The Proclaimers book (published by the WTBTS) contains a very interesting statement:
On page 709, paragraph 1, it states:
It should not surprise us that in modern times too, Jehovah has often led his people as a progressive organization, gradually enlightening them as to Bible truths. It is not the truths themselves that change. Truth remains truth. Jehovah’s will and purpose, as outlined in the Bible, remain fixed. (Isa. 46:10) But their understanding of these truths gets progressively clearer “at the proper time,” Jehovah’s due time. (Matt. 24:45; compare Daniel 12:4, 9.) At times, because of human error or misguided zeal, their viewpoint may need to be adjusted.
Why is this statement so interesting? The WTBTS usually steers away from stating that new doctrine is due to "human error". To admit that a past teaching is due to human error may cause a person to come to the conclusion:
Since you were wrong once, you could be wrong again.
However, JWs are told:
"We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval." Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition
"[A mature christian] does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." Watchtower 2001 Aug 1 p.14
"We will be saved only if we obey instructions from God's Word and organization." Watchtower 2012 April 15 p. 26 (caption).
"The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization." Watchtower 1974 July 15 p.441
"Avoid questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization . some who point out that the organization has had to make some adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?" Watchtower 1983 Jan 15 p.22
***w117/15p.28par.17God’sRest—WhatIsIt?***
On the other hand, if we minimized the Bible-based counsel that we receive through the faithful and discreet slave class, choosing to follow an independent course, we would be placing ourselves at odds with God’s unfolding purpose. This could endanger our peaceful relationship with Jehovah.
Therefore, regardless of how serious the consequences of obeying may be, JWs are told that they must obey the FDS, even if they are later found wrong due to simple human error.
So, if a person rejected a certain medical procedure, based upon past "understandings" (albumin, organ transplant, etc.) and suffered/died, it is explained as "human error"? Is this correct?