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Secret Elder's Book

In 2010, a new Elder's book - "Shepherd the Flock of God" - was released. A large portion of the book is devoted to the procedure for judicial committees and disfellowshipping. This book is for elders only, as made clear in Letter to Elders, August 23, 2010, which states:

"The information is designed for use by the elders only, and other individuals should not have any opportunity to read the information."

Sisters are not allowed to even bind it under supervision, as directed in the following quote from the Letter to Elders, October 7, 2010:

"There is no objection if an elder personally spiral binds or laminates his own textbook or does so for other elders. If he has another baptized brother who is not an elder do the work for him, the elder must watch while the work is being done. Outside companies, unbelievers, or sisters are not permitted to do this work. The material in the book is confidential, and confidentiality must be preserved."

Why the secrecy?

"True religion in no way practices secretiveness." Watchtower 1997 Jun 1 p.6

What information should elder's have access to that other members do not? This reinforces the unwholesome power structure that makes the Watchtower organization a "boy's club."

   Paul Grundy  2005 - 2024