Elder's Manual Question (page 3)

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I would post the "elder threat" letter if I knew how.

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Murray Smith

I would post the "elder threat" letter if I knew how

Feel free to type it's contents if it's not too long . . . I would be interested to see it

Luvonya

I received this letter after my mom, who was disfellowshipped at the time, came to visit me when I lived in Saskatchewan. She lived in a small community in Manitoba. The congregation was viciously shunning her and I swore that since she was my mom, I would never do such a beastly thing. A week after her visit, I received this letter, typed, errors and all as received:

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Aug 20/85

Dear [XXX]:

I'am writing you in regards to the visit of your Mother and [my youngest brother] in July/85.

I would like to inform you that one who is disfellowshipped should not have fellowship with anyone in Jehovah's organization including relatives who are in the truth, not even eating with such a person. (1Cor. 5:11).

This incident has somewhat confused [my two younger brothers named] (not yet baptised) as the [Surname] family had to be counsilled by the elders for the same reason as we all know Jehovah does not have two sets of standards.

As for information on this matter of disfellowshiped relatives please refer to Sept 15/83 WT pages 26-30.

Naturally this poses a major test on you as well as [my two younger brothers named] and the rest of the family.

However, association with a disfellowshiped person whether a relative or any other member of the Cristian congation is not going to help that one repent of his wrong doing.

One who is disfellowshiped receives disipline from Jehovah through his Theocratic Organization. (Heb 12:5&11).

If a disfellowshiped person shows proof of sincere repentance he then can be helped to have Jehovah's favor.

It may be [my name] you have forgotten about this information in Sept 15/83 page 26-30 Watchtoer. It would be good to look it over, so as to help you reason on this important matter.

I was priviledged to go over this article with the boys to help them understand that it is not an easy thing to take ones stand on this matter but it is a test of our loyalty to Jehovah.

In conclution, I would like to commend you [my name] for the spirtual progress you and your family have made since you moved from [location]. Please accept our Theocratic love for you and your family, hope to drop in and see you all sometime if circumstances permit.

Yours with Christian Love,

[Elder Signature]

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Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I can tell, I think this elder meant 1981, not 1983.

While he did not say the words, "stop associating with your mom or you will get disfellowshipped," I felt that the implication was there. Everyone in the congregation "knew" that the standard for treating disfellowshipped ones was to shun them, even if it was my mother. Apparently, it was a big sin for me to invite my mother for a visit because I wasn't even supposed to eat with her.

Your comments are welcome...

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Elder's Manual Question

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Murray Smith

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