My father was an Elder before they were called that. (Congregation Servant) I knew better than to express any doubts to him. He made it plain he would have disowned me the way he had already done to my 1/2 brother.
Both my husbands were or became Elders during our marriage. I was a true believer during their time as such. I saw hypocracy and favoritism galore in the Borg but chocked it up to "imperfection". I told my husbands of my feelings but never any other Elder. It turns out that both of my husbands quit the position.
Ex husband quit because he hated how the other Elders behaved in committee meetings-especially involving young sisters. They asked accusitory and lurid questions. He said it was obvious that they had no interest in helping anyone. they only wanted dirt- the dirtier the better.
Second hubby was a newly appointed Elder when we married. Soon, he too, became dissilusioned over the way pedophilia was handled. We had 3 in our cong. They were all ingood standing, commented to beat the band, and their moronic wives stayed with them and gave these bastards their full support!
Sooooo.. in my case the Elders came to ME with THEIR true feelings about "the Truth" Both knew more about the ugly underbelly of the Borg than I did as a Rank and File sister. Both Elders left the Watchtower BEFORE I did.