This is one thing I NEVER understood. I could understand a brother having an unkempt, poorly groomed beard being counseled about it, and perhaps not being allowed to speak in front of the congregation from the platform. But Even Russell had a beard, but although I saw a number of pictures of him, as well as the commandment from Jehovah to the Hebrews that they must keep their beard, I never heard the beard issue addressed.
The WTS always talks about using the Hebrew scriptures to see Jehovah's view on matters, and get principles as to what Jehovah views as acceptable, they never touch on the beard issue.
Do they really think that a brother with a properly groomed beard is somehow displeasing to God when God himself COMMANDED his followers to have one???!!! It makes no sense, and I'll bet they would be hard pressed to come up with an answer for it if they were asked.