At the same time copies were given to the Finnish Department of Justice, and the Department of Education, and the Australian Royal Commission on Child Abuse. Here it is 2019, and the latest 2019 version is out, available all over the Internet in PDF format, but I have not had a chance to read it yet. I still do not know what all the top secret hub-bub was about .... I read the 2010 version and the subsequent updates, and found it a fine publication that ALL Jehovah's Witnesses would benefit from reading. I did not mention I knew of the 2010 version's existence until they started giving out copies to lots of government officials, my reasoning being that the Society had thereby "declassified" it. Does anybody know if the Society has given the OK for the general Brotherhood to read this book, by which we are governed? Can any Brother or Sister at the Kingdom Hall request, and get a copy? I will ask at my Weekend Meeting, in two days, and let you know what I have found out.

Here some points I noted not sure if these r different from the previous edition: medical marijuana is a personal choice Any allegations of child sexual abuse r to b given to the legal department to tell the elders how to proceed. Also specific instructions to not make abused persons face their accuser The elders should all b made aware of any sexual predators and if they move the new congregation elders should b made aware including parents of children in the congregation. This is only done if the legal department says to. Victims of abuse or their parents r to b advised that they can go to the police and r not to b discouraged from doing so. Masturbation is not pornia and is not really covered. Not sure if this is new and the org is backing away from discussing it. Probing sexual questions r to b avoided during a judicial committee Sexual offenders r not to receive any major privileges in the congregation, possibly minor ones such as handling mics after an extended time has passed. The elders r to clearly tell people that they r being invited to a judicial committee and what the meeting is about up front. Things they r still clinging to: Still sticking to the two witnesses rule for child abuse it says that attempted suicide victims may b subject to a judicial committee ( someone that has mental illness should not b subject to more trauma I find this to b so disgusting) Of course all the other ridiculous invasive restrictions we all have experienced Highlights from the book above (2019 links added) The three year rule is re-iterated without specific mention of "three" An elder or MS will be removed if he allows his adult DA'd child to move into family home An elder can be removed for filing for bankruptcy The language around the definition of rape is better - no more references to the woman having to scream The stayover rule is still there. If you stay in the house of a member of the opposite sex, and two people know about it, it's a judicial matter. "Abhorrent" forms of porn are now a DF offense. Gay, Lez, child, violent, bestial. Gluttony is now listed as a DF offense. Not sure if it was there before They have narrowed the definition of apostasy: " Deliberately Spreading Teachings Contrary to Bible Truth " the end of that sentence used to read "as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses" I think this the first time they explicitly stated that marking talks can be given based on misconduct from unbaptized minors There's a whole new section on CSA. It seems like an improvement overall and includes the child no longer having to confront her rapist in most cases, but it still doesn't have the promised female representation from Jackson's promise to the Australian court. Willingly taking blood remains an automatic disassociation offence. Reinstatement is "several months, a year or even longer" Ownership of kingdom halls. They make clear that regardless of what it says on the title, a congregation does not OWN their own kingdom hall. jw.org email - all correspondance between elders is now via the elders private account on jw.org. I guess they want to make sure they know EVERYTHING Congregation file: Still they say the best place to keep it is at the KH. Therefore, paper records of all judicial matters should be in those files. ALL CSA RECORDS HAVE "DO NOT DESTROY" WRITTEN ON THEM Here's the entire section on legal action as a result of judicial action. I think it's worth noting that it demonstrates that they will leave you alone if you write a legal letter: IF THE ACCUSED THREATENS LEGAL ACTION 18. If the accused threatens legal action against the elders, the elders should suspend proceedings and promptly telephone the Legal Department. 19. If a member ofthe media or an attorney representing the accused contacts the elders, they should not give any information about PREPARING FOR JUDICIAL HEARINGS CHAPTER 15 “SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD” the case or verify that there is a judicial committee. Rather, they should give the following explanation: “The spiritual and physical welfare of Jehovah’s Witnesses is of paramount concern to the elders, who willingly provide spiritual assistance to congregation members. The elders extend this spiritual assistance confidentially. This makes it easier for those who seek the elders’ help to do so without worrying that what they say to the elders will be divulged later. Consequently, we do not comment on whether elders are currently or have formerly met to assist any member of the congregation.” If there is a need to do so, the elders may obtain the inquirer’s name and phone number and inform him that their attorney will contact him. The elders should then promptly telephone the Legal Department. 20. Ifthe authorities request confidential congregation records or ask that elders give testimony regarding confidential congregation matters, the elders should promptly telephone the Legal Department. This seems like a big change below as it codifies what we have all been hearing about ownership of KH's: OWNERSHIP 2. A Kingdom Hall is dedicated to the worship of Jehovah. Whether the property title, or deed, is held in the name of a local corporation or by means of a trustee arrangement or it is held in the name of a legal entity managed by the branch office, no congregation should conclude that it “owns” the Kingdom Hall. However, it is the responsibility of the congregations using the property to care for it and see that it is used in harmony with Kingdom interests. 3. As many as three or four congregations may be assigned by the branch office to use the same Kingdom Hall auditorium in order to make full use of the facility and to keep expenses to a minimum. The branch office will generally correspond with only one of the congregations using the facility regarding legal, property, and related matters. Usually, this contact congregation holds the documents related to the Kingdom Hall and the property on which it is located. This is for practical reasons only and does not provide a basis for the contact congregation to make unilateral

Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses The Ridgeway, London, NW7 1RN Telephone: 020 8906 2211 SDI December 31, 2018 TO ALL FIELD SERVICE GROUP OVERSEERS Re: Auxiliary Pioneering in March 2019 Dear Brothers: We are aiming for an all-time peak in auxiliary pioneers during March 2019, which will be announced to the congregation in the Announcements and Reminders (S-147) form for January 2019. How can you and your fellow elders assist? During January, arrange to meet with your group. (Where a group is cared for by a ministerial servant, the body of elders should assign an elder to meet with the group servant and the group.) In the meeting, kindly and tactfully build enthusiasm for this campaign. Share practical suggestions to help the publishers plan ahead. This March campaign offers you an excellent opportunity to give even greater attention to your assignment. (ks10 chap. 2 pars. 22, 23) Warmly commend the brothers for the efforts they make to increase their share in the ministry. Thank you very much for giving this matter your prompt attention. We are confident that, through your loving efforts and Jehovah’s blessing, this initiative will increase praise to his name. Please accept our warm brotherly affection and greetings. Your brothers, 😄 All elders Circuit overseers Both BOE's are in a zipped folder. https://we.tl/t-ZWvQuWOa5V Atlantis!"

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This issue contains the study articles for May 6 to June 2, 2019 Source

Was curious if there would be a posting of the upcoming season of assembly talks. It would benefit us who may be unable to go, for personal study and research. Any answer would suffice. Thanks for your time.

The Bible book of Ezekiel contains many prophecies that focus on the restoration of pure worship. How do these prophecies involve us? Source  Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored at Last! Title Page/Publishers’ Page A Letter From the Governing Body Contents Explanation of Special Features CHAPTERS VIDEO DOWNLOAD LINKS 1. “It Is Jehovah Your God You Must Worship” 2. “God Approved” Their Gifts 3. “I Began to See Visions of God” 4. Who Are “the Living Creatures With Four Faces”? 5. “See the Evil, Detestable Things That They Are Doing” 6. “The End Is Now Upon You” 7. The Nations “Will Have to Know That I Am Jehovah” 8. “I Will Raise Up One Shepherd” 9. “I Will Give Them a Unified Heart” 10. “You Will Come to Life” 11. “I Have Appointed You as a Watchman” 12. “I Will Make Them One Nation” 13. “Describe the Temple”14. “This Is the Law of the Temple” 15. “I Will Bring an End to Your Prostitution” 16. “Put a Mark on the Foreheads” 17. “I Am Against You, O Gog” 18. “My Great Rage Will Flare Up” 19. “Everything Will Live Wherever the Stream Goes” 20. “Allot the Land as an Inheritance” 21. “The Name of the City . . . Will Be Jehovah Is There” 22. “Worship God”

Consider some of the challenges that face us and what it will take to make this world a safe and secure place to live. Source

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This issue contains the study articles for April 8 to May 5, 2019 Source

This issue contains the study articles for March 4 to April 7, 2019 Source

What you do every day can make God’s heart rejoice. Source

General instructions for how the midweek meeting should proceed. Source

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