Well thought out and well reasoned, Nugget! Humbled, that is how I feel, but you have put it in words and demonstrated it by an interesting example. Don't think the elders had much to say about that, except perhaps: Yes, but God and Jesus speak through the GB... Easy answer is: There is no evidence of that, rather evidence to the contrary. Reminds me of two scriptures that JWs love to quote:
In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said, We must obey God as ruler rather than men. (Act 5:29 NWT)
So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God. (Rom 14:12 NWT)