To be read by the Co-ordinator of the Body of Elders at the earliest opportunity to the whole congregation, a copy of which is to be posted on the Kingdom Hall noticeboard and preferably local and national newspapers.
To the worldwide brotherhood of Jehovah's Witnesses;
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is with a heavy 'heart of wisdom' that we address you all today.
We have thought long and hard, and some of us even prayerfully, of how to bring out this latest 'new light'.
For many years now we have taught what we thought were delightful words of truth. Evidently, however, this has not proved to be the case.
At best, it was wishful thinking. At worst, some of our opposers would say, it was downright deception.
We now realize that what has been thought and taught by us brothers who have had the privilege of serving on the Governing Body, that this organization, The Watchtower Society, was God's organization, is no longer true. Doubtless it never was and never will be.
We are deeply regretful for this latest understanding and ask that you forgive us for letting you down. All we can say is that we too were deceived and let down by our own wishes that this was indeed 'the Truth'.
We have known though for many years that that wish was unfounded.
We then had to make a decision as to what to do with this realization without causing too much irreversible pain and heartache to you our fellow brothers. How were we to close down the Society in as orderly fashion as possible, remembering that God's people are an organized people in all things they do.
We tried coming out with ever more desperately silly and intellectually insulting new light especially with regard to the anointed and the generation. The aim was to cause more of you to eventually wake up so to speak and realize for yourselves that this wasn't 'the Truth' and quietly leave of your own accord. However, it appears that no matter how ludicrous our articles were, many of you had too much to lose by leaving or were just not that bothered or worse still, didn't even notice. Although many of our brothers have 'fallen away' as planned, due to the increasing numbers coming in from less educated, poorer and non-internet countries we have been faced with the problem of increasing as opposed to decreasing numbers.
This situation could have gone on indefinitely. Just look at Islam and the Catholic Church. But it cannot be allowed to go on if we, as your self appointed leaders, are to have a good conscience. We have debated therefore for many months as to what to do. The easiest thing is to let it continue and soften our teachings and do more humanitarian works. In other words end up like most other religions that we have criticized in the past.
But the far more difficult thing to do is to stop and close down. We have had many opposers who have criticized us but do these people have any idea how difficult it is to shut down a multi billion dollar worldwide religion with at least 7 million members desperate for its leadership?
What is to happen to all the Kingdom Hall properties and Bethel complexes and the headquarters? Contrary to what some may think we have never done this for the money.
We therefore propose that each individual Kingdom Hall do as they see fit with the property. We here in New York are preparing to sell all Watchtower property at the earliest opportunity and will forward all proceeds to Red Cross and Red Crescent.
As individuals we will have to make do as best we can with this new light. We know that many Circuit and District Overseers will have difficulty finding employment and so we ask humbly that you their former brothers do what you can to help them.
We know we have never sought help and suggestions before off any of you but if anyone does have a better idea please let us know.
Your loving brothers on the Governing Body