This site does not endorse the following Watchtower quotes. They are simply presented to show what Watchtower teaches regarding the topic.
Trust the Governing Body
Watchtower claims the Governing Body represent Jehovah, and are directed by God to guide his followers. The "faithful and discrete slave" or the "organisation" are similarly presented as directed by Jehovah.
This claim becomes disturbing when Watchtower insists that followers must trust information from the Governing Body without question, even when such information may appear questionable.
Watchtower 2022 Feb pp.2-7
Study Article 6 Do You Trust in Jehovah’s Way of Doing Things?
PREVIEW This article will help us see the need to strengthen our trust in Jehovah and our trust in his earthly representatives. ...
So when a person agrees to study the Bible with us, we face the challenge of helping him to build trust in Jehovah and trust in His earthly representatives.
Of course, Bible students are not the only ones who need to learn to trust in Jehovah and to trust in his organization.…
TRUST IN JEHOVAH WHEN YOU RECEIVE DIRECTION
7 We no doubt wholeheartedly agree that Jehovah always does what is right. The challenge for us, however, might be to trust in his human representatives. …
"The plain truth is that we cannot say that we trust in Jehovah if we do not trust in his earthly representatives—those whom Jehovah trusts.
Today Jehovah leads the earthly part of his organization by means of “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24: 45) Like the first-century governing body, this slave oversees God’s people worldwide and gives direction to congregation elders. (Read Acts 16:4, 5.) The elders, in turn, implement the direction in the congregations. We show that we trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things by heeding the direction we receive from the organization and the elders.…
But Jehovah trusts the elders to make such decisions, and we too need to trust them.…
We can strengthen our trust in the direction we receive from the elders by remembering that they pray for holy spirit when considering matters that affect the congregation.…
As the end of this system of things draws near, we need to trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things as never before. Why? During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, wondering, ‘Is this really coming from Jehovah, or are the responsible brothers acting on their own?’ How will you fare during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation.
Watchtower 2014 Oct 15 pp.24-25
"Faithful servants of Jehovah have always been eager to submit to theocratic direction. (Read Hebrews 13:7, 17.) We may initially lack full understanding of the reasons for carrying out our assigned work in a particular way. Nevertheless, we are fully aware of the benefits of cooperating with Jehovah in any adjustments that he sees fit to make."
Watchtower 2014 Aug 15 p.21
"Today, Jehovah guides his people by means of the Bible, his holy spirit, and the congregation. (Acts 9:31; 15:28; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17) The guidance that we receive from him is so clear that it is as if ‘our own ears hear a word behind us saying: “This is the way. Walk in it.”’ (Isa. 30:21) In effect, Jesus also conveys Jehovah’s voice to us as he directs the congregation through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) We need to take this guidance and direction seriously, for our everlasting life depends on our obedience."
Watchtower 2013 Nov 15 p.20
"At that time, the lifesaving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not."
Examining the Scriptures Daily 2012 Mar 4
"However, we cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it."
Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition
"We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval."
Watchtower 2009 Feb 15 p.27
"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?"
Watchtower 2001 Aug 1 p.14
"Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave.""
Watchtower 1992 Nov 15 p.20
“However, loyal elders never try to influence others to reject any of the spiritual food provided by God through the faithful slave. As Jehovah's dedicated Witnesses, all of us must be loyal to him and to his organization."
Pay Attention to Yourself and to All The Flock (1991 ed.) p.13
"Today, Jehovah provides instruction by means of "the faithful steward." (Luke 12:42)"
Watchtower 1987 Mar 1 p.15
Each article in both The Watchtower and Awake! and every page, including the artwork, is scrutinized by selected members of the Governing Body before it is printed. Therefore, you can read The Watchtower and Awake! with confidence."
Watchtower 1983 Jan 15 p.22
"Avoid questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
Watchtower 1981 Dec 1 p.27
"But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave", made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do."
Watchtower 1974 Jul 15 p.441
"The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization."
Watchtower 1964 Jul 15 p.435
"... show respect for the “faithful and discreet slave” that He is using at the present time. Actually, your very life depends on following this course of action. Remember, too, it is only he that endures to the end that will be saved."
Watchtower 1959 Oct 1 p.583
"To act consistently with our baptism for life and into the Greater Noah we must submit to and cooperate with that slave and its legal instrument, the Watch Tower Society."
Qualified to be Ministers (1955) p.156
"If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, 'Believe all things,' all the things that the Watchtower brings out"