Well, we finally attended the DC. We couldn't go when assigned so we went this weekend instead. I will say what a fine spiritually refreshing weekend it was! I mean there were thousands of loyal lovers of Jehovah there smiling and laughing and treating each other as if we'd been friends for years. I've never wanted to puke harder or more frequently than I did this weekend!!!
First of all let me say our average attendance was about 5,000. We had about 25 people baptized. All ages were represented. Although, there were no little kids thank God.
I did make notations about how many talks and how many times we were told to follow the direction of the FDS. I forgot my notes today but I'll post the numbers later.
The baptism talk was a little different this year. Unless I've just not been paying close attention. The entire outline discussed the two questions that the baptism candidates answer out loud before the song. The brother read the questions and discussed each part of them in detail. Interesting, perhaps some of the comments by apostates about the questions changing have made an impact.
Saturday afternoon had the talk all about following the lead of the FDS and the local elders. Interesting to me was that fact that the manuscript (it was a total manuscript talk) started out by proving that the FDS has spiritual qualifications. They used a few scriptures to do this, not all of them I was familiar with in this context. The usual one was Matthew 24:45; but they also read Luke 10:16 which says " 16 “He that listens to YOU listens to me [too]. And he that disregards YOU disregards me [too]. Moreover, he that disregards me disregards [also] him that sent me forth.” - which is Jesus talking to the 70 (72) disciples that he was sending forth. The speaker actually said that Jesus was talking to the faithful and discreet slave. Also they used a scripture in Isaiah that I can't recall. First time I've heard those two extra sciptures used in connection with the governing body, FDS.
Another interesting, but not earth shattering thing I noticed. Saturday afternoon was the strong talks about FDS doctrine and following the lead of the local elders, etc etc. But Sunday's public talk (the day the public is encouraged to come and attendance is usually higher) was all about Jesus and following him. No mention was made at all of the FDS and following them. Just something interesting I noticed.
Not pursuing a higher education or university degree was mentioned about 7 times throughout the program on various parts. Talks, drama and some interviews mentioned it. I truly believe the push is really on to squash the college plans of the youth.
All in all the assembly was very boring and very very guilt inducing. Every talk was basically about how to do more more more more more more. I seem to recall that in the old days there were at least some talks about bible subjects just for the sake of studying God's word and not trying to squeeze every little "you must do more" thought from every subject. Perhaps I'm wrong, perhaps my memory has softened the guilty blows they've hit me with over the decades.